The year 2014 is steadily becoming history and the New Year is drawing nigh; and like every year it promises to be very competitive in the smartphone arena. We will be looking basically at most of the flagship smartphones we have had some starting information about and could debut over the next 12 months.
Flagship Smartphone List of 2015: iPhone 7, Galaxy S6, HTC Hima, LG G4, Galaxy Note 5 and more
1. HTC HIMA (speculated HTC One M9)
Taiwanese based HTC has been credited for some of best smartphones in the market but the company still doesn’t get the much traction for its devices that they really deserve. The HTC One M8 debuted with much fanfare and the device featured an Ultrapixel camera (4UP Duo rear camera) which didn’t get much love from the fans.
HTC was supposed to follow up the One M8 with the HTC One M9 but the company is said to have dropped the One moniker and the next flagship device expected it the HTC Hima. According to details provided by @upleaks; the Hima is expected to feature a 5.0-inch 1080p or QHD display; 64-bit octa-core Qualcomm Snapdragon 810 processor; 3GB of RAM; Adreno 430 GPU; 20.7MP rear camera; 2840mAh battery and Android 5.0 Lollipop with Sense 7 UI ontop.
Asides the flagship device, HTC is also preparing some affordable LTE smartphones for 2015 and all off them could see a Q1 2015 (Q2 2015 possible) announcement and release.
READ: What You Need To Know About The HTC Hima
2. Samsung Galaxy S6
Samsung’s Galaxy flagship smartphones would still be around for a while and the company is expected to build on that with the Galaxy S6. The Galaxy S5 didn’t meet the expectations the company set for itself but it is definitely one of the top flagship device of 2014.
Samsung is said to have started from the scratch for the Galaxy S6 and even going as far as naming the device Project Zero. This could mean the device could pack more premium materials and a very radical change in design. Samsung’s potential to make very good devices is undoubted but the company would be looking to gain a foothold in the market before Apple announces its products and sweep in the high figures as usual.
The Samsung Galaxy S6 is expected to feature a 5.5-inch QHD display; octa-core Exynos 7420 or Qualcomm Snapdragon 810 processor; 3GB or 4GB of RAM; 32GB of internal storage and Android 5.0 Lollipop with TouchWiz UI ontop. There are also strong rumours that a Galaxy S6 Edge would be announced alongside the device and it could pack a 5.3-inch QHD display; 4GB of RAM; Qualcomm snapdragon 810 processor; a rumoured Iris scanner and Android 5.0 Lollipop with TouchWiz UI.
There are rumours of a Q1 2015 announcement; we will just have to wait and see how this pans out.
READ: Follow All Samsung Galaxy Rumours and Leaks on TGF
3. Sony Xperia Z4 (Sony Xperia Z4 Family)
Sony Xperia line of devices has evolved over the years and they come with top notch specs which competes with different devices in its range. But there has been issues with sales; as at 2014 the company had to concede significant loss.
Sony would be hoping the Xperia Z4 ( and it’s variants – the Xperia Z4 Compact; Xperia Z4 Ultra; Xperia Z4 Tablet) would usher in a new era for the company. Much is unknown about the Sony Xperia Z4 but it would sure run on Android 5.0 Lollipop; has a Quad-HD display and run on an octa-core processor.
4. LG G4
The LG G3 was definitely one of the best smartphones from 2014 and the sequel is expected maintain that standard; even pushing it farther to another level. The LG G4 would possible debut after the Samsung Galaxy S6 but definitely before new products from Apple – possibly the iPhone 7.
The LG G4 is expected to feature the 64-bit Octa-core Qualcomm Snapdragon 810 SoC thought there are rumours LG could opt for its in-house made octa-core Nuclun (LG Odin) processor. The device would have either 3GB or 4GB of RAM; 32GB/64GB space of internal storage; 20.7MP rear camera with OIS; 5.7-inch display and Android 5.0 Lollipop OS.
READ: Rumour Mill – LG G4 Key Specs, Features and Release Date
5. Samsung Galaxy Note 5
You would have thought the Galaxy Note 4 was the flagship smartphone for Samsung this year as the phablet is categorised as one the most successful smartphone for the period. Much would be seen how Samsung intends to better the standards the Note 4 has set for their next phablet.
