Looking to upgrade? Read our primer on the new smartphones for 2016 to see if it's worth waiting for a new release
2016 is set to be yet another big year for smartphones. Mobile World Congress might have been and gone, but there's still plenty to get excited about this year, including lots of new flagships as well as some new versions of returning favourites.
I'll summarise what's coming when and whether it's worth getting excited about. We've gone with the flagship handsets here, as those generally attract the most attention before release, and we've also stuck to the big guns, too, rather than include niche or unusual designs that will probably never see the light of day (we're looking at you, Project Ara).
This list will be updated regularly as we get more information about exciting releases, although we'll cover most of the handsets here in more depth in their own individual rumours articles - look out for the links below.
Surface Phone - March 2017?
Microsoft might have gutted its phone division at the end of May, but rumours about its long-anticipated Surface Phone seem stronger than ever. The latest news now seems to suggest that it will, in fact, see the light of day at some point, with a tentative launch window of March 2017 now doing the rounds online - just in time for the Surface Pro 5 launch.
According to TCC, who cite so-called reports without any accreditation, the Surface Phone is in development and is currently code-named Juggernaut Alpha - a better name for the phone than Surface, if you ask us. It's expected to run Windows 10 and be powered by one of Intel's latest Kaby Lake chipsets.
Three models are supposedly in development, with the cheapest offering 4GB of RAM and 64GB of storage, while the second allegedly has 6GB of RAM and 128GB of storage. The third, most expensive model, meanwhile, is expected to be a kind of enterprise variant, with 8GB of RAM and a frankly ludicrous 512GB of storage.
With rumoured specs like these, the Surface Phone almost sounds more like a miniature tablet than a traditional smartphone, but maybe that's what Microsoft's aiming for after all - a proper, high-end Windows phone that brings all the power of the Surface Pro 4 and Surface Book down into something you can truly fit in your pocket. If these rumours prove true, the Surface Phone could easily be the most exciting handset of 2017. There's little more to say at present except I'm, very excited about the idea of this handset.
Samsung Galaxy Note 6 - August/September
The Samsung Galaxy Note 5 was not released in the UK officially, although it's possible to get an imported version. Instead, Samsung decided to stick with the S6 Edge Plus in the UK. So, what will the company do this year? Well, there's very little information at there at the moment, as all attention is focussed on the S7 launch. However, the Galaxy S7 information gives us some insight into what Samsung might be up to.
The Note 6 will have its own launch away from any other phones, which is just what it needs. What's a little harder to work out is when. Samsung traditionally launched the Note at the IFA show in Berlin, but in 2015 it went early and announced the Note 5 in August. So, assuming that Samsung sticks to the same rough plan, it's a safe bet to suggest that the Note 6 will come out either in August 2016, at its own event, or in September 2016 at the IFA show. As more details leak, I'll bring you more information. Of course, it's not even definite for now, if the Note 6 will even get a UK launch.
Moto Z and Moto Z Force - September
Say goodbye to the Moto X and say hello to the Moto Z and Moto Z Force, Motorola's brand-new flagships for 2016. Launching worldwide this autumn, the Moto Z has the honour of being the world's thinnest smartphone, measuring an astounding 5.2mm thick, while the Moto Z Force is the long-awaited follow-up to Motorola's shatterproof wonderphone, the Moto X Force.
Both come with all the latest specs, including a Snapdragon 820 chip, 4GB of RAM, a 5.5in, 2,560x1,440 AMOLED display and either 32GB or 64GB of storage. The Moto Z Force, however, will have a larger battery (mAh capacities have yet to be confirmed) and a higher resolution camera, opting for a 21-megapixel sensor instead of the Moto Z's 13-megapixel snapper.
However, the specs aren't what make these phones special, as Motorola will be following in LG's footsteps by releasing a whole host of modular accessories for them. These snap onto the back of each phone using high-powered magnets to transform them into different devices - the JBL SoundBoost, for example, will add a huge set of speakers to the Moto Z family, while the Moto Insta-Share Projector will let you project videos up to 70in in size on nearby walls. There's also the Power Pack, which Motorola says will add another 22 hours of battery to each phone. For more details, read our in-depth Moto Z and Moto Z Force news round-up.
iPhone 7 - September
Apple will undoubtedly continue its usual tick-tock strategy of handset releases. 2014 gave us a the iPhone 6, 2015 brought the updated iPhone 6S and so 2016 will provide a whole new hardware design in the form of the iPhone 7. I'd be amazed if the new phone wasn't called that (although I suppose iPhone Air is a possibility) and it will certainly be launched in late September, as in previous years.
Not much is known about the new design yet, but some rumours are circulating. There's much talk of the phone getting rid of the headphone jack, using Lightning port and wireless headsets instead. This could, in turn, allow the phone to become slimmer still, although battery life could be a concern. There's also talk of a camera with multiple sensors to improve image quality and focus speeds.
