We see numerous premium flagship smartphones arrive in India quickly after they go on sale in worldwide markets, which solely goes to indicate that India is a vital marketplace for most smartphone manufacturers. Nevertheless, there are some producers which have held again on some fashions in 2021 regardless of everybody anticipating them to launch. These are gadgets that appeared promising, and in some instances, appeared like it will be an ideal match, however for causes greatest identified to producers, by no means confirmed up.

Google

Excessive on the most-wanted record is Google. The brand new Pixel 6 and 6 Pro are most likely probably the most attention-grabbing Android smartphones to be introduced this , primarily as a result of they’ve a brand new Tensor processor that is designed by Google. The corporate is attempting to combine its {hardware} and software program carefully; a components that Apple has been following on . As well as, The Pixel 6 fashions are the primary smartphones to run Google’s freshest serving of Android 12.

Given the diminished competitors within the ultra-premium Android smartphone section in India, which now solely actually has smartphones from Samsung and Vivo, the Google Pixel 6 would have made issues attention-grabbing. Its computational pictures smarts and clear near-stock Android software program, which is uncommon on this section, will surely have followers right here. Sadly, Google confirmed to Devices 360, quickly after launch that its Pixel 6 vary won’t be making it to India, citing international demand and provide points.

No, we’re not achieved but! One other smartphone that Pixel followers had been eagerly ready for was the Pixel 5a 5G. This improve to the Pixel 4a 5G options an IP67-rated physique made from aluminium and an even bigger battery. With these omissions, a lot of the Pixel trustworthy (together with many followers of Google’s Nexus lineup) within the nation must transfer on to different manufacturers or maintain ready for issues to vary. Google did launch the Pixel 4a (Review) in India in 2020 (however not the Pixel 4a 5G), which raised hopes for the launch of the 5a 5G in 2021. Sadly, Google had different plans. A Pixel 6a 5G has already began showing up in leaks and is reportedly within the works, so followers can attempt protecting their fingers crossed.

Microsoft

Microsoft has just lately constructed up some momentum with its Home windows-powered Floor laptops and 2-in-1s in India, so it’s a bit stunning that the Floor Duo lineup has by no means made it right here. Whereas the unique Duo was not probably the most sensible on a regular basis telephone, Microsoft just lately introduced a brand new and upgraded Surface Duo 2, which has three cameras on the again for a extra flagship digital camera expertise.

Beneath the hood is a Qualcomm Snapdragon 888 processor with sufficient horsepower to gentle up these two 90Hz PixelSense Fusion shows. On condition that Samsung’s Galaxy Z Fold 3 (Review) and Flip 3 (Review) are the one foldable gadgets obtainable in India, Microsoft’s Floor Duo 2 would absolutely have spiced issues up within the ultra-premium section.

Xiaomi

Xiaomi has not been shy about flexing its premium gear within the Indian market. A model principally identified for its finances smartphones, Xiaomi started launching premium gadgets again in 2020 (2017 if you happen to think about the Mi Mix 2) with the Mi 10 (Review), after which adopted that up this with a way more premium launch, the Mi 11 Ultra (Review). Whereas its smartphones are nonetheless fairly aggressive by way of total worth, Xiaomi’s first foldable, the Mi Mix Fold, hasn’t made it to India.

Even Xiaomi International VP, Manu Kumar Jain tweeted about bringing it to the nation quickly after its debut in , however no plans have been introduced but. Folding bits apart, this telephone additionally incorporates a distinctive liquid digital camera lens, which the corporate claims can focus faster and extra precisely together with offering each telephoto and macro capabilities.

Asus

After the Asus 6Z, Asus didn’t deliver the 7 sequence to India, and now the launch of the 8Z sequence additionally stays a thriller on the time of publishing this text. Again in Might, Asus revealed a landing page for this telephone on its official web site for India (and it is nonetheless reside in the present day), showcasing the specs of what seems to be the ZenFone 8 (which was presumably meant to be known as the 8Z in India). Nevertheless, since then, there’s been no information about this telephone launching in India. The Asus ZenFone 8, because it’s identified in the remainder of the world, is a compact flagship smartphone with a 5.9-inch 120Hz sAMOLED show and a Qualcomm Snapdragon 888 SoC. It is usually one of many first Asus smartphones with an IP68 ranking.

Oppo

After cancelling the Find X2 Pro launch in India again in 2020, Oppo has been mum in regards to the launch of one other premium flagship and has centered on its premium mid-range Reno sequence. The Discover X3 sequence was unveiled globally in March with the Find X3 Lite, Find X3 Neo, Find X3, and Find X3 Pro. The Find X3 Pro incorporates a distinctive 3-megapixel microlens sensor to seize extra element letting us see an object as much as 60X nearer, which is form of like a microscope. The unique-looking digital camera module would have made this telephone an attention-grabbing addition to the present ultra-premium flagship lineup in India.

