5 min read
The coming year promises exciting advancements for smartphone enthusiasts in India, with several new models set to hit the market. Among the anticipated releases are devices featuring Qualcomm’s latest Snapdragon 8 Elite chipset, which brings enhanced performance and AI-driven capabilities.
Notable launches include the Google Pixel 9a, Samsung Galaxy S25 series, Apple iPhone SE 4, and Xiaomi 15, showcasing cutting-edge technology and innovation. With seven new smartphones slated for 2025, consumers can look forward to a diverse range of options tailored to meet their needs.
Samsung Galaxy S25
Samsung’s Galaxy S series launch is often a benchmark for the brand’s mobile strategy, and 2025 is expected to follow suit. After unveiling the Galaxy S24 lineup in January 2024, Samsung is likely to stick to a similar timeline for the Galaxy S25 series.
The new lineup is expected to include regular, Plus, and Ultra models, a pattern Samsung has maintained since the Galaxy S20. These devices will likely feature Qualcomm’s latest Snapdragon 8 Elite processor. Rumors suggest that the base Galaxy S25 might retain the same camera sensor as its predecessor, the Galaxy S24.
Additionally, the Galaxy S25 series will debut Samsung’s One UI 7 software, offering a fresh user interface design. This update was briefly hinted at by Sally Hyesoon Jeong, an executive vice president at Samsung, during the company’s developer conference in October.
Another intriguing rumor is the potential introduction of the Galaxy S25 Slim, a sleeker version of the smartphone. Expected to be released in limited quantities, this model could serve as a trial for future inclusion in Samsung’s flagship lineup.
OnePlus 13
The OnePlus 13 is set to debut globally in early 2025, with its India launch expected shortly after. This flagship device boasts a 6.8-inch BOE X2 LTPO AMOLED display with an impressive peak brightness of 6,000 nits. It is powered by the latest Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite chipset and features a robust 6,000mAh battery supporting 100W fast charging and 50W magnetic wireless charging.
Photography enthusiasts can look forward to a triple-camera setup, including a 50MP LYT-808 primary sensor, a 50MP ultra-wide lens, and a 50MP telephoto lens. The anticipated launch is in January 2025, with prices likely starting at approximately Rs 60,000.
iPhone SE
Apple’s affordable iPhone might make a strong comeback in 2025. According to MacRumors, the 4th generation iPhone SE is expected to boast impressive upgrades, including a 48-megapixel camera, an Action button, and an edge-to-edge display reminiscent of the iPhone 14. It may also feature compatibility with Apple Intelligence, marking a significant leap for the company’s budget-friendly offering.
If these enhancements materialize, the new iPhone SE could deliver a modern, competitive edge, rivaling Android devices in its price range. Moreover, it would extend access to Apple Intelligence, a feature currently exclusive to the iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 16 series, making cutting-edge AI technology more accessible to a broader audience.
Xiaomi 15
The Xiaomi 15, powered by Qualcomm’s cutting-edge Snapdragon 8 Elite chipset, made its debut in China in October. This flagship device offers impressive configurations, including 12GB or 16GB of RAM and storage options up to 1 TB. It features a 6.36-inch LTPO OLED flat display with a 120Hz refresh rate for a smooth viewing experience.
The phone is equipped with a 5400mAh battery that supports 90W fast charging. Its camera system includes a 50MP primary sensor and a 50MP telephoto lens with 3x optical zoom. The Xiaomi 15 is expected to launch globally in March 2025, with prices starting at approximately Rs 80,000.
Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 7
By 2025 standards, Samsung will still unveil its new foldable phones in the summer. Samsung may have something new for the Galaxy Z Fold 7 that we haven’t heard much about yet, but it’s likely that it will have a better processor than the Galaxy S25 phones.
Samsung is expected to improve the camera and design if it continues its present strategy. But an integrated S Pen is definitely out of the question. Samsung executive Patrick Chomet told CNET that the business was unwilling to sacrifice battery life, functionality, or design in order to accommodate the pen.
Display Supply Chain Consultants CEO Ross Young predicted that Samsung will introduce a similar model next year after the company introduced a slimmer Galaxy Z Fold 6 in South Korea.
Google Pixel 9a
Google’s affordable Pixel phone is set for another upgrade in 2025. According to Android Headlines, the Pixel 9A will feature a slightly larger 6.3-inch screen, a 5,000mAh battery, a 48MP main camera, and Google’s Tensor G4 processor. While these updates are incremental, they build on the Pixel 8A’s strong value proposition.
What’s noteworthy is a potential earlier launch in March, a shift from Google’s usual summer release schedule. If true, this could be a strategic move to compete directly with the rumored iPhone SE 4, which Apple typically unveils in March or April.
Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 7
The Galaxy Z Fold 7 and Samsung’s next clamshell phone are both set to debut this summer. The Galaxy Z Flip 7 is expected to use a similar CPU to the Galaxy S25 series along with certain aesthetic upgrades, similar to Samsung’s larger and more costly foldable phone.
But next year, Samsung might try something new by releasing two versions of the Z Flip 7 one more expensive and one more affordable, called the “fan edition.” It was recently revealed by Young on X that a Galaxy Z Flip 7 FE is set to be released in 2025. According to the expert on X, this more affordable variant may feature a new camera and processor, but it would most likely share the same screen as the standard Z Flip 7.
