Best upcoming Android phones of 2019!
Google
After a sluggish few years in the Android world, 2019 has been a smash-hit for smartphone fans. We’ve already seen a few interesting phones with foldable designs, punch-hole displays, and as many as six cameras. These include the Samsung Galaxy S10, OnePlus 7 Pro, Huawei P30 Pro, Nokia 9 PureView, and many more. But the year is still far from over. If you want to know more about the handsets you can look forward to, check out our list of the best upcoming Android phones arriving in 2019.
Best upcoming Android phones of 2019:
- Google Pixel 4 series
- Huawei Mate 30 Pro
- OnePlus 7T
- Pocophone F2
- LG G8X
- Xiaomi Mi Mix 4
- Nokia 9.1 PureView 5G
- Motorola Razr foldable phone
- Sony Xperia 2
Editor’s note: We’ll be updating this list of the best upcoming Android phones regularly as new devices launch.
1. Google Pixel 4 series
The Google Pixel 4 series, which will likely consist of the Google Pixel 4 and 4 XL, is expected to make its debut in October. As we’re still months away from their release, Google hasn’t revealed much information. However, it has confirmed the phones exist and even showed off the rear design and camera after tweeting out an official picture in response to leaks and renders.
Google also confirmed two Pixel 4 features: Motion Sense and Face Unlock. Motion Sense uses the phone’s onboard Soli motion-sensing radar to enable hand gestures. That means you can wave your hand across the front of the Pixel 4 to skip songs, snooze alarms, and silence incoming calls, with additional functions arriving later.
Face Unlock also uses Soli, this time to turn on the Pixel 4’s face unlock sensors. Combined with software algorithms, the Pixel 4 supposedly opens as soon as you pick it up. Face Unlock works in almost any orientation and can also be used to authenticate payments and apps.
Thanks to a massive spec dump, we have a better idea of what to expect with the Pixel 4 on paper. Whereas the Pixel 4 reportedly features a 5.7-inch Full HD+ display, the Pixel 4 XL reportedly sports a 6.3-inch Quad HD+ display. Both AMOLED displays will have a 90Hz refresh rate, according to leaks.
Other rumored specs include a 2,800mAh battery for the Pixel 4, a 3,700mAh battery for the Pixel 4 XL, 6GB of RAM, at least 64GB of storage, the Snapdragon 855 chipset, stereo speakers, and dual rear 12MP and 16MP cameras. Finally, the Pixel 4 phones are expected to run Android 10 (previously Android Q).
No word on pricing yet, but expect to pay at least as much as for the Pixel 3 phones.
Launch ETA: October
2. Huawei Mate 30 Pro
Huawei announced the P30 Pro in March, which means the next flagship from the company to expect is the Mate 30 Pro. Huawei confirmed the Mate 30 Pro will launch in September or October.
Leaks have been few and small, but what we’ve heard so far sounds very promising. According to rumors, the Mate 30 Pro will feature a 6.71-inch AMOLED display with a 90Hz refresh rate. The phone will also reportedly feature an upgraded Kirin processor, Balong 5000 modem for 5G connectivity, two 40MP rear cameras with a third telephoto sensor, and fast wired and wireless charging. There’s talk of the Mate 30 Pro going with a larger 4,500mAh battery, while the regular Mate 30 will feature a 4,200mAh battery.
Even the wireless charging could see improvements. Huawei’s 30W wireless charging pad passed by the FCC in July. That means the Mate 30 Pro could support 30W fast wireless charging, though it’s still unconfirmed. We also expect improvements to the in-display fingerprint sensor and reverse wireless charging, along with Android 10/Q underneath EMUI 10.
There’s a good chance the phone will feature a price bump relative to the Mate 20 Pro, with the base storage variant of the phone likely costing more than €1,000 (~$1,115). Then again, the company has also released a non-Pro Mate phone in recent years, so hopefully that offers a similar core experience at a cheaper price.
Launch ETA: September or October
3. OnePlus 7T
There haven’t been any significant rumors or leaks regarding a OnePlus 7T, but there has been some speculation (and some refutation) that the Chinese brand is readying an upgraded phone series for an October launch. OnePlus has traditionally launched a T-series phone in the second half of the year, going all the way back to the OnePlus 3T in 2016, so this makes some sense.
