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The MWC(Mobile World Congress) tech expo is undoubtedly one of the biggest of the year. It brings together the biggest names in technology, throngs of people working in the industry, and journalists aplenty — including the hard-working lauriebrown.netteam.

Every year the Barcelona-based event is used to show off a wide range of gadgets and other tech, and we’ve been busy taking in all the news and announcements. What you’ll find below are our picks for the best pieces of hardware we’ve come across so far.

While MWC usually focuses mainly on phones, there’s something here for everyone, including new wireless earbuds from Motorola and a crazy gaming handheld concept for Motorola. To keep right up to date with the happenings, check out our live blog.

1. Nothing Phone 4a

Nothing smartphones can usually be relied upon to be affordable, innovative, and stylish, and the Nothing Phone 4a series looks set to continue those traditions. We’ve been given our first proper look at the handset at MWC, and the four colors it will be available in.

There’s only so much you can tell about a phone when it’s behind a glass case, so we’re hoping that we can get some hands-on time with it sooner rather than later. In the meantime, see if you can pick your favorite shade: black, blue, white, or pink. It’s due to get a full announcement on March 5.

2. Honor Robot Phone

The Honor Robot Phone is definitely one of the more unusual handsets that we’ve come across in Barcelona — or indeed anywhere else. It has a built-in camera on a small robotic arm, which can extend out whenever you want to capture some photos or videos.

Thanks to that robotic arm, the camera can follow you and whatever you’re doing, so it’s like a high-end webcam or vlogging camera you can take with you anywhere. Think a DJI Pocket 4 built into your phone. We’re still waiting to find out when it’ll go on sale or how much it’s going to cost, however.

3. Snapdragon Wear Elite

We always get a chipset story or three at MWC, and for 2026 Qualcomm has unveiled the Snapdragon Wear Elite. This premium bit of silicon will soon be appearing in all sorts of different wearables, most likely including smartwatches and various AI-powered gadgets.

What makes the Snapdragon Wear Elite special is the amount of processing it can do on its own, without sending anything back to the cloud — and that means faster response times for whatever it is you’re doing. It also brings with it upgrades in power and efficiency.

• Read the full story: Qualcomm’s Snapdragon Wear Elite aims to power the next wave of AI wearables — not just smartwatches

4. Lenovo Legion Go Fold concept

We’ve never had it so good in terms of gaming handhelds as we do now, and Lenovo is hoping to capture a slice of the market with the new Lenovo Legion Go Fold — though for now this remains a concept product rather than something you can actually buy.

As the name gives away, this particular handheld folds: it boasts a 7.7-inch screen when it’s closed, and a 11.6-inch screen when it’s opened up. You then snap controllers to each side, and away you go. There are also some rather decent specs under the hood.

• Read the full story: I love my foldable phone and PC handhelds, but I don’t see the appeal of this goofy Lenovo concept

5. Leica Leitzphone

Camera veteran Leica has unveiled the Leitzphone, made in partnership with Xiaomi. It’s the first Leica handset to get a global release — though it looks as though the US might miss out, unfortunately — and it’s sure to appeal to serious mobile photographers.

The main camera on the back of the Leitzphone has a 50-megapixel, 1-inch sensor, as well as LOFIC tech that should ensure more natural snaps. There’s also a manual ring around the camera, which we really like, giving you a way to manually adjust the camera settings.

• Read the full story: Leica’s Leitzphone looks like the dream phone for photographers — and I’m particularly excited about this one feature

6. Honor Magic V6

We’ve seen foldable phones before, but the Honor Magic V6 raises the bar again. Not only is it the thinnest foldable to launch to date, it also comes with an IP69 rating for excellent water and dust protection — no easy feat for a handset that has a folding hinge in it.

The other specs you’ll want to know about are the 6,660mAh battery, the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 chipset from Qualcomm, and the support for a stylus. With an inner screen that measures 7.95 inches corner to corner, it’s a genuine Samsung Galaxy Z Fold rival.

7. Moto Buds 2

Motorola has taken the opportunity of MWC in Barcelona to launch the Moto Buds 2 and Moto Buds 2 Plus wireless earbuds, and there’s a lot to like about them — including the audio quality engineered in partnership with Bose that you get with the Plus earbuds.

We’ve got Active Noise Cancellation (ANC) on both models, and these earbuds come at a price point that’s very reasonable indeed (though we’re still waiting on full details of availability). Battery life is another highlight, both with and without the charging cases.

• Read the full story: ‘Sound by Bose’ earbuds for this money?! I’ve never said ‘Hello Moto’ with so much conviction!

