With March's MWC 2015 we saw some of the best new phones of 2015 unveiled. Here we reveal the 23 upcoming smartphones that you should be most excited about in 2015. Also see the best new tablets you should be most excited about in 2015.
Best new smartphones 2015: Samsung Galaxy S6
If you're a Samsung fan but would rather stick to a phone than a phablet then the S6 is just what you're looking for. With Samsung finally answering build-quality criticisms, it follows in the trend of the Galaxy Alpha and Galaxy Note 4 with a metal and glass body. There's also a quad-HD screen, plus plenty of other radical new features, including a super-fast Samsung Exynos processor (paired with 3GB of RAM), and a redesigned fingerprint scanner that works a lot more like Apple's Touch ID and, you know, actually works. The Samsung Galaxy S6 was unveiled at a Samsung Unpacked event on 1 March 2015, and went on sale on 10 April 2015. Prices start at £599 SIM-free. Read our Samsung Galaxy S6 review and learn more about the Samsung Galaxy S6 here.
Best new smartphones 2015: Samsung Galaxy S6 Edge
A second version of the Samsung Galaxy S6 launched alongside the standard S6 at MWC. It follows the trend set by the Samsung Galaxy Note 4 and Galaxy Note Edge, but with two curved screen edges rather than one and a marginally higher-capacity battery than is found in the S6. In other respects the specs are in line with the standard S6, but expect to pay a premium for that fancy screen. Learn more about the Samsung Galaxy S6 Edge here, which went on sale in the UK on 10 April 2015. Prices start at £760 SIM-free for the 64GB version.
Best new smartphones 2015: Samsung Galaxy S6 mini
A Samsung Galaxy flagship launch is traditionally followed by several variants, most importantly a compact version, but we've also seen variants that offer, for example, improved cameras or more ruggedised designs. The Samsung Galaxy S6 mini is likely to arrive a few months after the standard Samsung Galaxy S6, perhaps in late July/early August, and will be a more compact version of its bigger brother with a slightly slimmed down spec. We expect to see a 4.7in full-HD screen, a slower-clocked Qualcomm Snapdragon 810 processor, perhaps 2GB of RAM and 16- and 5Mp cameras. You can read our Samsung Galaxy S6 mini predictions here.
Best new smartphones 2015: Samsung Galaxy S6 Active
Yet another rumoured Samsung Galaxy S6 variant, the Active should be a rugged version of the Samsung Galaxy S6. It's a credible theory, given that the Samsung Galaxy S6 no longer features waterproofing. Plus, with an S4 Active and S5 Active before it, we could well see an S6 Active, but probably not until the summer. We've rounded up all the Samsung Galaxy S6 Active rumours here.
Best new smartphones 2015: Samsung Galaxy A7
Samsung has confirmed its Galaxy A7, a gorgeous phablet with a 6.3mm unibody metal chassis, a 5.5in Super AMOLED screen and a 64-bit octa-core processor. The Samsung Galaxy A7 is not yet on sale on the UK, but will come in both single- and dual-SIM variants. Read all about the Samsung Galaxy A7 here.
Best new smartphones 2015: HTC One M9
We are massive fans of the HTC One M8, and the HTC One M9 is even better. Although HTC has kept the full-HD screen rather than the quad-HD screens seen in the new Samsung Galaxy S6 and S6 Edge, the HTC One M9 is a very attractive phone with some impressive performance. You can check out our HTC One M9 review here, and learn more about the HTC One M9 release date, price and specs here. The phone went on sale in the UK on 31 March from £569 SIM-free, making it £30 cheaper than its rival the Samsung Galaxy S6.
Best new smartphones 2015: HTC One M9+
A 5.5in-screen phablet version of the HTC One M9 is the One M9+ - and this is the one we were waiting for, with a Quad-HD screen and a fingerprint scanner. It's been announced only in China, with UK availability and pricing not yet confirmed - that's if it ever comes to the UK officially. Read more about the HTC One M9+ here.
