It’s been another bumper year for smartphones.
The first seven months of 2025 have seen almost all of the best phone makers launch new hardware, including Google, Samsung, Apple, Motorola, OnePlus, and many more.
However, if you thought most of the big new handsets had already debuted, you’d be wrong. In fact, five big launches are happening between now and the end of the year that are worth keeping on your radar.
These include flagships from some of the biggest companies on the planet, plus the debut of some exciting new technology. Let’s get into it.
Google Pixel 10 series – launch confirmed for 20 August
After the Pixel 9a launched in March, August will bring Google’s biggest smartphone launch of the year.
The Pixel 10 series will include four models for the second year in a row, with regular and Pro models joined by Pro XL and Pro Fold versions. Pricing is expected to remain roughly the same, though plenty of upgrades are expected.
Luke Baker
Similar designs are expected across all four models, though a rumoured shake-up of colour options includes a new ‘Limoncello’ yellow version of the regular Pixel 10. Under the hood, Google’s Tensor G5 is expected to deliver a noticeable performance boost.
The big news regarding cameras is the regular Pixel 10’s expected new telephoto lens, though the main and ultrawide sensors could be downgraded to make way for it. The 10 Pro Fold is rumoured to get the Pixel 9a’s 50Mp main camera, but the rest of the hardware across all four phones looks set to remain unchanged.
Anyron Copeman / Foundry
The Pixel 10 series will run Android 16 out of the box, and could debut Google’s new Material 3 Expressive user interface, which isn’t yet available.
Learn more about the Google Pixel 10 series.
Honor Magic V5 – possible global launch in late August
The Magic V5 is already available in China, having been released in early July. But a full, global launch is expected before summer is out.
Honor’s latest book-style foldable has made headlines for its 8.8mm thickness when folded, making it the thinnest device in its class, though there has been debate surrounding this.
However, what can’t be disputed is its stacked spec sheet. The Magic V5 features a 6.43-inch, FHD+ AMOLED panel that opens to reveal a 7.95-inch internal screen, with both offering adaptive 120Hz refresh rates. Under the hood, Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 8 Elite chipset is as powerful as it gets, while a triple rear camera system includes 50Mp main, 64Mp telephoto with 3x optical zoom and 50Mp ultrawide.
Chris Hall / Foundry
The Chinese version features a 6100mAh battery and 66W fast charging, though these may change slightly on the global version. And of course, the software experience will be very different to cater to Western tastes.
However, the big unknown is the price – will it be any cheaper than the Magic V3’s £1,699.99 price tag?
Learn more about the device in our Honor Magic V5 hands-on and comparison with the Magic V3.
Apple iPhone 17 series – possible launch in early September
The iPhone 17 looks set to launch in Apple’s familiar September slot. Based on past years, it’ll probably be in the second week of the month.
Four models are expected once again, but a big change is rumoured, with the ultra-thin ‘iPhone 17 Air’ expected to replace the Plus model. The new handset is thought to be just 5.6mm thick and weigh only 145g, despite sporting a 6.6-inch OLED display. However, only one rear camera is expected, and the battery could be limited to just 2800mAh.
The other models are expected to be less surprising, with the regular iPhone 17 joined by 17 Pro and 17 Pro Max. The regular iPhone 17 is expected to stick with a 6.3-inch panel, but both it and the Air could finally get a 120Hz refresh rate, albeit without the automatic adjustment of ‘ProMotion’.
Connor Jewiss / Foundry
Apple’s new A19 series of chipsets is expected to make its debut, but the A19 Pro may only make it to the 17 Pro and Pro Max, with a regular version on the regular phones. All models look set to get an upgraded 24Mp selfie camera, while Pro phones may get a new telephoto lens with 8x optical zoom.
Other rumoured changes include battery upgrades, with the Pro Max becoming the first iPhone to get a battery over 5000mAh. And of course, the iPhone 17 series will ship running iOS 26, the latest version of Apple’s mobile operating system.
There could be some small price rises compared to the iPhone 16 series, but there’s no concrete evidence at this stage.
Learn more about the Apple iPhone 17 series.
Xiaomi 16 series – possible China launch in October
Qualcomm has confirmed that its upcoming Snapdragon 8 Elite 2 flagship chipset will debut on a Xiaomi phone. And it looks like that will be at least one of the Xiaomi 16 phones, which look set to debut in China later this year ahead of a global release in 2026.
Three flagship models are expected once again – Xiaomi 16, Xiaomi 16 Pro and Xiaomi 16 Ultra – though the Pro may skip a global launch, as was the case with the Xiaomi 15 series.
Dominik Tomaszewski / Foundry
Aside from the Snapdragon 8 Elite 2, other rumoured upgrades include a big jump in battery capacities, potentially as high as 7500mAh on the 15 Ultra. However, the global version of Chinese phones often ships internationally with smaller batteries.
Charging could increase to 100W (albeit without a charger in the box), while all models could be equipped with periscope telephoto lenses. In terms of design, the regular Xiaomi 16 could shift to a two-tone rear finish.
The 16 series is set to ship running HyperOS 3, Xiaomi’s Android 16-based software. And prices are likely to remain in the same £899 to £1,299 range as the Xiaomi 15 series.
Learn more about the Xiaomi 16 series.
OnePlus 15 series – possible China launch in October
Don’t be fooled by the name – the OnePlus 15 series is the successor to the current OnePlus 13 series, with the number 4 being considered unlucky in China.
If the current generation is anything to go by, it’ll include two models once again, with the flagship OnePlus 15 joined by the upper mid-range OnePlus 15R. A China launch is likely towards the end of 2025, before a global release in early 2026.
Foundry | Alex Walker-Todd
While the 15 is rumoured to get the new Snapdragon 8 Elite 2, a spec leak suggests the 15R could be equipped with last year’s Snapdragon 8 Elite, making for a significant upgrade. The 15R is also rumoured to get a 165Hz refresh rate display, and it’s unclear whether the flagship OnePlus 15 will match it.
The 15R could also get a battery in excess of 7000mAh, though that may be reserved for the Chinese market. But plenty of other key specs remain unknown for now.
Don’t want to wait? Check out our guide to the best phones you can buy right now.