8. ThinkBook Modular AI PC concept

Back to Lenovo, and the company has also been demoing a ThinkBook Modular AI PC concept here at MWC. It comes with not one but two screens, and they’re detachable — so multiple different display configurations are possible, not just the standard laptop one.

You’ve basically got two mini monitors to go along with your keyboard (and the rest of the laptop), and it’s sure to appeal to those looking for more flexibility on the go. For the time being though, it’s not certain that this intriguing concept will ever go into production.

• Read the full story: Lenovo just showed me the future of laptops at MWC 2026 — and it didn’t mention AI once

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• The Lenovo Legion Go Fold is a new handheld concept from MWC
• It can unfold into an iPad-sized screen
• You can use it like a handheld or a laptop

I’ve been loving the Asus ROG Xbox Ally X PC handheld, but the screen isn’t the largest, and it doesn’t have the versatility of my Nintendo Switch 2 — so perhaps I need the newly unveiled Lenovo prototype handheld with a massive unfolding display, even if it does look a bit silly.

Showcased at MWC, the Lenovo Legion Go Fold Concept can transform between a more standard 7.7-inch display size and an 11.6-inch size in a 16:10 aspect ratio. Strapped between the controllers in handheld mode this iPad-sized screen looks absurd when in portrait orientation, but it can be turned landscape for a more sensible gaming experience (though it doesn’t look like it’d be very comfortable).

Best of all, you can remove the screen entirely. You could then use the screen as a laptop with a portable keyboard, or keep on gaming using the Joy-Con-like Lenovo controllers.

A pricey upgrade, probably

In addition to its flexible screen, this Lenovo handheld is outfitted with 32GB of RAM, an Intel Core Ultra 7 258V Lunar Lake processor, and 1TB of storage. Plus, if one extra-large display wasn’t enough, the controller has a built-in circular touchscreen that can be used to swipe through some UI elements, or provide some extra fun and utility as a clock or to play an animation.

As this is a prototype, Lenovo hasn’t outlined a price (nor a release date) for the Legion Go Fold, but if this were to launch, don’t expect it to be cheap. A regular Lenovo Legion Go 2 would set you back $1,049 / £1,000 / AU$1,609, and after you consider the premium that comes with foldable displays (just look at the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 7 which is around twice the price of the Samsung Galaxy S26 for an idea) it wouldn’t be absurd to see the Legion Go Fold come in at close to or over $2,000.

That’s not even speaking of the RAM crisis of it all. The ongoing component shortage and resulting price spike are causing our favorite tech to surge in price, and 32GB of RAM won’t come cheap in today’s climate.

What I’m saying is, while many concepts do eventually see the light of day, I’m not expecting Lenovo’s foldable PC handheld to launch anytime soon — if at all. I’m a foldables convert, and I adore my gaming handhelds, so this should be a slam dunk product for me, but I couldn’t conceive of dropping close to $2,000 on this thing — at that point, I could get a very solid gaming laptop instead, which seems like a way better value for money.

If you are that desperate for a larger portable screen for your handheld, a much more affordable option would be a pair of XR smart glasses from the likes of RayNeo or Xreal.

We’re tracking all the news from MWC — including more tangible upgrades that aren’t simply concepts, plus some big Apple launches — so be sure to follow us for updates.

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• A Clever design makes Xgimi’s new projector disappear
• 1080p image with 510 ISO Lumens
• Around $248 / £185 / AU$350 based on its price in China

Xgimi has launched a new budget projector, the Z6X, with a clever bit of design: its integrated gimbal stand enables you to hide the projector bit by turning it upwards so it blends in with the rectangular frame.

The design is practical as well as effective: it covers the front and back of the projector for traveling, and means that when you’re not using it, it just looks like an object on your shelf.

Although Xgimi describes this as a portable projector, it doesn’t have a built-in battery (like the impressive Xgimi MoGo 4) , but provided you’re going somewhere with a power outlet, it looks like a bag-friendly and lightweight option.

It’s roughly the size of an iPad at around nine inches wide, eight inches tall and two and a half inches deep. It weighs 1.1kg (2.4lbs).

Xgimi Z6X 5th Generation projector: key features

The Xgimi Z6X is a DLP model capable of a claimed 510 ISO Lumens of brightness and a resolution of 1920 x 1080 pixels. It has a throw ratio of 1.2: 1 and 124% coverage of the Rec.709 color space.

The integrated gimbal stand makes it easy to adjust the projector’s tilt, and it has a range of 150 degrees so you can move between wall and ceiling projection.

