While we went into this year’s Mobile World Congress assuming all of the focus would be on the Samsung Galaxy S9, we were in for a few surprises. First Nokia absolutely stole the show with not one, but five amazing new handsets. There was also a major focus on bringing 5G to market. And we definitely can’t forget about the Asus Zenfone 5 and all the other iPhone clones we saw while roaming the halls.
But underneath all of the hubbub around new phones and 5G, we saw a number of awesome smartphone accessories hidden in the nooks and crannies of MWC’s overwhelming halls. Here are just a few of our favorite smartphone accessories.
A manufacturer of hybrid smartphone accessories, Tronsmart introduced Digital Trends to its newest AirAmp Hybrid Wireless Charging Bank. In addition to wireless device charging at 5W, the AirAmp Hybrid Wireless Charging Bank features a 10,000mAh battery backup as well as 15W USB-C Quick Charge technology. With a rugged design and small form factor, the AirAmp Hybrid Wireless Charging Bank is easy to throw into a backpack or bag.
One of our absolute favorite accessories at this year’s MWC, the Andi line features different wireless chargers for every use scenario. In addition to being absolutely charming on their own, Andi features a line of smartphone cases that allow you to magnetically attach your device to any of its wireless chargers. Right now availability is limited to parts of Europe, but we sincerely hope to see this line in the U.S. in the near future.
While Popsockets continues to be our favorite smartphone grip, the Kakao Friends Cutie Ring is an adorable alternative. This playful accessory can be used as a smartphone grip as well as a stand for TV and YouTube streaming. Although the Kakao Friends Cutie Ring is a bit expensive at $20, it definitely has a wow factor your friends will be sure to love.
Based in Virginia, Case Station offered some of the most interesting cases we saw at this year’s Mobile World Congress. Featuring licensed products, artists lines, and even custom cases, Case Station has a huge selection of smartphone cases that are sure to please anyone. In addition to cases for about 30 different smartphones, Case Station also offers an extensive line of Apple Watch straps as well.
A stylish charging alternative for homes and businesses, Gloo allows you to charge multiple devices at once. In addition to charging, Gloo has a hefty battery backup that can provide additional charges for up to eight smartphones. Deconect also offers a 360-degree camera option for its Gloo bases that automatically upload images to Facebook.
Are you tired of paying for streaming services you never watch just to get a phone plan feature you actually want? T-Mobile has good news for you! The carrier is rolling out new plans, called T-Mix, in early November to replace its old Experience lineup with a build-your-own perks system called Picks.
The benefits you choose vary from streaming and gaming to food delivery, AI, satellite service, and phone discounts. But if you are satisfied with your existing plan, you can keep it.
Merely days after the iPhone Duo hit the shelves, images of broken screens on the phone started popping up across social media. Until now, it’s been unclear what’s causing the line of defective pixels that appears vertically along the crease, as well as horizontally, on the phone’s inner display.
Apple has finally acknowledged the issue, which has shown up on iPhone Duo units owned by customers as well as demo units in stores. In a statement shared with Bloomberg, Apple says that not all iPhone Duo units are affected and that those that are tend to show the display fault early on. The company added that users who experience problems with their iPhone Duo display should contact AppleCare for a replacement.
Not long ago, Apple treated independent repair like an act of outright hostility. The Cupertino giant locked down parts with serial-number pairing, while repair tools remained firmly out of reach of anyone outside its authorized repair network. More importantly, the company waged a legal and lobbying battle against right-to-repair legislation.
I've covered enough of these fights over the years to know what a shift looks like. That's why what happened in October 2026 genuinely caught me off guard. The day the iPhone Duo went on sale, what may be the most mechanically complex iPhone to date, Apple pulled off a surprising about-face. It published teardown-style repair manuals for a handful of major components.