We see plenty of premium flagship smartphones arrive in India quickly after they go on sale in worldwide markets, which solely goes to point out that India is a crucial marketplace for most smartphone manufacturers. Nonetheless, there are some producers which have held again on some fashions in 2021 regardless of everybody anticipating them to launch. These are units that appeared promising, and in some circumstances, appeared like it might be an ideal match, however for causes finest recognized to producers, by no means confirmed up.
Excessive on the most-wanted listing is Google. The brand new Pixel 6 and 6 Pro are in all probability probably the most fascinating Android smartphones to be introduced this 12 months, primarily as a result of they’ve a brand new Tensor processor that is designed by Google. The corporate is making an attempt to combine its {hardware} and software program intently; a formulation that Apple has been following 12 months on 12 months. As well as, The Pixel 6 fashions are the primary smartphones to run Google’s freshest serving of Android 12.
Given the diminished competitors within the ultra-premium Android smartphone section in India, which now solely actually has smartphones from Samsung and Vivo, the Google Pixel 6 would have made issues fascinating. Its computational pictures smarts and clear near-stock Android software program, which is uncommon on this section, would definitely have followers right here. Sadly, Google confirmed to Devices 360, quickly after launch that its Pixel 6 vary is not going to be making it to India, citing world demand and provide points.
No, we’re not performed but! One other smartphone that Pixel followers have been eagerly ready for was the Pixel 5a 5G. This improve to the Pixel 4a 5G options an IP67-rated physique fabricated from aluminium and a much bigger battery. With these omissions, a lot of the Pixel devoted (together with many followers of Google’s Nexus lineup) within the nation must transfer on to different manufacturers or maintain ready for issues to vary. Google did launch the Pixel 4a (Review) in India in 2020 (however not the Pixel 4a 5G), which raised hopes for the launch of the 5a 5G in 2021. Sadly, Google had different plans. A Pixel 6a 5G has already began showing up in leaks and is reportedly within the works, so followers can attempt holding their fingers crossed.
Microsoft
Microsoft has just lately constructed up some momentum with its Home windows-powered Floor laptops and 2-in-1s in India, so it’s a bit shocking that the Floor Duo lineup has by no means made it right here. Whereas the unique Duo was not probably the most sensible on a regular basis cellphone, Microsoft just lately introduced a brand new and upgraded Surface Duo 2, which has three cameras on the again for a extra flagship digital camera expertise.
Below the hood is a Qualcomm Snapdragon 888 processor with sufficient horsepower to mild up these two 90Hz PixelSense Fusion shows. On condition that Samsung’s Galaxy Z Fold 3 (Review) and Flip 3 (Review) are the one foldable units out there in India, Microsoft’s Floor Duo 2 would absolutely have spiced issues up within the ultra-premium section.
Xiaomi
Xiaomi has not been shy about flexing its premium gear within the Indian market. A model principally recognized for its price range smartphones, Xiaomi started launching premium units again in 2020 (2017 when you contemplate the Mi Mix 2) with the Mi 10 (Review), after which adopted that up this 12 months with a way more premium launch, the Mi 11 Ultra (Review). Whereas its smartphones are nonetheless fairly aggressive by way of total worth, Xiaomi’s first foldable, the Mi Mix Fold, hasn’t made it to India.
Even Xiaomi International VP, Manu Kumar Jain tweeted about bringing it to the nation quickly after its debut in China, however no plans have been introduced but. Folding bits apart, this cellphone additionally incorporates a distinctive liquid digital camera lens, which the corporate claims can focus faster and extra precisely together with offering each telephoto and macro capabilities.
Asus
After the Asus 6Z, Asus didn’t deliver the 7 sequence to India, and now the launch of the 8Z sequence additionally stays a thriller on the time of publishing this text. Again in Might, Asus revealed a landing page for this cellphone on its official web site for India (and it is nonetheless reside right now), showcasing the specs of what seems to be the ZenFone 8 (which was presumably meant to be referred to as the 8Z in India). Nonetheless, since then, there’s been no information about this cellphone launching in India. The Asus ZenFone 8, because it’s recognized in the remainder of the world, is a compact flagship smartphone with a 5.9-inch 120Hz sAMOLED show and a Qualcomm Snapdragon 888 SoC. Additionally it is one of many first Asus smartphones with an IP68 score.
Oppo
After cancelling the Find X2 Pro launch in India again in 2020, Oppo has been mum in regards to the launch of one other premium flagship and has centered on its premium mid-range Reno sequence. The Discover X3 sequence was unveiled globally in March with the Find X3 Lite, Find X3 Neo, Find X3, and Find X3 Pro. The Find X3 Pro incorporates a distinctive 3-megapixel microlens sensor to seize extra element letting us see an object as much as 60X nearer, which is form of like a microscope. The unique-looking digital camera module would have made this cellphone an fascinating addition to the present ultra-premium flagship lineup in India.
