We’ve already seen a number of great smartphones announced in 2020 including the Galaxy S20, OnePlus 8, and Xiaomi Mi 10, among others. However, we expect to see many more in the coming months. These include flagships from Samsung, Nokia, and Asus, as well as a few mid-rangers from companies like Google and OnePlus. Here are the best upcoming Android phones that are expected to be announced this year.
Best upcoming Android phones:
Editor’s note: We’ll be updating this list of the best upcoming Android phones regularly.
1. Google Pixel 4a
The Pixel 4a (there won’t be an XL model this year) is expected to follow the same recipe that made its predecessor a success. It will slash out the expensive hardware aspects of the Google Pixel 4 and retain the super-fast Android updates, rear camera experience, and Pixel-exclusive software features.
Rumors suggest that the phone will sport a 12.2MP rear-facing sensor with OIS and EIS, the Snapdragon 730 chipset, and a 5.81-inch display with a standard 60Hz refresh rate. Other possible specs include a 3,080mAh battery, dual-SIM support, and 6GB of RAM. And yes, the phone will likely retain the headphone jack.
We initially expected the phone to launch at Google’s annual I/O developer conference that usually takes place in May, but that didn’t happen because the conference was canceled. A new launch date hasn’t been officially announced yet, but the phone could be just around the corner. The latest rumor suggests that the Pixel 4a will launch on July 13. However, it’s also possible that Google will speed things up and reveal the handset at its Android 11 event on June 3.
- Launch ETA: June 3 or July 13
2. OnePlus Z
OnePlus is gearing up to launch a mid-range phone this year, its first one after the OnePlus X that was unveiled in 2015. Presumably called the OnePlus Z, the phone is expected to sport an OLED punch-hole display, an in-display fingerprint scanner, and 8GB of RAM.
Rumors suggest that the phone will pack a MediaTek processor under the hood. This could either be the MediaTek Dimensity 800 or Dimensity 1000, which means the OnePlus Z could support 5G. The Dimensity 1000 is a flagship-level processor, while the Dimensity 800 is more in line with the Snapdragon 765 series — learn more about OnePlus’ upcoming phone here.
A launch date hasn’t been announced yet, but rumors claim the phone will make its debut in July. The OnePlus Z likely won’t be as affordable as the old $250 OnePlus X, but it is expected to cost at least $200 less than the OnePlus 8.
- Launch ETA: July 2020
3. Asus Zenfone 7
Let me start by saying we know nothing about this phone as of now. We haven’t come across any rumors or leaked renders that would reveal the specs or the design of the handset. However, based on how well the Zenfone 6 was received, it’s almost a guarantee we’ll see its successor this year.
We expect the Zenfone 7 to follow the same recipe as its predecessor, which means it should pack high-end specs, run a near-stock version of Android, and come with a flip camera that makes it unique and allows for a full-screen experience. It will also be powered by the Snapdragon 865 chipset. Hopefully, Asus will upgrade the LCD display to an OLED one and sell the phone for the same amount as the Asus Zenfone 6.
The announcement date hasn’t been confirmed yet, but according to a report by Commercial Times, the handset will make its debut sometime in the third quarter of the year — between July and September.
- Launch ETA: Q3 2020
4. Samsung Galaxy Note 20 series
Samsung hasn’t shared any details about its upcoming Note series so far, but we already know a few things to expect. The company will likely announce two phones named the Note 20 and Note 20 Plus. The Galaxy line name jumped from 10 to 20, so it makes sense the Note line will as well.
The handsets will likely be powered by the Snapdragon 865 or Exynos 990 chipset, depending on the region. We also expect to see IP68 water-resistance rating, at least 12GB of RAM, no less than 256GB of internal storage, wireless charging, and an in-display fingerprint scanner. And let’s not forget about the S-Pen, which will likely have a few new tricks up its sleeve this year.
Based on a leak showing a case for one of the Galaxy Note 20 phones as well as the render of the handset, we can assume that the phones will have a robust camera setup, similar to that of the Galaxy S20 Ultra. And like the S20 series, Samsung’s upcoming phones likely won’t have a headphone jack on board. You can learn more about the two handsets in our Galaxy Note 20 rumor roundup post at the link.
