Android Phones We’re Excited About This Year

A number of cutting-edge smartphones like the Galaxy S20, OnePlus 8, Galaxy Note 20, and Pixel 5, were announced in 2020.  Although we don’t have a firm release date, we can expect to see many more hit the US market this year too.

Here are the ones we can’t wait to get our hands on in the coming weeks and months:

One Plus 9

Launch ETA: March 2021

It’s mostly speculation at this point, but all the interesting leaks and rumored new features already have us at the edge of our seats. The prototype that sold for $6,000 on eBay showed off a semi-refreshed design with larger lenses (albeit a and a similar layout) than the 8T. A 6.7-inch display may be in the cards. Another rumor suggests that some PRO features may make it to the 9. We’re also expecting an upgrade to the main 48MP sensor, and that there will be a secondary 48MP lens and a third (currently unknown) sensor. We can also expect a budget-friendly 9E model.  

Huawei P50 Series

Launch ETA: Early 2021

– Although all we’ve seen so far is a render, we’re expecting the P50 Pro to boast a 6.6-inch display and a central punch-hole camera.

– The next devices in the Huawei P series will probably boast a Kirin 9,000 SoC, a quad-camera setup (headlined by a 108MP shooter), and will ship with Harmony OS onboard.

– That said, many of these specs are rumored, and we don’t expect to see Huawei’s upcoming flagship Android phone for at least a few months.

Nokia 9.2/9.3 PureView

Launch ETA: Early 2021

Conflicting reports suggest that the successor to 2019’s 9 PureView may either be called the Nokia 9.2 PureView or the 9.3 PureView.

It’s expected to be a flagship device equipped with the Snapdragon 888 chipset and improved software. Rumor has it that it will sport a more traditional normal/wide/telephoto camera layout as compared to its precursor. We can also expect the next PureView to be among the first phones to have an under-display selfie camera – so we can expect better pictures this time around.

LG V70 ThinQ

Launch ETA: Early 2021

The V70 ThinQ is one of the more mysterious handsets on this list. There’s precious little we know about it. We can probably expect the LG V70 to follow the pricing scheme of the V60 and stay comfortably below the $1,000 threshold. Early rumors suggest a 6.4-inch display and the latest Snapdragon 875 SoC. It may go down a more traditional path like the LG Velvet, or pack gimmicks like the LG Wing — only time will tell.

Sony Xperia 1 III

Launch ETA: Early 2021

The Xperia 1 II launched at MWC in early 2020 and early rumors suggest that it will pack a few important upgrades. The upcoming sequel will also boast a display that’s 15% brighter than the Xperia 1 II, according to a report from AndroidNext. There’s also talk of an improved selfie camera. We can expect Sony’s next Xperia to arrive soon.