This schedule might be in question after the company launched the OnePlus 7 and OnePlus 7 Pro back in May — bucking the trend of one phone for each half of the year. But what if the company does indeed go ahead with a T series entry in 2019?
It’s possible OnePlus will offer a OnePlus 7T and a OnePlus 7T Pro if it decides to issue new devices in the second half of the year. As for desired features, we’d love to see both variants offer camera quality on par with the likes of Samsung and Huawei, for starters.
A standard OnePlus 7T should also offer a more versatile rear camera setup, as opposed to simply adding a 5MP depth sensor. As for a OnePlus 7T Pro? We’d like to see a proper IP rating, wireless charging, and improved endurance.
Interestingly, OnePlus confirmed it’ll release a second 5G smartphone by the end of 2019. Even better, the phone will be available globally instead of in a few regions. Maybe one of the rumors 7T devices might be a global 5G phone.
Launch ETA: Sometime in late 2019
4. Pocophone F2
Xiaomi made headlines last year with the announcement of the Pocophone F1. The reason why was that the phone offered fantastic value for money. Starting at just €330 (~$370), it featured the Snapdragon 845 chipset, 6GB of RAM, a massive battery, and a dual-camera setup at the back.
This year, we expect the company to release its successor — the “Pocophone F2.” Nothing about the phone has been made official yet (including the name), but we expect it to follow the same recipe that made the F1 so successful. That means offering high-end specs at a price-point that undercut the competition by a wide margin.
The Pocophone F2 is expected to offer a fantastic price-performance ratio.
We also hope the phone will come with NFC, a better design, and a few other things you can check out in our Pocophone F2 wishlist.
The main problem is Xiaomi itself, since it released the Redmi K20 Pro. The phone turned out to be the cheap Snapdragon 855 device Xiaomi fans have been waiting for. We don’t know where this leaves the Pocophone F2, but here’s hoping the Pocophone brand makes a triumphant return soon.
Launch ETA: Sometime in 2019
5. LG G8X
What we thought was the next LG V-series smartphone might turn out to be the rumored LG G8X instead.
Tipped to be a revamp of the lukewarm LG G8, the G8X reportedly features a dual rear camera setup, waterdrop notch, headphone jack, and an extra hardware button. Expected features include wireless charging, quad DAC audio, and some level of water and dust resistance.
We don’t see a rear or front fingerprint sensor, which means the phone might offer an in-display fingerprint sensor. Also not seen is the G8’s Z Camera (3D ToF camera). The sensor enabled features like 3D face unlock, hand ID, and advanced gesture controls. That said, we don’t know if many people will notice or care — our own Eric Zeman though hand ID and gesture controls were “slow and unreliable” in his G8 review.
LG didn’t confirm or deny the G8X’s existence, but hinted there are some truths to the leaks. LG will hold an event during IFA 2019 in Germany, so we should learn more then.
Launch date: September
6. Xiaomi Mi Mix 4
Xiaomi has generally launched an all-new Mi Mix device in the second half of the year, with the Mi Mix 3 launching in October 2018 and the Mi Mix 2 being unveiled in September 2017.
Aside from Xiaomi’s traditional timing, confirmation of the Mi Mix 4 reportedly came via a Weibo post from company executive Wang Teng. The now-deleted post apparently noted that the new Xiaomi phone will have a camera that’s better than Samsung’s 64MP sensor — perhaps stretching as far as a crazy 108MP.
Staying with the camera experience, a Xiaomi patent filing reveals the company is working on a periscope camera. Furthermore, the source of the news says it’s not out of the question for the tech to come to the Mi Mix series. In any event, we’re expecting the Snapdragon 855 chipset and a rather slick design (will it be a slider again?).
Launch ETA: Sometime in 2019
7. Nokia 9.1 PureView 5G
Nokia took a bit of a gamble in the Nokia 9 PureView and didn’t entirely stick the landing. That opens the door for the reportedly-named Nokia 9.1 PureView 5G to one-up its predecessor.
Nokia is taking its time with the rumored smartphone. The company reportedly pushed back the Nokia 9.1’s launch from the third quarter of 2019 to the fourth quarter in order to accommodate further testing and refinements. According to rumors, Nokia looks to improve camera performance, with a focus on video and low-light performance.
