From foldables that collapse into jacket pockets to budget beasts promising flagship-level performance, the second half of 2024 and early-2025 are shaping up to be a blockbuster season for smartphone lovers. Every big brand—from Google and Nothing to rising challengers such as Infinix—has fresh hardware in the oven, and leaks are dropping daily. Whether you value photography, raw gaming horsepower, battery life or simply a striking design, at least one handset on this list should tempt you to delay that upgrade for a few more weeks. Here’s your guide to the ten most-anticipated models and why they matter.
Poco M6 Plus: Budget Performance Reinvented
Having already shaken up the mid-range with the M6 Pro, Poco is reportedly readying the M6 Plus, and the leaks suggest the “Plus” label is deserved. Expect a 6.67-inch 120 Hz AMOLED panel, Qualcomm’s new Snapdragon 6 Gen 1 SoC and a giant 5,500 mAh battery with 67 W wired charging that tops up in under 45 minutes. Camera chatter points to a 108 MP main sensor backed by improved night-mode algorithms, while MIUI 15 (based on Android 14) should land out of the box. If the price stays below USD 300, the M6 Plus could be this year’s easiest recommendation for gamers on a budget.
Moto Edge 50 Neo: A Return to Form
Motorola’s Edge line has quietly become a haven for Android purists who crave clean software without paying Pixel prices. The upcoming Edge 50 Neo keeps that formula but adds premium flourishes, think vegan-leather backs in bold Pantone-certified colours, a razor-thin 7.3 mm profile and IP68 water-resistance. Rumour mills point to a Snapdragon 7s Gen 2 chipset, 144 Hz pOLED display and 68 W TurboPower charging, so daily performance and battery anxiety should be non-issues. Add Moto’s signature gestures, an improved portrait camera and at least three OS upgrades, and the 50 Neo could be the sleeper hit of the sub-$500 bracket.
Infinix Note 40X 5G: Endurance Meets Speed
Infinix has built a reputation for cramming headline specs into phones that cost half the market average, and the forthcoming Note 40X 5G looks ready to double down. Early certifications reveal a colossal 7,000 mAh battery paired with 100 W wired and 20 W wireless “All-Round FastCharge” tech, unheard-of at this price tier. A Dimensity 7200 chip, 6.78-inch 120 Hz FHD+ display and 108 MP triple-lens camera round out the package. Infinix’s XOS interface can be noisy, but the brand promises a cleaner, Android 14-based overhaul. If endurance matters more than brand cachet, the Note 40X could be your next travel companion.
Nothing Phone 2a Plus: Minimalist Muscle
Carl Pei’s Nothing loves theatrical teasers, and the Phone 2a Plus is already lighting up Reddit with its reworked glyph interface. The handset reportedly borrows the Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 from last year’s flagships, marking a serious power boost over the vanilla 2a. Nothing is also tipped to swap LCD for an LTPO OLED panel capable of 1–120 Hz adaptive refresh, delivering slick visuals without hammering battery life. Expect a symmetrical 50 MP dual-camera, 45 W PPS charging and the brand’s famously lightweight Nothing OS 3.0. Minimalist design plus big performance, it’s aiming to become the iPhone SE of Android.
Realme 13 Pro Series: Camera King on a Budget
Realme’s numbered Pro line regularly blurs the boundary between mid-range and flagship, and the 13 Pro Series looks no different. Two models are tipped, a 13 Pro with Snapdragon 7+ Gen 3 and a 13 Pro+ powered by Dimensity 8300 Ultra, both using Sony’s new LYT-900 sensor for next-level low-light photography. Add 3× periscope zoom, curved 1.5 K AMOLED panels, 5,000 mAh batteries and blistering 100 W SuperVOOC charging, and Realme could once again dominate the value charts. The company also promises four Android version upgrades, something rare outside the premium tier. If camera versatility tops your wish list, bookmark this launch.
vivo V40 Series: Style With Zeiss Optics
Beauty and brains have long defined vivo’s V-line, and the V40 series appears set to continue that tradition. Teasers from the Czech launch event show an ultra-slim body with a satin finish, housing Zeiss-branded lenses and a new Aura Light portrait ring for flattering skin tones. The V40 Pro is expected to sport a curved 6.78-inch 120 Hz AMOLED, Snapdragon 8s Gen 3 processor and generous 12 GB RAM + 512 GB storage options. vivo’s FuntouchOS 14 is finally slimming down on pre-installed apps, while a 50 MP ultra-wide and 4K selfie camera target content creators. Chic design meets competent hardware.
iQOO Z9s & Vivo T3s: Siblings With Different Talents
Sibling brands iQOO and vivo often share DNA, and their upcoming Z9s and T3s series look like mirror images aimed at different audiences. Both lines are expected to adopt Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 7 Gen 3 chip, 120 Hz AMOLED screens and 6,000 mAh batteries with 80 W fast charging. iQOO’s version leans into gaming, adding a liquid-cooling chamber, 4D vibration motor and the company’s Ultra Game Mode for stable frame rates. The Vivo T3s, meanwhile, emphasises photography with a 64 MP OIS main camera and new V-log templates. Whichever badge you choose, these could be the most balanced upper-mid-rangers of 2024.
Infinix Zero Flip: Foldable for the Masses
Flip-style foldables no longer cost four-figures, and Infinix wants to prove it. The Zero Flip is rumoured to undercut Samsung’s Z Flip by hundreds while still offering a 6.9-inch inner AMOLED and a 3-inch outer cover display. A Dimensity 8200 Ultra chipset should handle multitasking, and the hinge reportedly survives 400,000 folds, double the industry average. Infinix is also working on a hover-mode camera so you can rest the phone halfway open for hands-free selfies or time-lapses. 45 W charging rounds out the package. If it lands under USD 700, the Zero Flip could democratise foldables for everyone.
OPPO K12x: Affordable Speed Demon
OPPO’s K-series rarely grabs headlines, but the K12x might change that by fusing Reno-style flair with OnePlus-grade speed. Expect a flat 120 Hz OLED protected by Gorilla Glass Victus, a Snapdragon 7+ Gen 3 chip and SUPERVOOC tech that pushes a 5,500 mAh battery to 100 % in just 29 minutes. A 50 MP Sony IMX890 primary sensor with OIS should deliver crisp shots, while ColorOS 14 brings five years of security patches. The kicker is price, rumours indicate a starting tag around USD 320, making the K12x a potent rival to Redmi’s Note lineup in emerging markets.
Pixel 9 Series & Pixel Fold 2: Google’s AI Powerhouses
Google’s Pixel 9 family, tipped to include a compact 9, a 9 Pro and the larger 9 Pro XL, will usher in the custom Tensor G4 processor focused on on-device AI. Expect Gemini Nano features like real-time call summarisation and image editing to work offline. The camera bar is slimmer, yet hides a new 50 MP Lytia sensor and upgraded ultrawide with macro. Alongside, the Pixel Fold 2 (or Pixel 9 Fold) should introduce a taller outer screen and thinner body, addressing first-gen complaints. With seven years of updates promised, the Pixels remain the safest bet for long-term Android fans.