The Galaxy Note 20 phones are expected to be announced in August. But due to the COVID-19 pandemic, we expect Samsung will opt for an online event instead of a physical one.
- Launch ETA: August 2020
5. Samsung Galaxy Fold 2
We expect to see the second generation of Samsung’s Galaxy Fold phone this year. Likely called the Galaxy Fold 2, the handset is said to be similar to its predecessor in terms of design, with a few changes here and there. Samsung will likely drop the large camera notch for a more familiar solution like a punch-hole camera.
The phone is expected to feature a 6.23-inch screen on the front, while the internal display may measure 7.59 inches when unfolded. The refresh rate is said to be 120Hz. As far as the main cameras go, the setup is rumored to be the same as the one on the Galaxy S20 Plus.
The word on the street is that Samsung’s upcoming foldable phone will be announced in August, with shipping kicking off in September.
- Launch ETA: August 2020
6. OnePlus 8T and 8T Pro
Based on the company’s release cycle, we expect to see the OnePlus 8T and 8T Pro this year. The two handsets will likely make their debut this fall, presumably in September or October.
Since we’re months away from their possible release, we haven’t heard a lot of rumors about the phones. We expect them to pack the Snapdragon 865 chipset under the hood, just like the OnePlus 8 and 8 Pro. We also expect to see a few camera improvements along with a possible design change. We have a few ideas regarding the upgrades the phones would benefit from, which you can check out in our dedicated article here.
We did come across a rumor that claims the upcoming OnePlus phones will support 65-watt charging. For reference, the OnePlus 8 and 8 Pro support 30-watt charging. This would allow for super-fast charging, which is something OnePlus has always been good at. To give you an example of the speeds to expect, the Oppo Reno Ace touts 65W charging that can get its 4,000mAh battery from zero to 100% in just 30 minutes.
- Launch ETA: September or October 2020
7. Nokia 9.2 PureView
Nokia is working on the successor to last year’s 9 PureView. The phone is expected to be called the Nokia 9.2 PureView, although some claim it might go under 9.3 PureView instead.
It’s expected to be a flagship device, sporting the Snapdragon 865 chipset and an under-display selfie camera. It may be among the first or even the first phone to sport this feature, which would allow for a full-screen experience without the use of a pop-up camera module.
We hope to see improvements when it comes to the camera. Although the Nokia 9 PureView had five sensors at the back, it wasn’t the best when it came to photography. Rumors have it that Nokia will go with a more traditional normal/wide/telephoto camera layout this time around and that it is working on improving its software. You can check out all the latest rumors surrounding the phone at the link.
The release date of Nokia’s upcoming Android phone hasn’t been announced yet, but rumors suggest the phone will make its debut this fall — sometime between September 22 and December 21.
- Launch ETA: Fall 2020
8. Google Pixel 5 series
We’re still months away from the new Pixel 5 series, so we don’t know much about it. However, we did hear that Google has big changes in mind for its upcoming smartphones.
All signs point to the upcoming Pixels stepping out of the traditional premium territory and entering something more akin to the “premium mid-ranger� territory. That means the Pixel 5 and 5 XL won’t sport Qualcomm’s best chipset, the Snapdragon 865. Instead, they may pack the Snapdragon 765 under the hood, which would reduce the price of the phones while still providing them with 5G support.
As with the rest of the Pixel lineup, we expect the upcoming phones to offer a great and bloat-free software experience along with a brilliant camera setup, although we hope Google throws in a wide-angle lens.
The Pixel 5 and 5 XL are expected to be announced at a Google event in October, just like the rest of the Pixels so far. But given the COVID-19 pandemic, it’s possible the date will be pushed back this year.
- Launch ETA: October 2020
These are the best upcoming Android phones expected to make their debut this year, although a number of other great ones will launch during this time as well. These include the ROG Phone 3 that is expected to be unveiled during the third quarter of the year and will primarily be aimed at gamers. Then there are the Huawei Mate 40 phones that will likely launch in September or October, although the series won’t be as interesting as it used to be because of the lack of Google apps and services.