For all the latest read our iPhone 7 release date, price and specs rumours
Blackberry Rome & Hamburg - September
Blackberry was, perhaps, a company that BlackBerry was a company that, perhaps, a lot of people had written off, with phones running its own OS no longer very popular. However, a shift in tactic saw the company switch to Android, with the rather good BlackBerry Priv. This year, the company looks set to double-down, releasing two handsets, the Hamburg and Rome. Given that the Priv was codenamed the Vienna, it seems likely that both of these phones will go through a name change before they're launched.
Details are thin on the ground at the moment, with only basic information available: we know that the Rome will have a keyboard, while the Hamburg will not. Apparently, the Rome will have specs very similar to that of the Priv, which had a Snapdragon 808 chip, 3GB of RAM and a 2,560x1,440 resolution screen. Apparently, it will cost around $500 when it's launched later in the year, with September rumoured.
As for the Hamburg, there are even fewer details available. From the renders made available to BlackBerryCentral, it seems as though the Hamburg takes it looks from the Z30. It will be a mid-range phone, with a cost of around $450. Of course, neither phone may actually
Of course, neither phone may actually launch, as leaks don't confirm a product's existence, more that a company is investigating new products. However, the Rome seems more likely to launch, as it brings the keyboard that BlackBerry is famous for, distinguishing this product from touch-only Android devices.
Details are thin on the ground at the moment, with only basic information available: we know that the Rome will have a keyboard, while the Hamburg will not. Apparently, the Rome will have specs very similar to that of the Priv, which had a Snapdragon 808 chip, 3GB of RAM and a 2,560x1,440 resolution screen. Apparently, it will cost around $500 when it's launched later in the year, with September rumoured.
Nexus 5/6 2016 - October
This one's a little funny, as it's always hard to tell what Google is up to with its own-brand phones and we're not always guaranteed to get a like-for-like upgrade every year. However, it feels as though Google got into its stride last year with the 5.2in Nexus 5X and the 5.8in Nexus 6P, both replacements for older handsets. So, what will 2016 bring?
So far, it seems the internet has decided that HTC will be making the new Nexus phones. HTC, of course, made the excellent Nexus 9 tablet in 2014, so it's definitely got a good track record when it comes to making great Nexus devices.
Otherwise, little is known about the devices themselves apart from their general code names. This year, the new Nexus phones will be called Marlin and Sailfish during development, making them easier to track until Google give them both official names. And, of course, we're almost 99% certain that the new Nexus phones will come with the next version of Android. Read our Android N 7.0 hands on review to find out all the latest features. Google usually launches its new Nexus phones in October, too, so a October 2016 luanch seems like a safe bet for these new phones.
This one's a little funny, as it's always hard to tell what Google is up to with its own-brand phones and we're not always guaranteed to get a like-for-like upgrade every year. However, it feels as though Google got into its stride last year with the 5.2in Nexus 5X and the 5.8in Nexus 6P, both replacements for older handsets. So, what will 2016 bring?
So far, it seems the internet has decided that HTC will be making the new Nexus phones. HTC, of course, made the excellent Nexus 9 tablet in 2014, so it's definitely got a good track record when it comes to making great Nexus devices.
Otherwise, little is known about the devices themselves apart from their general code names. This year, the new Nexus phones will be called Marlin and Sailfish during development, making them easier to track until Google give them both official names. And, of course, we're almost 99% certain that the new Nexus phones will come with the next version of Android. Read our Android N 7.0 hands on review to find out all the latest features. Google usually launches its new Nexus phones in October, too, so a October 2016 luanch seems like a safe bet for these new phones.
Recently launched: OnePlus 3
OnePlus has carved out an interesting niche for itself with the OnePlus 2 and OnePlus X, selling high-quality phones at much lower prices than you'd usually expect. It's really outdone itself with the OnePlus 3, though, as this beautifully-made smartphone offers the same amount of speed and power as its flagship rivals for almost half the price when buying SIM-free.
Armed with a Snapdragon 820 and a massive 6GB of RAM, the OnePlus 3 is one of the fastest smartphones you can buy today. Its 5.5in display might not have the same 2,560x1,440 resolution as other flagships, instead settling for a still perfectly respectable 1,920x1,080 resolution, but it still looks great, even if it is a tad over-saturated for our liking.
Combine that with 64GB of storage, a super-fast fingerprint sensor and NFC support for Android Pay, and the OnePlus 3 is once again the bargain of the year. For our full and final verdict, read our full OnePlus 3 review for all the latest details.
Moto G4 2016
The new Moto G4 is an absolute masterpiece. Offering mid-range specs at a budget price, the Moto G4 is the best bargain of the year and firmly throws down the gauntlet to every other smartphone manufacturer in existence. It's a little bigger than previous Moto Gs, as it has a 5.5in screen instead of just 5in, but its Full HD resolution, excellent 13-megapixel camera, super-fast octa-core Snapdragon 617 chip and superb 3,000mAh battery put it leagues ahead of anything else in this price range. Read our full Moto G4 2016 review for all the details.
Sony Xperia X
Sony didn't release the Xperia Z6, as expected, changing the name to the Xperia X instead. It has Sony's build quality and the phone's certainly fast, but it's also relatively expensive and we weren't fans of the camera. It's a shame, as the Xperia X can't compete with this best flagship phones from other manufacturers. Read our full Sony Xperia X review.
