We take a look ahead at the summer of 2014, to see which new smartphones from Apple, Sony, Samsung and more will be competing for your cash.
HTC One (M8) Prime – Phablet-sized take on the dual-camera flagship
Just like last year’s HTC One, the five-star HTC One M8 is set to expand into a phablet-sized chunk of metallic beauty nicknamed the HTC One M8 Prime. And it’s going to be a powerhouse, if the rumours are right, with a blazing-fast SnapDragon 805 processor and incredibly sharp 5.5-inch screen. Plus, say goodbye to the Ultrapixel sensor, and hello to a brand new 18-megapixel snapper, combined with a second 5-megapixel depth-sensor lens. Nice!
Apple iPhone 6 – Bigger, better, faster
So far we’ve seen a gajillion iPhone 6 rumours knocking around online, but we’re confident that Apple’s latest smartphone will come in a couple of new sizes, starting at 4.7-inches. We’re also expecting a rounder design and an emphasis on health, similar to Samsung’s Galaxy S5.
Samsung Galaxy K Zoom – The chunky lovechild of phone and camera
Last year Samsung unleashed the Galaxy S4 Zoom, the first smartphone packing a 10x optical zoom. That zoom was very impressive indeed, allowing you to take incredible pics from a distance, so it’s a shame that the phone itself was a horribly chunky piece of plastic tat.
This year, Samsung hopes to impress us with the more slimline Galaxy K Zoom. It still comes with that awesome zoom, but now it’s no longer big enough to choke a whale. We can only hope Samsung fixes our other niggles, as this could be a true rival to the likes of Nokia’s Lumia 1020.
Nokia Lumia 930 – Windows Phone super-charged smartphone
We’ve already had a play with the colourful and powerful Nokia Lumia 930, Nokia’s latest flagship phone, and so far everything about this five-inch chunk of deliciousness has impressed us. The screen is typically sharp and colourful, while the metal and polycarbonate body is just as vibrant, coming in a range of bright designs. And with a 20-megapixel camera on-board, the Lumia 930 is set to be a success.
LG G3 – Super-sharp Ultra HD display for the mobile movie lovers
Not to be announced until May 27, the LG G3 is the latest flagship phone from the Korean phone manufacturer. We’re hoping that the plastic body of last year’s LG G2 is shunned for a premium metallic design, but we’re hoping for a repeat of the gorgeous and uber-crisp display, something that’s already been deeply rumoured. How does 2560×1440 sound?
Motorola Moto X+1 – Smart Android all-rounder?
It’ll be launched officially on May 13, and we’ve got everything crossed that Motorola’s new flagship, the Moto X+1, comes with a more pleasing price-tag than the awesome-but-overpriced Moto X. So far it’s shaping up to be another winner, with a Full HD 5.2-inch screen (definitely not one for those with dinky hands), 12-megapixel camera and powerful Qualcomm processor.
Sony Xperia Z2 Compact – The greatest mini-phone of the year?
So far the Xperia Z2 Compact is just a rumour, but given how the Xperia Z1 Compact is easily the best mini smartphone ever made, we’d be shocked if Sony didn’t put out a midget version of the awesome Xperia Z2. Leaks suggest a 4.3-inch phone that still finds space for a 2.2GHz quad-core Snapdragon, and 20.7-megapixel snapper.
Are there any other smartphones you can’t wait to see in 2014? Give us a shout in the comments below.
Leave a Reply