If you have your heart set on Samsung’s Galaxy Note 4 or Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:AAPL)’s iPhone 6, you just might find that you change your mind after researching all the smartphones that are expected to be available in the next month or so. September brings with it a whole raft of new phones, from the most highly anticipated handsets to the lesser known ones that may actually have a chance to steal market share from the two giants.
Let’s take a look at the top smartphones that are coming this month.
iPhone 6
There’s no denying that consumers are expecting a lot out of the iPhone 6 this year. Most are expecting a 4.7-inch model and a 5.5-inch model. Of course the larger size will go head to head with the Galaxy Note 4, which is also expected this month.
There has been no end to the stream of rumors and speculations about Apple’s next iPhone. Most recently, it’s been reported that the handset will probably have a much sharper resolution than its predecessor, the iPhone 5S. It’s also been suggested that the iPhone 6 could have a display made of nearly unbreakable sapphire glass. In addition, it’s expected that Apple will finally add near field communication and the mobile payments platform analysts have been demanding for years.
Apple has officially scheduled an event for Sept. 9, and it’s assumed that the iPhone 6 will finally be unveiled. If the company follows past iPhone launch schedules, the handset could go up for sale about ten days later.
Galaxy Note 4
Other than the iPhone 6, the Galaxy Note 4 may be the other most highly anticipated smartphone coming this month. As is typical with all smartphone upgrades, the phablet is expected to have even better specs than its predecessor. It will sport a 5.7-inch display and of course a stylus. There have been no reports of Apple including a stylus with the rumored 5.5-inch iPhone 6, so that could be a key differentiator between the two phablets, assuming Apple really does have such a large model coming out.
The Galaxy Note 4 is also expected to sport something called LiveFlex technology, which enables users to use a biometric sensor to swipe in various directions to control apps. Other potential features include new camera features and possibly ultra-HD video recording capabilities.
Samsung is expected to show off the Galaxy Note 4 on Sept. 3, just ahead of the opening of the IFA conference in Berlin.
Google Nexus 6
Google Inc (NASDAQ:GOOGL) (NASDAQ:GOOG)’s own Nexus 6 handset could also be out soon, although this one’s a little shakier than the others on this list. Some rumors suggest that this year’s version will be very different than previous models. For example, the handset could have a huge 5.9-inch display. This particular rumor comes from leaks about a device from Motorola (which was bought by Lenovo) that’s reportedly codenamed Shamu, for obvious reasons. Others said the display will be 5.5 inches in size.
The display on the Nexus 5 is only 5 inches in size, so either would be quite a big jump, and the 5.9-inch side would solidly move the Nexus into phablet territory. The question here is whether such a big leap in size would be enough to turn away Nexus enthusiasts who don’t want such a massive screen.
Still others have suggested that there simply won’t be a Nexus 6 and that instead, Google will launch a new line called Android Silver—but not until February.
Sony Xperia Z3
And then there’s the Sony Xperia Z3, which demonstrates how other companies are finally starting to catch up to the big boys—Apple and Samsung—in terms of quality. The handset is expected to be unveiled at this year’s IFA, as Sony has scheduled an event for that conference. If it is, then it would be less than a year since its predecessor, the Xperia Z3 was released.
The Xperia Z3 is expected to sport the same 5.2-inch display as its predecessor has. Sony’s recent teaser video for the IFA event shows silhouettes for three different devices, suggesting that more than just the Xperia Z3 will be revealed.
