Mumbai, December 31: As we usher in January 2026, the horizon appears brimming with promising technological advancements, particularly in the smartphone sector.
The past year, 2025, was marked by a plethora of revolutionary product unveilings, including the highly lauded iPhone 17 series, Samsung’s innovative “tri-fold” device, and the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5-equipped flagships from OnePlus, Xiaomi, HONOR, POCO, iQOO, Realme, and others.
With the dawn of the new year, numerous new devices are poised for release, while speculation surrounds others anticipated for a January unveiling.
Confirmed for launch in January 2026 in India are the Redmi Note 15 5G series, Realme 16 Pro series, and POCO M8 5G. Furthermore, flagship devices are eagerly awaited, including the Xiaomi 17 series’ global rollout and the much-anticipated Samsung Galaxy S26 series, although some reports suggest its release may be deferred to February. Realme 16 Pro Plus and Realme 16 Pro Pricing Leaks Ahead of Launch in India on January 6, 2025; Expected Specifications and Features Now Available.
Upcoming Smartphones in January 2026
Scheduled for release on January 6, 2026, the Redmi Note 15 5G series is expected to redefine the mid-range landscape. The Indian variant boasts a formidable 108MP MasterPixel Edition primary camera augmented with optical image stabilization (OIS).
It is powered by the Snapdragon 6 Gen 3 chipset and features an expansive 5,520mAh battery, supporting 45W fast charging. The device showcases a 6.77-inch curved AMOLED display capable of achieving a staggering 3,200 nits peak brightness.
On the same day, the Realme 16 Pro and 16 Pro+ will enter the fray, with a pronounced emphasis on design and portrait photography. The Realme 16 Pro+ revives the periscope telephoto lens featuring a 50MP sensor, married to a 200MP LumaColor primary camera.
This device will harness the power of the Qualcomm Snapdragon 7 Gen 4 SoC and incorporate an impressive 7,000mAh battery. The series introduces the “Urban Wild Design,” a collaborative effort with renowned designer Naoto Fukasawa.
POCO’s M8 5G is officially set for launch in India on January 8, 2026. Dubbed the “slimmest POCO ever,” it measures a mere 7.35mm in thickness and weighs 178g.
It is widely regarded as a refined iteration of the Redmi Note 15 5G, featuring a distinctive squircle camera module and a 50MP AI primary sensor.
This device is expected to be available through Flipkart, with a starting price projected around USD 180 (approximately INR 15,000).
Xiaomi 17 Series (Global & India)
Following its successful debut in China, the Xiaomi 17 Ultra is confirmed for a global launch slated for early 2026, with speculation pointing to a January or February release.
This Ultra model is anticipated to be a photographic powerhouse, equipped with the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 chipset, a 6,800mAh battery, and a Leica-tuned triple-camera system.
Reports indicate that both the standard Xiaomi 17 and Ultra versions have cleared India’s BIS certification, suggesting an imminent release.
Samsung Galaxy S26 Series
The Samsung Galaxy S26 series (comprising S26, S26+, and S26 Ultra) is rumored to be unveiled in late January or early February.
The S26 Ultra is expected to receive significant upgrades to its camera system, including a sophisticated new lens coating designed to diminish glare and enhance clarity under direct sunlight.
Although Samsung has not yet confirmed a Galaxy Unpacked event, the series is anticipated to debut the Exynos 2600 chip in certain markets while maintaining its premium pricing strategy.
Additional Expected Launches in January
Several other models are poised for a January launch, although precise dates in India remain unconfirmed. Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra Release Date, India Price, Features, Specifications; Explore All You Need to Know About Samsung’s Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5-Powered Flagship.
- Motorola Signature: Motorola is gearing up to launch a performance-centric smartphone. Anticipated features include the Snapdragon 8 Gen 5 SoC, Adreno 829 GPU, 50MP triple-camera setup, and a 6.7-inch OLED display.
- Ai+ Nova Flip: The Ai+ smartphone brand, under the leadership of Madhav Sheth, will soon unveil its inaugural foldable model in India, priced around INR 40,000 and likely equipped with NxtQuantum OS. Additional details will follow.
- OnePlus Turbo 6 Series: Scheduled to debut in China on January 8, the series boasts a 9,000mAh battery and a 165Hz refresh rate display, with an Indian version anticipated shortly thereafter.
- Honor Power 2: This device is slated for a January 5 launch in China, featuring an astonishing 10,080mAh battery with 80W fast charging capabilities.
- Samsung Galaxy Tri-Fold: Now released in Korea, this premium foldable smartphone is expected to make its way to the USA and UAE markets in early 2026, carrying a price tag of approximately USD 2,450.
As the Samsung Galaxy S26 series and Xiaomi 17 series are set to make their market debut in India early in 2026, Samsung’s Galaxy A37 and Galaxy A57 models are also anticipated to further enrich its mid-range smartphone lineup.
Source link: Latestly.com.
