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Watch out for these smartphones in 2016

Last updated on: January 22, 2016 18:12 IST

Get ready for more firepower as smartphone makers plan to dazzle you with high processing power, bigger RAMs and of course, cameras that come with beastly megapixels.

2016 brings with it a lot of hope in the technology sector. We are waiting with bated breath to see amazing smartphones to be brought out by top of the line companies that are going to dazzle us with their likely path breaking features.

Listed here are 10 smartphones that we believe will make a mark for themselves in the coming months. The list is by no means exhaustive and do not follow any particular order.

1. Apple iPhone 7

The marquee product from Apple’s next generation iPhone model, most likely to be called iPhone 7 (or will it be called iPhone Air), will be one of the prominent smartphones users around the world would be eager to see. Although no official information is available about its specs, experts believe the new smartphone will have the same design but will slimmer than its last avatar. To make the smartphone slimmer, the company is likely to replace its 3.5mm headphone jack with an improved lightning port to listen to music.

In addition, it is also believed to feature an improved 3D multi touch function, a powerful A10 processor, and an improved iOS10 operating system.

Also, Apple is likely to make it waterproof and provide it with a better camera with a dual lens system. It is likely to be released in September 2016 in the price range of Rs 50,000 to Rs 60,000.

2. Samsung Galaxy Note 6

The next generation Samsung Galaxy Note 6 will be as spectacular as Galaxy Note 5. It is likely to take design cues from the earlier model of a big AMOLED screen with 4K resolution curved at the edges to give users a second screen to view notifications.

This handset is likely to boast of many features making it one of the best smartphones of 2016.

Some of speculated features are: 6GB of RAM, a Samsung Exynos 9 processor, a 4700mAh battery, a mammoth 30MP rear shooter and an equally humungous16MP front facing camera, among others. Note 6 is likely to be released in either August or September 2016. It will cost around Rs 55,000 or more.

3.Samsung Galaxy S7 and Samsung Galaxy S7 Edge

The next variants of Samsung Galaxy S7 and Galaxy S7 Edge will look similar to their earlier variants with similar screen sizes and AMOLED screens supporting 4K resolution. These smartphones are likely to incorporate the next generation power efficient Exynos 9 processor.

Other likely features are believed to be an Adreno 530 GPU allied with 4GB of LP-DDR4 RAM. The company is also believed to put in advanced sensors and powerful cameras to make these smartphones unbeatable competitors in the market. These two handsets are likely to be released in the month of February and are expected to be priced between Rs 40,000 and Rs 50, 000.

4. LG G5

LG has surely grabbed the eyeballs with its flagship G series of smartphones. In 2016, we are likely to see the next generation LG G5. The new variant is likely to have a bright full QHD or even UHD display to give users an unparalleled viewing experience.

LG is also likely to bump up the RAM to 4GB, which along with an octa-core processor and an improved graphic processor offer an improved processing speed to play the most resource-hugging games that are available in the market.

The rear camera is also likely to see improvement with the inclusion of a 21MP camera with image stabilisation feature to take 4K videos. It is speculated to come out of box with the latest Android Marshmallow OS. LG is believed to release this stunning device in the first half of 2016 for a price tag of Rs 45,000.

5.Sony Xperia Z6

Sony is renowned the world over for bringing out the best range of smartphones. Its Z series of smartphones has a committed fan base because of its high-end features and uber cool looks.

The Xperia Z6 is believed to share similar design cues to that of the current Xperia Z5. Experts believe Xperia Z6 will have a 5-inch display with 4K resolution embodying a waterproof, dustproof and shockproof phone.

Other features that this cutting edge device might possess include a Qualcomm 820 chipset or an octa-core chip 3GHz+ processor mated to 4GB of RAM. Additionally, it is likely to have a 27MP rotator camera sensor at the back, a touch ID sensor, a retina scanner and a 128GB on-board storage memory.

It may also use the fast charging Type-C USB port. Sony is likely to launch this device in the third quarter of 2016 for a price tag of Rs 55,000.

6.HTC M10

The upcoming HTC flagship is likely to be called M10 and is speculated to have a 5-inch screen with 1440 x 2560 pixels resolution.

It is believed to be powered by a Qualcomm Snapdragon 820 processor coupled with 4GB of RAM.

Sporting a 27MP primary rear camera, this beast of a phone with 64 or 128GB storage options is thought to be powered by a 3500mAh battery.

HTC is believed to launch this smartphone in the first half of 2016 for a price tag of Rs 40,000.

7.OnePlus 3

The Chinese, OnePlus mobile brand has made significant progress in the world market in the year 2015. In 2016, we expect it to maintain its winning streak of launching amazing smartphones at mid level price range.

The company is likely to launch the OnePlus 3 smartphone in the first half of 2016 itself loaded with some amazing features. Experts believe this handset will come with a 5.5-inch UHD display running on Oxygen OS with Android M.

The company may equip it with the latest octa-core Snapdragon 820 processor with 5GB of RAM giving users smoother functioning.

Other major features of this handset are likely to be a 21MP rear camera and a 13MP front camera. It is likely to hold a mammoth 4400mAh battery. OnePlus may sell it for Rs 25,000.

8.Oppo Find 9

Among the major Chinese brands that are making sweeping changes in the popularity of smartphone brands in the world, Oppo is a major contender running for the pole position.

The next generation Oppo Find 9 is likely to sport a 5.5-inch UHD display that will support 2560 x 1440 pixels resolution.

Other significant features will be a 64-bit Qualcomm Snapdragon 810 processor, 4GB of RAM, 64GB of inbuilt memory, a20MP rear and an 8MP front shooter. This mobile phone is likely to be released in the first half of 2016 for a price tag of Rs 25,000.

9.Microsoft Lumia 940XL

Microsoft is likely to bring out two powerful smartphones in 2016 likely to be called Lumia 940 and Lumia 940 XL. We believe Lumia 940 XL will be blessed with a 5.7-inch QHD display supporting 1440 x 2560 pixel resolution.

Powering this device will be an octa-core Snapdragon 810 processor mated to 3GB of RAM and an Adreno 430 GPU. Running on the latest Windows 10 OS, this smartphone is believed to have a primary rear camera and a 5MP secondary front camera.

Microsoft is expected to launch Lumia 940 XL for a price tag of Rs 35,000 in the first half of 2016.

Apart from the above-listed smartphones, a few others are also likely to make their mark in the market including Asus Z1 Titan, Nexus 6, Huawei P9, Moto G4, Asus ZenFone 3, and Nokia C1, among others.

Note: The lead image is used only for representational purpose. The specifications mentioned here are based on Internet buzz; Photograph: Courtesy, HTC

Shruti Sood