Samsung:

Samsung has already released the Samsung Galaxy S21 FE. After the success of last year’s Galaxy S20 FE – or ‘Fan Edition’ – the follow-up model treads a finer line between affordable flagship and mid-range wingman to the full-fat Samsung Galaxy S21. It packs the same 5nm processor tech, the same 120Hz refresh rates and the same 12MP main camera as the headline handset but, at £699 ($699), costs £70 ($100) less for the 128GB version. Samsung has begun to launch their S22 series in full this year.  Samsung’s latest line-up of flagship smartphones features three models: the standard Galaxy S22, the larger S22 Plus and the flagship S22 Ultra, which standards apart in terms of specs, styling and price. The S22 and Plus follow closely in the footsteps of last year’s S21, while the top-end S22 Ultra takes up the phablet mantle from the now-defunct Note series – complete with S Pen support.

Xiaomi:

Snapdragon's new 8 Gen 1 processor has arrived, ready to power the next generation of Android flagships. And the Xiaomi 12 could be one of the first blowers out of the box with the new chip. The Xiaomi Mi 11 paired a flagship spec sheet with premium looks at a sensible price, even if its software wasn’t the most refined. If the Xiaomi 12 goes the same way, it could be one of 2022’s best-value handsets. With no more ‘Mi’ in the name, the Xiaomi 12 is predicted to launch later in 2022, perhaps as far off as June. Rumours about the new device abound, with talk of everything from 200MP main cameras to under-display selfie snappers. Probably the more realistic expectation is that the Xiaomi 12 will improve on its predecessor by boosting performance, tweaking camera quality and sticking with broadly the same design. All of which should make it a stellar smartphone – provided the incoming MIUI 13 interface is refined.

Sony Xperia:

Sony’s found its stride with the flagship Xperia 1 line. it’s become known for two things: outstanding camera hardware and even more astonishing display tech. Little wonder that the next instalment is hotly anticipated by photo fans and those who like to ogle their blower. The Sony Xperia 1 III was considered one of the top no-compromise options for those who need the ultimate specs for shooting and streaming. Sony hasn’t stuck to a single month for the release of previous iterations, but they all launched in the first half of the year (even if they then took several more months to actually become available to buy). So we’d hope to see the new Xperia 1 flagship in the next few months, complete with enhanced photography skills, a delicious display and an asking price that puts it firmly in the premium smartphone category.

Apple:

Reviving the iPhone SE in 2020 was a shrewd move by Apple, answering calls for a more accessible model that still delivered the familiar iPhone experience. And if online murmurings are to be believed, a successor could break cover very soon. Industrial analysts currently predict that the third-gen iPhone SE will arrive in the first three months of 2022. If intel proves accurate, it’ll still have he home-button-and-bezels styling of the second-gen SE, plus the same 4.7in display size. Whether it’ll also remain limited to a single lens isn’t clear. Among the rumoured upgrades for the iPhone SE 3 are a switch to Apple’s speedy A15 chip, which would certainly make it a powerful mid-range mobile. Pricing is unconfirmed, but it’s likely to remain around the £400 / $425 level.

Nokia:

Rumours about a Nokia 9 PureView replacement have been circulating since that device launched at MWC back in 2019. Despite the long wait, there’s still little certainty about if, when or how the multi-lens mobile might be succeeded. Various names have been suggested for the elusive device, however no name has currently been confirmed. One thing that’s clear is that the new handset would be a flagship to set a fresh bar for Nokia, likely to pack all kinds of clever camera tech. Some sources suggest its delay is due to difficulties sourcing a suitable processor. Whether Nokia has now solved that possible problem isn’t clear. Nor is how much the long-awaited device might cost. Smartphone pricing has escalated significantly since its predecessor launched at £549 / $699. As you can tell, this isn’t one to anticipate for in the near future.

This makes it safe to say that the future of smartphones is still secure despite the processor crisis. All of these and more to come, however at this time why not check out our current stock of USB-C charging cables. Click here.