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| source// Apple |
It might already be March, but 2016 still has a shedload of shiny smartphone releases on the horizon. From feature-packed follow-ups to some all-new mobile machines, there’s enough novel niceness coming to leave you tech fans all aquiver.
In the market for an upgrade? You might want to put your plans on hold – at least for a few months. While a few legitimately great releases are about to hit shelves, some of the best smartphones that 2016 has to offer aren’t due until the third quarter of the year. So being patient will pay off.
But what if you can’t wait until then? Luckily, you can sate yourself with this rundown of the best pocket-filling tech that the Year of the Monkey has to offer.
8. OnePlus 3
Will it, won’t it? The spec-heavy follow up to the left-field OnePlus 2, released in July 2015, is a hotly-anticipated piece of hardware that most industry insiders believe will be winging its way to consumers before 2016 is out.
OnePlus? Well, the manufacturer isn’t what you’d call mainstream, which means, without any firm news from the company itself, predicting release dates is a tough nut to crack.
Both CES and MWC have passed the tech community by without solid news of the OnePlus 3, however, Carl Pei, co-founder of OnePlus, has indicated the new handset may break cover some time around June.
Why’s that exciting? The OnePlus 2 was widely hailed as a “flagship killer”, offering super specs without breaking the bank, and scooped a raft of five star reviews, which obviously bodes well for a successor.
Rumoured to be packing Snapdragon’s new 820 chip, the OnePlus 3 will probably carry 4GB of RAM, a battery at least as brilliant as in the second iteration and, just possibly, a higher screen resolution (across the same 5.5in size as the previous two devices).
Add to that hints of a re-design and you’ve every reason to get excited – until you remember that OnePlus invite system…
7. Nexus 6 (2016)
What’s next for Nexus? Huawei’s 2015 Nexus 6P rejuvenated Google’s mobile program with a slim, sleek and properly powerful 5.7in machine that put Android properly back on the map.
As for the follow-up, like the OnePlus 3, there’s nothing concrete about the next-gen Nexus 6 – at least yet.
That said, it’s been widely mooted that, following the manufacturer’s deft efforts on the 6P, Huawei could be invited back by Google to do the duty. Then again, some leaks suggest it’ll be HTC. Isn’t certainty super?
What makes the new Nexus 6 interesting is its illustration of Google’s continuing relationship with third-party designers and manufacturers. Whilst all Google mobile hardware carries the Nexus badge and runs android, there’s a whole lot that’s different between devices.
If Huawei is again to take up the reins on an updated Nexus 6, it’s fair to expect another superb battery and, potentially, an even slimmer shell. Screen size? That’ll probably stay somewhere around the 5.5–5.7in mark.
Internally, industry info is also pointing strongly towards a Snapdragon 820 chip winging its way into the new Nexus. That much power running stock Android? Count us captivated.
6. LG G5
Its styling might not melt the eyes like a Galaxy, but LG’s self-leaked and soon-to-be-sold flagship is a serious contender for smartphone of the year.
With a 5.3in QHD display (complete with always-on notification element), a dual-lens setup for extra-wide snaps and a Snapdragon 820 chip inside, the G5 seems set to make a serious splash.
Due to hit shelves around April, there’s no firm word on pricing yet, but, for the closest thing to a modular mobile, it could be worth setting aside some pennies.
Yes, you read that right: the LG G5 has its heart set on true customisation, in the form of an interchangeable bottom element. Simply tug off the base and stick in something more appealing – from the Cam Plus camera grip (with extra shooting controls) to the Hi-Fi Plus, a slot-in with audio-boosting smarts.
Better still, all of the bases are attached to the phone’s battery, so you can swap a drained cell for one fresh full of juice.
How useful this will be in practice remains to be seen, but the G5, complete with USB Type-C port, 4GB of RAM and all of LG’s photographic prowess on-board, certainly has the building blocks of a super phone.
5. HTC One M10
Another one for rumour lovers, HTC’s newest mobile hasn’t yet broken cover, but there’s plenty to be excited about.
Aside from the Taiwanese manufacturer potentially ditching the ‘One’ branding, there’s a lot to suggest that the M10 – which could well be HTC’s make-or-break mobile – will be a seriously sleek machine.
Likely to be an all-aluminium affair, several sources point towards waterproof wizardry on the M10, alongside fingerprint functionality, USB Type-C, and a screen just bigger than 5in.
Recent HTC hardware has been beautiful, to say the least, but the pairing of internal specs with speedy software hasn’t always been so seamless. Battery life, too, has been a problematic aspect in the past.
