New Samsung, Sony, Apple smartphones are coming but should you wait for 5G models?
INCREDIBLE new smartphones are on their way to Australia, now but experts are predicting that even better models might arrive with 5G networks.
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FROM smartphones that turn your face into a cartoon emoji to retro ‘banana’ handsets and those with two screens instead of one, the next generation of mobile technology arrived in Barcelona this week, promising to change the way you use the device in your pocket.
And it emerged amid reports smartphone leader Apple would redesign its iPhones again this year, and release its largest handset to date.
But experts warned the best smartphones might be yet to come as the world’s top handset makers hold back their biggest advances for the arrival of 5G networks next year, and buyers might have to make a tough choice between upgrading now or waiting for better models.
Samsung stole the most attention at Mobile World Congress with its new flagship smartphone, the Galaxy S9, boasting an advanced lowlight camera with super slow-motion video, augmented reality emoji, and Dolby stereo speakers.
MORE: Samsung S9 review, and how it compares to the iPhone X
REVEALED: How the Samsung S9 is $400 cheaper than the iPhone X
Forrester analyst Thomas Husson said the South Korean tech giant’s big phone release delivered enough innovation to appeal to buyers, and would be helped by rival Android smartphone maker Huawei delaying the launch of its flagship handset until later this month.
“With the absence of any flagship smartphone announcement from any of its major competitors, Samsung had a great marketing window of opportunity to claim leadership in the high-end smartphone market, coming back in the race with Apple’s iPhone X,” Mr Husson said.
It will face competition from old-hands Sony and Nokia, however, which both unveiled a range of handsets in Spain.
Sony’s Xperia XZ2 featured a new curved design and 4K High Dynamic Range video recording, while the Xperia X Compact delivered similar features in a rare smaller form.
Nokia also revealed three new smartphones under Google’s Android One platform that promised untouched, up-to-date software from the tech giant.
But Telsyte managing director Foad Fadaghi said many of the new phones unveiled at Mobile World Congress featured only modest upgrades over the previous models.
The new handsets would be attractive for anyone looking to upgrade “devices that are four or five years old,” Mr Fadaghi said, but buyers who were looking for something thoroughly new might have to wait another year.
“Everyone is getting a lot of information on 5G from their carriers. Does it make sense for a consumer to spend a lot of money on a handset that is not 5G? Maybe not,” he said.
“There probably won’t be much in the way of exciting handsets until 5G comes out.”
Consumers may see smartphone prices fall as a way to inspire upgrades, however, Mr Fadaghi said, and there was already speculation that “iPhone X prices will come down” from their record $1829 high.
New rumours also suggest Apple will release its biggest smartphone ever later this year in a 6.5-inch plus-sized iPhone X model, as well as a cheaper iPhone to entice more people to upgrade or invest in a smartphone for the first time.
Samsung Australia mobile director Garry McGregor said there was little doubt smartphone users were hanging on to their phones for longer than before, but many consumers were also choosing mobile phone contracts that allowed them to upgrade after 12 months for a fee.
Mr McGregor said Samsung was itself investigating a smartphone upgrade program that would allow buyers to trade up to the newest handset without having to pay the full cost of the new phone.
“There is a general undercurrent that smartphones are better for longer but there are ways to convince people to upgrade,” he said. “The idea of trading up, similar to what you’d do with a car, was very foreign but we’re looking into (those strategies) now.”
Jennifer Dudley-Nicholson travelled to Barcelona as a guest of Samsung.
NEXT GENERATION SMARTPHONES OUT THIS YEAR
Samsung Galaxy S9+
What’s new: Improved dual camera with changeable aperture for lowlight shooting, super slow-motion videos that can be shared as gifs, personalised AR Emoji, and Dolby Atmos stereo speakers.
Release: $1349-1499, March 16
Sony Xperia XZ2
What’s new: First smartphone to capture 4K High Dynamic Range video, a 3D face-scanning feature to create avatars, a new curved glass design, and longer 5.7-inch screen.
Release: $TBA, later this year
ZTE Axon M
What’s new: Two 5.2-inch screens instead of just one fold out like a book to create double the touchscreen space for this unique Google Android phone.
Release: $TBA, later this year
LG V30S ThinQ
What’s new: This update to the LG V30 adds artificial intelligence to its camera to automatically select the right shooting mode for your subject, a QVoice digital assistant, and a 128GB built-in memory.
Release: $TBA
Nokia 8 Sirocco
What’s new: The rebooted Nokia’s first premium phone features two 13-megapixel rear Zeiss cameras with a 2x zoom and pro camera mode, toughened 5.5-inch screen, and slim body.
Release: $1199, May
Apple iPhone X Plus
What’s new: Reportedly the largest iPhone yet, this model could have a 6.5-inch screen and similar features to the iPhone X. It’s also expected to be more powerful, thanks to 4GB RAM, and feature a battery 25 per cent larger.
Release: Expected September
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