Phones What 2016 phones are you looking forward too ?

[Fernandez21]

I don't think it's that bad with Sony, I actually think all oem's should offer 3 sizes, a "mini" at 3.7-4.5" sizes, a "normal" at 4.7-5.1" sizes, and a "plus" at 5.5-6.0" sizes.

If you do that and have a cheap, midrange, and premium options, you make 9 handsets a year and cover most bases.

Sony's biggest problem is distribution.

 

[nj-morris]

My prediction is this for the Z6 line, partially based on the leaks:

Z6 Mini: 4-inch 720p, SD652, Japan exclusive
Z6 Compact: 4.6-inch 1080p, SD820
Z6: 5.2-inch 1440p, SD820, Pressure sensitive
Z6 Plus: 5.8-inch 2160p, SD820, Pressure sensitive
Z6 Ultra: 6.4-inch 2160p, SD820, Japan exclusive

 

[Dreads]

I think Sony should just bring out the z5 ultra I'm thinkin they don't need like 6 models of the same line....

 

[navaira]

Sony's biggest problem is lack of advertising. I saw an article which argued Z5 is the best phone of the year, and also one that 90% people will never find out exists. My Z3 Compact is the best phone I have ever owned and I intend to upgrade to Zwhatevernumberisavailable in October. But putting out five sizes + lite? That's going to be super confusing I think.

Then again Samsung have two flagship lines and 300 models a year (rough estimate), so what do I know.

 

[nj-morris]

I'm actually anticipating a new phone from the Pixel team to replace the Nexus. I can imagine the Pixel C squeezed down into a 5.5-inch phone. Maybe it would also contain the SoC that Google is reportedly working on.

 

[ozaz]

But putting out five sizes + lite? That's going to be super confusing I think.

I don't really understand why it would be confusing. Size is one of only a few aspects of electronic devices that's tangible to all.

It's when you have lots of devices that differ in things like CPU, RAM, storage size, etc that things get confusing. People aren't really able to decide what they need in these aspects.

 

[navaira]

Yeah but is the smallest and the biggest going to have the same specs? Don't get me wrong, I'm probably the biggest Xperia fan here, but I know from experience that when you have TOO MUCH choice you end up choosing nothing at all and buying something else entirely.

 

[nj-morris]

I don't really understand why it would be confusing. Size is one of only a few aspects of electronic devices that's tangible to all.

It's when you have lots of devices that differ in things like CPU, RAM, storage size, etc that things get confusing. People aren't really able to decide what they need in these aspects.

Which looks likely on the next Xperia phones. Snapdragon 652 rather than 820 on the Mini, and pressure sensitive displays on the normal and Plus.

 

[Tig Bitties]

I think OPO can bring out a kick butt OnePlus Three, imagine a larger OnePlus X style and build quality, with a 5.5" AMOLED display, SD820 and 4GB RAM. All for around $400 or so. That would be pretty cool.

 

[rockitdog]

Now that the cat is out of the proverbial Samsung bag, in looking forward to seeing what HTC brings us in the way of the M10.

 

[apolloa]

I think the Sony Xperia Z6 Compact and the iPhone 6C will be very interesting products next year.

 

[AppleRobert]

My list would be much smaller if I jotted down which smartphones I am not looking forward to.

Bring them on, I will go play with whatever I can at retailers and the carriers and decide later.

 

[Michael Goff]

I think OPO can bring out a kick butt OnePlus Three, imagine a larger OnePlus X style and build quality, with a 5.5" AMOLED display, SD820 and 4GB RAM. All for around $400 or so. That would be pretty cool.

Add in an invite system and crappy customer support. You forgot those.

 

[Tig Bitties]

Add in an invite system and crappy customer support. You forgot those.

Agreed. But I do have a OnePlus One still as a backup phone, and XDA Development on this phone, for being 18+ months old is still very impressive, with some excellent and stable Marshmallow ROM's. For the $349 it originally cost, I more than got my monies with.

At the time, the OPO for $350 or Galaxy S5 for $700 is a no brainer, the OnePlus One wins.

