The latest iteration of Samsung’s Galaxy Z Flip is among the phones to be watched in 2021.
Smartphone shipments, although slowed due to the COVID-19 pandemic, have recovered and are expected to end the year at a slightly higher level.
Shipments are expected to grow 4.4% in 2021, according to IDC, with an impressively fast supply chain recovery and significant incentives from OEMs and channels on new 5G products, likely to support growth. 5G, according to the company, is likely to boost industry growth in the short to medium term. The company expects shipments of 5G smartphones to reach about 19% of the global volume in 2020, and that proportion is expected to increase to 58% in 2024.
Devices using QUALCOMM, Inc.in (NASDAQ: QCOM) new SoC (System On a Chip) – Snapdragon 888 – are the ones to watch, since the chip will be present in the main Android devices next year. It has an integrated 5G modem and is built on a 5 nanometer scale, the last level being reached in the manufacture of chips for mass production.
Here are some of the smartphone models that are likely to launch in 2021.
Apple
Apple Inc (NASDAQ: AAPL) came up with the 5G iPhones model in late 2020, with analysts touting the line-up as a turning point in the company’s history.
iPhone 13 next? Apple is likely to launch four devices in 2021, including two high-end Pro models, while the other two will be positioned as low-cost models, according to Macrumors.
In terms of design and features, major changes are not expected, the report said. There is some controversy over how the company can name the new line, with some reports suggesting that it could be called the iPhone 12S.
One of the four models could come without doors, with the company relying on its MagSafe wireless charging technology.
Samsung
South Korean electronics giant Samsung is the smartphone market leader, boasting about a fifth of sales. The company is expected to have an announcement about its smartphones in January, judging by a blog post by TM Roh, Samsung’s head of mobile communications. He discussed the achievements in 2020 and gave a preview of what is in store for 2021.
“I’m looking forward to sharing more in January,” said Roh. “And while we are already known for our revolutionary cameras, we will never stop trying to outdo ourselves – so stay tuned for professional-grade super-smart cameras and video features in 2021.”
Some potential releases from Samsung’s stable include:
Samsung Galaxy S21, Galaxy S21 +, Galaxy S21 Ultra: There are rumors that both could happen in January, contrary to Samsung’s usual practice of launching the product in February and making the product available in March, according to Pocket-lint.com. The company may set the price of the latest version of its flagship phones a little cheaper, a move driven by the Galaxy S20’s weaker sales in 2020.
Galaxy Z Flip 2, Galaxy Z Fold 3, Galaxy Z Fold Lite: The foldable panoply of the Samsung phone may boast three more foldable phone variants in 2021. The Fold Lite should appear first and is seen as an affordable phone, with an internal 7-inch screen and external 4-inch screen.
Galaxy A22 5G: Samsung is also expected to launch an economical A22 5G, the successor to the A21 launched in April 2020.
Related link: Apple analysts see opportunity ‘once in a decade’ ahead of the iPhone ‘super cycle’
LG
It is widely speculated that LG, also based in South Korea, will launch three phone models in the first half of 2021.
LG Rainbow, LG Rollable, LG Q83: Its flagship smartphone LG Rainbow is due to be unveiled in March, according to Korea IT News. The LG Rollable, the second product developed on the company’s Project Explorer, can be extended to 7.4 inches from 6.8 inches. It is likely to be launched in the first half of the year.
A cheap phone, the LG Q83, is also expected to hit the market.
Xiaomi
Mi 11 and Mi 11 Pro: Chinese smartphone maker Xiaomi is planning to launch its Mi 11 series phones, the Mi 11 and Mi 11 Pro, on December 28, the company confirmed on Weibo. These phones, which are expected to be available in 2021, will be the first to come with the new Snapdragon 888 SoC. There may be a Lite version of the phone as well. It is also speculated that Xiaomi will launch a foldable phone inside, code-named Cetus, in the new year.
The year may also see the launch of the next iteration of other Xiaomi models, such as the Redmi Note 10 and Redmi Note 10 Pro.
Oppo
Chinese smartphone maker Oppo also has some tricks up its sleeve.
Oppo X 2021, Reno5 Pro + and more: Oppo’s X 2021, which launched in November, has a scrollable screen, with a 6.7-inch panel that can stretch up to 7.4 inches when needed. It is expected to be available next year.
O # OPPOX2021 it is the latest achievement of Oppo’s constant exploration of cell phone form factors. It is built with a scrollable OLED display measuring 6.7 inches that expands to 7.4 inches. # OPPOINNODAY20 pic.twitter.com/T96DOQ8KZm
– OPPO (@oppo) November 17, 2020
The company is scheduled to launch the Reno5 Pro + 5G, which will have a Snapdragon 865 chipset on board and a curved Super AMOLED display with a hole in its corner.
Alphabet
Alphabet Inc Class A (NASDAQ: GOOGL) is probably not far behind.
Pixel 5A, Pixel 6 models, foldable pixel all in the mix: A foldable Pixel Phone, codenamed Passport, plus a Pixel 5A, is speculated to be a lower offer in the middle of the year, and two more devices, codenamed Raven and Oriole, are among the likely launches in 2021, according to 9to5 Google .with. The Pixel 5A may be launched in the second quarter, and the other two devices in the fourth quarter of 2021.
Nokia
Nokia’s PureView 9.3: Nokia’s new flagship smartphone, 9.3 PureView, is due to launch in the first half of 2020. The launch has been postponed from the initial schedule of November 2020.
Related link: Apple drops to fourth place in global smartphone shipments behind Xiaomi
Photo courtesy of Samsung.
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