2015 is perhaps the year where a lot of revolutionary budget and premium smartphones penetrated the local market. In the Philippines alone, we saw major and Chinese brands competing both in the affordable and cheap category up to the expensive flagship series, which we think that in 2016 will be bigger. We listed top 10 exciting smartphones that will be announced next year and might even be released in the Philippines too.
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Microsoft Surface Phone with Windows 10 Mobile OS
The giant from Redmond is very tight-lipped about their very own Windows 10 Mobile-powered smartphone that is probably with the moniker of Surface Phone. The information we only know that the head of devices of MS, Panos Panay, is currently working on a prototype phone that is expected to be announced on the middle of next year. The specs of the rumored Surface Phone include 5.5-inch QHD screen, Retina or Iris scanner, Snapdragon 820 or 64-bit Intel CPU, and 20 or 50MP PureView camera.
Nokia C1 with dual-boot Android 6.0 and Windows 10 OS
After Microsoft bought the mobile division of Nokia, both parties agreed that Nokia will not make and release a smartphone(s) until the end of 2016, perhaps on the 2nd half. And with just a few months away from the said date, leaks of the first pure Android-powered Nokia have been recently released in the wild. The Nokia C1 is the said first device, aim for the budget category with rumor specs of 5.5-inch FHD screen, Snapdragon 650/652 octa-core processor, 13MP camera, and Android 6.0 Marshmallow. Some even speculate that will be a dual-boot phone with the Windows 10 Mobile as the other OS.
Apple iPhone 6c with 4-inch display
It’s been years that Apple didn’t have any successors to their iPhone 5c series. And next year, rumors pointing that the Cupertino-giant will release the iPhone 7 alongside with the iPhone 6c or iPhone 7c with a 4-inch display. Aside from the compact form-factor, other key features of the iPhone 6c or 7c would be the A9 chip, 2GB RAM, Force or 3D Touch, 13MP camera, and iOS 10–all just similar to iPhone 6s.
Google Project Ara Modular Phone
Almost a year has passed after Google announced the Project Ara, a modular smartphone running on Android. Other details of the Ara is that users can upgrade different parts of the phone individually. This is similar to having a desktop PC on which you can separately change the GPU, processor, monitor and other parts. On Project Ara, you can upgrade the camera, RAM, display and other components without replacing your entire phone. Sounds exciting?
Sony Xperia Z5 Ultra or Z5 Plus
One of the most established phablets in Android is the Xperia Z Ultra. A leaked document shows that Sony will finally announce the successor to the Z Ultra on early next year, maybe during MWC 2016 in Barcelona. The Xperia Z5 Plus or Z5 Ultra is said to feature 6-inches display with the same 4K resolution as to Z5 Premium, fingerprint sensor, waterproof design, 23MP camera, 3GB RAM, Snapdragon 820 processor and Android 6.0 Marshmallow OS.
LG G5 with metal design
LG will finally show off its first full metal-clad smartphone early next year in the form of LG G5. Among the rumored specs is the 5.5-inch QHD Quantum IPS display, Snapdragon 820/818 chip, Iris scanner, and 20MP main camera with the same F1.8 aperture as to the G4 and V10.
Huawei Nexus 6P 2016 with Android 7.0 Nutella
After successfully partnering with Google in bringing one of the hottest Android phones this year, the Nexus 6P, Huawei is rumored to produce the next premium Nexus smartphone for next year with the Android 7.0 Nutella OS. The Nutella name is among the top choices that will Google present in a poll next year to name the next version of Android. We’re betting for Nutella already, how ’bout you?
HTC M10
HTC is not giving up in making smartphones yet. Next year, HTC will announce the HTC M10, successor to M9, that is expected to rival the Galaxy S7, Xperia Z5 and LG G5 in terms of specs and key features. Aside from the premium aluminum design, HTC will also utilize Snapdragon 820, 4GB RAM, 20MP camera and QHD display.
Blackberry Passport 2 with Android 6.0 Marshmallow
The BlackBerry Priv is the first product of the Canadian company to run in Android OS, and the road to Android is not stopping anytime soon. There is already a keyboard-equipped Blackberry Android device that will be announced next year. Some suggest that the next Android-powered BB phone is not a slider, but rather will sport the same design as to the Blackberry Passport with a trackpad and physical keyboard combination. Other specs: 4.5-inch QHD screen, Snapdragon processor, 3GB RAM and 13MP camera.
Samsung Galaxy S7 with 3D Touch Feature
We saw the 3D Touch debuted in iPhone 6s this year and we found out in our review that it’s a handy but a bit gimmicky feature if compared to long press on normal non-pressure sensitive displays. Well, it seems Samsung will be introducing the same feature to the upcoming Galaxy S7 and Galaxy S7 Edge early next year. We’re not sure if how will this be implented on Android devices. Maybe it will just work similar as to the one on iOS 9.
Honorable mentions: Lenovo K4 Note, Zenfone 3
Some time next year, both Lenovo and Asus will release the successors to the K4 Note (A7010) and Zenfone 2, respectively. One of the exciting features that will surely arrive is the fingerprint sensor capability while running on Android 6.0 Marshmallow.
Have anything to add in our list that we might have missed?
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Hi Jade! Ano yung pinakamatibay na brand ng phones ngayon aside from Nokia? What about LG good quality ba siya?
Hi. I think Motorola has a tough build for its smartphones with Samsung and Sony coming behind and tie for 2nd place. LG, wla pa clang budget or midrange phones na may solid metal design eh.