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Fall 2016 promises another great lineup of smartphone releases with the IFA tech show, Apple’s keynote and various manufacturer launch events all in store to kickstart the season. Here’s a look at some of the mobile devices expected to land this year.
A TOP-END PHABLET
Unveiled early in August, the Samsung Galaxy Note 7 is up for release August 19 in the US and September 2 in Europe. This new top-of-the-range phablet from the South Korean manufacturer notably features a 5.7-inch Super AMOLED screen with curved edges. Like the Galaxy S7, it runs the 2.3GHz octa-core Exynos 8890 processor with 4GB of RAM. The Samsung Galaxy Note 7 is due to launch for $849/€859 for the 64GB version (with expandable memory slot).
THE FIRST ANDROID NOUGAT SMARTPHONE
This time around, the first smartphone to run Android 7.0 (Nougat) won’t be a handset from the Nexus range, but will instead be the LG V20. The V20 is lined up to replace the V10, a dual-display mobile with a second strip-shaped screen running across the top of the main display. As well as shipping with the very latest version of Android, the LG V20 will be getting a 32-bit Hi-Fi digital audio converter. It’s likely to be unveiled at the beginning of September.
NEW NEXUS DEVICES
A new version of Android inevitably brings a new line of Nexus devices, promising performances optimized to get the best out of Google’s mobile OS. Two new 5-inch devices built by HTC are expected this fall (codenames: Sailfish and Marlin), possibly accompanied by a larger handset from Huawei, following on from the current 6P. There’s no word yet on when the new devices might be released.
DIVE INTO AUGMENTED REALITY
The Lenovo Phab 2 Pro is sure to make a splash as the first smartphone compatible with Google’s Tango augmented reality technology. Augmented reality brings virtual content to real-world settings, anyplace, anytime. Previewed at
the Viva Technology show in Paris
in July, the 6.4-inch phablet is due
to land in September priced $499/€499. Watch out for more Lenovo phablets equipped with this technology.
THE NEW IPHONE
Fall also means a new iPhone. As usual, Apple’s September keynote will see the official launch of the latest version of iOS (10) and will give users a first look at the firm’s new smartphone(s).