But...the OnePlus Two was a side grade at best, and wasn't the " flagship " killer the One was. I had zero interest in the Two. Plus OPO's cocky attitude and crappy customer service was a major turnoff. And the invite system still was getting old, and another turnoff.

But...the Three could possibly redeem them. If it's as cool as the original One was for it's time, but with the build quality and design of the OneX, just with a larger screen and current flagship specs like the SD820 + 4GB RAM all for around $400 or so.

 

[epicrayban]

I'm noticing some large screen mid rangers starting to come out.

I bet there's a market for that. People who want larger screen devices, but not the premium pricing that are totally associated with high specs.

This is interesting, for example:

http://www.geeky-gadgets.com/huawei-honor-5x-android-smartphone-launching-in-the-us-06-05-2015/

 

[nj-morris]

I'm noticing some large screen mid rangers starting to come out.

I bet there's a market for that. People who want larger screen devices, but not the premium pricing that are totally associated with high specs.

This is interesting, for example:

http://www.geeky-gadgets.com/huawei-honor-5x-android-smartphone-launching-in-the-us-06-05-2015/

I agree. The Moto X Play caught my eye when I was looking for phones. I eventually went for Samsung because of the AMOLED and fingerprint scanner, but I still wouldn't have minded the Play. I think that £249/289 is pretty good for a phone with a full-sized screen, amazing battery life and Moto Maker.

 

[epicrayban]

I agree. The Moto X Play caught my eye when I was looking for phones. I eventually went for Samsung because of the AMOLED and fingerprint scanner, but I still wouldn't have minded the Play. I think that £249/289 is pretty good for a phone with a full-sized screen, amazing battery life and Moto Maker.

I think it was a mistake for Motorola to not include a finger print scanner in the 2015 MX. They'll fix that this year, I'm sure.

 

[gotluck]

So far galaxy s7 looks the most exciting for me (even as a stock android fanboy)

iphone 7 rumors do not entice me as an 6S owner so far. The 7C looks interesting if I was a 4" phone guy, but 4.7"-5.1~.2" seems to be my preference

probably buying no new phones this year regardless, but still stoked on the s7 rumors. I want samsung to go back to having hardware features apple shys away from. Sad about no IR blaster, I can live with no removable battery given the high build quality

 

[Tsepz]

Note 6
S7 Plus
And the Xperia Z6 Phablet

 

[nj-morris]

I think it was a mistake for Motorola to not include a finger print scanner in the 2015 MX. They'll fix that this year, I'm sure.

I agree. What interests me is that Android phones might start using the iris scanners that Lumia phones have started to use. It does sound like a convenient solution, but it does compromise security. I'm not sure what I would prefer.

 

[MRU]

I agree. What interests me is that Android phones might start using the iris scanners that Lumia phones have started to use. It does sound like a convenient solution, but it does compromise security. I'm not sure what I would prefer.

Going on the feedback those iris scanners have recieved and the fact it takes longer to raise the device to your face and scan the iris in the first place (than place fingers on scanner and unlock) and the fact that detection is far more miss than hit currently on those lumias, iris scanners need far longer to bake in the oven before they ever (or if ever) become practical on your mobile device.

 

[navaira]

Iris scanners sound to me like something that's supposed to sell to 17-year-olds who really like sci-fi. "Whoa awesome" kind of thing instead of "useful" kind of thing.

 

[MRU]

Iris scanners sound to me like something that's supposed to sell to 17-year-olds who really like sci-fi. "Whoa awesome" kind of thing instead of "useful" kind of thing.

It's a case where the practicalities of the technology currently make it a bit of a mismatch for a mobile device.

It takes much longer to take a device out of the pocket. Raise it to the face. Wake the screen and initiate the iris scan. Let it unlock than it does to enter a 4-6 digit pin current and far far longer than something like Touch ID or the Samsung & Nexus 6P fingerprint readers.

 

[nviz22]

As a SP4 owner, I think their Iris Scanner is decent for a first gen concept. Time will make it even better, but Microsoft surprised me for sure.

 

[Fernandez21]

Well, now that AT&T subsidies are gone, I hope they all suck to not temp me into buying. I could probably afford to buy 1, possibly 2 phones this year. So the iPhone 7 and Note 6 are now firmly entrenched for me.