Despite the Pandemic, we saw some great Smartphone launches in the year 2020. Apple came out with iPhone 12 Series with super fast chipsets and great cameras. Google on the other hand focused on launching mid-range smartphones like Pixel 4A and Pixel 5 5G instead of flagship mobiles. We also saw better foldable smartphones from Samsung. LG did their thing by designing phones nobody thought of bringing out to the markets. 2020 also saw Honor becoming an independent brand, probably as a part of plans to launch with Google Apps.
2021 is going to be a continuation of what we got in 2020. We are going to see a lot of Android Flagships with Qualcomm Snapdragon 888 chipset. Like last year, Megapixel wars will be full-on with 64MP and 108MP cameras showing up on more and more smartphones. 120Hz and 144hz refresh rate screens are going to show up on even budget Android smartphones priced under Rs 15,000.
5 Smartphones to look for in 2021
OnePlus 9 / OnePlus 9 Pro
Even though we saw OnePlus settling with mid-range and cheaper Nord Series of smartphones in 2020, their main focus for 2021 would definitely be on launching their flagship OnePlus 9 and 9 Pro Android smartphones. These models will come with Snapdragon 888 chipset and pack multi rear cameras. This would be the first OnePlus flagship to feature a 64MP main camera instead of the 48MP ones they used in older flagships like OnePlus 8 and 7 Series.
Google Pixel 6
Instead of competing with flagship smartphones from Apple, Samsung, and OnePlus, Google focused on bringing affordable Pixel phones in 2020. We can expect them to adopt a similar strategy in 2021 as well, and bring Pixel 5A and Pixel 6 5G smartphones for affordable prices. Google hasn’t cared to change the Camera hardware on the Pixel phones for some generations now. Despite having an old sensor, these phones take great photos thanks to the amazing computational photography algorithms Google Camera software has. With the upcoming Pixel 6, we can expect them to bring a new-gen 12MP Sony sensor instead with improved HDR Plus and Nighsight features.
Samsung Galaxy S21 Series
There are many leaks already in the wild of these upcoming flagships from Samsung. There is also a rumor Samsung would stop making the hugely popular Galaxy Note Series and bring the stylus capabilities to the S21 models. Let’s wait and see. Samsung in 2020 surprised everyone by launching an affordable flagship with Galaxy S20 FE ( Fan Edition ). We are definitely going to see an S21 FE Edition in 2021 with improved overall specs and features.
Apple iPhone 13 Pro Max
Apple usually uses the same Main camera on all the phones in their series. However, they changed that with the iPhone 12 Series. The most expensive iPhone 12 Pro Max features a better, bigger sensor offering some unique photography and videography capabilities other iPhone 12 models can’t do. In 2021, we are going to see an improved version with the iPhone 13 Pro Max, with Apple’s own A15 Bionic chipset on board while the cheaper iPhone 13 models will gain some features from the 12 Pro Max.
Xiaomi Mi 11 Pro
Xiaomi has already announced Mi 11 Android Smartphone with Snapdragon 888. However, the top-end flagship from them will be launching at a later time in 2021 – the Mi 11 Pro model. It will have a lot in common with the regular model but will feature more and better cameras as well as a more premium display with a higher refresh rate.