The first wave 2021 phones are here. There’s new hardware from Samsung, Xiaomi and OnePlus, as well as tons of mid-range and budget phones. But there’s more.
We expect another wave of major phone launches in autumn 2021. Phones are known for launching in waves. The latest Samsung Galaxy foldables are out, as is the iPhone 13 series. Also, the iPhone 13 series will be the first to use the new Snapdragon 880+ chipset. Honor Magic 3 and 4 are the first.
The Google Pixel 6 is not the only launch to be excited about. Several phones have been confirmed but have not yet gone on sale globally, such as the Honor 50 or Huawei P50. We’re still waiting for the long-awaited revival of BlackBerry.
We’re seeing foldable devices becoming more affordable and durable this year, and battery tech keeps improving. Software enhancements have also been seen, making us more excited about Android 12, iOS15, and Huawei’s new HarmonyOS software.
The 2021 Best New Phones
Apple iPhone 13 – September 24th
Here’s the deal. Apple unveiled the new iPhone at an event held on September 14th. The phones will go on sale Friday, September 24th. Pre-orders start a week before the actual launch.
There are four options, ranging from a Mini to a Pro Max, and all powered by the new A15 Bionic processor.
Although the notch is still present, it is now smaller and the Pro models finally support refresh rates of 120Hz.
Two-thirds have increased base storage, and the Pros can store up to 1TB. You can expect standard camera upgrades, battery life improvement, and adjustments to the colours.
The new iPhones were launched along with a new iPad and iPad mini.
Samsung Galaxy S22 – Q1 2022
Every spring, Samsung releases a new series of flagship phones. We expect the Galaxy S22 to arrive in spring 2022.
Although we don’t know much about the future, it seems safe to assume that we will once again receive three phones: a Standard, Plus and Ultra model.
Camera updates are inevitable, but leakers are arguing about the details. There is word of a 50Mp upgrade on the Plus and regular, and a 200Mp jump on the Ultra. Other tipsters have denied the latter.
Apple iPhone SE 2 and SE Plus – 2022
Apple‘s new iPhone SE was released in April. Rumours have since suggested that the company will launch a Plus or a follow-up model. Don’t be surprised if that seems to be the case. We could wait until 2022.
Long-rumoured SE Plus is more than a bigger version of the iPhone SE. Ming-Chi Kuo, a trusted Apple leaker, suggests that the iPhone SE Plus will have a 5.5in or 6.1in screen and, most importantly, a “fullscreen design” similar to the iPhone 11 range. The power button may have Touch ID.
iPhone 14 – September 2022
Although the iPhone 14 is still a ways off, we now have first glimpses of what to expect when it arrives.
Based on Jon Prosser’s leaks, renderings show the alleged end to the controversial notch. The punch-hole camera is supposed to have replaced the notch. Face ID tech remains hidden beneath the display.
The volume buttons are back in round, and the camera lenses are flush against the body. This was partly achieved by making the phone thicker.
Although it is too early to know for sure if this is the iPhone 14, it is enough to get us excited.
Nubia RedMagic 6S PRO – September 27th
RedMagic 6S Pro, an updated version of this year’s 6 Pro will be available on September 27th.
One significant change is the upgrade to the Snapdragon 810+ chipset. This should bring (slightly more) improved gaming performance.
You still get a 165Hz refresh speed display and a touch sampling rate of 720Hz on the 6.8in AMOLED screen. 66W fast charging will keep your phone charged up, but you will need to pay extra for a top-speed charger.
Sony Xperia 5 III – September
The UK will see the last of Sony’s Xperia III lines launch sometime in September, five months after Sony’s first announcement.
The 5 III has the same specs as the flagship Xperia 1 III but a smaller 6.1in screen that is only Full HD+, though it still runs at 120Hz.
Xiaomi 11T – October 1st
The Xiaomi 11T series is basically a cheaper, more affordable version of the Mi 11 flagship released earlier in the year.
The 11T Pro will go on sale in the UK starting on October 1st, with the standard 11T coming a week later, on October 8th.
They both feature the same triple rear camera, led by the main lens of 108Mp and 120Hz AMOLED displays coated with Gorilla Glass Victus.
