Here we're looking at those phones that haven't yet launched, those
we know are coming, or are anticipated. Some will be rumour, some will
be fact, but here we'll cut a swathe through the speculation to
highlight those phones we really want to see. We'll be updating this
list on a regular basis, with those device rumours we think are credible
and exciting, and devices just announced.
LG G2
The LG G2 is stealing headlines, with a 5.2-inch full HD display
that's wonderful to behold. It's one of a new generation of smartphones
running on the Qualcomm Snapdragon 800 platform, clocked at 2.26GHz,
along with 2GB of RAM, meaning it's fast and smooth, and will be able to
attack anything you throw at it.
This 4G handset comes with all the connectivity you'd expect from a
handset at the top of its game and you'll be pleased to hear there's a
3000mAh battery onboard. That should give it the stamina to get you
through the day.
The LG G2 release date is unknown at the moment, launching first in
Korea, before spreading internationally. In the UK it's confirmed for O2
and Three, we expect others to follow suit as we approach launch date.
Sony Xperia Z Ultra
Although Sony has announced the Xperia Z Ultra, and we've had the
chance to play with it, it's still yet to become available. The 6.4-inch
display is really impressive, with great colours and plenty of space to
play, backed up with all the power of the Qualcomm Snapdragon 800
chipset, here clocked at 2.2GHz.
The really impressive thing about the Xperia Z Ultra is the attention
to design: the slim phablet is only 6.5mm thick and 212g, so despite
being a monster, you can easily slip it into your pocket.
With handwriting support, as well as that from any normal pen not
just a dedicated stylus, the Z Ultra is also water resistant like the
rest of the family, so could be a great companion whether in the
boardroom or beside the pool.
The Sony Xperia Z Ultra price is looking high however, potentially
more than £600. There's no word on the release date just yet, but it's
certainly a device to look out for.
Sony Xperia Honami
Sony has had a great 2013, with the Xperia Z winning fans and the
Xperia Tablet Z showing that Sony is serious in building a family of
devices. Topped off by the announced-but-not-yet-available Sony Xperia Z
Ultra, there's another device in the wings, codenamed Honami.
This is said to be a 5-inch device following the same slick design as
the previous Z devices, but with a 20-megapixel Sony G lens. That might
sound a little ridiculous, but it's also been spotted attached to the
Sony Lens Camera. Sony, it seems, doesn't seem scared to experiment.
Elsewhere the Honami is said to be a Qualcomm Snapdragon 800-powered
device, with a 3000mAh battery, along with microSD expansion for the
memory - something you'll really need if you're snapping off
20-megapixel photos.
There's nothing official as yet, but with IFA 2013 in September just around the corner, we could see Sony make another big hit.
Apple iPhone 5S
Apple is one of the few smartphone manufacturers yet to update in
2013 and the year is drawing on. But Apple is also a creature of habit
and we know we'll see a new iPhone this year. Whether it will be the
iPhone 5S or the iPhone 6 is open to debate, but there's no reason to
suggest that Apple would deviate from the cycle of adding an S and
keeping the same design.
There are swirling rumours of fingerprint scanners and some purported
leaked component photos suggest a very minor change to things like the
camera flash. We don't think there will be a big change to the screen
resolution, but there will certainly be a bump in internal specs.
At
WWDC in
June, Apple ushered in a change with iOS 7. iOS 7 strips away a lot of
the graphical complexity to give a flatter, cleaner, more minimalist
user interface that's updated and ready to take the fight to Android.
iOS 7 is due to launch later in the year, and we'll bet our Grandmothers
that the iPhone 5S launches at the same time around September 2013.
Apple iPhone 5C
Apple might have another phone waiting in the wings, and that's the
long-rumoured budget iPhone. It's still in the realms of fantasy at the
moment, as Apple have said nothing to either confirm or deny the
rumours, but there's been a flood of component leaks as well as a number
of photos depicting a plastic iPhone body.
Of course, this could just be fake models destined for markets in
China, but the Cupertino company could be about to upset the Apple cart
but releasing a more affordable handset to compete with the flood of
affordable but competent mid-range Android devices.
There's no real word on specs, but we'd take a punt and say that the
iPhone 5C will appear with specs close to the iPhone 5, leaving the bump
in specs to the new iPhone 5S.
HTC One Max
The HTC One and the HTC One mini are both a hit with us: we rate the
HTC One as the best phone you can get right now, but that could be swept
aside if the rumours of a larger HTC One model prove to be correct. Our
own sources tell us that a larger device is coming and there have been
plenty of leaks detailing what we might expect.
First up is a 5.9-inch full HD display, putting the HTC One Max into
phablet territory. This is joined by the rumour of a Qualcomm Snapdragon
800 chipset, meaning plenty of power.
It should also retain the features of the HTC One family that we
love: that'll mean you're looking at a slick aluminium design, twin
front-facing BoomSound speakers as well as the rear UltraPixel camera.
All will be pulled together by the lovely HTC Sense 5 user interface
layered over Android. There's no official confirmation, but there's a
world of rumours building for the HTC One Max.
BlackBerry Z30
BlackBerry promised a selection of devices in 2013 on the new
BlackBerry 10 platform and it seems there's another, larger, model to
sit about the BlackBerry Z10.
Named as the BlackBerry Z30, there's no official word from the
struggling company, but a series of leaks reveal some of the details.
We're looking at a 5-ich display giving you more room to play, along
with wireless charging. There's talk of a 720p resolution on that
display, which might not appeal to those Android users looking at a
1080p display, but if you want to go large with BlackBerry, then this
might be the way.
No confirmation yet as to when we might see the device launch.
Samsung Galaxy Note 3
The Samsung Galaxy Note family is somewhat disruptive. Some see it as
a tablet, some people see it as a phone, but almost all agree that the
Note devices have been very good and Samsung has had great success with
the line. It's not alone these days, with big devices emerging from all
corners, but it's time for a Note update.
The current run of gossip has the Samsung Galaxy Note 3 display at
5.68-inches, an eight-core processor and 3200mAh battery. Then there's
the S Pen and we're sure there will be a drizzle of new features in
Samsung's software to help you get the most out of your stylus.
Samsung has already issued invitations for its Unpacked event being
held at IFA 2013, in Berlin, Germany, so circle 4 September in your
calendar for all the news. Who knows, you might even see a Samsung
smartwatch launched at the same time.
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