The Android devices I’m most excited about in 2026 are not from Samsung or Google.
The conclusion of 2025 was impressive for smartphones. Apple finally adopted a new design for its Pro phones, outfitted them with large sensors, and included a vapor chamber, all while making a significant impact with the iPhone 17.
Samsung wrapped up the year on a futuristic note, launching a new line of foldable devices, the Galaxy Z TriFold. OnePlus demonstrated that a powerful battery can be accommodated in a sleek flagship without the bulk or high cost.
Honor took it further by adding a physical fan and an even larger battery to a conventionally designed phone. Vivo, on the other hand, created a compact device that excelled in all aspects. As 2026 approaches, it appears to be another exciting year for smartphones; however, the major successes might come from brands outside the US.
Xiaomi 17 Ultra by Leica
This isn't just a concept phone. Xiaomi enhanced its collaboration with Leica by designing a unique version of its latest flagship. The metallic ring on the back of the phone, surrounding the camera area, serves a functional purpose.
It's a fully operational zoom ring, inspired by Leica cameras. Beneath the ring, a system of 20 high-strength ball bearings offers tactile feedback at each stop, and an optical displacement sensor detects movements as tiny as 0.03 millimeters.
The main idea is to provide users with precise zoom controls, unlike the sensitive system found on the latest iPhones with the Camera Control button. Remarkably, the phone also boasts IP69 dust and water resistance, the best rating available in the industry.
Aesthetically, the device is stunning, featuring dual-tone leather accents inspired by Leica, along with a texturized metallic frame for a comfortable grip. However, the highlight is undeniably the camera hardware.
The standout feature is a 1-inch Light Fusion 1050L sensor with a 50-megapixel resolution, accompanied by a 50-megapixel ultrawide camera. The periscope-style zoom camera utilizes a large 200-megapixel sensor that also functions as a macro lens.
In my experience with the Xiaomi 15 Ultra, it emerged as one of the most formidable camera phones I'd tested, and the Xiaomi 17 Ultra is expected to surpass that performance. Additionally, it has impressive specs, including top-tier Qualcomm technology, a 6,800 mAh battery with 90W charging, and a 120Hz OLED display that's brighter than the iPhone 17 Pro. I'm eager to put this phone to the test.
Oppo Find X9 Ultra
The Oppo Find X8 Ultra has proven to be the best smartphone I've tested in 2025, particularly excelling in camera performance. It features five rear cameras, with two dedicated to long-range shots, and a primary camera with a large 1-inch sensor.
Even at 6x zoom, the phone produced stunning portrait photos, and its low-light performance impressed. The main sensor captured incredible detail in still images, showcasing excellent contrast and nearly flawless color reproduction.
The upcoming Oppo Find X9 Ultra is set to improve upon this. Leaks suggest it may introduce two 200-megapixel cameras, shifting from the 1-inch sensor to a smaller yet higher-resolution sensor. Rumors indicate this new imaging pipeline allows the smaller 200-megapixel sensor to gather more light than a 1-inch sensor.
The telephoto camera represents a significant enhancement in this model. Oppo is reportedly developing a 50-megapixel camera capable of achieving an impressive 10x optical zoom, nearly doubling the capabilities of competitors like the iPhone 17 Pro and Google Pixel 10 Pro. It promises near-lossless long-range capture in the 230-460mm zoom range.
Additionally, Oppo has confirmed a substantial battery exceeding 7,000 mAh and will likely incorporate rapid charging technology. Reports suggest that a launch for the Find X9 Ultra is anticipated in March.
Vivo X300 Ultra
Vivo has been producing camera-focused phones for years and has introduced several camera innovations. The Vivo X200 Ultra was well-received, and during my testing, its 200-megapixel folded lens zoom system left a strong impression.
It was also one of my preferred ultrawide cameras, even though the main camera was exceptional. Reviewers noted that it was "more camera than phone," and DXOMark rated it highly for still photography.
Its successor, the Vivo X300 Ultra, is expected to be another imaging powerhouse. Leaks suggest it will have two 200-megapixel sensors, one for regular photos and the other dedicated to long-range zoom.
The zoom sensor is expected to provide 4x in-sensor lossless zoom, while an ultrawide lens will feature a 50-megapixel sensor. Other expected specifications include a 2K 120Hz OLED display, a 7,000mAh battery, and Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 chipset. The phone has already appeared in regulatory
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OnePlus has announced the launch date for the OnePlus Turbo 6 in China. According to a teaser on Weibo, the OnePlus Turbo 6 series will be revealed on January 8 at 7 PM local time, featuring two models: the Turbo 6 and Turbo 6V.
The standout feature is battery life. OnePlus claims both models are equipped with 9,000mAh batteries, which it describes as the largest it has ever incorporated into a smartphone. For comparison, the OnePlus 15 utilizes a dual-cell design with a typical rating of 3,650mAh, translating to 7,300mAh; therefore, the Turbo 6 represents a substantial improvement on paper.
The 9,000mAh battery is the main selling point.
OnePlus is also providing expected runtime figures ahead of the launch. Referencing a battery test from New Review Technology, they state that the regular Turbo 6 achieved 10 hours and 37 minutes on a full charge. Under “ultra-high intensity” conditions, OnePlus claims it lasts for “nearly” nine hours.
With moderate use, OnePlus asserts that users can expect 1 to 2 days of battery life per charge, amounting to roughly 10 hours of total usage time. However, the specifics of the testing setup, including display settings and the type of tasks performed, remain unclear, which is significant for users who play games or operate in high brightness conditions outdoors. Aside from the impressive battery life, OnePlus has also ensured that the Turbo 6 and 6V appear stylish.
Turbo 6 versus Turbo 6V?
Since both models have the same battery capacity, the differentiation lies in performance and displays. OnePlus indicates that the Turbo 6 is powered by the Snapdragon 8s Gen 4, complemented by LPDDR5X RAM and UFS 4.1 storage, along with an Adreno 825 GPU. It features a 1.5K screen with a refresh rate of 165Hz, a plastic frame, and has an IP68 and IP69K rating for dust and water resistance. It will come with Android 16 based on OxygenOS 16.
The Turbo 6V is anticipated to retain the 9,000mAh battery but is speculated to have a 6.8-inch 1.5K OLED display with a 144Hz refresh rate, possibly powered by the Snapdragon 7s Gen 4.
What to anticipate on January 8
The launch is expected to clarify purchasing details such as pricing, charging speeds, storage options, and the availability of the phones in China. It should also give insight into how OnePlus manages the extensive battery life alongside high refresh rates during real-world usage, beyond just laboratory tests.
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Paulo Vargas is an English major turned reporter and then a technical writer, with a career that has consistently circled back to...
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Calendar receives several quality-of-life improvements.
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The most notable update is the integration of AI-generated visuals into the Calendar widget, indicating that the company prioritizes visual context even for everyday scheduling. The concept is straightforward yet somewhat unconventional. Samsung is adding AI-generated background images to the Countdown widget in Calendar, derived from the title of upcoming events.
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Even for seasoned iPhone users, many tend to stick with the basic experience Apple offers rather than maximizing the device's potential. This is where apps become essential. I have been using an iPhone for five years now and have the opportunity to test new and exciting apps professionally.
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The Android devices I’m most excited about in 2026 are not from Samsung or Google.
In 2025, Samsung and Apple surprised everyone with significant developments, but for the upcoming year, I'm particularly thrilled about the innovative smartphones from the more niche brands.