Most of the specifications are only currently listed in Chinese, so I’m grateful to Notebookcheck.net for translating: it has HDMI 2.1 with eARC, USB and twin 3W speakers with Dolby Audio support.

The operating system is Xgimi’s own GMUI 6.0 (likely to switch to Google TV if it launches in the UK and US, based on our experience with Xgimi’s products) with both Wi-Fi and Bluetooth connections. It also integrates with Xiaomi’s smart home system. Automation includes automatic focus and keystone correction.

We don’t yet know if the Z6X is launching outside China, but it’s likely: the very similar but slightly less bright 400 Lumen Xgimi Elfin Flip is available through the likes of Amazon and directly from Xgimi – although it looks like US and Australian customers will pay a premium if the Z6X does indeed come to those countries: while the Elfin Flip retails for around £289 (AU$545) and sometimes even less in the UK, Xgimi Australia sells it for AU$999 and Xgimi US charges $999.

The Xgimi Z6X is currently listed on Xgimi’s Chinese website for 元1,705. That’s roughly $248 / £185 / AU$350 before taxes or tariffs at today’s exchange rates.

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Lego hasn’t really changed at its core for decades.

While the Danish makers have become increasingly clever in how they’ve diversified the designs of their block toys, at the heart it’s all about fitting little pieces together in unique ways. Well that’s all changing.

Because for the first time ever, we’re now fully adding in USB-charged technology to give this absolute classic of a toy a whole new lease of life.

• Brits told to ‘stop and follow instructions’ by UK Government if WW3 breaks out
• Brewdog shuts all 60 branches today as sale hangs in balance

The secret is the brand new Smart Brick.

This is a traditional 4×2 brick with a see-through top that lights up, flashes and pumps out all sorts of wild noises based on interactions with unique mini figures and smart tags you add into your builds.

We were among the first to try out the Star Wars TIE Fighter set that includes a Darth Vader mini character.

It’s a lovely small-to-medium sized 473-piece build that took me and my two kids an evening to put together.

Lego lovers will know the drill, follow the easy-to-read build book you get in the pack which gives flat-pack style instructions on how to assemble the final space ship.

But this time the was the added instruction of plugging in a bright yellow USB-C charge pad to a socket and putting the fabled single Smart Brick in the centre of it to charge up while we were building.

And this craft fully came to life at the end when we added in a tag piece on the middle of the TIE fighter and the smart brick on top of it.

The tag works a bit like a unique QR code in that it gives the tech brick instructions on the interactions it can do with tat particular set.

As a result, when my daughter ‘flew’ the space ship around the room – instead of making her own flying noises – the brick emitted classic Star Wars swoosh noises and bright lights like a flying craft.

A lever we installed at the back, when pulled with a finger, also produced laser shooting sounds, so she could have a battle with the side-build Rebel Outpost which featured a firing rocket mechanism and a rebel minifigure.

When placed on the table, you could used an accompanying tiny green hammer to ‘repair’ your TIE Fighter, complete with authentic banging and bashing noises, by pretending to do so near the Smart Brick.

And to complete the fun, you can refuel your craft with the handy little fuel pipe in the same way.

It glugged down the juice, which made me giggle.

The Smart Brick lasts about 45 minutes per charge and shuts itself down after a few minutes of inaction. Then it’s a case of giving it a quick wiggle to wake it up again.

It’s incredibly easy to use and gave me and the kids a lovely evening away from the usual screens to enjoy some toy building fun that we frankly need to do a bit more.

There’s a host of other Star Wars Smart Brick sets coming out now – from Yoda’s Hut to Luke Skywalker’s Landspeeder – so this is going to be a massive deal for Lego fans across the globe going forward.

And based on just this smaller £59.99 set so far, it’s a brilliant evolution of a classic toy that brings technology into play but keeps the core facet of ‘play’ at its heart.

VERDICT 4/5

Japanese powerhouse Casio has been behind some of the biggest watch moments in pop culture over the last 50 years, from Marty McFly’s iconic Casio CA53W in Back to the Future to collaborations with the likes of BAPE, Supreme and even PAC-MAN.

They’ve been innovating non-stop since 1974, when they became the first watchmaker to release a model with a built-in automatic calendar with the Casiotron, and have continued to push the boundaries of affordable timepieces well into the 21st century, which is why they’re always one to keep an eye on for new releases.

Read on to take a look at our pick of Casio releases from the last month that flew under the radar…

Casio G-Shock GA-2100CM-5A and 8A

This one’s a new release in the world’s favourite rugged watch series – whether you’re a complete horologophile or a watch-layman, you’ll recognise a G-Shock.

