5 upcoming Android phones, smartphones that are worth waiting for!

Phone makers usually like to bring their best to bear in the holiday season, but that doesn’t mean you should throw your money at them just yet. There are some very interesting Android devices coming up in 2013, so maybe you want to break out the duct tape and keep your current phone in one piece just a little bit longer.

Let’s see what upcoming Android phones are going to be worth your upgrade…

Samsung Galaxy S4

The recently leaked picture of the supposed Samsung Galaxys S4 (seen above) is highly dubious, but what’s not dubious is the device’s existence. There is no doubt that the Galaxy S4 is being developed in a facility in South Korea. It’s probably going to be one of the top Android devices of 2013.

The Galaxy S III has been a huge hit thanks to Samsung’s momentum and smart design. Samsung stopped making carrier-specific versions of its flagship phone in 2012, so you can expect the same with the Galaxy S4. There will be one device that powers Samsung for the following 12 months.

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.

If you plan to wait for this one, expect a late Spring or early summer announcement. US carriers will probably start selling the device in late summer, but you can always grab the unlocked international SKU.

Samsung will probably call its own Unpacked press conference to announce the Galaxy S4 whenever it’s ready.

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 new RAZR 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.

This is basically a nerd-lust device. Motorola has always built nice hardware with excellent radio performance, but the software has been holding it back. Getting closer to a stock Android experience with Google’s guidance could be great for users, and Motorola has the relationships to actually get the device on more carriers.

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.

There’s no way to know if this device is going to happen, but you can bet Google and Motorola have something cooking. If you want to wait on the X Phone, you’ll have to hold out until at least mid-year.

HTC M7

If there is a major OEM that needs to turn things around in 2013, it’s HTC. The Taiwan-based phone maker has been suffering a sales slump in recent years, and despite some solid 2012 offerings, it is still hurting. Rumors of a 2013 flagship device are looking very good, though. The device is currently only known as the 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. This might be the biggest benefit over 2012 HTC phones if it turns out to be true.

The wait on this one is much less daunting. The HTC M7 is expected to be announced in Q1 2013. It is reportedly already in testing on Sprint’s LTE network.

Sony Xperia Z “Yuga”

Sony has had trouble finding its footing in the US market, and hasn’t exactly been a top company elsewhere. Still, the OEM is capable of designing some stunning phones, and offers a ton of support to the open source community. Maybe 2013 will be the year Sony wins some hearts and minds with the 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.
If you want to see how this device pans out, you might not have long to wait at all. Sony could unveil the device in the coming days at CES. Be aware: you may have to get the device unlocked if no US carriers sell it.

The next Nexus

We no longer have to wonder if Google is going to create more Nexus phones. The company has proven its commitment to having a flagship of its own. This is always the clear choice for Android purists, but you’ve got to play the long game if a 2013 Nexus is what you seek. However, it might be worth the wait.
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. Oh, and you’ll be able to buy one!
Google’s flagship phone is still sold out in the Play Store, and it’s been that way for over 2 months. It’s getting to the point that it will almost be Nexus season again by the time the supply chain is finally full of phones. If you want to wait on this one, “Nexus season” is late-mid fall of 2013.
If you can keep slogging along with your current handset into 2013, there are plenty of great devices. Don’t fall into the trap of always waiting on the next big thing, but be aware of what you might be missing.

by Ryan Whitwam

#am a phone freak...but to be sincere I dont know the one to pick amidst this 5beautiful phones...but I like the samgung phone for its fast accessibility to web...what do you think?