Explore upcoming phone launches in January 2026. Complete list with specs, expected prices, comparisons & buying advice for India.
Table of Contents
Introduction
The year 2025 is almost over, and smartphone buyers are asking one big question: should I wait for upcoming phone launches or buy now?
If you look at 2025 closely, the first half was exciting with aggressive pricing, but the second half disappointed many users due to price hikes across brands. Now, all eyes are on upcoming phone launches, especially upcoming phone launches January 2026, which promise to reset the market.
January has always been a strategic month for brands, and January 2026 is shaping up to be one of the biggest launch months ever, particularly in the ₹20,000–₹50,000 segment. From mid-range killers to premium flagships, almost every major brand is entering the battlefield.
In this detailed guide, we break down all confirmed and highly reliable upcoming phone launches 2026, their expected specifications, pricing, comparisons, and whether you should wait or buy now.
Why January 2026 Is Massive for Smartphone Buyers
January 2026 is special for three major reasons:
- Brands are launching mid-range and premium mid-range phones, not just flagships
- New Snapdragon 7 Gen 4, Dimensity 8450, and 8 Gen 5 chips are arriving
- Massive batteries (6000–7800mAh) are becoming the new normal
Unlike December, which focused on flagships, upcoming phone launches January 2026 will cater to the mass market, especially in India.
Upcoming Phone Launches Under ₹25,000
Motorola Edge 70 Fusion
Motorola kicked off the excitement by launching the Edge 70 in December, but January brings the more affordable Motorola Edge 70 Fusion.
Expected Specifications
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Display | 6.7-inch AMOLED |
| Processor | MediaTek Dimensity 7400 |
| Battery | 5000mAh (expected) |
| Camera | 50MP + 50MP dual camera |
| Design | Slim & lightweight |
Why It Matters
Motorola has been focusing heavily on clean software, lightweight design, and balanced performance. If priced aggressively, this could be one of the best upcoming phone launches under ₹25K.
Redmi Note 15
The legendary Note series is back with the Redmi Note 15, and this is one of the most awaited upcoming phone launches January 2026.
Expected Specifications
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Display | 6.7-inch FHD+ OLED, 120Hz |
| Processor | Snapdragon 6 Gen 3 |
| Battery | 5520mAh |
| Camera | 50MP primary |
| Launch Date | 6 January 2026 |
Key Highlights
- OLED display under ₹25K
- Balanced performance for daily users
- Massive battery life
POCO M8
POCO M8 is essentially the Redmi Note 15 twin, launching on the same day (6 January 2026) with similar specs.
Why POCO M8 Exists
POCO focuses on performance-first pricing, meaning you may get:
- Faster RAM/storage variants
- Slightly lower price than Redmi
This makes POCO M8 a strong contender among upcoming phone launches.
Upcoming Phone Launches Between ₹25,000 – ₹35,000
This is the hottest category of January 2026.
Realme 16 Pro & Realme 16 Pro+
Realme is launching both models on 6 January 2026, targeting Redmi and Motorola directly.
Realme 16 Pro+ Expected Specs
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Display | 6.8-inch 1.5K OLED, 120Hz |
| Processor | Snapdragon 7 Gen 4 |
| Battery | 7000mAh |
| Camera | 200MP OIS + Periscope |
| Zoom | 3x Periscope |
Why This Is Huge
- First 200MP + periscope combo in mid-range
- Massive battery rarely seen at this price
- Strong contender for camera lovers
Redmi Note 15 Pro & Pro+
Expected in late January or February, these phones will push premium features further.
Expected Features
- Snapdragon 7 Gen 4
- 1.5K quad-curved display (Pro+)
- Flat display on Pro
- Triple camera: 50MP + 50MP + 8MP
Redmi is clearly separating base, Pro, and Pro+ buyers this time.
Moto Edge 70 Pro (Expected)
Motorola may launch the Edge 70 Pro in late January or February.
Expected to offer:
- Clean Android
- Flagship-grade display
- Balanced performance
iQOO Neo 11 (Expected)
iQOO Neo series is known for:
- Performance-first tuning
- Gaming-friendly thermals
- Aggressive pricing
If launched, it will be a gaming favorite in upcoming phone launches 2026.
Upcoming Phone Launches Between ₹35,000 – ₹50,000
OnePlus 15T Turbo
OnePlus introduces a new “T Turbo” series, positioned above Nord.
Expected Specifications
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Display | 6.83-inch 1.5K LTPO OLED, 165Hz |
| Processor | Snapdragon 8 Elite |
| Battery | 7800mAh |
| Charging | 120W fast charging |
Why This Is Important
- Massive battery with flagship performance
- True OnePlus flagship experience under ₹50K
Oppo Reno 15 Series
Oppo had a strong 2025, and the Reno 15 series continues that momentum.