Best new smartphones 2015: Sony Xperia Z4
After all the rumours that the Sony Xperia Z4 would be delayed until September, the Z4 has now been officially unveiled in Japan. However, we're still waiting on details of a UK launch. The phone isn't too disimilar to the Sony Xperia Z3, with a 5.2in full-HD screen and Sony's usual waterproofing protection. It's a bit slimmer and has a faster processor, too. Read more about the Sony Xperia Z4 here.
Best new smartphones 2015: Huawei P8 and Huawei P8 max
Huawei's latest flagship has a gorgeous unibody metal design that's stylish enough to rival HTC and Apple, yet it undercuts the price of those smartphones with a starting price of 499 Euro, or £357. There is a standard 5.2in Huawei P8, or a huge 6.8in P8 max. The phone and phablet should have gone on sale in the UK this week, with a worldwide launch following 15 May. We're unable to find them for sale right now, but keep your eyes peeled - they're worth hunting down. For more info check out our Huawei P8 and P8 max UK release date, price and specs, Huawei P8 review and Huawei P8 max review.
Best new smartphones 2015: LG G4
We stand by our statement that the LG G3 was the very best phone you can buy in 2014. Things can only get better with the LG G4. The LG G3 was officially released in the UK at the end of June 2014. LG is holding a press event on 28 April in which it will unveil its new flagship, and the G4 should certainly be here by the summer. Read all the LG G4 rumours here.
Best new smartphones 2015: LG G Flex 2
The G4 isn't LG's only exciting new smartphone for 2015. At CES 2015 it unveiled the G Flex 2, a curved-screen handset. The G Flex 2 is a 5.5in-screen smartphone with a 64-bit Qualcomm Snapdragon 810 octa-core chip, and it features self-healing technology. Read all about the LG G Flex 2 here.
Best new smartphones 2015: Microsoft Lumia 940
Part of the reason we're so excited about the upcoming Microsoft Lumia 940 is that it will be one of the first handsets to run full Windows 10 - Microsoft is to finally tackle the Windows Phone apps problem by running one OS across phones, tablets, PCs and laptops. The Lumia 940 has the beefiest spec of any Windows Phone we've seen too. Check out all the Microsoft Lumia 940 UK release date, price and specs rumours here, and find out more about Windows 10 for phones here.
Best new smartphones 2015: iPhone 7 / iPhone 6s
The iPhone 6 and 6 Plus were released in September, and in the months leading up to that the rumour mill went mental. Be prepared for more of the same with the iPhone 7, which will launch in September 2015 running iOS 9. As always, we're expecting a faster processor and some upgraded specs, but little change to the design. (Note that it will probably be called the iPhone 6s rather than iPhone 7, but we're sticking with iPhone 7 for now.) Check out all the iPhone 6s and iPhone 7 rumours here.
Best new smartphones 2015: Samsung Galaxy Note 5
Everyone always bangs on about Samsung's Galaxy S line-up, but it's the Note series that really impresses. The Note 4 was unveiled at a Samsung Unpacked event prior to September's IFA tradeshow (3 September 2014), and right now sits at the top of our fastest smartphone and best phablet charts. Like the new iPhone the Note 5 won't be released until September 2015, but it's going to be well worth the wait. Check out all the Samsung Galaxy Note 5 rumours here.
Best new smartphones 2015: new Nexus 6 2015
In 2012 we had the Nexus 4, then in 2013 the Nexus 5 and, on 15 October 2014, the Nexus 6. We can't possibly be about to get a new Nexus 7, since that's already a tablet, so we're going for new Nexus 6 2015. It'll likely run Android M, and be unveiled in October 2015 with a November 2015 on sale date. Whereas Google offered flagship specs with mid-range prices for the Nexus 4 and Nexus 5, the Nexus 6 is more costly at £499. We're hoping Google will go back to its excellent-value roots with the new Nexus 6 2015, but we'll bring you all the rumours as we hear them.
