We're big fans of 2014's Nexus 6, Samsung Galaxy S5, Samsung Galaxy Note 4, HTC One M8, LG G3, Sony Xperia Z3 and iPhone 6, but we're more impressed by what's to come this year. Here we reveal the 15 upcoming smartphones that you should be most excited about in 2015. Also see the best new tablets you should be most excited about in 2015.
1. Samsung Galaxy S6
If you're a Samsung fan but would rather stick to a phone than a phablet then the S6 will be just what you're looking for. Currently there are two designs in the works, with the final yet to be decided. One has an all-metal unibody chassis in line with that of the Galaxy Alpha, while the other is half metal with a removable plastic rear like the Galaxy Note 4.
We wouldn't be surprised to also see a quad-HD screen, plus plenty of other radical new features, including a redesigned fingerprint scanner that works a lot more like Apple's Touch ID and, you know, actually works. In the UK, we're likely to see the Snapdragon 810 processor paired with 3GB of RAM. We should see the Samsung Galaxy S6 unveiled at a Samsung Unpacked event prior to MWC 2015, probably on 1 March 2015.
We wouldn't be surprised to also see a quad-HD screen, plus plenty of other radical new features, including a redesigned fingerprint scanner that works a lot more like Apple's Touch ID and, you know, actually works. In the UK, we're likely to see the Snapdragon 810 processor paired with 3GB of RAM. We should see the Samsung Galaxy S6 unveiled at a Samsung Unpacked event prior to MWC 2015, probably on 1 March 2015.
2. Samsung Galaxy S6 mini
A Samsung Galaxy flagship launch is traditionally followed by several variants, most importantly a compact version, but we've also seen variants that offer, for example, improved cameras or more ruggedized designs.
The Samsung Galaxy S6 mini is likely to arrive a few months after the standard Samsung Galaxy S6, perhaps in late July/early August, and will be a more compact version of its bigger brother with a slightly slimmed down spec. We expect to see a 4.7in full-HD screen, a slower-clocked Qualcomm Snapdragon 810 processor, perhaps 2GB of RAM and 16- and 5Mp cameras.
The Samsung Galaxy S6 mini is likely to arrive a few months after the standard Samsung Galaxy S6, perhaps in late July/early August, and will be a more compact version of its bigger brother with a slightly slimmed down spec. We expect to see a 4.7in full-HD screen, a slower-clocked Qualcomm Snapdragon 810 processor, perhaps 2GB of RAM and 16- and 5Mp cameras.
3. Samsung Galaxy S6 Active
Yet another rumoured Samsung Galaxy S6 variant, the Active should be a rugged version of the Samsung Galaxy S6. Korean sources suggest that the standard S6 will not be waterproof, leaving room in Samsung's line-up for an Active version. We're not convinced, given that both Samsung Galaxy S5 and S5 Active were both waterproof. Nevertheless, with an S4 Active and S5 Active before it, we could well see an S6 Active, but probably not until the summer.
4. Samsung Galaxy A7
Samsung has confirmed its Galaxy A7, a gorgeous phablet with a 6.3mm unibody metal chassis, a 5.5in Super AMOLED screen and a 64-bit octa-core processor. The Samsung Galaxy A7 is not yet on sale on the UK, but will come in both single and dual-SIM variants.
5. HTC One M9
We are massive fans of the HTC One M8, and we just can't wait for a better version of the phone. Full specs have leaked for the HTC One M9, and if these are to be believed it will have a 5in full-HD Super LCD3 display, a Snapdragon 810 processor, Adreno 430 graphics and 3GB of RAM.
The HTC One M9 is expected to follow the HTC Desire Eye with a super-selfie 13Mp front camera, plus 20Mp at the rear. Rumour has it the M9 will also be ultra-thin at 7mm. Based on HTC's previous form, the Android Lollipop- and HTC Sense 7.0-based HTC One M9 won't be here in time for MWC 2015, but we can expect to see it around March.
The HTC One M9 is expected to follow the HTC Desire Eye with a super-selfie 13Mp front camera, plus 20Mp at the rear. Rumour has it the M9 will also be ultra-thin at 7mm. Based on HTC's previous form, the Android Lollipop- and HTC Sense 7.0-based HTC One M9 won't be here in time for MWC 2015, but we can expect to see it around March.
6. HTC One M9 Plus
Coming along the HTC One M9 is said to be a 5.5in-screen phablet version known as the HTC One M9 Plus or HTC One M9 Ultra. Except not exactly alongside - we'll likely be waiting until September for this variant. If rumours are true, the HTC One M9 Ultra / Plus will pack a 2.3GHz Qualcomm Snapdragon 810 processor and 3GB of RAM. It will also feature a fingerprint scanner.