Casio’s newest entry in its beloved range features a distinctive camouflage-like design, available in either a classic beige, black and khaki or a reddish-brown and pink colour. Stylish and functional, in true gorpcore fashion.

As always, practicality comes first, and the GA-2100CM has an array of features, including a 1/100th second stopwatch, 200m water resistance, and a digital display showing the date and a day of the week indicator.

Casio Sheen SHW-5300CGL-7A

A smaller, sleeker design, the newest Casio Sheen styles are both elegant pieces with a standout rose gold plating for a smart and soft look.

The watches both feature an automatic calendar with three hands, and they are radio-controlled. Plus, they have an extensive battery life thanks to the Tough Solar charging technology, and are water resistant up to 10 ATM.

Currently, these are available in Japan only, and it is unknown whether they’ll be brought over to North America and Europe.

Casio A158WEA-2 and WEA-7

The A158 series is one of Casio’s most recognisable ranges, known for being some of the most reliable watches on the market. Even better, they’ve always come at a reasonable price point.

While the WEA-2, stands out with a dash of cool blue, a silver-toned face gives a classy finish to the WEA-7, which also features a stopwatch, daily alarm, full automatic calendar and a green LED backlight that gives it that truly retro Casio feel.

Casio Mudmaster GWG-B1000TLC-1A

In their latest collaborative project, Casio teamed up with Team Land Cruiser Toyota Auto Body (TLC) on a brilliantly hardy timepiece that pays tribute to the toughness of the most demanding races.

Inspired by the night stages of the Dakar Rally, which is often heralded as the most difficult race in the world, the watch is built with a metal exterior made with high-precision forging techniques and a resin case reinforced with carbon fibre.

The hands of the radio-controlled and solar-powered piece are visually inspired by race car navigation systems, and the watch is also equipped with a triple sensor that provides readings for direction, altitude, barometric pressure and temperature. Hardy, functional, textural and refined, it represents the pinnacle of Casio’s innovative watchmaking.

Casio MTP-C666

Designed as a gift for students taking their key exams this season, the two new Casio MTP-C666 watches are masterpieces of minimal design, the 1B is a black dial watch with white indexes, and the 7B has a white face but black detailing.

On the surface, they’re incredibly simple, but there’s an incredibly unique design feature on the back of the casing, where an image of a carp is engraved into the metal.

The carp is a callback to the Chinese Longmen legend, which tells of determined carp who swim upstream against a river’s current and transform into dragons after taking a leap of faith, and it has since often been used as a symbol for students succeeding in their exams. It’s a subtle, sentimental addition to an otherwise modest watch that makes it just that little bit more special.

The University and College Union (UCU) and Union have both issued statements ahead of planned strike action.

The University of Essex is facing more strikes as part of an escalating row and will see nine days of strikes this month, as staff protest against plans to close its Southend campus, cut 400 jobs, and reduce courses.

The latest industrial action will begin on Thursday, March 5, and continue on Friday, March 6, with further walkouts planned for March 9, 10, 11, 16, 17, 18, and 19.

Staff will form picket lines on each strike day, following seven days of action last month and ongoing action short of a strike since February.

Jo Grady, general secretary of the University and College Union (UCU), said: “University staff are back out on strike in an attempt to rescue the University of Essex from the ruinous path management is taking.

“We won’t allow senior managers at the university to decimate the staff body, harm student learning, and shut down the only higher education provision in the city of Southend.

“Our members are not only going on strike; many have also cut their hours and pay to reduce the institution’s outgoings and help protect it from the financial failings of their own senior managers.

“Those managers should now look at cutting their own pay, rule out compulsory redundancies, and start trying to resolve this dispute.”

UCU is urging the university to work with them to protect jobs.

According to the UCU statement, university management recently confirmed it has made more than £10million in savings – over half of its target – through reduced hours and voluntary redundancies.

The university originally said it intended to axe 200 academic and 200 professional staff.

Caroline Hennessy, Unison Eastern regional officer, said: “Staff won’t sit idly by while senior managers take a wrecking ball to the University of Essex, putting short-term business interests ahead of students’ education.

“Unison professional services staff fully support the stand UCU members are taking.

“They will stand shoulder to shoulder to defend the university on the march next weekend and on the picket lines soon.”

A rally to support the Southend campus will take place on Sunday, March 8, at 1pm.

In a statement, a spokesperson for the university said: “The University of Essex is committed to doing everything it can to make sure that any industrial action affects our students as little as possible.

“The university will remain open on all campuses to support the delivery of education and research.

“The library, IT and student support services will be available as normal for students, as will on-campus study and recreational facilities.

