The year may have just started off but that doesn't mean we haven't already seen a slew of smartphones being released in a hurry. And now with a hefty part of the year still left, it seems like 2014 could be the year when next-gen smartphones start making their marks in both the market and in the pockets of the consumers.
While a host of smartphones are expected to arrive in the upcoming months, and even more before the end of the year, upcoming events such as the Mobile World Congress (MWC) 2014 - set to be held next month in Barcelona, Spain - could play a significant role in shaping the year ahead, smartphone-wise.
Now with January almost at the brink of getting over, a new month is expected to bring forward a host of new devices that will look to redefine smartphones as we know it in recent times - and hopefully will lead to something ground breaking before the year ends.
However, while a host of smartphones are expected to make a mark in the coming months, it is yet to be found out which of them will make an official entry in February. And if so indeed, which exactly are the smartphones that could be revealed in the coming month? Let's take a closer look.
Nokia Lumia 1520V mini
It seems like this could be a big year for Finnish mobile maker Nokia with a host of smartphones from the same already planned to arrive in 2014. And among them is the Nokia Lumia 1520V mini.
A smaller variant of the already released Lumia 1520, it seems like Nokia is keen on adopting similar policies as that of Samsung and Sony by introducing a smaller device of an already released flagship device.
It is expected that the device, said to run on Windows Phone 8.1 OS, will arrive with a 4.45-inch display with a resolution of 1280 x 768 pixels (although it was thought to be a 4.3-inch 1080p unit initially). Apart from that, the device could also sport a 2,370mAh battery out of the box, alongside a 14-megapixel camera.
LG G Pro 2
LG has already officially confirmed the existence of the upcoming LG G Pro 2, and that it's likely to be announced next month at the MWC 2014. However, the company is yet to reveal any details on the specifications the handset will offer on release.
While nothing can be confirmed at this point, as far as specifications for the G Pro 2 are concerned, it is expected to sport a massive 6-inch Full HD 1080p display, Qualcomm Snapdragon 800 processor, 3GB of RAM, 16GB/32GB of internal memory, 4G LTE-A, and an upgraded rear-back camera.
Also, the device is said to be powered by Android 4.4 Kitkat with LG's custom UX user interface on the top of it.
Nokia Normandy
Leaked several times in the past, Nokia's upcoming Normandy handset will look to break all kinds of barriers with the device being the first Nokia handset to run on Android KitKat.
The device is said to arrive with a 4-inch capacitive touchscreen display with a resolution of 480 x 854 pixels. The Normandy could be powered by a 1 GHz dual-core processor and Adreno 302 GPU coupled with 512 MB of RAM.
Apart from that, the device could house 4GB of on board storage capacity, which could be further assisted via microSD-based 32GB of external storage. And as far as the in-device camera is concerned, it could be taken care of via a 5-megapixel rear-facing camera with autofocus, LED flash and HD (720p) video recording capability.
Samsung Galaxy S5
Probably one of the most highly anticipated smartphones expected to grace the current year, Samsung's next big introduction to the smartphone market could be the upcoming Galaxy S5.
If the rumors related to the device are taken into consideration, the Galaxy S5 could arrive with a display that's more than 5-inch, while churning out an amazing 2560 x 1440 resolution and a pixel density of 560 ppi.
The smartphone is also expected to make use of the next generation 64-bit Exynos chipset coupled with 4GB of RAM. Apart from that, the company is also rumored to offer an advanced 16-megapixel rear camera with optical image stabilization which will be capable of shooting video at 4k UHD quality.
Sony Xperia Z2
The Xperia Z2 from Sony is the latest successor to the company's last year's flagship device Xperia Z, and has been among leaks for quite a while now. Apparently, the device is expected to arrive with a 5.2-inch display with a "wrap-around-screen message indicator."
Other speculations involving the device include the fact that it will be hitting the 1440pixels mark, and therefore will be powered by Qualcomm's Snapdragon 805 chipset (although a Snapdragon 800 SoC is also rumored).
Apart from that, the Galaxy S5 is also expected to sport 3GB of RAM and a 23-megapixel rear camera capable of shooting 4K videos and also a 2.5MP front-facing shooter would come in handy for taking selfies and making video calls.
Nokia Lumia 1525
Introduced at the Nokia World 2013 held in Abu Dhabi, the Lumia 1525 comes under the phablet tag with its 6-inch display, supported by some sort of solar charging panel.
As far as in-device hardware is concerned, the phone could be powered by Qualcomm's Snapdragon 805 processor, couple with 3GB of RAM, 32GB of internal memory (expandable), and a 25/30MP rear-facing camera.
HTC One 2 (Codename: HTC M8)
With a huge chance of the device being featured at this year's MWC event, HTC One 2 - Codename: HTC M8 - could be a fusion of HTC One and Nexus 5.
As far as internal specifications go, the HTC One 2 is expected to arrive with a 5-inch Full HD display having a resolution of 1920 x 1080 pixels. Although earlier reports for the same hinted at support for 2K resolution.
Additionally, the HTC M8 could use a quad-core processor powered by Qualcomm Snapdragon 805 processor coupled with 3GB of RAM. Alongside, the device is also expected to run on Android 4.4 Kitkat out of the box, while also featuring a "twin-sensor" rear-facing camera.
LG G2 Mini
Touted as the cheaper version of the original LG G2 handset, the device is currently expected to go through a naming ceremony before the device officially hits the market.
And although device may be small in size, it seems like the internal specifications will have a different story to tell altogether. Early rumors related to the device suggest that the LG G2 Mini arrive with a 4.7-inch display, although it is still unknown whether the panel boasts of Full HD or 720p HD ready resolution.
Nokia Lumia 1820
While there's hardly any information available related to the upcoming Lumia 1820, there are widespread speculations that the device could sport a metal body.
Apart from that, the device is expected to be powered by the latest Qualcomm Snapdragon 805 processor backed by a hefty 3GB RAM. The screen, on the other hand, should be dazzling at 5.2-inch with a 2K resolution. The device could also come powered by a 3400mAh battery and 32GB of expandable storage.
Blackberry Jakarta
Massively expected at this year's MWC, the Blackberry Jakarta could be just the boost the company needs to set itself rolling in 2014, after a not so memorable 2013.
Honestly, there's absolutely nothing revealed related to the smartphone. However, bits and pieces about the device state that the device will be an entry-level touchscreen-only BB10 device with 3G connectivity.
More information related to the device is expected to arrive soon.