7. Sony Xperia Z4
Sony updates its flagship handsets every six months, so with the Sony Xperia Z3 released in September 2014 we can expect the Sony Xperia Z4 in March at IFA (running 2- to 5 March 2015). There is speculation that the Sony Xperia Z4 will tie in with the new James Bond movie, with actor Daniel Craig and director Sam Mendes expected to be involved in its design. Rumour has it that it will be a super-fast Android Lollipop smartphone with an octa-core Snapdragon 810 processor, potentially 4GB of RAM and a Quad HD screen.
8. LG G4
We stand by our statement that the LG G3 was the very best phone you can buy in 2014. Things can only get better with the LG G4. The LG G3 was officially released in the UK at the end of June 2014. The LG G4 should be here around the same time this summer.
9. LG G Flex 2
The G4 isn't LG's only exciting new smartphone for 2015. At CES 2015 it unveiled the G Flex 2, a curved-screen handset. The G Flex 2 is a 5.5in-screen smartphone with a 64-bit Qualcomm Snapdragon 810 octa-core chip, and it features self-healing technology.
10. Microsoft Lumia 940
Part of the reason we're so excited about the upcoming Microsoft Lumia 940 is that it will be one of the first handsets to run Windows Phone 10 - or just Windows 10, as the case may be, since rumour has it Microsoft intends to finally tackle the Windows Phone apps problem by running one OS across phones, tablets, PCs and laptops. The Lumia 940 has the geekiest spec of any Windows Phone we've seen too.
11. iPhone 7 / iPhone 6s
The iPhone 6 and 6 Plus were released in September, and in the months leading up to that the rumour mill went mental. Be prepared for more of the same with the iPhone 7, which will launch in September 2015 running iOS 9. As always, we're expecting a faster processor and some upgraded specs, but little change to the design. (Note that it will probably be called the iPhone 6s rather than iPhone 7, but we're sticking with iPhone 7 for now.)
12. New Nexus 6
In 2012 we had the Nexus 4, then in 2013 the Nexus 5 and, on 15 October 2014, the Nexus 6. We can't possibly be about to get a new Nexus 7, since that's already a tablet, so we're going for new Nexus 6 2015. It'll likely run Android M, and be unveiled in October 2015 with a November 2015 on sale date.
Whereas Google offered flagship specs with mid-range prices for the Nexus 4 and Nexus 5, the Nexus 6 is more costly at £499. We're hoping Google will go back to its excellent-value roots with the new Nexus 6 2015.
Whereas Google offered flagship specs with mid-range prices for the Nexus 4 and Nexus 5, the Nexus 6 is more costly at £499. We're hoping Google will go back to its excellent-value roots with the new Nexus 6 2015.
13. Xiaomi Mi Note and Xiaomi Mi Note Pro
Xiaomi has officially unveiled its Mi Note and Mi Note Pro, with the latter hailed as the most powerful phone in the world. Both offer staggering value at £244 and £350 respectively, given their amazing specs. These two Chinese phones are fitted with 5.7in curved screens - the Mi Note full-HD and the Note Pro Quad HD.
The Mi Note Pro in particular should offer unrivalled performance, thanks to a 2GHz Qualcomm Snapdragon 810 64-bit octa-core chip, a massive 4GB of RAM and Adreno 430 graphics. And still it's thinner than the iPhone 6 Plus.
There are loads more to drool over in Xiaomi's juicy spec sheet too - read more about the Xiaomi Mi Note and Mi Note Pro UK release date, price and specs here. The Mi Note went on sale in China on 27 January and sold out within minutes, while the Mi Note Pro is expected at the end of March.
The Mi Note Pro in particular should offer unrivalled performance, thanks to a 2GHz Qualcomm Snapdragon 810 64-bit octa-core chip, a massive 4GB of RAM and Adreno 430 graphics. And still it's thinner than the iPhone 6 Plus.
There are loads more to drool over in Xiaomi's juicy spec sheet too - read more about the Xiaomi Mi Note and Mi Note Pro UK release date, price and specs here. The Mi Note went on sale in China on 27 January and sold out within minutes, while the Mi Note Pro is expected at the end of March.
14. Tesco Hudl smartphone
The Hudl tablet has seen phenomenal success, allowing the masses to enter the world of tablet computing. Tesco's taking a slightly different tack with its smartphone, however, which will be a high-end device with an aggressive price. Just the type of device we get excited about.
The Tesco Hudl smartphone was supposed to be here in time for Christmas 2014, but Tesco put the project on hold. Despite recent financial problems causing Tesco to sell off its Broadband & Homephone and Blinkbox services, it remains committed to its mobile business.
The Tesco Hudl smartphone was supposed to be here in time for Christmas 2014, but Tesco put the project on hold. Despite recent financial problems causing Tesco to sell off its Broadband & Homephone and Blinkbox services, it remains committed to its mobile business.
15. Ubuntu smartphone
The Ubuntu phone is finally here in the form of the Aquarius E4.5 Ubuntu Edition. It costs €169 and runs a 1.3GHz quad-core processor with 1GB of RAM and 8GB of storage. More importantly, this is not an Android or iOS phone, it runs Ubuntu Linux - and that's interesting. Release dates have yet to be confirmed.