“The university will continue to work extremely hard to safeguard our students’ learning outcomes and student experience during this time.

“We are aware of the worry the situation may cause, and will be communicating regularly with our students, ensuring they know that support is available, should they need it.”

• Best Buy Canada leaked a listing page for the ‘Sonos Play’ speaker, but it has since been deleted
• It’s set to arrive March 31, and costs $399.99
• The new Bluetooth speaker could be Sonos’ mid-range option alongside the Roam 2 and Move 2

Apple isn’t the only one with new devices on the way, as leaks of a new Sonos portable Bluetooth speaker hint that the audio giant could be dropping the device imminently — and people already like what they see.

Dubbed ‘Sonos Play’, the speaker was leaked on Best Buy Canada’s site with a full gallery of images and a thorough list of specs, but has since been taken down. Luckily, a user on Reddit managed to snap some images before the listing was removed from Best Buy’s online store (see below).

According to the listing, the Sonos Play portable speaker will be available in black or white and will cost CAD $399.99 (or around USD $300), though international prices have yet to be announced. It’s supposedly arriving as soon as March 31, but Sonos hasn’t confirmed or denied the launch date.

At first glance, it seems that the Sonos Play will serve as the mid-range option in Sonos’ lineup of Bluetooth speakers, which consists of the Sonos Roam 2 ($179/ $179) and the significantly larger, higher-end Sonos Move 2 ($499 / £449) — both of which are some of the best Bluetooth speakers we know. But let’s get into the specs.

Bigger than the Roam, smaller than the Move 2

Prior to taking the listing down, Best Buy’s product overview shared the following: “Take quality sound wherever you go with the Sonos Play Bluetooth wireless speaker. Its compact design fits easily in your hand, while automatic Trueplay tuning optimizes audio for any environment. Wi‑Fi and Bluetooth let you stream high‑quality audio from different devices and sources. Up to 24 hours of battery life avoids the need for frequent recharging.”

Design-wise, Sonos keeps it cohesive, and the new Bluetooth speaker doesn’t have any crazy design changes that are out of the ordinary for the brand. Its shape is reminiscent of the UE Epicboom speaker, packing a handy carrying strap, 24-hour battery life, a wireless charging base, an aux port for connecting to other audio devices such as turntables, and a USB-C port, allowing you to use the speaker as a battery pack.

As for dimensions, it’s likely that Best Buy messed up on this one. The screenshots of the listing show the Sonos Play speaker to be W19.23cm, D11.25cm, H7.67cm, which, looking at the product image, is definitely not just under 8cm tall. It’s likely that these have been mixed up (I’d guess that the real dimensions are H19.23cm, W11.25cm, D7.67cm), hinting that someone from Best Buy might have published the listing a bit too promptly.

Despite this mix-up, its size is a perfect starting point for Sonos’ venture into mid-range speakers. Though the Sonos Move 2 is a powerful speaker fit for both indoor and outdoor use, its bulky size contradicts the portability aspect of Bluetooth speakers, while the Sonos Roam is the ideal portable audio companion, but doesn’t quite pack a punch on the battery life front.

As well as WiFi connectivity, the Best Buy listing reveals that the Sonos Play will support Apple AirPlay 2 and Alexa, in addition to Spotify and Sonos app compatibility. As per the listing overview, Sonos’ flagship sound-optimizing tool Trueplay is coming to the Play speaker, which tunes the audio based on your surroundings and speaker placement.

Though Best Buy was quick to eradicate all traces of its Sonos Play listing, its first-look images have been well received online, even though it comes in at $400 – though that price level is standard for Sonos. That said, we know that Sonos has other tricks up its sleeve – it’s apparently got another app overhaul in the works — so a new Bluetooth speaker would be highly welcomed alongside a fresh app redesign.

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While many smart telescopes focus on ease of use at the expense of precision, the DwarfLab Dwarf Mini carves out a different niche. With its flask-sized form factor and basic resolution, it’s clearly not aiming to replace a full-size astrophotography rig, but for those looking for a compact, capable, and self-contained imager to take on the road, it’s a compelling option.

The Dwarf Mini is built around a 30mm f/5 apochromatic refractor, with a Sony IMX662 image sensor and a fully-motorized mount that handles both object tracking and image stacking. Like most smart telescopes, there’s no eyepiece — all interaction is via a smartphone app — and it’s designed to make the process of capturing nebulae, galaxies, and clusters as seamless as possible. 

From solar imaging with the included filter to deep-sky observations through its built-in filters, the Dwarf Mini performs well across the board, but never excels. Crucially, it supports equatorial (EQ) tracking for up to 90-second exposures. 

