We see loads 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 vital marketplace for most smartphone manufacturers. However, 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 instances, appeared like it will be an ideal match, however for causes greatest identified to producers, by no means confirmed up.
High on the most-wanted record is Google. The new Pixel 6 and 6 Pro are in all probability probably the most attention-grabbing 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 firm is attempting to combine its {hardware} and software program intently; a formulation that Apple has been following 12 months on 12 months. In addition, 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 attention-grabbing. Its computational images smarts and clear near-stock Android software program, which is uncommon on this section, will surely have followers right here. Unfortunately, Google confirmed to Gadgets 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 finished but! Another smartphone that Pixel followers had been eagerly ready for was the Pixel 5a 5G. This improve to the Pixel 4a 5G options an IP67-rated physique product of aluminium and an even bigger battery. With these omissions, many of the Pixel trustworthy (together with many followers of Google’s Nexus lineup) within the nation should transfer on to different manufacturers or preserve 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 conserving their fingers crossed.
Microsoft
Microsoft has not too long ago constructed up some momentum with its Windows-powered Surface laptops and 2-in-1s in India, so it’s a bit shocking that the Surface Duo lineup has by no means made it right here. While the unique Duo was not probably the most sensible on a regular basis cellphone, Microsoft not too long ago introduced a brand new and upgraded Surface Duo 2, which has three cameras on the again for a extra flagship digicam expertise.
Under the hood is a Qualcomm Snapdragon 888 processor with sufficient horsepower to mild up these two 90Hz PixelSense Fusion shows. Given that Samsung’s Galaxy Z Fold 3 (Review) and Flip 3 (Review) are the one foldable units obtainable in India, Microsoft’s Surface Duo 2 would certainly 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 identified for its price range smartphones, Xiaomi started launching premium units again in 2020 (2017 if you happen to take into account 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). While 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 Global 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 digicam 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 carry the 7 collection to India, and now the launch of the 8Z collection additionally stays a thriller on the time of publishing this text. Back in May, Asus revealed a landing page for this cellphone on its official web site for India (and it is nonetheless stay right this moment), showcasing the specs of what seems to be the ZenFone 8 (which was presumably meant to be known as the 8Z in India). However, since then, there’s been no information about this cellphone launching in India. The Asus ZenFone 8, because it’s identified 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. It can also be one of many first Asus smartphones with an IP68 ranking.
Oppo
After cancelling the Find X2 Pro launch in India again in 2020, Oppo has been mum concerning the launch of one other premium flagship and has targeted on its premium mid-range Reno collection. The Find X3 collection 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 type of like a microscope. The unique-looking digicam module would have made this cellphone an attention-grabbing 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. Every Fairphone Four comes with a 5-year guarantee and a excessive repairability rating, that means you possibly can restore and change components your self with little greater than a screwdriver. Spares can be found in nations the place this cellphone is offered, so it is a bit disappointing that this DIY-friendly model has not but made it right here.
Sony
Even although Sony’s cellular division introduced its exit from many markets across the globe, it has been developing with attention-grabbing smartphones recently. The new Xperia Pro-I is a wonderful instance of how Sony adapts its shopper digicam tech to its smartphone vary. The Xperia Pro-I made waves for being the primary smartphone to characteristic a 1.0-inch digicam sensor with section detection autofocus. It’s principally the identical 1.0-inch sensor because the one within the RX100 IV compact digicam. What makes this much more attention-grabbing is the digicam’s variable aperture system, which may change between f/2.Zero and f/4.0. Completing the digicam expertise is a two-stage shutter key.
While 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 Pro-I is the Xperia 1 III. Save for the first digicam sensor, it packs in many of the {hardware} options obtainable on the Pro-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 will have made for a really attention-grabbing price range smartphone. It would have additionally been some of the reasonably priced OnePlus units in a very long time, slotting in even decrease than the Nord CE 5G. Unfortunately, it’s unique to North America for causes greatest identified to OnePlus. Instead, we obtained 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 collection with folding shows. Still, there have been a number of fashions that had 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 known as the Moto G200, which is anticipated to go to the same markets as its predecessor.
Nokia
India is a vital marketplace for Nokia (HMD Global) and that is clear from the variety of smartphones launched right here. Despite bringing in most of its price range and entry-level smartphones and the premium Nokia XR20 as effectively, India has missed out on the recently announced X series fully, which incorporates the X20 and X10. Both the Nokia X10 and the X20 are mid-range units with a concentrate on digicam high quality. Also lacking thus far is the Nokia G50, which is a price range smartphone and probably the most high-end providing from Nokia on this worth vary after the G20 (Review).
Huawei
Huawei’s final premium smartphone in India was the P30 Pro (Review). It was competitor total, till Google pulled the plug on Android help resulting from 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 offered in Kirin 9000 and Qualcomm Snapdragon 888 SoC choices and has a unique-looking digicam setup which consists of a 50-megapixel major digicam, a 40-megapixel monochrome digicam, a 13-megapixel ultra-wide-angle digicam, and a 64-megapixel telephoto digicam that provides as much as 100X digital zoom. What’s lacking is Google’s apps and providers, however given its imaging capabilities, we expect it will have made for an attention-grabbing choice within the premium section.
Lenovo
While there’s been a decline in high-end gaming smartphones in 2021, Lenovo’s Legion Phone Duel 2 undoubtedly appears the half with an odd-looking digicam structure within the centre when held horizontally. There’s even a motorised pop-up front-facing digicam (once more, aligned in panorama orientation) in order that players can stream themselves whereas taking part in 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 a number of other touch-sensitive triggers on the again and the perimeters. This cellphone may even be charged with two chargers directly. Lenovo did state that the Legion Phone Duel 2 would make it to pick markets in Asia Pacific and Europe, however it by no means made it to India.
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