2025 is already shaping up to be an exciting year for smartphone enthusiasts. On one hand, we have cutting-edge flagship devices pushing the boundaries of performance and design, and on the other, we see highly innovative smartphones catering to niche audiences with unique features.
Here are five upcoming smartphones set to disrupt the market in their own way: the highly anticipated iPhone SE 4, the much-rumoured Nothing Phone (3a), the foldable OPPO Find N5, the sleek and powerful Galaxy S25 Edge, and the Xiaomi 15 Ultra, which could redefine mobile photography.
Apple iPhone SE 4
The iPhone SE 4 may support Apple Intelligence features. (Photo Source: Majin Bu/X)
If you’re considering buying the iPhone 14 or even the iPhone 15, you might want to hold off—the iPhone SE 4, expected to launch in the coming days, could be a far better deal. According to leaks, it will be a massive upgrade over its predecessor, featuring a modern design with an edge-to-edge OLED display, an A18 chip with Apple Intelligence support, a USB-C port, and a 48 MP camera. Also, this budget iPhone might outperform the iPhone 15 in several aspects while costing significantly less.
In terms of design, reports suggest the iPhone SE 4 will resemble the iPhone 14 but with a single rear camera. Expected to be priced around $600 (Rs 60,000, approximately), it could be a compelling alternative to the iPhone 15, especially for those keen on Apple Intelligence.
OPPO Find N5
Oppo Find N5 may be powered by the Snapdragon 8 Elite chipset. (Image Source: Oppo)
This foldable smartphone could redefine the segment. The Find N5, likely to launch as the OnePlus Open 2 globally, is shaping up to be an engineering marvel. Even when folded, it could be as thin as a regular smartphone, and when unfolded, it’s expected to measure as thin as a deck of four credit cards. It is also confirmed to be the first foldable to receive an IPX9 water-resistance rating. Powering the device will likely be Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 8 Elite, the same chipset found in most Android flagships of 2025. If you’re considering a foldable smartphone, this one might be worth waiting for.
Nothing Phone (3a)
Nothing Phone (3a) may be powered by the Snapdragon 7s Gen 3 chipset. (Photo Source: Nothing)
For those looking for a highly practical, budget-friendly smartphone, the Nothing Phone (3a) is set to deliver. Expected to launch under Rs 30,000, this device is rumoured to be camera-centric, possibly featuring a dedicated telephoto lens and a physical camera shutter button, similar to the iPhone 16. Like its predecessors, it will sport Nothing’s signature Glyph lighting and, given the brand’s track record, will likely launch with Nothing OS 3 based on Android 15. With an emphasis on affordability and functionality, this could be one of the best value-for-money smartphones of 2025.
Galaxy S25 Edge
It was hard to take a picture of the S25 Edge. (Image credit: Anuj Bhatia/Indian Express)
A thin and light flagship without compromises—that’s what the Galaxy S25 Edge promises. First teased at Galaxy Unpacked, this smartphone aims to bring back the trend of sleek premium devices. Samsung has reportedly redesigned core components, including the motherboard and camera module, to achieve a compact yet powerful form factor. If you’re tired of bulky flagships, the Galaxy S25 Edge could be the device to watch out for.
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Xiaomi 15 Ultra
The photography kit adds a grip and shutter button to the phone. (Express Photo)
Xiaomi’s next-gen flagship, the 15 Ultra, is expected to set new standards in mobile photography. Powered by the Snapdragon 8 Elite, it will likely feature a quad-camera setup in collaboration with Leica, offering unprecedented levels of customisation and camera performance. The device has already gone on pre-order in some regions, and its global debut is expected at the upcoming Mobile World Congress in March. If you’re looking for a camera-centric powerhouse, the Xiaomi 15 Ultra might just be the ultimate choice.
