There are many exciting Android smartphone contenders set to become available in the coming months, so without further ado, here is ValueWalk’s rundown of the best upcoming Android phones.
List of Best Upcoming Android Phones
LG G6
LG has been strongly praised for its LG G series, with the phablet contender establishing itself as one of the best mobiles on the market. The LG G6 will build on this reputation in 2017, delivering some of the most outstanding specs among the smartphone niche. This mobile features a new design with an 18:9 display, with the Korean manufacturer having resolutely refused to embrace the curved screen technology that is so popular nowadays.
However, it is perhaps surprising that this new phone will be driven by a Snapdragon 821 processor, considering that the Galaxy S8 already included a more up-to-date Snapdragon 835. Nonetheless, the 5.7-inch quad HD display, 4GB of RAM, micro SD and 13-megapixel dual camera will ensure that this is an extremely competitive unit.
The LG G6 was announced during the Mobile World Congress on February 26, 2017, and is currently launching in Korea, with a western rollout imminent.
Galaxy Note 8
The Galaxy Note 8 will undoubtedly be one of the highlights of the smartphone year, with Samsung needing to reinvigorate the phablet range after the disastrous exploding Galaxy Note 7. There have been rumors that this release will embrace 4K resolution technology, although this suggestion has died down in recent weeks. But we can be certain that the Korean manufacturer will cram this smartphone full of spec-related goodness.
Undoubtedly one of the best upcoming Android phones, the Galaxy Note 8 is likely to be released in August, ahead of its great Apple iPhone 8 rival.
Google Pixel 2
The Google Pixel 2 should hit our stores sometime in October, which definitely represents a departure from the previous release in the series. While other competitors have settled into an annual schedule, Google released the first Pixel handset in April last year. This means an 18 month gap to the Google Pixel 2, which should nonetheless feature some outstanding specs and features. This will also be a more affordable smartphone than anything from Apple and Samsung, as the mega-corporation attempts to establish itself as a serious player in the smartphone market.
Nokia 9
The comeback of Nokia into the smartphone niche is undoubtedly big news, and outstanding things are expected of the forthcoming Nokia 9. The Nokia 9 is expected to be powered by Qualcomm’s latest flagship processor – the Snapdragon 835, while other specs included in the device are also impressive. Originally scheduled for June, the release date of this handset has been pushed back, but it can be expected before the end of the calendar year, although precisely when is not yet known.
LG X Power 2
The LG X Power 2 is undoubtedly one of the best upcoming Android phones for one reason alone. This smartphone features a pretty staggering 4,500 mAh battery, which also benefits from fast-charging technology; a pleasing double-whammy. In practical terms, this means that it will deliver 15 hours of watching video on a single charge.
Other aspects related to this LG offering are less impressive, but this perhaps slightly misses the point. The LG X Power 2 is aimed at the user who wishes to consume large quantities of media with his or her smartphone, and could tap into an extremely profitable niche when it is released later this year.
Asus Zenfone AR
The Asus Zenfone AR will be the first smartphone to support both Tango AR and Daydream VR, making is one of the more innovative releases in this list. With a particular focus on photography and also delivering a quad HD display, this new project, due for release in mid-July, promises to be one of the more unique mobile products available in 2017.
OnePlus 5
Technically not an upcoming phone, as this device is already released, the OnePlus 5 is nevertheless an Android competitor which simply had to be included in this list. With its 256GB of storage, 23-megapixel camera, 8GB of RAM, Snapdragon 830 processor, OLED display, USB-C and NFC support, it is staggering that this Android smartphone is available at $400 with Android 7 Nougat support available out of the box. Definitely a mobile device that is well worth investigating, even for the most avid Samsung or Apple fan.
HTC U11
The HTC U11 is another mobile that cannot quite be described as one of the best upcoming Android phones, as the device is already available in small quantities. HTC has been widely recognized as one of the best and most innovative manufacturers in the world, yet the Taiwanese developer has yet to truly establish yourself in the Western marketplace.
HTC has completely revamped its smartphone design with the U11, having scrapped the full metal construction from the previous generations. A combination of metal and glass creates a pleasing visage for this smartphone, while the inclusion of Edge Sense also a nifty gimmick.
With a quad HD display, decent camera and powerful Snapdragon 835 processor, this is undoubtedly a match for almost any Android smartphone available on the market.
Xiaomi Mi 6
The Xiaomi Mi 6 is one of a raft of affordable Chinese releases that are beginning to make a name for themselves in the western world. The Mi 6 is perhaps the standout performer of these units, packed with high specs and yet priced extremely aggressively.
With a Qualcomm Snapdragon 835 processor, 6GB of RAM, and up to 128GB of on-board storage, there is no doubt that this smartphone is well-placed to compete with more mainstream offerings. The only disappointment is the full HD display included in the device, although the smaller screen size of 5.15-inches means that this is less noticeable than it might otherwise be. More impressive is the dual-camera included.
While this smartphone is yet to be made officially available in the United States and other western countries, it launched in China back in April.
