Who had the best smartphone at MWC 2017?

Mobile World Congress (MWC) has come and gone, delivering smartphone announcements aplenty. But the real question is who “won” the annual exhibition, then?

LG had its G6, looking to erase memories of the innovative but flawed G5 (review). Huawei had the P10, which looks like an evolution over the popular P9 (review). And we had the Nokia brand and its Android smartphones, courtesy of HMD Global.

However, the GSMA has chosen Sony and its Xperia XZ Premium as the best smartphone of MWC 2017 at its annual Global Mobile (GloMo) Awards. And to be honest, it’s not tough to see why.

The Xperia XZ Premium packs a ridiculous 4K HDR display, with Sony saying Amazon Prime’s HDR content will be compatible with the screen. Then there’s the presence of 960fps slow-motion video at 720p, making for a huge upgrade over slow-mo in rival handsets.

Is Sony back in the game with the XZ Premium? It’s tough to say but it definitely packs heat

“Xperia XZ Premium is our most technologically capable smartphone ever” said Hiroki Totoki, President and CEO at Sony Mobile Communications, in a statement.

“We’re honoured by this recognition — Xperia XZ Premium has received endorsement (sic) from operator partners, media, consumers and industry peers alike, which is testament to our relentless pursuit of innovation, to deliver great products and experiences for consumers.”

In saying so, there are a few questions surrounding the XZ Premium, such as its price and a release date. Sony claims that the device is set for late Spring (northern hemisphere), which points to a May or June launch — quite a long time after its reveal.

Other notable GloMo winners include the Amazon Echo (disruptive device innovation award) and the Samsung Galaxy S7 Edge (best smartphone 2016).