As one year of extraordinary mobile releases ends, another one inevitably begins. The conveyor belt of high performance devices for all budget levels continues to churn, allowing people across the globe to access pocket-sized technology like never before.

It is likely, based on what we’ve seen from previous years, that there will be a trend to the smartphone releases. 120hz refresh rate dominated the conversation in 2020, like dual or triple cameras did the year before. For 2021, we expect to see the Snapdragon 888 take centre stage. So, without hesitation, here are the phones we are most looking forward to in 2021.

Apple iPhone 13

With Samsung skipping from the S10 directly to the S20, it’s possible we’ll see Apple follow suit, missing out on the unlucky ’13’. With many flagship Android devices likely to be incorporating the Snapragon 888, we expect Apple to up their processor game to match.

The iPhone 12 used the A14 bionic processor, so it’s unlikely we’ll see this return in this year’s flagship models. We could also expect to see a triple camera on the base model iPhone, with many manufacturers now looking towards a triple-lens setup for even their mid-range devices.

Without manufacturing interruption like we saw in 2020, we can expect Apple to return to their September release date in 2021 for this new iPhone, whatever it may be called.

Samsung S21 & S21 Ultra

The most likely contenders for the biggest and best Android releases of the year are the Samsung Galaxy S21 and S21 Ultra, along with the S20+ in the middle. The base and flagship models typically receive the most hype, with the S21 being the target contender for Apple’s base 2021 release.

We can also count these devices as all but guaranteed users of the Snapdragon 888 chipset. Enhanced photography, security and gaming experiences have been promised from this new platform, likely taking the devices to another level. Combined with the continuing rollout of 5G, this will likely revolutionise our relationships with phones.

Huawei Mate X2

After the somewhat quiet release of the Mate X2, Huawei seems to be persisting in the folding phone territory. Allowing users increased screen size while minimising bulk is the main challenge, as the Mate X offered a whopping 8-inch screen.

The Chinese manufacturer will likely be focusing on creating a more dynamic and user-friendly display, with the Mate X having a noticeable crease down the centre from where it folds. An exciting release for the fans of folding phones.

Xiaomi Mi 11

Xiaomi’s product offering is astounding, to say the least. Not only have they taken the middle and budget ranges by storm with a plethora of high quality and affordable devices, but they continue to innovate with their flagship range too.

The Xiaomi Mi 11 will likely be one of the first devices to make use of the Snapdragon 888, with the Mi 10 being released in the first quarter of 2020. We can expect to see the quad-lens setup return, along with possibly incorporating a 120hz screen refresh rate and a better battery to support this.

OnePlus 9, 9 Pro and 9E

The OnePlus 8 and 8 Pro started hitting people’s pockets in Spring of 2020, with the 7 being the same in 2019. Therefore, we think it’s safe to say that the 9 and 9 Pro will likely be making an appearance in April or May of 2021.

These devices will be another likely candidate for the Snapdragon 888 treatment, with the latest flagship using the Snapdragon 865 chipset. The 8’s triple-lens setup will likely remain, although this could well be shifted to a corner position in line with the 8T’s design.

This just about wraps up our list of most anticipated smartphone releases for this year, although there are many more that we’re looking forward to seeing. If you don’t quite have the budget to splash out on a brand new phone, why not consider purchasing one of our 2nd hand phones? With devices from Apple, Samsung, Sony, Google and all other major brands, we have a wealth of selection for you to choose from!