Best mobile technology trends of IFA 2018

IFA 2018 tech trends

The IFA (Internationale Funkausstellung Berlin) or Berlin Radio Show has been around for 93 years and is one of the year’s most fascinating tech shows. And not just because it means hanging out in Berlin for a week. It showcases technology trends primarily to European consumers, but many companies use it as the global launch pad for gadgets aimed at holiday shoppers (due to its late-August/early-September timing).

One of the other reasons why the IFA is so unique is because of its tendency for the bizarre. This year saw the announcement of some exciting mobile technology and smartphones such as the Sony Xperia XZ3, the Huawei Mate 20 Lite, and the Motorola One. Below are some of the top mobile technology trends of the IFA 2018.

Sony Xperia XZ3

The biggest smartphone launch at the IFA this year was the Sony Xperia XZ3. Now, you might be thinking, “But didn’t Sony release the XZ2 just six months ago?”. They did, but the XZ3 is a superior phone in many aspects.

While it is the same metal-and-glass makeup as the previous model, there are small details that make it an exciting release. The edges are more smoothly sculpted and come to a slim point on the edge, and the back is more ergonomic to handle. The technical specs are top-drawer and it has the latest Android 9 Pie operating system.

The camera is a competitor in the smartphone world as it offers a 19-megapixel main camera and a 13-megapixel “selfie camera”. The lens quality allows for crystal clear photographs every time.

Motorola One and One Power

It might be difficult to get excited about yet another mid-range Motorola smartphone, but the Motorola One and One Power grabbed attention as technology trends because of their similarity in style to the iPhone X.

There is more to these nifty little devices, however. The One is a nicer styled Moto G6 with a modern feel that is more compact for the hand to comfortably hold. The One Power is an India-specific device which has a huge battery and impressive specs. Both have Android OS which can easily be updated.

The One Power has a Qualcomm Snapdragon 636 processor along with 4GB of RAM. Both have impressive cameras for mid-range smartphones, making them the perfect choice for those who enjoy all the bells-and-whistles but not the price tag.

HTC U12 Life

For the past few years, HTC has not had any hits on their hands in terms of smartphones. This has changed with the introduction of the HTC U12 Life at the IFA. One of the major technology trends at the show this year was the reinvention of brands, which HTC certainly achieved with this offering.

It has funky, laser-etched stripes along the back which makes it easy and comfortable to hold, increasing the grip and reducing the appearance of fingerprints on the plastic. It offers a crystal clear 6-inch full HD display and an effective Snapdragon 636 chipset.

The U12 Life also provides an impressive 3,600mAh battery, as well as 4GB of RAM and 64GB of storage. For those who enjoy the odd selfie (or three), you’ll be pleasantly surprised with the 16MP+5MP rear cameras and 13MP front camera.

ZTE Axon 9 Pro

After a highly publicized ban in America, ZTE was keen to put itself back in business, and so they introduced the Axon 9 Pro as one of their technology trends at the IFA this year. It provides a 6.21-inch AMOLED display that promises to optimize video for ultimate viewing.

Inside, this zippy little number is equipped with Snapdragon 845 with 6GB of RAM and 128GB of storage. If you use your phone a lot during the day (who doesn’t?) you’ll be impressed with the 4,000mAh battery.

The camera is equally good, with a 20-megapixel front-facing camera with face-unlock software. If you’re looking for a new high-quality mid-range smartphone, the Axon 9 Pro is a strong contender.

Honor Play

The Honor Play is one of the more unique technology trends of the IFA in 2018. It is a gaming-centric mid-range smartphone, perfect for those who enjoy gaming on devices. It has a 6.3-inch full HD display, a Kirin 970 AI chipset and a 3,750mAh battery.

The GPU Turbo software brings with it a smooth gaming experience, accelerating every touch you make on the screen. With the intelligent Kirin chipset, gaming and photography have a professional feel to them.

In terms of the OS, you’ll find Huawei’s EMUI version 8.2 installed over the Android 8.1. If you’re a true gamer at heart, the Honor Play is the perfect choice for you. It’s also set to be highly affordable upon release.

Keep those fingers tapping

The IFA is one of the major technology trend shows in the business. And it stands to reason that many of the releases are mobile, due to our increasingly mobile-centric society. Sony, Huawei, Motorola, and ZTE were all major players this year, with a few interesting releases from HTC and Honor. These shows allow us to see the fascinating transformation that mobile technology has undergone since its inception, so if you’d like to learn more about the upcoming technology trends for the year, read our predictions in our recent article.