The new year is off to a flying start with a wave of exciting smartphone launches and announcements. We’ve combed through the latest releases and teasers from global brands to bring you a complete January 2026 smartphone launch guide.
In this roundup we’ll break down each new device’s specs, pricing and who it’s best for – helping you (and us) figure out which one is the right pick. From battery beasts to camera masters, there’s a January release for every kind of user.
OnePlus Turbo 6 Series – Massive Battery Power
OnePlus started January with the Turbo 6 and Turbo 6V (launched in China Jan 8) – two long-battery handsets targeting gamers and heavy users. Both are loaded with a colossal 9000mAh battery (including 80W fast charging and 27W reverse charging), which means that you can game, stream or work days without having to pick up the charger. The turbo 6 features a 6.78 inches blazing 165Hz refresh rate with 1.5k oled display and the 6V comes down a notch to a 6.8 inches 144Hz display. The hooded Turbo 6 is powered by a Snapdragon 8s Gen 4 chip up to 16GB RAM and the 6V uses a Snapdragon 7s Gen 4 chip which is a very capable mid/upper-range processor.
OnePlus even provided them with IP66/68/69K of water-and-dust resistance and the opportunity to pick practical colors (Silver, Black, Green). In China, the Turbo 6 (12/256GB) costs as low as CNY 2,099 (approximately $300) and the Turbo 6V (8/256GB) costs as low as CNY 1,699 (approximately $240), both of which are a very good price in this segment. In summary, these are phones to anybody who desires massive battery capacity and fluid functionality. The Turbo 6 series is worth considering in case you keep your phone all day and do not prefer re-charging frequently. They are not yet available in the whole world, but they will most definitely be available in India among others shortly.
Key Specs – OnePlus Turbo 6 / 6V:
- Battery: 9000mAh, 80W fast charging (Turbo 6).
- Display: 6.78″ 1.5K 165Hz OLED (Turbo 6) or 6.8″ 1.5K 144Hz OLED (6V).
- Chipset: Snapdragon 8s Gen 4 (Turbo 6) or Snapdragon 7s Gen 4 (6V).
- Camera: 50MP main + 2MP depth rear, 16MP front.
- Price: Starts ~CNY 2,099 (≈$300) for Turbo 6 (12/256GB), ~CNY 1,699 ($240) for 6V (8/256GB).
- Buy it: [Amazon US] or [OnePlus Store] (links when available).
Honor Power 2 – Extreme Battery Life
If you can’t live without power, check out the new Honor Power 2, revealed Jan 5 in China. There are no surprises about this smartphone launch in terms of battery life – it houses a massive 10,080mAh battery (one of the largest we have ever seen in a smartphone) that has 80W wired and 27W reverse charge. It means that it can be charged fast and even replenish other equipment. It also had a very bright 6.79 1.5K OLED screen which could get up to 8000 nits of brightness with which Honor also provided making it easy to use in the outdoors.
The Power 2 has Android 16 (magicOS 10) on a mid-range Dimensity 8500 Elite chipset, 12GB RAM, and up to 512GB storage. It has a basic ultrawide (5MP) and a 50MP main sensor (with OIS), which is not a photography phone, and the emphasis is on battery and durability (it even has an IP66/68/69K water resistance). The pricing is decent too: in China it starts at CNY 2,699 (about 385 dollars) the 12+256GB and CNY 2,999 (about 430 dollars) the 12+512GB that is worth the gigantic battery.
This is one of those that are heavy user-friendly; extreme commuters, travelers or gamers that want to be free of low battery anxiety. The Honor Power 2 compromises on speed and camera-bells and whistles in the session of marathons. In case that is your priority (and Honor is entering your market) then it is a fascinating option.
Key Specs – Honor Power 2:
- Battery: 10,080mAh, 80W fast charging, 27W reverse.
- Display: 6.79″ 1.5K OLED, super-bright (up to 8000 nits).
- Chipset: MediaTek Dimensity 8500 Elite, 12GB RAM.
- Camera: 50MP main (OIS) + 5MP ultrawide, 16MP selfie.
