Better wait: 6 phones and wearables you should NOT buy right now in 2016
Buyer's remorse: it's the feeling that we often get after buying something new. Sometimes it's irrational and subjective, but when it comes to buying phones, buyer's remorse is guaranteed to happen if you buy one of the best phones at the moment.
The reason? New phones usually launch in a seasonal cadence, and the new generation of early 2016 phones is about to arrive very soon. Chances are it will make many high-end current phones look pale in comparison.
So what are the exact phones that will soon be replaced by a newer and more powerful versions? What are the phones and wearables that you really should NOT buy right now and wait out until you see the next ones? Take a look right below.
#1: Samsung Galaxy S6 / S6 Edge
Reason: New Samsung Galaxy S7 to be unveiled in less than a month!
Samsung is planning to refresh its Galaxy S series with not one, but at least two new devices. It will officially show the devices at the end of February at MWC 2016 (with release date likely set for March / April), but leaked images of the phones have already broken the secret.
Just like the evolution of modern cars, the Galaxy S7 has evolved to have smoother curves, to be more rounded, better fitting in the hand and less edgy. The S7 is expected to retain the 5.1" screen size, but for those looking for something bigger, Samsung is also expected to bring out the S7 Edge, a 5.5" phone with identical specs.
The pair will get brand new and more powerful system chip, a camera that is expected to perform much better in low light, a newer version of TouchWiz running on top of Android 6.0 Marshmallow and even a microSD card slot.
#2: Apple Watch
Reason: Second gen Apple Watch might be hugely improved, Apple may announce it on March 15th
The first-gen Apple Watch felt like a bit of an early product: sure, it has that signature eye-catching Apple design DNA, and some beautiful visual elements, but it felt like a device looking for its purpose rather than a technological answer to a real human need. Put simply, it's not as essential as a phone, lacks essential features and the tethering to a phone makes loading some items depressingly slow.
The second-generation Apple Watch will hopefully rectify many of the shortcomings of the original Watch and finally convince us that a smartwatch has a real place in our lives.
#3: LG G4
Reason: Huge changes coming with the LG G5 in less than a month
The LG G4 started a new era for LG: with its outstanding camera, it brought LG into an elite club of phone makers with the best cameras out there. The V10 only solidified this position.
And now, in just a few weeks, LG is expected to enter another new era: that of metal phones. The plastic build of the G4 and V10 is definitely something you notice, as the phones can hardly be compared to the iPhones and Samsungs of this world in terms of visual style. The G5 is also expected to bring a much more powerful processor and a crazy new battery-swap system. Rumors also suggest the phone will have a small secondary screen and might sport a dual-camera setup for improved camera quality. Naturally, Android 6.0 Marshmallow is expected aboard the G5, and with it, a refreshed version of the LG's custom skin.
#4: Any HTC phone
Reason: HTC has placed all bets on its new flagship, the M10, coming soon
The HTC One M10, aka HTC Perfume, is a device that just can't come any sooner. HTC has shrunk to practically nothing: the once mighty phone maker now is barely able to sell a few million phones.
It's had issues with its cameras, it's had issues with its pricing, but it's proven resilient: the company's HTC One M10 comes amidst those troubles and it means that HTC will have put all its talent and effort in this phone. When you have talent and effort in a feverish combination, things usually work out great, and that's what we're hoping to see in the HTC One M10.
#5: Sony Xperia Z5
Reason: Xperia Z6 will likely come soon
Sony has been on a crazy schedule: it releases two new flagship phones every year, and it seems like time is looming closer for the next one: the Xperia Z6.
We're looking forward to seeing a Snapdragon 820-powered Xperia, but also to see how will Sony evolve its design, camera and interface to fit the modern times of Android 6.0 Marshmallow.
#6: Huawei P8
Reason: Huawei is set to unveil the new P9 within a month
Huawei was probably the fastest growing among the big phone makers in 2015, and its Huawei P9 will likely be the company's most important launch for 2016.
Needless to say, if you are considering the P8 (which has dropped in price neatly), you should wait to see what the new Huawei P9 is all about. The phone is rumored to come in multiple versions and feature a fancy camera setup with two rear shooters for improved image quality and more shooting options.
And one: Xiaomi Mi 4 / Mi Note
Reason: Xiaomi Mi 5 will be officially unveiled on February 24th
Xiaomi is a Chinese company that has captured a massive share of the Asian market by selling phones at extremely alluring prices.
The Xiaomi Mi 5 is a phone that it has been working on for a long time and it will be unveiled on February 24th. What can you expect of it? A 5.2" display, the Snapdragon 820 system chip, a fingerprint scanner, a brand new version of MIUI on top of Android 6.0 Marshmallow. But also, a fashionable design and vastly improved camera.
And while the phone will go on sale in Asia only, this high-profile device will definitely appear via unofficial channels and limited quantities in Europe and in the U.S. We for once are curious.
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Things that are NOT allowed: