As 2014 draws to a close and the holiday season is once more on the horizon, the most important mobile releases of the year are already in the public domain. Although these handsets will garner a great deal of consumer attention in the remaining months of the year, the attention of analysts has already been drawn to the next wave of smartphones which will appear in 2015. And there is a pretty mouth-watering lineup of devices in store as well. Here is a rundown of some of the biggest mobile releases expected for 2015.
Apple iPhone 7
The iPhone 6 hasn’t been out of the starting blocks for too long, but Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:AAPL) will already be making preparations for its successor. The release of an iPhone 7 is guaranteed in 2015, and Apple will as always have some nifty tech up its sleeves for this flagship device.
It seems likely that Apple will stick with two separate models of the iPhone 7, with a larger phablet-sized version of the device accompanied by a smaller smartphone. Possibly we may see a larger screen size in the iPhone at 7 than the iPhone 6, although this may merely apply to the larger model.
In terms of other spec, speculation is rife that a quad-core A8 processor could be at the heart of this device, while Apple is also expected to upgrade the camera technology included in the iPhone, with a 14-megapixel snapper likely. Rumours suggest that the storage capacity of the iPhone 7 could be as high as 256 GB, while Apple might also focus on improving the battery technology in its handset.
Samsung Galaxy Note 5
The Samsung Galaxy Note 5 will be a key release for Samsung Electronics Co. Ltd. (LON:BC94) (KRX:0059935) given that it has fallen somewhat behind Apple in the mobile pecking order. This phablet is expected to be even more focused on display technology than previous Samsung devices, with a 5.9-inch 4K SuperAMOLED display expected to be a key selling point of the handset. This would mean a resolution in excess of 600 ppi.
Other specifications expected for this flagship phablet include 4 GB of RAM, an internal storage capacity that can be beefed up to 128 GB via Micro-SD, and an octa-core processor which will be clocked at around 2.9 GHz, featuring 64-bit architecture. The processor will come in Exynos and Snapdragon variants depending on geographical location.
This device is also likely to include fingerprint and retina scanners, while Samsung may also boost the camera included in the Galaxy Note 5 to 18-megapixels. This will unquestionably be a powerful device, and an important one in Samsung’s portfolio of smartphones.
Samsung Galaxy S6
Much earlier in 2015, though, the Samsung Galaxy S6 will be unveiled. This device is expected to feature a significantly larger screen than previous iterations of the series, with a 5.5-inch, 1,440 x 2,560 pixel display likely. This will be another handset built around SuperAMOLED technology, while the Galaxy S6 is also likely to feature an octa-core 2,000 MHz processor, and a 20-megapixel primary camera.
Both storage and internal memory are also likely to be improved over its predecessor, and the Galaxy S6 is likely to be unveiled in March, during the Mobile World Congress in Barcelona.
Samsung Galaxy F
Another new device for Samsung will be the Galaxy F. This particular smartphone is said to be a direct reaction to the stylish and fashionable iPhone series. Rumored features for the Galaxy S include a 5.1-inch SuperAMOLED capacitive touchscreen, which probably encompass 4K resolution.
Aside from that, the device is also expected to feature a Qualcomm Snapdragon 805 chipset and quad-core 2.5 GHz Krait 450 CPU. There will also be the capacity to increase the storage of the device up to 128 GB via micro-SD, and the Galaxy F is also expected to feature 3 GB of RAM.
Microsoft Lumia 1030
Microsoft Corporation (NASDAQ:MSFT) will be looking to increase its market share in the mobile market during 2015, and the Microsoft Lumia 1030 will be a key part of its strategy. This particular smartphone is rumoured to be built around a 5.8-inch quad HD display, which will be driven by a Snapdragon 805 processor.
Given that Microsoft is behind this device, it will naturally run the latest Windows 8.2 operating system, while 3 GB of RAM and 32 or 64 GB of storage will be standard. Microsoft will also include micro-SD functionality to boost storage, while one of the big selling points of the device will be its camera. The Lumia 1030 is rumoured to feature a breathtaking 41-megapixel snapper that should really produce staggering picture quality.
HTC Butterfly 2
HTC Corp (TPE:2498) is a company that has always received good critical response, but has yet to perhaps attract consumers to the same degree. It will hope to change this perception with the Butterfly 2, which will be built around a powerful quad-core 2,500 MHz processor. This smartphone is already available in East Asia, but it is expected to launch in domestic Western markets at some point during 2015.
The HTC Butterfly 2 will also feature a 5-inch full HD display, the latest Android operating system, and a 13-megapixel primary camera. It is thought that the specifications of the device will not veer too strongly away from the template set up with its Asian release.
Sony Xperia Z4
Sony Corp (ADR) (NYSE:SNE) (TYO:6758)’s mobile phone division has been disastrous for the corporation recently, with massive losses being incurred due to its inability to attract consumers in the mobile sphere. The Sony Xperia Z4 will aim to change this, with its 5.2-inch 2,560 x 1,440 QHD display, 64-bit quad-core Qualcomm Snapdragon 810 Processor, and Android operating system.
LG G4
Finally, LG Electronics Inc. (KRX:066570) (OTCMKTS:LGEAF) is becoming an ever more significant player in the smartphone market, with the LG G3 having significantly boosted earnings for the company. This sequel to that device is expected to be even more successful, with a quad-core processor at the heart of its makeup. A key selling point of this device is expected to be its outstanding network capabilities, meaning that users will be able to access 4G speeds that reach up to 300mbps.