Models
- Oppo Reno 15
- Oppo Reno 15 Pro Mini
- Oppo Reno 15C (India base variant)
Key Highlights
- Reno 15: 6500mAh, Snapdragon 7 Gen 4
- Pro Mini: Dimensity 8450, 6200mAh
- Camera: 200MP + 50MP + Ultra-wide
Yes, even the Mini gets a huge battery.
Vivo V70 & V70 Elite
Vivo replaces “Pro” with Elite branding.
Expected Specs
- Snapdragon 7 Gen 4
- 6500mAh battery
- 90W fast charging
- Telephoto camera setup
Vivo continues its focus on camera and portrait photography.
Vivo X200T (China First)
This is a performance monster:
- Dimensity 9400+
- 1.5K OLED display
- 6200mAh battery
- Triple 50MP cameras
Upcoming Phone Launches Above ₹50,000 (China)
Vivo X300 Ultra
Expected highlights:
- Dual 200MP cameras
- Tele-extender photography kit
- Extreme low-light performance
This phone redefines mobile photography.
Xiaomi 17 Ultra
Expected Specs
- Snapdragon 8 Gen 5
- Leica APO cameras
- 200MP + 50MP + 50MP setup
- 80W wireless charging
- 6.85-inch LTPO OLED
One of the most premium upcoming phone launches 2026.
Specifications Comparison Table (Quick View)
| Phone | Price Segment | Key USP |
|---|---|---|
| Redmi Note 15 | Under ₹25K | OLED + Battery |
| Realme 16 Pro+ | ₹30K–35K | 200MP Camera |
| OnePlus 15T Turbo | ₹40K | 7800mAh + LTPO |
| Oppo Reno 15 Pro Mini | ₹45K | Compact + 200MP |
| Xiaomi 17 Ultra | ₹70K+ | Leica Flagship |
Design & Build Quality Trends in 2026
- Slimmer despite bigger batteries
- Glass + metal dominance
- Curved vs flat display segmentation
Display & Audio Quality
- 1.5K resolution becomes standard
- LTPO panels trickle down to ₹40K
- Dual stereo speakers everywhere
Performance & Expected Benchmarks
- Snapdragon 7 Gen 4 ≈ 8 Gen 2 level
- Dimensity 8450 optimized for efficiency
- Flagships crossing 2M AnTuTu scores
Camera Evolution in Upcoming Phone Launches 2026
- 200MP sensors mainstream
- Periscope lenses under ₹35K
- Better computational photography
Battery Life & Charging
- 6000–7800mAh standard
- 120W charging normalized
- Better thermal management
Gaming & Heavy Usage
Gamers should watch:
- iQOO Neo 11
- OnePlus 15T Turbo
- Redmi Note 15 Pro+
Software, UI & Updates
- Motorola & Pixel lead clean UI
- Oppo & Vivo improving update policies
- 3–4 years OS updates becoming common
Connectivity & Ports
- Wi-Fi 7 on flagships
- USB-C Gen 3
- Better 5G band aggregation
Real-World Usage Expectations
January 2026 phones will offer:
- 2-day battery life
- Console-level gaming
- DSLR-like photography
Comparison with 2025 Smartphones
Waiting makes sense because:
- Better chips at same price
- Bigger batteries
- Better cameras
Pros & Cons of Waiting for January 2026
Pros
- Better value
- Latest tech
- Longer software support
Cons
- 10–20% price increase
- First-gen issues
Who Should Buy in January 2026
- Mid-range upgraders
- Camera enthusiasts
- Power users
Who Should Avoid Upgrading
- Recent 2025 flagship buyers
- Budget under ₹15K users
FAQs
Q1. Which are the best upcoming phone launches January 2026 under ₹25K?
Redmi Note 15, POCO M8, and Motorola Edge 70 Fusion.
Q2. Are phone prices increasing in 2026?
Yes, prices are expected to rise by 10–20%.
Q3. Is it worth waiting for upcoming phone launches 2026?
Yes, especially if your budget is ₹20K–₹50K.
Q4. Which phone has the biggest battery in January 2026?
OnePlus 15T Turbo with a 7800mAh battery.
Final Verdict
Upcoming phone launches January 2026 are among the most exciting in recent years. From massive batteries to flagship-grade cameras, brands are pushing boundaries across all price segments.
If you’re planning an upgrade, waiting just a few weeks could get you far better value.
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