The most notable differences are the chipset – a Dimensity1200 on the 11T and a Snapdragon888 on Pro – and charging – with 67W wireless speeds on the 1T and 120W wired charging for the 11T Pro.
Huawei P50 – October 21st
Huawei revealed the P50 Pro and P50 Pro in China after teasing them at the HarmonyOS launch. They will officially be unveiled for the West at an event scheduled for October 21st.
The phones run the HarmonyOS operating system and feature high refresh rates OLED displays, fast charging, powerful camera setups, and high-resolution OLED displays.
The odd thing is that they both use the Snapdragon 888 (with a Kirin 900 variant of the Pro model) but only use 4G versions. This is due to the ongoing US trade restrictions. As fancy as they may be, these phones are still 4G-only and do not offer Google mobile services.
Xiaomi 11 Lite 5G NE – October
The Xiaomi 11 Lite 5G NE was launched alongside the 11T Series. A new version of the Mi 11 Lite 5G – ‘NE’ stands to represent ‘New Edition’.
There are few changes, but there are new colours and a slight shift in the Snapdragon 778G’s chipset. This technically is a downgrade, but it is still worth the cost.
New BlackBerry Phone H2 2021
BlackBerry is back! Onward Mobility, a US company, licensed the BlackBerry name in August 2020 and said it would release a new BlackBerry device by 2021.
Although the company initially planned to launch the new BlackBerry in the first half, that has now passed.
According to Onward Mobility, the new BlackBerry will feature 5G network capabilities and a physical keyboard. These are the only indications we have of specs, other than the phone running Android. The announcement currently only reveals the existence of the partnership.
Honor 50 – Q3 2021
The Honor 50 is now available in China. It will be launched globally, including the UK, “later this year”.
The Honor 50’s new Snapdragon 778G chipset is also available. It supports 5G support and 66W charging.
Each version comes with a quad rear camera that is led by a main lens of 108Mp. The set also includes a macro camera and ultrawide depth sensor. The Pro comes with a 32Mp selfie lens and the 50 with a wide-angle, 12Mp selfie lens.
The best part? Honor confirmed that the international version will include Google Mobile Services.
Honor Magic 3 – Q3 2021
The Honor Magic 3 series, like the Honor 50, is set for a worldwide release. We just don’t know how soon.
These three phones – the Magic 3, 3 Pro and 3 Pro+- are more expensive than the Honor 50. Prices start at EUR899 in Europe.
Pro models have the Snapdragon 8888+ chipset, quad rear cameras, and the base Magic 3 has a 888 and triple camera.
All three phones, including the Honor 50, will have full Google support once they ship internationally.
Asus ROG Phone 5s – Q3 2021
Asus has revealed the new ROG Phone 5s Pro and 5s Pro. Both phones will be available in Taiwan, and they are expected to reach the UK soon.
The ROG phone 5 is already available for purchase here. However, the 5s features an updated Snapdragon 888+ chipset, the most current and best on the market.
Xiaomi Mi Mix 4 – Q3 2021
The Mi Mix 4 was launched in China by Xiaomi on August 10th. It’s not clear if the phone will reach the UK or other countries, and if so, when. We hope to see it sometime this autumn.
This Mi Mix phone is the most powerful and expensive yet. It features a Snapdragon 8888+ chipset and 120W wired charging.
Vivo X70 – Q3 2021
Vivo has revealed the X70 flagship series in China and confirmed global release plans. However, we are still waiting to hear if and when the UK will be included.
Three phones are available in this range. The base X70 has a triple camera and a custom MediaTek Dimensity1200 chipset. The X70 Pro adds a quad camera and a 50Mp primary shooter to the quad-camera.
The X70 Pro+ also includes better main and ultrawide cameras and OIS on each rear lens – Vivo’s first-ever in-house image processor chip.
Google Pixel 6 – Q3 2021
Google teased the Pixel 6 Pro and Pixel 6 Pro and confirmed that they will be available sometime in the autumn of 2021.
Google confirmed that the phones would feature a unique design language, including a camera module. It also confirms that they will be powered with a new SoC called Tensor. There is no indication of Qualcomm Snapdragon chips.
Another leak points to a device called the Pixel XE. However, it is not clear if this is a fake or a new phone. Or if it is simply a codename of the Pixel 6.
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