Sony Xperia XA
The excitement may have been around the high-end handsets at MWC but I fell for the sleek, yet decidely mid-range Sony Xperia XA. The reason why is simple, it has 'that screen', a display that stretches practically from edge-to-edge with only the tiniest of bezels on either side. For a phone that's likely to cost a fraction of the models listed above, that's a serious plus point. At just 137g and 7.9mm thin, it's light and sleek too.
Inside things are a little less exciting admittedly. The 5.0in screen only has a 1,280x720 resolution and the chipset is a mid-range quad-core MediaTek MT6755 with 2GB of RAM. It's not going to win any awards for speed then, but that should all help to keep prices down when you go to buy it. It comes with Android 6.0 Marshmallow, of course.
There's a typical 16GB of storage plus a microSD card slot to add up to 200GB more if required. The 13-megapixel camera benefits from object-tracking technology, which should help keep everything nice and sharp when shooting. Read our hands-on review of the Sony Xperia XA for more pics and details, with our full review to come soon.
Inside things are a little less exciting admittedly. The 5.0in screen only has a 1,280x720 resolution and the chipset is a mid-range quad-core MediaTek MT6755 with 2GB of RAM. It's not going to win any awards for speed then, but that should all help to keep prices down when you go to buy it. It comes with Android 6.0 Marshmallow, of course.
There's a typical 16GB of storage plus a microSD card slot to add up to 200GB more if required. The 13-megapixel camera benefits from object-tracking technology, which should help keep everything nice and sharp when shooting. Read our hands-on review of the Sony Xperia XA for more pics and details, with our full review to come soon.
HTC 10
HTC's new One M10 is a big design improvement over One M8 and One M9 models. It has better battery life, screen quality has been improved and the camera is better. In addition, performance is up there with the best of this year's flagship handsets thanks to its Qualcomm Snapdragon 820 chipset. The main problem is that this handset is more expensive than the LG G5 and Galaxy S7, and it's camera still leaves something to be desired. For our full verdict, read our full HTC One 10 review
Samsung Galaxy S7
Samsung's handset plan for 2016 is as predictable as Apple's. Samsung took to MWC 2016 to unveil the new Galaxy S7 at its Unpacked event. Externally, the chassis isn't drastically different from last year's Galaxy S6, as the same materials and colours have made a return. Instead, changes have been made internally, making the S7's faster and has better battery life. It's also IP68 waterproof, meaning it can handle being submerged to 1.5m for 30 minutes and there's no need to use rubber caps to block the ports. What will make a lot of people happy is the return of the microSD card slot. This can be expanded by up to 200GB (but expect such cards to be very expensive). For all the latestread our full Samsung Galaxy S7 review
LG G5
Arguably the most interesting of the big announcements at MWC 2016. The LG G5 now has a magnesium alloy chassis, so its build quality has vastly improved on last year's plastic affair. LG's taken a surprising modular approach with its latest flagship handset. While replaceable batteries aren't exactly the most exciting things in the world, things get a little more intriguing with the LG G5's manner of battery swapping.
The entire bottom now slides off and you can simply swap the battery over and slide it back in. But that's the least interesting part of the G5's modularity. Various different modules are available that add extra functionality, such as the Cam Plus module that will be useful for photographers, or the Hi-Fi Plus module for the audiophiles. The LG G5 will also work with a number of separate devices from LG, which the company refer to as 'Friends'. This includes the LG 360 Cam for 360-degree video. In the mean time, read our full LG G5 review.
Apple iPhone SE
After making all its phones bigger for the last couple of years, Apple has now released something for those who truly believe the best things come in small packages. With its tiny 4in screen, the iPhone SE blends the design of the iPhone 5S with the technology of the latest iPhone 6S. It display doesn't have the high contrast ratio or 3D Touch feature of the latest iPhone 6S, but it's a pretty decent effort nonetheless.
Its specs are also bang up-to-date. The Apple A9 chipset is screamingly fast, with Apple claiming complete parity with the iPhone 6S, and it also comes with the same 12-megapixel camera, with features like Live Photos and 4K video making the transition. With prices starting at just £359 this is a lot of phone for the money, by Apple standards. If you're looking for a smaller handset then this should be top of your list.Read our full iPhone SE review for more information.
After making all its phones bigger for the last couple of years, Apple has now released something for those who truly believe the best things come in small packages. With its tiny 4in screen, the iPhone SE blends the design of the iPhone 5S with the technology of the latest iPhone 6S. It display doesn't have the high contrast ratio or 3D Touch feature of the latest iPhone 6S, but it's a pretty decent effort nonetheless.
Its specs are also bang up-to-date. The Apple A9 chipset is screamingly fast, with Apple claiming complete parity with the iPhone 6S, and it also comes with the same 12-megapixel camera, with features like Live Photos and 4K video making the transition. With prices starting at just £359 this is a lot of phone for the money, by Apple standards. If you're looking for a smaller handset then this should be top of your list.Read our full iPhone SE review for more information.
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