For more serious astrophotographers — or simply those who want to travel light — this feature alone will set it apart from many of its competitors. For others, the chance to take images of the sun and moon with a pocket-sized device will be enough to justify its place in a camera bag—or even a pocket. 

Specifications

Optical design: Apochromatic refractor

Aperture: 1.18 inches / 30mm

Focal length: 150mm / 5.91 inches (f/5)

Field of view: 50.59 x 45.06° (wide) / 2.45 x 2.14° (telephoto)

Battery life: 4 hours (7,000mAh)

Weight: 1.8lb / 840g

Mount type: Motorized alt-azimuth / EQ mode

Accessories: USB-C cable, solar filter

Price and availability

The Dwarf Mini is available for around £359 / $399 / AU$595, making it compete in competition with other entry-level smart scopes like the ZWO Seestar S30. While it undercuts the larger Dwarf 3 and Seestar S30 Pro, it lacks a carry case or tripod (though custom-made add-on products are available from DwarfLab). For astrophotographers who already own tripods and camera bags, these omissions may be irrelevant, as the Dwarf Mini uses a standard 1/4-inch thread (making it compatible with any basic tabletop tripod or travel tripod) and is easy to store in a camera bag or even a jacket pocket. 

Build and handling

In the hand, the 1.8lb / 840g Dwarf Mini is surprisingly dense for its size, but remains impressively compact — smaller than most long lenses and easy to pack alongside other camera gear. It’s sensible to use it with a tall tripod to achieve a wide-field view of the night sky, but it’s so small that it can be mounted on a tripod support arm alongside a DSLR or mirrorless camera.

About half the size of a credit card, the included solar filter attaches magnetically and is well-made, though there’s no case or drawstring pouch to protect it from bumps or scratches. More concerning is the lack of any hard case for the scope itself, which would benefit from sturdier travel protection given its purpose-built portability. Again, one is available on the DwarfLab website — though we used a large sock. 

One issue we did encounter was with the built-in sky atlas — planetarium software that can be used to locate an object, or frame an image of the wide-field night sky. Although it works very well, it does require an initial large download and often a top-up, so it’s worth logging in to the app while still on WiFi before venturing to a remote location. The same applies to common firmware updates. 

Performance

The Dwarf 3 is very easy to use and has some advanced modes that make it much more than a quick-hit novelty device. Initial setup is refreshingly quick. Power on the Dwarf Mini, connect your phone to its WiFi signal and launch the DwarfLab app. When using an iPhone, we did experience some connectivity issues that made the process longer than we had hoped — not something we encountered with an Android device. Once it’s connected, its built‑in star atlas can be used to select a target, with the scope using plate solving to automatically align itself with the night sky to find the object. 

Like all smart telescopes, the Dwarf Mini captures short exposures (typically 10 seconds). She stacks them automatically in real time to reduce noise and enhance contrast, producing vibrant, usable images of bright deep-sky objects within minutes. The images improve constantly, but you can’t see the current image until it’s saved. It makes no difference for astrophotography, but it does make it less appealing for outreach when you want to share images of the night sky in real-time. 

During testing from a suburban location, we successfully imaged popular winter targets such as the Orion Nebula (M42), the Pleiades (M45), and several open clusters — all from under heavy light pollution.

While the 2MP resolution is modest, results are crisp and colourful on phone and tablet screens. DwarfLab’s own Stellar Studio can make adjustments within the app, though it’s worth noting that this tool only works when connected to the scope, and processing is slow. It’s rather time-consuming and cumbersome, though for open clusters, the “star correction” tool finally plate-solves all the images in the stack and produces a sharp-looking result. It’s also possible for advanced users to export low-res JPEG, mid-res PNG and hi-res FITS files for post-processing.

One standout feature is EQ (equatorial) mode, which allows a telescope to track the sky in sync with Earth’s rotation. Once manually aligned with Polaris — something the app walks you through — the Dwarf Mini can track objects for up to 90 seconds per exposure. That’s a significant improvement over the 15 seconds or so typical of alt-azimuth mounts. This is especially useful for imaging objects near the zenith, where field rotation can cause star blurring and streaking. For more casual users, EQ mode is not strictly necessary. Without it, you still get share-worthy results with minimal effort.

Unlike most smart telescopes, the Dwarf Mini can also be used by day. Solar imaging with the included magnetic filter revealed detailed sunspots. At the same time, results with the moon, both in the day and after dark, were sharp and well-defined considering the scope’s compact optics. 

