News on Smartphones, January 2021

iPhone 13

We can expect the complete iPhone 13 series by the end of September 2021. Here some news:

• The iPhone 13 series will have an improved Face ID system integrated with Rx, Tx, and flood illuminator sensors into a single camera module;
• Rumors say that Apple could also use fingerprint-recognising Touch ID, probably not for the entire lineup;
• The new models will be approximately 0.26mm thicker and the size of the notch will be reduced thanks to a position change of the top receiver;
• The selfie camera sensor will get an upgrade from a 5-part lens to a 6-part lens. This change will help reduce small distortions in images caused by the light passing through the camera lens. 

Full content and details (external sources): Gadgets, GSM Arena

Samsung

Samsung Galaxy F62 and Samsung Galaxy M02

The model numbers associated with these phones have been spotted on Samsung's official support page in India. This means that both the phones' launches could be closer and Samsung is going to introduce them in the Indian market. 

Full content and details (external sources): Gadgets

Samsung Galaxy S21

Samsung announced three Galaxy S21 variants at Galaxy Unpacked on January 14 and, according to some leaks, there may be a cheaper Galaxy S21 variant coming. The bad news is that if you’re reading this from the U.S. you probably won’t be able to buy one.

Full content and details (external sources): TechRadar, Tom’s guide

Huawei 

Huawei Mate X2

The successor to the company's original foldable phone, is said to be in the works.

Full content and details (external sources): Gadgets

Huawei Nova 7 SE 5G Lohas Edition

This model has a different processor, namely HiSilicon Kirin 820E 5G SoC, which seems to be a slightly toned-down variant of the Kirin 820 SoC that powers the original. Click here for full specifications.

Honor

• Honor is working on a new line of smartphones that can run Google Services.
• The next big thing from Honor should be the V40 series. These phones were developed under the ownership of Huawei, and they will arrive with Magic UI and no GMS access.

Full content and details (external sources): GSMArena

Google

Google Pixel 4a 5G

Google surprised us when it only released the Pixel 4a and 4a 5G in black models while the more expensive Pixel 5 got the Sage Green option. A Clearly White Pixel 4a 5G is now arriving in the US as an unlocked variant and will no longer be a Verizon-exclusive.

Full content and details (external sources): GSMArena

Asus

Asus ROG Phone 5

Asus is gearing up to introduce its next ROG Phone. It shows an all-new RGB lighting design and will have a 6,000 mAh battery with 65 W fast charging. The back will feature a tri-camera setup, with a 64 MP quad-Bayer sensor and, for the RAM, we should expect something between 12 to 16 GB of memory. 

Full content and details (external sources): Tom’s guide

Realme

Realme X9 Pro and Realme Race Pro

According to the company, both of the phones are coming 'Q1 2021' so up until March. 

Full content and details (external sources): TechRadar

Xiaomi

Xiaomi's cheap phone brand Redmi is working on its first gaming phone. Lu Weibing, Redmi's general manager, announced in a lengthy post on the Chinese social media platform Weibo that "in 2021, Redmi will [...] launch Redmi’s first flagship gaming phone".

Full content and details (external sources): TechRadar, XDADevelopers

Redmi Note 10 and Redmi Note 10 Pro

The company will introduce the Redmi Note 10 and Redmi Note 10 Pro to fans in the South Asian country in February. It also reveals spicy details about the Mi 11 series, but nothing on the actual launch date.

Full content and details (external sources): Gadgets, GSMArena