Fairphone

Fairphone has been making smartphones for some time, and the Fairphone 4 provides 5G to the combination. Each Fairphone 4 comes with a 5-year guarantee and a excessive repairability rating, which means you may restore and substitute components your self with little greater than a screwdriver. Spares can be found in nations the place this telephone is bought, so it’s kind of disappointing that this DIY-friendly model has not but made it right here.

Sony

Though Sony’s cell division introduced its exit from many markets across the globe, it has been arising with attention-grabbing smartphones currently. The brand new Xperia Pro-I is a nice instance of how Sony adapts its client digital camera tech to its smartphone vary. The Xperia Pro-I made waves for being the primary smartphone to function a 1.0-inch digital camera sensor with section detection autofocus. It is principally the identical 1.0-inch sensor because the one within the RX100 IV compact digital camera. What makes this much more attention-grabbing is the digital camera’s variable aperture system, which might change between f/2.0 and f/4.0. Finishing the digital camera expertise is a two-stage shutter key.

Whereas the telephone is but to go on sale, Sony has announced that it solely plans to launch it in choose European markets such because the UK, France, Germany, Netherlands, and the Nordics, together with the USA. A barely watered-down model of the Professional-I is the Xperia 1 III. Save for the first digital camera sensor, it packs in a lot of the {hardware} options obtainable on the Professional-I. This mannequin can be anticipated to solely make it to select markets by early summer time.

OnePlus

Had the OnePlus Nord N200 5G reached India, it will have made for a really attention-grabbing finances smartphone. It could have additionally been probably the most inexpensive OnePlus gadgets in a very long time, slotting in even decrease than the Nord CE 5G. Sadly, it’s unique to North America for causes greatest identified to OnePlus. As a substitute, we received the Nord CE 5G (Review), which continues to be a mid-range smartphone.

Motorola

Motorola has launched a number of finances smartphones within the nation and in addition the ultra-premium Moto Razr sequence with folding shows. Nonetheless, there have been a number of fashions that had been introduced globally, however didn’t make it to India. One instance is the Moto G100, a premium smartphone with Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 870 SoC, which might have made issues uncomfortable for the Realme GT Neo 2 (Review) and the OnePlus 9R (Review).

The Moto G100 initially went on sale in Europe and Latin America, and now Motorola has already launched a follow-up known as the Moto G200, which is predicted to go to the same markets as its predecessor.

Nokia

India is a vital marketplace for Nokia (HMD International) and that is clear from the variety of smartphones launched right here. Regardless of bringing in most of its finances and entry-level smartphones and the premium Nokia XR20 as effectively, India has missed out on the recently announced X series totally, which incorporates the X20 and X10. Each the Nokia X10 and the X20 are mid-range gadgets with a deal with digital camera high quality. Additionally lacking thus far is the Nokia G50, which is a finances smartphone and probably the most high-end providing from Nokia on this value vary after the G20 (Review).

Huawei

Huawei’s final premium smartphone in India was the P30 Pro (Review). It was competitor total, till Google pulled the plug on Android help because of worldwide sanctions. Now, the model solely sells equipment in India. With Google’s Pixel vary additionally nowhere in sight, Samsung alone holds the fort for ultra-premium Android smartphones in India. This , Huawei’s P50 Pro would have put up a combat.

The telephone is offered in Kirin 9000 and Qualcomm Snapdragon 888 SoC choices and has a unique-looking digital camera setup which consists of a 50-megapixel main digital camera, a 40-megapixel monochrome digital camera, a 13-megapixel ultra-wide-angle digital camera, and a 64-megapixel telephoto digital camera that gives as much as 100X digital zoom. What’s lacking is Google’s apps and companies, however given its imaging capabilities, we predict it will have made for an attention-grabbing choice within the premium section.

Lenovo

Whereas there’s been a decline in high-end gaming smartphones in 2021, Lenovo’s Legion Phone Duel 2 positively seems to be the half with an odd-looking digital camera format within the centre when held horizontally. There’s even a motorised pop-up front-facing digital camera (once more, aligned in panorama orientation) in order that players can stream themselves whereas taking part in with out their palms getting in the way in which.

There’s additionally a visual fan on the again with RGB lighting (plus a second hidden one) and a number of other touch-sensitive triggers on the again and the edges. This telephone may even be charged with two chargers without delay. Lenovo did state that the Legion Telephone Duel 2 would make it to pick markets in Asia Pacific and Europe, but it surely by no means made it to India.

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