With 2015 just underway, all the major consumer electronics manufacturers have big plans in place for the smartphone market in the next twelve months. So here is a rundown of the ten most hotly anticipated smartphone handsets that will be released during 2015.
Apple iPhone 7 / iPhone 6s
No summary of a year’s smartphone releases is complete without reference to the iconic Apple handset. 2015 should see at least one model of the iPhone released, with the flagship iPhone 7 central to Apple’s plans. The iPhone 7 will be a sequel to the hugely successful iPhone 6, which has exceeded expectations and played a huge part in a thoroughly successful year for the world’s highest valued corporation. Rumors already indicate that the iPhone 7 could offer a 256GB model, along with a quad-core A8 processor.
Intriguingly, there are also persistent murmurings that Apple will release a smaller version of the iPhone, dubbed the iPhone 6S, in the next few months, as a companion device to the forthcoming Apple Watch smartwatch. Whether or not this will occur remains to be seen.
Samsung Galaxy S6
Samsung has a duo of big mobile releases to come in 2015, and the first of them will be the Galaxy S6. This has traditionally been the flagship smartphone of Samsung, and QHD resolution, an octa-core 2000 MHz processor, and 21-megapixel primary camera are already rumored for this device which will be launched at the Mobile World Congress in Barcelona in March. This is a key device for Samsung given its relatively disappointing financial results of 2014.
Samsung Galaxy Note 5
Samsung’s major phablet series is also due for an upgrade in 2015, and the Galaxy Note 5 should pack even more power into its chassis than previous versions of the handset. Cured screen technology could be included across all models this time out, and there are already enticing rumors that Samsung will include a 5.9-inch 4K Super AMOLED display as part of this device. This would imply a significant redesigning of the build of the Galaxy Note series in order to accommodate such a vast display.
LG G Flex 2
This latest device from the Korean manufacturer LG was announced at the CES 2015 in Las Vegas, and will represent the second iteration of this curved handset. The second generation of the LG Flex will be smaller, apparently in line with recommendations from customers. LG has announced that it will not encompass a full HD display this time out, and the Qualcomm Snapdragon 810 chipset with 2GB of RAM will at least be a powerful performer. LG has experienced critical success with recent mobile releases, and it will be interesting to see how this device is received.
HTC One M9
As much as Apple and Samsung generate the most publicity and attention in the smartphone field, HTC has produced some of the most admirable devices. It’s a shame that the company has yet to receive the same level of commercial acclaim, but the HTC One M9 could potentially change this. Features include a 5.2-inch display with QHD 1,440 x 2,560 resolution, a 2.5GHz snapdragon 805 processor, and one of the best cameras in the mobile field. Definitely a device to look out for.
HTC Butterfly 2
Another HTC device will be the Butterfly 2. This will feature a 5-inch full HD display, and has been noted for its quality rear-facing camera. One of the best of budget devices on the market, and well worth considering for someone looking for a more affordable handset.
Sony Xperia Z4
Although Sony had a very successful year with its PlayStation 4 video game console, things didn’t go quite so well for his mobile phone division, to say the least. In fact, the Japanese consumer electronics giant attributed its financial losses during the year to the failure of its Xperia range of phones; thus 2015 will be a critical year for Sony in this department.
The Xperia Z4 is expected to come with a 5.2-inch 2,560 x 1,440 QHD display, and a 64-bit quad-core Qualcomm Snapdragon 810 Processor. 4GB of RAM should ensure that this smartphone runs extremely niftily, and HTC will hope that it turns its fortunes around in the mobile marketplace.
OnePlus Two
A left-field device in a market dominated by huge companies, the OnePlus One was a novel and interesting mobile that has generated a fair amount of positive reaction. This sequel to that device looks very interesting in terms of design, and is expected to feature a smaller footprint. Expect a 5.5-inch full HD display, and a Qualcomm Snapdragon 801 processor with 2.5 GHz speed. This promises to be a speedy little device which will appeal to mobile consumers on a budget.
Microsoft Lumia
With the Nokia name no more, Microsoft will be hoping to grab a significant chunk of the mobile market next year. This is a tough ask for Microsoft, but its first Lumia release bearing its name may make an impression. A 5.8-inch quad HD display is rumored to be at the centre of this device, while a Snapdragon 805 processor, 3 GB of RAM and a maximum 64 GB of storage is also anticipated.
Google Project Ara
Finally, this device which was initially created by Motorola, and which has since become a Google device after the sale of Motorola to Lenovo, will be one of the most colorful mobiles to see the light of day in 2015 in every sense of the word. It is also a particularly innovative device which enables users to modify what parts they wish to see included within it.
Project Ara is also expected to focus on 3-D printing this year, as Google attempts to distinguish this unique device from the others available on the market. It seems to have done a good job with this, and it will be interesting to see whether Project Ara catches the imagination of consumers and finds a significant market share.
