The phones we're most excited for in the second half of 2021

By Alex Choros

Last updated 12 July 2021

Can you believe it? We're already halfway through the year. We've seen a lot of excited phone launches so far, including the Galaxy S21 family and the OPPO Find X3 Pro, but there are still plenty more devices to come. These are the ones we're most hyped for.

Apple iPhone 13

The iPhone 13 is right around the corner with Apple expected to return to a September launch window for the year. While new iPhones can feel a bit incremental these days, Apple is expected to kit out every iPhone 13 model with the same kind of primary lens we saw in the iPhone 12 Pro Max. The iPhone 12 Pro Max stands out from the other iPhone 12 models thanks to a bigger sensor (that lets more light in) with better stabilisation. This results in sharper, clearer, brighter photos. A smaller notch is also on the cards, as is a high refresh rate display that should make all motion looker smoother (on the Pro models, at the least). Once again, Apple is expected to drop four new iPhones: a standard iPhone 13, an iPhone 13 mini, an iPhone 13 Pro, and an iPhone 13 Pro Max.

Read more iPhone 13 rumours here.

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Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 3

There's almost no way we're getting a Galaxy Note this year, but the latest iteration of Samsung's foldable flagship is set to gain S Pen support instead. We're not sure if Samsung will bundle the Galaxy Z Fold 3 with an S Pen or if it will be an optional purchase as we saw with the Galaxy S21 Ultra, but either way, it's a pretty big deal.

From what we understand, Samsung was initially reluctant to include an S Pen with its foldable devices due to their more sensitive displays. S Pen usage may have been enough to scratch them. If Samsung is confident enough that an S Pen won't scratch the Fold 3 screen, that sounds like a big win for durability - one of our biggest concerns with foldable smartphones, especially given their premium price points.

There are also rumours that suggest the Galaxy Z Fold 3 may feature a degree of water resistance, which would help bring it in line with Samsung's traditional smartphones.

Either way, the Galaxy Z Fold 2 represent a large step up over the original, so we're hoping Samsung can repeat the same trick this time around. If so, the Galaxy Z Fold 3 might just be the first foldable with the potential to go mainstream.

Fortunately, we shouldn't have to wait too long to see what Galaxy Z Fold 3 has in store; Samsung is expected to reveal it in early August.

Samsung Galaxy S21 FE

Our favourite Samsung phone last year was easily the Galaxy S20 FE, representing a more affordable high-end phone that didn't compromise over the mainline S21 variants in any significant way. And it looked great in orange. A Galaxy S21 FE is on the cards for this year, and we're hoping Samsung is able to find the right balance between price and performance once again. There is however gossip that the Galaxy S21 FE might not make it to all markets thanks to the global chip shortage. Here's hoping Australia will still make the cut.

Google Pixel 6

Last year's Google Pixel 5 was somewhat unconventional in that it wasn't a traditional flagship smartphone, instead fitting more into the semi-premium category. While that approach worked well for Google, it seems the company may be dropping more traditional high-end phones this year with the Pixel 6 and Pixel 6 Pro. One of the main rumours is that Google will be eschewing Qualcomm's Snapdragon chips for its own inhouse processors, similar to what Apple does with iPhones. Building its own chip would give Google greater control over performance and camera prowess.

On a similar note, Google is expected to finally move beyond the 12MP camera that has been standard on Pixel phones since day one and upgrade to a 50MP primary lens. The Pixel 6 Pro is also expected to be the first Pixel phone to have a telephoto lens since the Pixel 4.

Motorola's next cheap 5G smartphone

We've tested quite a few cheap 5G smartphones in the last year, and most of them come with a big compromise or two. Out of all of them, the Motorola Moto G 5G Plus has been our favourite, thanks to well and truly punching about its $499 price tag. Even with 5G, the battery lasted up to two days, and its processor tends to be found in far more expensive phones. Lowlight photography was a bit meh, but you can't win them all I guess. The overall strength of the Moto G 5G Plus has us excited to see what Motorola does next in the affordable 5G phone space.

Looking for a phone to buy now? Here are our favourites in Australia right now.