Fairphone
Fairphone has been making smartphones for some time, and the Fairphone 4 provides 5G to the combination. Each Fairphone 4 comes with a 5-year guarantee and a excessive repairability rating, which means you possibly can restore and change elements your self with little greater than a screwdriver. Spares can be found in nations the place this cellphone is bought, so it is a bit disappointing that this DIY-friendly model has not but made it right here.
Sony
Although Sony’s cell division introduced its exit from many markets across the globe, it has been arising with fascinating smartphones recently. The brand new Xperia Pro-I is a superb instance of how Sony adapts its client digital camera tech to its smartphone vary. The Xperia Pro-I made waves for being the primary smartphone to characteristic a 1.0-inch digital camera sensor with section detection autofocus. It is mainly the identical 1.0-inch sensor because the one within the RX100 IV compact digital camera. What makes this much more fascinating is the digital camera’s variable aperture system, which might change between f/2.0 and f/4.0. Finishing the digital camera expertise is a two-stage shutter key.
Whereas the cellphone is but to go on sale, Sony has announced that it solely plans to launch it in choose European markets such because the UK, France, Germany, Netherlands, and the Nordics, together with the USA. A barely watered-down model of the Professional-I is the Xperia 1 III. Save for the first digital camera sensor, it packs in a lot of the {hardware} options out there on the Professional-I. This mannequin can also be anticipated to solely make it to select markets by early summer time.
OnePlus
Had the OnePlus Nord N200 5G reached India, it might have made for a really fascinating price range smartphone. It might have additionally been one of the crucial reasonably priced OnePlus units in a very long time, slotting in even decrease than the Nord CE 5G. Sadly, it’s unique to North America for causes finest recognized to OnePlus. As an alternative, we acquired the Nord CE 5G (Review), which remains to be a mid-range smartphone.
Motorola
Motorola has launched a number of price range smartphones within the nation and in addition the ultra-premium Moto Razr sequence with folding shows. Nonetheless, there have been just a few fashions that have been introduced globally, however didn’t make it to India. One instance is the Moto G100, a premium smartphone with Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 870 SoC, which might have made issues uncomfortable for the Realme GT Neo 2 (Review) and the OnePlus 9R (Review).
The Moto G100 initially went on sale in Europe and Latin America, and now Motorola has already launched a follow-up referred to as the Moto G200, which is predicted to go to the same markets as its predecessor.
Nokia
India is a crucial marketplace for Nokia (HMD International) and that is clear from the variety of smartphones launched right here. Regardless of bringing in most of its price range and entry-level smartphones and the premium Nokia XR20 as nicely, India has missed out on the recently announced X series fully, which incorporates the X20 and X10. Each the Nokia X10 and the X20 are mid-range units with a give attention to digital camera high quality. Additionally lacking up to now is the Nokia G50, which is a price range smartphone and probably the most high-end providing from Nokia on this value vary after the G20 (Review).
Huawei
Huawei’s final premium smartphone in India was the P30 Pro (Review). It was a great competitor total, till Google pulled the plug on Android help on account of worldwide sanctions. Now, the model solely sells equipment in India. With Google’s Pixel vary additionally nowhere in sight, Samsung alone holds the fort for ultra-premium Android smartphones in India. This 12 months, Huawei’s P50 Pro would have put up a struggle.
The cellphone is obtainable in Kirin 9000 and Qualcomm Snapdragon 888 SoC choices and has a unique-looking digital camera setup which consists of a 50-megapixel major digital camera, a 40-megapixel monochrome digital camera, a 13-megapixel ultra-wide-angle digital camera, and a 64-megapixel telephoto digital camera that gives as much as 100X digital zoom. What’s lacking is Google’s apps and companies, however given its imaging capabilities, we expect it might have made for an fascinating choice within the premium section.
Lenovo
Whereas there’s been a decline in high-end gaming smartphones in 2021, Lenovo’s Legion Phone Duel 2 positively seems the half with an odd-looking digital camera structure within the centre when held horizontally. There’s even a motorised pop-up front-facing digital camera (once more, aligned in panorama orientation) in order that players can stream themselves whereas enjoying with out their fingers getting in the best way.
There’s additionally a visual fan on the again with RGB lighting (plus a second hidden one) and several other touch-sensitive triggers on the again and the edges. This cellphone may even be charged with two chargers directly. Lenovo did state that the Legion Cellphone Duel 2 would make it to pick out markets in Asia Pacific and Europe, but it surely by no means made it to India.