If true, that’ll be a boon for the Nokia 9.1. The Nokia 9’s five cameras didn’t wow us as much as we’d hoped they would, so any extra time Nokia spends on camera performance will be a good thing. The Nokia 9.1 also reportedly features the Snapdragon 855, Android 10 out of the box, and 5G connectivity.
It’s more of a mystery when we might see the Nokia 9.1. Nokia launched the Nokia 9 PureView at MWC earlier this year, and it’d be strange to see two Nokia flagships released in the same calendar year. That said, Nokia might want to rub the bad taste the Nokia 9 PureView left behind sooner rather than later.
Launch ETA: Sometime in 2019
8. Motorola Razr foldable phone
Patent for the Motorola Razr. WIPO
It looks like Motorola plans to bring back the Razr series. The company is reportedly working on a foldable phone, which is expected to launch sometime this year. An exact date isn’t known, but the company said it plans to enter the market around the same time as its competitors. Samsung and Huawei have already revealed their foldable phones (more on those below), so Motorola can’t be far behind.
The Motorola Razr foldable phone (the name hasn’t been confirmed yet) reportedly folds vertically and features two displays. Based on a previous patent filing and firmware digging, it features a small display on the outside when closed and a larger display when opened.
Specs-wise, rumors state that it will be a mid-range device sporting the Snapdragon 710 chipset, up to 6GB of RAM, and a 2,730mAh battery. Backing up the claims is a recent report that claimed the phone will “not be equipped with a high-end processor.” The report also claimed a “smaller battery” relative to other foldable smartphones.
That would be fine, if it wasn’t for the rumored $1,500 price tag. It’s an eye-watering price for a smartphone with mid-range specs, even if it folds in half. However, we won’t know the price for sure until the Razr foldable phone is officially released. In the U.S., it may be Verizon-exclusive.
Launch ETA: Sometime in 2019
9. Sony Xperia 2
With the Xperia 1 now available, it’s only a matter of time until Sony releases its second flagship smartphone for 2019. That flagship could be the Xperia 2.
The Xperia 2 doesn’t appear to be too dissimilar to the Xperia 1, based on leaked renders. The differences start with the camera system, which is moved from the center of the device to the left-hand side. The renders also show a smaller top bezel and a smaller 6.1-inch display. By comparison, the Xperia 1 features a 6.5-inch display.
Given Sony’s mobile division performance in recent times, the company might want to push out the Xperia 2 as soon as possible. The soonest could be during next month’s IFA, where Sony announced the Xperia XZ3 in 2018. Perhaps an Xperia 2 launch is on the cards for this year’s event.
Launch ETA: September
Android phones yet to be released
The handsets below have already been announced, but since they haven’t gone on sale yet we’re still including them on our list of the best upcoming Android phones.
Samsung Galaxy Fold
Announced in February, the Galaxy Fold is Samsung’s first foldable device. It opens and closes like a book and features a 4.6-inch display on the outside and a 7.3-inch screen on the inside. The phone has six cameras on board, is powered by the Snapdragon 855 chipset, and is 5G ready. It was initially scheduled to go on sale on April 26, but Samsung pushed back the launch date due to problems with the phone’s display.
Thankfully, Samsung seemingly resolved those issues and will re-launch the Galaxy Fold in September. However, the phone’s prospects are a bit murkier this time around — T-Mobile confirmed it will not carry the Galaxy Fold, with an AT&T launch still up in the air.
Huawei Mate X
Huawei’s rival to the Galaxy Fold made its debut at MWC 2019. It features a single display that’s wrapped around the outside of the device and measures 8-inches when in tablet mode. The 5G phone is powered by the Kirin 980 chipset, sports a rear triple-camera setup, and has a side-mounted fingerprint scanner.
However, Huawei has yet to pin down a launch date. The company confirmed the Mate X will launch sometime between September and November, even though a report pegged a pre-November as “unlikely.” Whenever the phone launches, the 8GB/512GB version will retail for a staggering €2,299 (~$2,550). The phone isn’t expected to launch in the U.S., which shouldn’t come as a surprise given the geopolitical tensions between the U.S. government and the Chinese giant.
This isn’t a comprehensive list of upcoming Android phones. Instead, it’s just a taste of what’s to come for the rest of the year. We’ll keep this list updated as more phones are revealed and launch throughout the rest of the year.
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