As expected, that there were always upcoming changes. Now, let us see if who are the participants..
Samsung Galaxy S4
The Galaxy S III has been a huge hit. Samsung stopped making carrier-specific versions of its flagship phone in 2012, so you can expect the same with the Galaxy S4.
Rumored specs are all over the map, but a 1080p AMOLED screen is probably a lock for this generation. Other OEMs are moving in that direction, and Samsung has always prided itself on display technology. If it chooses to again use PenTile sub-pixels in its 1080p panel, the blemishes some more observant users complain about might no longer be evident.
A faster Exynos ARM chip is likely in the cards as well. The Exynos 5250 (or Exynos 5 Dual) is a dual-core chip that powers the Nexus 10, and it could make an appearance in the Galaxy S4 too. It is the first ARM Cortex-A15 based processor, and it packs some serious power. Perhaps a quad-core variant will be announced for this phone, but two 1.7GHz A15 cores should be sufficient.
Motorola X phone
When the Google-Motorola acquisition was done, there were still pre-Google devices in the Motorola pipeline. We were warned at the time that the true Google collaboration did not include the newRAZR phones, but big things were coming. A recent report from the Wall Street Journal claims to have the inside line on what the next big thing is. It’s allegedly called the Motorola X Phone.
The official Android device, the Nexus 4, lacks 4G LTE, which puts it at a disadvantage when it comes to visibility. Whereas the Nexus devices are about making a statement, the X Phone could be about making the most appealing product. One with LTE, tons of storage, and carrier subsidies. Other features mentioned for the X Phone include a flexible display and ceramic casing.
HTC M7
The M7 is rumored to be an updated Droid DNA in a One X form factor. There will reportedly be a 4.7-inch 1080p screen, 32GB of internal storage, and a quad-core Qualcomm APQ8064 ARM chip. A unibody aluminum casing had been put forward in some leaks, but other sources claim it is closer in construction to the DNA. On-screen buttons may also be on the table.
As for the software, the M7 will launch running Android 4.1 Jelly Bean with a 4.2 update in the works. It will also run a new, cleaner version of HTC Sense that loses many of the confusing elements present in current devices.
Sony Xperia Z “Yuga”
The Yuga looks to be Sony’s take on the ongoing giant phone trend. Just like the HTC Droid DNA, the Yuga is expected to sport a 5-inch 1080p screen. In some leaked renders, the Yuga (and similar Odin) looks very slim with almost no bezel alongside the screen.
Other rumored specs include a quad-core Qualcomm APQ8064, 2GB of RAM, and a 13MP camera. The Yuga is also said to have a water and dust-resistant chassis.
The next Nexus
Samsung Galaxy S4
The Galaxy S III has been a huge hit. Samsung stopped making carrier-specific versions of its flagship phone in 2012, so you can expect the same with the Galaxy S4. Rumored specs are all over the map, but a 1080p AMOLED screen is probably a lock for this generation. Other OEMs are moving in that direction, and Samsung has always prided itself on display technology. If it chooses to again use PenTile sub-pixels in its 1080p panel, the blemishes some more observant users complain about might no longer be evident.
A faster Exynos ARM chip is likely in the cards as well. The Exynos 5250 (or Exynos 5 Dual) is a dual-core chip that powers the Nexus 10, and it could make an appearance in the Galaxy S4 too. It is the first ARM Cortex-A15 based processor, and it packs some serious power. Perhaps a quad-core variant will be announced for this phone, but two 1.7GHz A15 cores should be sufficient.
Motorola X phone
When the Google-Motorola acquisition was done, there were still pre-Google devices in the Motorola pipeline. We were warned at the time that the true Google collaboration did not include the newRAZR phones, but big things were coming. A recent report from the Wall Street Journal claims to have the inside line on what the next big thing is. It’s allegedly called the Motorola X Phone.The official Android device, the Nexus 4, lacks 4G LTE, which puts it at a disadvantage when it comes to visibility. Whereas the Nexus devices are about making a statement, the X Phone could be about making the most appealing product. One with LTE, tons of storage, and carrier subsidies. Other features mentioned for the X Phone include a flexible display and ceramic casing.
The M7 is rumored to be an updated Droid DNA in a One X form factor. There will reportedly be a 4.7-inch 1080p screen, 32GB of internal storage, and a quad-core Qualcomm APQ8064 ARM chip. A unibody aluminum casing had been put forward in some leaks, but other sources claim it is closer in construction to the DNA. On-screen buttons may also be on the table.As for the software, the M7 will launch running Android 4.1 Jelly Bean with a 4.2 update in the works. It will also run a new, cleaner version of HTC Sense that loses many of the confusing elements present in current devices.
The Yuga looks to be Sony’s take on the ongoing giant phone trend. Just like the HTC Droid DNA, the Yuga is expected to sport a 5-inch 1080p screen. In some leaked renders, the Yuga (and similar Odin) looks very slim with almost no bezel alongside the screen.
Other rumored specs include a quad-core Qualcomm APQ8064, 2GB of RAM, and a 13MP camera. The Yuga is also said to have a water and dust-resistant chassis.
Google always ties a new version of Android to the Nexus. If you wait on next year’s Nexus, you’ll get the latest and greatest software with no carrier or OEM interference. This is the same experience you get with the current Nexus 4, but the hardware will be a year newer.
