MWC 2020 Expected To Be A Flub Due To Coronavirus Risk

KEY POINTS

Many Brands have withdrawn from the smartphone exhibition due to Coronavirus scare
Even Chinese brand Vivo will not be attending the exhibition
Smartphone industry also expected to be affected by production issues

The Coronavirus outbreak is affecting the smartphone industry in many ways. It has already affected the production and inventory of smartphones globally and now is in effect, set to kill the world’s largest smartphone exhibition – the Mobile World Congress (MWC).

Sony, Amazon, Ericsson are now being joined by Intel, NTT DoCoMo and even Chinese brand Vivo in withdrawing from the exhibition, due to Coronavirus scare. LG, ZTE, and NVIDIA have already withdrawn. Chinese company TCL is expected to hold a press conference at the event, even though it is not attending.

Companies are citing the safety and wellbeing of employees and caution for withdrawing from the smartphone exhibition, which is taking place from 24-27 Feb.

“Sony has been closely monitoring the evolving situation following the novel coronavirus outbreak, which was declared a global emergency by the World Health Organization on January 30th, As we place the utmost importance on the safety and wellbeing of our customers, partners, media and employees, we have taken the difficult decision to withdraw from exhibiting and participating at MWC 2020 in Barcelona, Spain,” Sony stated on its website. The company was expected to launch the Xperia 1 flagship phone at the event.

This is happening despite the GSM Association, which organizes the MWC issuing a string of countermeasures against Coronavirus. No travelers from China’s Hubei province, the most Coronavirus-affected region will be allowed to attend the exhibition. Anyone who has recently visited China will have to prove that they have stayed away for at least 14 days – the incubation period of the virus.

The outbreak complicates plans of Chinese companies such as OnePlus, Oppo and others who were expected to showcase their products at the exhibition. Interestingly, the OnePlus 8 series – the OnePlus 8, 8 Lite and 8 Pro were the most anticipated launch at MWC 2020. Will we still see these launches? The probability seems less now.

According to a new report, GSMA may cancel MWC altogether or postpone it. The organization is expected to issue an update on the subject Monday.