Need a new smartphone? You’ll find it at Mobile World Congress

In the yearly calendar of technology trade shows, Mobile World Congress stands out for two very important reasons. Firstly, it focuses entirely on mobile and wireless gadgets (which it makes it very cool already), and, secondly, it showcases new products that are far closer to reality than the pie-in-the-sky concepts on show at CES. In other words, most of the gadgets that make their debut at the show will go on sale sometime this year.

CNET’s full coverage of Mobile World Congress

Now in its permanent home of Barcelona, Spain, Mobile World Congress has grown far beyond its smartphone roots to include pretty much anything that doesn’t need a wire. That includes tablets, appliances and the quickly growing world of wearable tech. What’s more, almost every big player in tech ( sans Apple, of course) is there. So, naturally, a full CNET team from four countries (and writing in two languages) is currently winging their way to Barcelona to cover the show inside and out.

The big events

Though the show floor doesn’t officially open until Monday, March 2, there’s plenty going on this weekend to follow. Sunday in particular will be a long day packed to the gills with press conferences and meetings. We’ll be covering two events with live blogs and plenty of photos and video. Here’s what you need to know:

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The HTC One M9 should have a sturdy metal skin like the One M8 (pictured).

HTC Sunday, March 1, 4:00 p.m. in Barcelona (calculate to your timezone)

HTC should use this occasion to roll out the next version of its HTC One series. Rumored to be the HTC One M9, the device should have a metal body (naturally) and HTC’s BoomSound speakers. For a full (presumed) preview, check out our HTC One M9 rumor roundup . Besides that phone, the company may spill more devices, but we’ll have to wait and see what happens on Sunday. Catch it all on our HTC live blog hosted by Roger Cheng and Andy Hoyle.

Barcelona braces for Mobile World Congress 2015 (pictures)

Mobile World Congress moved to the Fira Gran Via in 2013, a more remote location with a more spacious conference hall.Mobile World Congress moved to the Fira Gran Via in 2013, a more remote location with a more spacious conference hall.

The flat look isn't just for newer versions of Windows, Android, and iOS. Intel, too, adopted the look for its ads near the Fira Gran Via.The flat look isn't just for newer versions of Windows, Android, and iOS. Intel, too, adopted the look for its ads near the Fira Gran Via.

At Mobile World Congress 2015, Samsung bought rights to the big posters in the Barcelona airport terminals. This ad touts the Galaxy Note 4 phablet, a 2014 model that will be upstaged by the newer if smaller Galaxy S6 phone at the show.At Mobile World Congress 2015, Samsung bought rights to the big posters in the Barcelona airport terminals. This ad touts the Galaxy Note 4 phablet, a 2014 model that will be upstaged by the newer if smaller Galaxy S6 phone at the show.

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Samsung Unpacked Sunday, March 1, 6:30 p.m. in Barcelona (calculate to your timezone)

A Samsung Unpacked event can mean only one thing: a new Galaxy phone. Samsung hasn’t confirmed anything, of course, but a Galaxy S6 device in Barcelona would come right on schedule (the Galaxy S5 debuted at the 2014 Mobile World Congress). And according to the latest gossip, we may see a second device based on the Galaxy Note Edge . Check our Galaxy S6 rumor roundup for everything (we think) we know so far. To see what Samsung spills, follow along in our Samsung Unpacked live blog hosted by Roger Cheng and Jessica Dolcourt.

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The new Moto E

And everything else

Rest assured, there will be much more to Mobile World Congress. LG got a jump start on the show by revealing two smartwatches, the LG Urbane and the LG Urbane LTE , and four phones, the Magna, Spirit, Leon and Joy . We’ll get our hands on them once we arrive in Barcelona so stay tuned for more. We also might see new devices from big players like Lenovo, Alcatel, Acer, Huawei, and ZTE. Sony already pushed out one announcement, the Xperia E4G , but the company should have more up its sleeve. Meanwhile, Motorola decided to send us the new Moto E even before we left for Barcelona.

Whatever happens will bring you all the news as soon as it comes complete with gorgeous photos and hands-on videos. Our Mobile World Congress package will have everything, so go ahead and bookmark that link now. See you Sunday!


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