Verdict

For seasoned astrophotographers looking to travel light — or spend less time setting up — the DwarfLab Dwarf Mini is a tempting solution. It doesn’t offer the resolution or flexibility of a full imaging setup, but for wide-field targets, solar and lunar imaging and deep-sky snapshots, it’s hard to resist as a supplementary travel-friendly astro-rig. 

Alternatives

The DwarfLab Dwarf 3 is larger and more capable than its Mini brother, with a 35mm aperture and 4K resolution, but less portable.

Read my DwarfLab Dwarf 3 review

The ZWO Seestar S30 is direct competitor to the Dwarf Mini with a similar sensor and form factor, though with a different control layout and no EQ mode.

See my ZWO Seestar S30 review

The ZWO Seestar S30 Pro offers a higher resolution (8MP), more onboard storage, and superior optics — but is larger, heavier, and pricier.

Check out our full guide to the best smart telescopes

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Building an aesthetic wardrobe sounds simple at first. Pick a vibe, buy the clothes, and you’re done. In reality, it’s more layered than that. “Aesthetic” isn’t one specific style — it’s a mood, a visual direction, a consistent way of putting outfits together.

Whether you’re drawn to soft neutrals, darker tones, vintage-inspired pieces, or minimal silhouettes, the key isn’t copying what you see online. It’s creating cohesion. An aesthetic wardrobe works because everything feels connected.

If you’re starting from scratch, the goal isn’t to buy everything at once. It’s to build with intention.

Define Your Aesthetic Identity

Before adding anything to your closet, take a step back and look at what naturally attracts you.

Do you gravitate toward muted tones or bold contrasts? Oversized fits or more structured silhouettes? Romantic layering or clean minimal lines? Instead of trying to combine five different aesthetics at once, narrow it down.

Pick two or three words that describe the direction you want to go in — for example: soft, neutral, relaxed. Or dark, structured, layered. These words become your filter. If a piece doesn’t align with them, it probably doesn’t belong in your wardrobe.

This clarity makes everything easier. It prevents impulse buys and helps you stay consistent.

Start With Core Pieces

An aesthetic wardrobe isn’t built on statement pieces alone. It starts with strong basics that define the overall silhouette.

Begin with versatile tops: oversized tees, fitted long sleeves, simple hoodies, cardigans, or clean button-ups depending on your vibe. Then focus on bottoms that match your direction — relaxed denim, wide-leg trousers, straight-cut pants, or tailored pieces.

Outerwear often pulls everything together. A cropped jacket, a long coat, a structured blazer, or a lightweight layering piece can instantly shape your look. Choose outerwear that reinforces your aesthetic rather than contradicting it.

The key is fit and proportion. Aesthetic fashion is often more about shape than branding. How a piece sits on the body matters more than a logo.

If your wardrobe foundation is strong, everything else becomes easier to style.

Build Around a Cohesive Color Palette

Color is one of the fastest ways to make an outfit feel cohesive.

Instead of mixing every shade you like, narrow your palette. Many aesthetic wardrobes rely on neutrals: black, white, beige, grey, brown, soft blue, muted green. From there, you can introduce one or two accent colors.

When your pieces share a similar color story, mixing and matching becomes effortless. You won’t spend time wondering if something works together — it just does.

A controlled palette also makes your wardrobe feel intentional rather than random.

Use Layering to Add Depth

Layering is where aesthetic styling really comes to life.

Even simple pieces can look elevated when layered correctly. A longer tee under a shorter sweater. A hoodie under a coat. A vest over a basic shirt. These small adjustments create visual interest without adding chaos.

The trick is balance. Vary lengths slightly. Mix textures. Keep proportions in mind. Too many bulky layers can overwhelm the look, while subtle layering keeps it refined.

Layering gives dimension to an outfit — and dimension is what makes aesthetic fashion feel styled rather than basic.

Find Inspiration Online, But Make It Your Own

The internet is one of the easiest places to discover aesthetic inspiration. Pinterest boards, Instagram saves, mood collages, specialized stores like Aesthetic Lookz — they’re all useful tools.

Instead of copying entire outfits, pay attention to patterns. Do you keep saving looks with wide-leg pants? Neutral palettes? Cropped jackets? That repetition tells you something about your preferences.

Try building a small mood board of outfits that resonate with you. Then analyze them. Is it the color combination you like? The silhouette? The layering? Once you understand why a look works, you can recreate the feeling with pieces you already own — or with smarter purchases.

The goal isn’t imitation. It’s adaptation.

When you use online inspiration as guidance rather than a blueprint, your style stays personal.