For a company so publicly struggling, the M10 will be a fascinating and potentially fortune-deciding device.
The One M8 was a magical machine; the M9 a subtle improvement. Here’s hoping – for HTC’s sake, if nothing else – the M10 is perfection.
4. Sony Xperia X Performance
Welcomed to the world at MWC 2016, Sony has ditched the Z-models of its Xperia line in favour of some Xs. Why the change? Well, the Z series had a lot of baggage, good and bad. X? Well, X is cool.
What does X have in store for Sony? The Japanese manufacturer has unveiled three new mobiles: the Xperia X, Xperia X Performance and Xperia XA.
Confusing letter combinations aside, the X Performance is a particularly interesting handset, hitting shelves shortly. It’s the only X device to pack a Snapdragon 820 chip, as well as 3GB of RAM and a 5in, gently-curved display with a Full HD resolution.
Throw in the same waterproof pedigree as previous Xperias, some serious camera kit (in the shape of a 23MP rear snapper with Hybrid Autofocus) and a high-end metal finish, and it seems the X Performance ought to be a proper flagship; one worthy of a brand with serious mobile heritage.
What’s more difficult to grasp is Sony’s decision to split the range and ditch the Zs, whilst still retaining the same, rectangular styling of almost all of its recent phones.
More to the point, with Sony’s mobile market share having fallen in recent years, the X Performance (and its lesser siblings) could be the deciders for its device-making future.
3. Apple IPhone 7
Love it or hate it, the Cupertino powerhouse unfailingly manages to pull something special out of its somewhat expensive hat and the iPhone 7 is set to be no exception.
With rumours flying about just how big, slim and costly the 7th (well, sort of) smartphone out of Apple’s doors will be, the likely September release date leaves plenty of time for speculation, consternation and expectant adulation.
Whether the 7 will indeed ditch the humble headphone jack, acquire a second lens on its rear and go even bigger on the inevitable Plus’ screen size is impossible to know for certain, but, fanboy or not, Apple’s latest iPhone reveal is always an interesting one.
Some say we’ll see two versions of the Seven, others that it’ll be 6.1mm slim. What does seem likely is the appearance of Apple’s next-gen A10 chips, and they ought to be blisteringly fast.
Throw in uncertainty surrounding the possible existence of an iPhone 6C/5SE and you’ve got the ingredients for a truly titillating year of fruity new tech.
2. Samsung Galaxy S7 Edge
OK, so this one’s sort of already here, but that doesn’t stop it being a legitimate source of excitement for fans of all things phone.
Launched a day ahead of MWC 2016 and successor to the sublime S6, Samsung’s Galaxy S7 Edge has upped the stakes where most thought upping impossible.
Still carrying that stunning wraparound display across 5.1 glorious inches, the S7 Edge has an even better camera than before, alongside microSD storage (hooray) and a properly usable battery life.
Sure, it’ll also eat up most of your overdraft, collect finger marks quicker than a toddler’s TV and doesn’t look so different from the S6, but it’s enough of an all-round powerhouse to make it one of 2016’s best smartphones. And it’s not even Spring.
Early reviews are already raving about just how good the S7 is – from its de-bloated OS to the general rapidity of its UI – and the retention of popular features like water resistance and wireless charging make it a mobile that’s worth getting animated about.
1. Microsoft Surface Phone
What better way to end than with a phone that may or may not exist.
Whilst Microsoft waxed lyrical at the end of 2015 about just how versatile Windows 10 is as a multi-platform OS – hinting that a next-gen mobile may be on its way – it’s remained tight-lipped about any Surface Phone progress.
With the Lumia line essentially in the dustbin, the success of the Surface series ought to indicate to Microsoft that mobile isn’t dead, just in need of something a little special, and that something could be the Surface Phone.
If rumours are true, it could be breaking cover come October – Microsoft’s usual month for unveilings – packing an enormous 8GB of RAM and some equally hefty onboard storage.
What’s more exciting, though, is the potential it would open up for Microsoft’s Continuum feature, which allows the connection of Windows 10 mobile hardware to monitors, for use as full-blown desktop devices.
To date, it’s only been available on a select number of handsets and, with the Lumia 950 and 950XL leaving a fair bit to be desired, Windows 10 is yet to see it’s mobile potential made real. Here’s hoping that Autumn brings some Microsoft magic.
Which of these smartphones are you most excited for? Share your reactions below in the comments thread.
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