Upcoming smartphones for Spring
Whether you're searching for a new mobile device or simply curious about what the industry has in store, you're in luck. There are some pretty interesting smartphones coming up.
We're seeing marquee handsets from Samsung and HTC, LG's curvy high-end alternative and a cost-conscious handset from Motorola.
Samsung Galaxy S6
Price: Carriers haven't announced pricing yet, but the Galaxy S6 should sell for about the same amount as last year's model.
Availability: Starting April 10, the GS6 will start selling in 30 countries.
The outlook: Made of metal and glass, the 5.1-inch Galaxy S6 is Samsung's slimmest, sexiest smartphone yet. Packed with high-end hardware, the only things it lacks are a microSD card slot and removable battery.
Samsung Galaxy S6 Edge
Price: We don't know yet, but the S6 Edge's double-curve screen will exact a higher price.
Availability: Although Samsung hasn't announced its distribution plan, don't expect the Edge to sell as widely as its mainstream sibling.
The outlook: Thanks to its double-barreled curves, the Galaxy S6 Edge feels like a completely different, totally covetous phone. However, a higher price tag would probably make it more of a niche device than it deserves.
LG G Flex 2
Price: $199.99 with carrier contract, $504 without (Sprint); AT&T and U.S. Cellular prices TBD.
Availability: Now (Sprint); "Coming soon" (AT&T); Spring (U.S. Cellular)
The outlook: In addition to being well equipped with high-end specs like a Snapdragon 810 processor from Qualcomm and a sharp 1080p display, the G Flex 2 has a novel curved design that's comfortable to hold, and makes viewing media more immersive.
HTC One M9
Price: We don't know yet, but expect it to align with previous models, both on-contract and off.
Availability: The One M9 will sell across all major US carriers.
The outlook: On the surface, not much has changed with the beautiful M9, but its updated guts tell a different story. However, the M9's 20-megapixel camera quality is the real sticking point, and for that, we'll have to wait.
Motorola Moto E (4G LTE)
Price: Starting at $149.99 unlocked; 3G-only model starts at $119.99.
Availability: Now
The outlook: As smartphones advance, the gap between a good handset and a cheap one gets closer as well. Motorola's latest affordable offering, the Moto E (4G LTE) is one such device. Though it isn't the most powerful, the competitively priced E features the latest Android OS, a 4.5-inch display, and a decent 2,390mAh battery.