Edit as You Go

Building an aesthetic wardrobe is an ongoing process.

As you add pieces, you’ll start noticing what truly fits your direction and what doesn’t. Some items might look good individually but feel off when styled with everything else.

Editing is just as important as buying. If something doesn’t align with your chosen aesthetic, it’s okay to let it go. The more focused your wardrobe becomes, the stronger it looks.

You don’t need dozens of new items. Often, a few well-chosen pieces can completely shift your closet’s direction.

Stay Consistent, But Allow Evolution

Consistency creates identity. When your outfits share similar shapes, tones, and energy, your aesthetic becomes recognizable.

At the same time, allow room for evolution. Your taste may shift slightly over time. Maybe you introduce darker tones into a soft wardrobe. Maybe you move toward more structured silhouettes.

An aesthetic wardrobe isn’t about restriction. It’s about clarity.

When you start with intention — defining your mood, choosing strong basics, controlling your palette, layering thoughtfully, and using inspiration wisely — you create something cohesive and personal.

Building an aesthetic wardrobe from scratch isn’t about perfection. It’s about direction. And once you have that direction, every new piece feels like a natural extension of your style rather than a random addition.

That’s when fashion starts feeling effortless.

The post How to Build an Aesthetic Wardrobe From Scratch appeared first on Wellbeing Magazine.

Mould is typically linked to bathrooms and kitchens, but bedrooms are equally at risk — particularly where poor ventilation and excess moisture accumulate around clothing, bedding and furniture.

With searches for ‘how to get rid of mould in the bedroom’ reportedly up more than 150 per cent in the past two months (compared with the previous two-month period), it is clearly an issue many households are now trying to address.

Scott Shields, CEO of wooden bed manufacturer Get Laid Beds, says the bedroom can be ‘the perfect place for mould to thrive’ if preventative steps are overlooked.

‘The bedroom may be the last place you expect mould to appear, but it is more common than you might think,’ begins Scott. ‘Mould develops in spaces with poor ventilation and excess moisture and feeds on the organic materials in clothing and bedding, such as cotton and wool, making the bedroom the perfect place for mould to thrive should you not take preventative measures.

‘Not only is mould unsightly, it also poses a number of health risks, has an unpleasant odour and can lead to structural damage within a property.’

With that in mind, he has identified three common bedroom storage mistakes that can increase the risk of mould build-up — along with simple ways to reduce moisture levels and improve airflow.

1. Overcrowding drawers and wardrobes

‘One of the most common mistakes people make that can cause mould in the bedroom is overcrowding drawers and wardrobes. Packing clothes in your storage spaces too tightly restricts airflow and creates humidity, encouraging mould growth,’ Scott explains.

To help reduce the risk, he suggests spacing garments out so air can circulate more freely, alongside using moisture-absorbing products.

‘To prevent this, ensure there are small gaps between clothing items, and invest in wardrobe dehumidifiers or other moisture-absorbing products like silica gel packs,’ he advises.

2. Positioning furniture directly against walls

Furniture positioned flush against walls can trap condensation, increasing the likelihood of mould forming behind or beneath it.

‘Having furniture, like a double bed, or storage accessories such as a chest of drawers positioned directly against walls, especially exterior walls, can trap condensation. This then seeps into the storage materials, allowing mould to develop,’ reveals Scott.

But Scott says even a small adjustment can help reduce the risk: ‘By elevating your storage units and furniture off the ground and away from the wall, you can prevent mould from growing and spreading. This creates airflow, preventing excess moisture.’

3. Drying clothes indoors

Drying clothes indoors releases excess moisture into the air, which is why Scott warns this everyday habit can contribute to mould in the bedroom.

‘Mould is more common during the winter months as everyday practices like drying clothes indoors leads to added moisture and humidity in the bedroom,’ he says.

If drying indoors is unavoidable, he recommends adding moisture control nearby.

‘If you dry clothes indoors, use a dehumidifier or place moisture absorbers in the wardrobe and under the bed to draw moisture away from bedding and clothing.’

How to help prevent mould in the bedroom

Scott says preventing mould is ‘fairly straightforward if you keep on top of your house chores’.

He recommends regular cleaning, keeping storage spaces well ventilated and choosing breathable storage over moisture-trapping options.

‘The best solution to prevent mould growth when storing items in the bedroom is through regular cleaning and ensuring storage spaces are well-ventilated,’ he says. ‘Instead of plastic storage boxes that trap moisture, opt for wooden or fabric storage products that have holes for airflow. You should also keep furniture and boxes away from exterior walls and regularly clean surfaces that may attract excess moisture.’

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