People looking for smartphone upgrades will have a wide choice in the coming year. All major smartphone manufacturers have plans of launching new flagships next year.
Everyone from Apple to Samsung,LG and OnePlus will showcase their next-generation ip phones throughout next year. Here's a quick look at what to expect from these major releases along with their fairly accurate release dates.
Samsung
Samsung had a major setback with its ailing sales of Galaxy S5. In order to turn things around, the Korean tech giant launched Galaxy Note 4, Note Edge and Galaxy Alpha but Apple took all the limelight with its record-breaking iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus sales. The world's largest smartphone vendor is not willing to give up its spot so easily, so Samsung will make sure its Galaxy S6 makes a good impression in the market.
So far, the specs details on the upcoming flagship are pretty thin but reports indicate the Galaxy S6 to feature a 5-inch or 5.5-inch Quad HD display, 16 or 20MP rear camera with 5MP front-facing camera and 64-bit Exynos 7420 or Snapdragon 810 processor variants. Samsung is internally calling its flagship "Project Zero," which is being built up from scratch.
In a recent report from SamMobile, sources claimed that Samsung will launch its flagship alongside Galaxy Note Edge-like Galaxy S6 Edge with a curved edge. Both new phones are expected to take on the market in a special launch event around April 11.
Apple
If Apple's success with the iPhone 6 release was any indication, the Cupertino tech giant will step up its game in the next flagship next year. Though customers will have to wait till the year's end to hear some official news on the rumoured iPhone 7, there will be traditional leaks and speculations that can give a rough idea about the next iPhone.
Reports have already lined up some specs of the iPhone 6 successor, which suggest an improved camera to produce DSLR-quality photos, sapphire glass protection, A8 chip and boosted memory up to 256GB.
There is no word on the product's release but it won't be surprising to see the Cupertino tech giant choose the same month of the year when it releases all its new iPhones, in September.
Sony
Sony has two major releases lined up for 2015. First off, the company will continue its Xperia line of smartphones with the Xperia Z4. Sony is expected to upgrade the smartphone's specs than its outlook design. The Z4 is expected to come with a 5.4-inch or 5.5-inch Quad HD display, updated camera with 20.7 megapixels, Optical Image Stabilization and a powerful Snapdragon 805 processor.
The smartphone's outlook will continue its metal frame design with protective glass on both sides and waterproof rating. Reports also suggest that Sony will adapt the traditional pair release by launching Z4 Compact alongside Z4.
Based on Sony's bi-annual flagship launch pattern, the Xperia Z4 could arrive as early as March during the Mobile World Congress event in Barcelona.
LG
LG led the smartphone industry with the first Quad HD display in the LG G3 smartphone. The company took a huge bet on its phone's exquisite design by placing the volume rocker and unlock button on the back. With the next anticipated release from LG being the G4, the company will once again take charge in leading the industry with challenging specs. Reports suggest the company will use either 5.7-inch or 6-inch bezel-free UHD or 2K display. Overall the phone's performance will be boosted in the G4 compared to its predecessor.
Following the company's previous releases, LG fans can expect the G4 to arrive anytime until summer 2015.
OnePlus
This new Chinese upstart firm has gained immense popularity in a short time. The company's flagship killer OnePlus One phone is already a success and OnePlus is looking to continue the popularity with successive OnePlus Two. The information emerged after OnePlus staff in a Reddit AMA session in September said the new flagship will arrive in the second or third quarter of 2015, somewhere between April and September.
The details on the smartphone's specs are scanty as the OnePlus team gave a vague reply for seeking the OnePlus Two's size.
Others
Besides these expected phones, several other entries are coming in 2015. The most-talked about Google Project Ara is due in early 2015. Microsoft is also readying its next Lumia device, McLaren, as a high-end Windows Phone flagship with great PureView camera. HTC One M9 is also one of the major attention-seeker next year, which is expected to make its debut in March.
