5 smartphones to look forward to in 2018
With 2017 on its way out, we draw the curtains on what has been a great year for the smartphone industry. After a period of stagnation, this year saw innovation drive the industry forward, and bring to us devices that look to the future. Take Apple's iPhone X, Samsung's Galaxy Note 8 or even the Huawei Honor V10 that promises improved use of artificial intelligence (AI).
However, these devices appear to just be precursors to a much bigger story. With the stage being set, 2018 promises to bring with it smartphones that not just look forward, but could be futuristic in the truest form of the word. Here's our pick of the devices that we think will change the game in the coming year.
Samsung Galaxy X
Earlier in September, when Apple announced the iPhone X, it introduced it as the "phone of the future"; one that would chart a path for the smartphone industry to follow for the next decade. For what it's worth, the device is indeed forward-looking, but is it worthy of such high praise? Maybe not.
However, 2018 is expected to bring with it a device that could be worthy of this tag: Galaxy X.
If reports are to be believed, Samsung's next high-end flagship device – one that has been in the making for almost six years now – will come with a foldable display that would make it more of a contender for the "phone of the future" tag than the iPhone X.
If and when this phone finally arrives, it would mark a day when the smartphone industry is truly plunged into the future. By successfully implementing the foldable OLED display, Samsung would mainstream a technology that could very well define the next decade of smartphone technology – much like the multi-touch display on the original iPhone did in 2007.
Nokia 9
In 2018, HMD Global came out with an absolute winner in the form of the Nokia 8. The device shined on the spec sheet and in real-world usage, all without costing a bomb. However, there were some drawbacks to this wonder too — the lack of an 18:9 edge-to-edge display being the most talked about one.
However, the Finnish smartphone maker looks ready to change that in the coming year. Reports suggest its next flagship device, the Nokia 9, will sport a futuristic display along with a revamped camera module and an improved camera setup. Can't say we're not excited.
OnePlus 6
Another highly anticipated smartphone that is expected to a launch in 2018 is the OnePlus 6. The smartphone maker has become an important player in the market with its bi-annual launch cycle and is expected to follow the strategy this year too with the OnePlus 6.
If reports are to be believed, the device will also see OnePlus making a number of key changes, including the removal of the fingerprint scanner from the back to the front by embedding a scanner under the display of the device.
This could be achieved by using an ultrasonic fingerprint sensor underneath the display. Vivo has already demonstrated this technology at Mobile World Congress in Shanghai this June. The sensor works through glass, OLED display and even aluminum.
An under display fingerprint scanner will allow OnePlus 6 to have a bezel-less design, probably even more refined than the OnePlus 5T's and still keep the scanner in the front.
iPhone X (2018)
It was only in September that Apple announced the much awaited iPhone X. The device features a gorgeous OLED display and an incredibly long battery life along with brilliant front and rear camera systems. Suffice to say this was arguably the best smartphone that Apple has made to date. As such, it was met with great reviews which rightly pointed how there was still room for improvement.
And that could very well be seen in the 2018 successor of the iPhone X.
Rumours suggest the new iPhone X may bring back the TouchID tech along with improved camera system. There are also suggestions that there will be a new 6.1-inch model of the phone which will feature a metal back and Apple's trusted LCD screen.
Redmi Note 5
Expected to be the most pocket-friendly device on this list, the Redmi Note 5 is a phone that is being eagerly awaited by Xiaomi's millions of fans across the globe. Successor to the popular Note 4, this is expected to be a device that brings with not just above par specs but also an 18:9 bezel-less display all at an affordable price.
However, there are reports that at the time of its launch, the device may not be announced under the Note lineup, and will be called the Redmi 5 Plus.
But this will do little to quell enthusiasm for a phone that is expected to sport a 5.99-inch Full HD+ display, paired with either 3GB or 4GB of RAM depending on the storage variant.
Both the variants are reported to be powered by a 2.0GHz Snapdragon 625 octa-core CPU and are expected to sport a 12MP 1.25μm rear Camera with f/2.2 aperture, phase detection autofocus and dual-LED (dual tone) flash along with a 4000mAh battery pack.