Best new smartphones 2015: Xiaomi Mi Note and Xiaomi Mi Note Pro
Xiaomi has officially unveiled its Mi Note and Mi Note Pro, with the latter hailed as the most powerful phone in the world. Both offer staggering value at £244 and £350 respectively, given their amazing specs. These two Chinese phones are fitted with 5.7in curved screens - the Mi Note full-HD and the Note Pro Quad HD. The Mi Note Pro in particular should offer unrivalled performance, thanks to a 2GHz Qualcomm Snapdragon 810 64-bit octa-core chip, a massive 4GB of RAM and Adreno 430 graphics. And still it's thinner than the iPhone 6 Plus. There's loads more to drool over in Xiaomi's juicy spec sheet too - read more about the Xiaomi Mi Note and Mi Note Pro UK release date, price and specs here. The Mi Note went on sale in China on 27 January and sold out within minutes, while the Mi Note Pro will go on sale on 6 May. These phones won't officially go on sale in the UK, but it's probable that you'll be able to get them on grey-market or auction sites.
Best new smartphones 2015: Xiaomi Mi 4i
Xiaomi has taken the wraps off its Mi 4i, a plastic, upgraded version of its flagship Mi 4, with a low price tag of Rs. 12,999 (£136) yet some very good specs. It has a 5in full-HD screen with Sunlight display, a second-generation 64-bit Qualcomm Snapdragon 615 processor, 2GB of RAM and 16GB of storage. Just 7.8mm thick, Xiaomi has still managed to squeeze in a 13Mp rear camera that lies flush to the case. It's dual-SIM dual-standby out the box, with both SIMs supporting 4G. The Xiaomi Mi 4i will go on sale on 30 April, but to buy one in the UK you'll need to go through unofficial channels. Read more about the Xiaomi Mi 4i UK release date, price, specification and features.
Best new smartphones 2015: OnePlus Two
The OnePlus One is an amazing phone if you've managed to get hold of one. It's priced from £229 but has the spec to match a £600 smartphone, hence OnePlus marketing it as a 2014 flagship killer. According to OnePlus co-founder Carl pei, the OnePlus Two will surprise us, and is likely to focus on flagship-rivalling design rather than specs. He told our sister site PC World the OnePlus Two would arrive in June 2015, along with a second model - perhaps a OnePlus Mini? We expect to see a Qualcomm Snapdragon 810 processor, 4GB of RAM, a 3300mAh battery and a 5.5in 2K screen. It will also run OnePlus' own OxygenOS, rather than Cyanogen. Check out all the OnePlus Two rumours here.
Best new smartphones 2015: Asus Zenfone 2
We've yet to get our hands on an Asus Zenfone 2, but the top-end model (ZE551ML) is now available at Amazon for £309.99. This powerful phone has a staggering 4GB of RAM and a 2.3GHz 64-bit Intel Atom Z3580 quad-core processor. For storage 32GB is fitted, and you can get more through microSD. There's 4G LTE support (dual-SIM, dual active), a 5.5in full-HD IPS screen, and 13Mp rear- and 5Mp front cameras. The stylish brushed-metal case is just 3.9mm thick at the edges. Running the fully customisable ZenUI software, the Zenfone 2 also has Trend Micro security preinstalled. The Asus Zenfone 2 is well worth a look.
Best new smartphones 2015: Tesco Hudl smartphone
The Hudl tablet has seen phenomenal success, allowing the masses to enter the world of tablet computing. Tesco's taking a slightly different tack with its smartphone, however, which will be a high-end device with an aggressive price. Just the type of device we get excited about. The Tesco Hudl smartphone was supposed to be here in time for Christmas 2014, but Tesco put the project on hold. Despite recent financial problems causing Tesco to sell off its Broadband & Homephone and Blinkbox services, it remains committed to its mobile business. Check out all the Tesco Hudl smartphone rumours here.
Best new smartphones 2015: Ubuntu smartphone
The Ubuntu phone is finally here in the form of the Aquaris E4.5 Ubuntu Edition. It costs €169 and runs a 1.3GHz quad-core processor with 1GB of RAM and 8GB of storage. More importantly, this is not an Android or iOS phone, it runs Ubuntu Linux - and that's interesting. You can find out more about the Ubuntu phone here.
Want a phone that's available now? Check out the best smartphones of 2015, best Android phones of 2015, best Windows Phones of 2015, best budget phones of 2015, best cheap 4G phones of 2015, best phablets of 2015 and best selfie smartphones of 2015.
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