The Galaxy Note 5 would definitely see a bump in specs; a much improved camera, 4K display; more Stylus (S-Pen) based functions, more powerful processor and of course Android Lollipop OS.
6. Motorola Moto X3
Motorola’s Moto X is regarded as one of the best smartphone ever manufactured and one of the best of 2014 considering it’s category. The device also has the Google Nexus 6 (Motorola Shamu) designed in its model.
Even though the company followed up the Moto X with the 2nd Generation; it has not anyhow managed to overshadow its predecessor. The company has been silent on the specifications so far; but trust the supposed leaks and rumours to be flying around. We have manged to pick some few details and basically there are talks of improving the camera (21MP. Camera with improved LED flash); bigger battery than the Droid Turbo (42000mAh); 5.35-inch or 5.5-inch display; Qualcomm Snapdragon 810 (Snapdragon 810+) and Android 5.0 Lollipop.
7. Apple iPhone 7
Apple is not the most valuable brand in the world for no reason; the company sets new standards with each generation of iPhone which enters the market. The Cupertino Giant this year moved from the original ‘4-inch’ display it was synonymous with and opting for 4.7-inch display for the iPhone 6 and a 5.5-inch display for the iPhone 6 Plus.
Due to the OS and Hardware synergy; Apple is able to deliver some top notch features with some basic specs. Compared to other flagship devices which come with 13MP rear camera upwards; the iPhone 6 only has a 8MP rear camera and still manages to be one of the best around.
The rumour mill are already grinding out expected specs of the iPhone 6 successor – even though some sources call it the iPhone 6S; it is expected to the next generation of iPhone which is the iPhone 7. The device could feature the long rumoured Sapphire display; significant camera upgrade (14MP rear – 4MP or 5MP front; improved processor; 16GB, 64GB and 128GB space of internal storage; turbo charging; Qi charging and much improved battery.
Analyst believe the company would use HD display for the iPhone 7 and QHD model on the iPhone 7 Plus.
READ: First Set of Rumoured Specs on the Apple iPhone 7
8. Google Project Ara
The Project Ara was initially being developed by Motorola for Google before the recent confirmation of sales to Lenovo. The Google Project Ara has been gathering steam in recent times; basically the device has physical body which allows users modify whatever part they want and replace the ones they don’t.
User can opt for more storage space over more RAM; more health related sensors over basic sensors; perhaps skip 802.11 ac Wi-Fi in favour of NFC. Project Ara is scheduled for early 2015 release date and more details from the device is expected to surface in coming days.
Worthy Mentions
9. Huawei Ascend Mate 8
Huawei had one of the best Droid smartphones in the market with the Ascend Mate 7. The Huawei Ascend Mate 8 has been spotted on the company’s roadmap for 2015 and some its details has been spotted. The phablet is expected to have a 2560 x 1440 pixels Quad-HD 6-inch Display; a new Kirin 930 processor and has a $650 price tag.
The company is also working on another high end phablet – the Huawei Ascend D8 which would pack a 5.5-inch Quad-HD display; 4GB of RAM; Kirin 930 processor; and $800 price tag. The successor to the Ascend P7, the Huawei Ascend P8 would pack a 5-inch 1080p display; 3GB of RAM; Kirin 930 processor and $490 price tag.
10. OnePlus Two
The moniker ‘Never Settle’ and ‘Flagship Killer’ were one of the moniker associated with the OnePlus One smartphone. OnePlus wasn’t called a flagship killer for no reason, the device comes packing very flagship specs at a relatively low cost compared to similar smartphones within the same range. Even though users have to go through the stress of getting invites to get hands on the device; the One smartphone is a solid one nonetheless.
OnePlus is expected to announced the One successor which has been speculated to the OnePlus Two smartphone. The device is expected to arrive in Q2 or Q3 2015. Specs-wise there is nothing concrete from the company in-terms of specs but the company is working on its own ROM since the deal with CyanogenMod has recently embroiled the company in legal tussle.
Now that we have finally scripted the expected flagship smartphone list of 2015; most of the smartphones on this would definitely debut. We would definitely keeps tabs on the development surrounding these devices in coming months.
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