Just when you thought that we had reached a peak in the world of smartphone design, 2016 brought with it a slew of innovative new handsets and a tonne of upgraded features. With mobile users (and businesses alike) becoming even more dependent on their phones, don’t expect any slowdown in the smartphone sphere in 2017.
Here are five of the most eagerly anticipated smartphones set to be released in 2017:
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Microsoft Surface Phone
Windows Central hinted that the new Surface Phone (pictured above) could arrive as early as April, 2017. The handset is expected to focus on security and productivity features, including the Continuum feature that will allow users to connect their handset seamlessly with their Windows 10 desktop and laptops.
Although it is expected to be launched in April, Mary Jo Foley reports on ZDNet that it may arrive on the market late next year. The Surface Phone and other Surface devices are dependent on Intel’s Kaby Lake processor, which will arrive autumn of 2017. Nevertheless, the writer said it will be an interesting and competitive handset when it eventually arrives on the market.
HTC 11
Expected to be launched early next year in time for the 2017 Mobile World Congress (MWC), the next HTC smartphone (artist impression above) is rumoured to feature largely the same external aesthetics as the HTC 10 with a metal body and dual textures. Major improvements should be expected on its internal hardware – Snapdragon 830 and an impressive camera (resolution is set to be higher than 12-megapixels). There is also discussion about the inclusion of water-resistance features, so that it keeps up with the likes of the iPhone 7 which was also launched with similar capabilities this year.
iPhone 8
While many people have suggested that the iPhone 7 didn’t record as many sales as they forecasted, it did in fact equate for 43% of all Apple’s smartphone sales in Q3 2016. Despite the decision of the company to kill the 3.5mm headphone jack, Apple experts still think that the device is far from boring as it sports a sufficient number of impressive enhancements. It was reported by O2 that the current handset “dramatically improves the most important aspects of the iPhone experience.” In addition, experts state that it gives us an idea of how the iPhone 8 (artist impression above) will look when it is released in 2017.
If Apple chooses against launching an iPhone 7s, their next handset will certainly feature a lot of new upgrades in both design and functionality. Some of the rumoured features include an edge-to-edge screen that integrates the Touch ID or the iris scanner technologies, upgraded haptic feedback, wireless charging, enhanced camera and processor, and an OLED screen.
LG G6
Despite LG G5’s modular design, the company confirmed that it wasn’t able to record enough sales this year. Because of this, experts are suggesting that LG are set to move away from modular phones and launch a mobile that will be equipped with similar features to the previous smartphones in this list.
Industry insiders have revealed that it could potentially sport a larger body and screen than its predecessor with advanced technical specifications, such as the iris scanner, waterproofing, 4K resolution screen, 5GB RAM, and an octacore processor. It will also be loaded with an array of health-tracking sensors and will work seamlessly with LG’s smartwatches and virtual reality devices.
Samsung Galaxy X
Rumour has it that Samsung is ready to introduce their flexible and foldable smartphone by next year. It is internally referred to as “Project Valley,” but experts say it will most likely be called Galaxy X phone and it will feature a clamshell design that will allow it to be folded up despite its large touchscreen display. According to an insider report, the device will feature “a 5-inch screen when used as a handset, that unfurls into a display that’s as large as 8 inches, similar to a tablet.” It will be one of five handsets to be released by Samsung in 2017.
All of these handsets have yet to be officially announced, so there’s a chance that some of the features listed here may not arrive on the smartphone once they arrive on the market next year. Nevertheless, it should give you an idea on whether to invest in a new handset or not.
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Exclusively written for EsquireME.com by JenTechLatest