- Price: From CNY 2,699 (≈$385) for 12GB/256GB.
- Buy it: Currently China-only (watch for Honor global markets).
Realme 16 Pro Series
In India, Realme started the year with the Realme 16 Pro 5G and the Realme 16 Pro+ 5G (released Jan 6). They are mid-range flagship-ish mobiles that have certain high-end features. Both of them have tall 6.75-6.78 limitless AMOLED screens at 144Hz (Realme highlights a peak brightness of 6500 nits) and are thus quite bright and smoother. The hardware on the camera is amazing: the 16 Pro+ has a 200MP main sensor and a 50MP periscope (3.5× zoom) and an 8MP ultrawide, whereas the 16 Pro still has a 200MP main sensor with a 8MP ultrawide.
Selfies are 50MP. The batteries on both devices are enormous, 7000mAh, and fast charged at 80W. The distinction lies in the chipset as the 16 Pro+ has a Snapdragon 7 Gen 4 (an improved SD7 tightly paired with Oppo Reno15 Pro), and the 16 Pro has MediaTek Dimensity 7300-Max (a powerful midranger). To the point, these resemble new social media shooters of Realme, big cameras, and bright screens.
When it comes to price, though, Realme is undercutting its rivals. In India the Realme 16 Pro 5G has a starting price of 8GB/128GB of 390 INR (490 USD), the Realme 16 Pro+ 5G has a starting price of 390 INR (490 USD). These smartphone launch deals are on (Flipkart and Realme have the deals). It is a fairly fair street price of 200MP cameras and 7,000mAh batteries. We’d suggest these to those who enjoy taking pictures/recordings and need to have lots of battery life but not willing to pay flagships.
Key Specs – Realme 16 Pro 5G / 16 Pro+ 5G:
- Displays: ~6.78″ AMOLED, 144Hz, HDR10+, ~6500 nits peak.
- Cameras: 200MP main + 8MP ultrawide (both models), plus 50MP tele periscope (Pro+ only) and 50MP front.
- Battery: 7000mAh, 80W fast charge (all models).
- Chips: Dimensity 7300-Max (Pro), Snapdragon 7 Gen 4 (Pro+).
- Price (India): Realme 16 Pro from ₹31,999 ($390) for 8/128GB; 16 Pro+ from ₹39,999 ($490) for 8/256GB
Oppo Reno 15 Series – Camera-Focused Designs
Oppo Reno surprised us at the beginning of the year with some smartphone launch again this January with Oppo Reno15 5G (base), Reno15 Pro 5G, and Reno15 Pro Mini 5G (released on January 13 in India). They all have the glitzy new Vitality designs of the company, only the difference lies here:
Reno15 5G: This is the average priced model with a 6.59 inch AMOLED 120Hz screen, Snapdragon 7 Gen 4 SoC, and triple camera (50MP primary + 50MP telephoto + 8MP macro). It carries a huge 6500mAh battery and fast charging of 67W. It begins at ₹45,999 ($560) in the 8GB/ 256GB model. It is a performer and has a decent battery and all-rounder camera.
Reno15 Pro 5G: It raises to 6.78-inch 120Hz AMOLED, MediaTek Dimensity 8450 processor, and a high-end three-cam setup (200MP main + 50MP tele + 50MP ultrawide). It is also equipped with 6500mAh battery and it is also added with 80W wireless charging. The Pro starts at ₹67,999 ($820) for 12GB/256GB. Imagine this to be the mid-flagship of Oppo, which is excellent in both photo-taking and gaming.
Reno15 Pro Mini 5G: A smaller Pro version, with a 6.32-inch AMOLED and the same Dimensity 8450 processor. It has the same rear camera of 200MP/50MP/50MP but a less powerful battery capacity of 6200mAh. It is available in two storage options (12/256 and 12/512). The 12/256 model is ₹59,999 ($720). This is a smaller model that is recommended to individuals who desire the use of Pro-level cameras in a smaller device.
All Reno15-phones feature Oppo sub-2mm-bezels, IP66/68/69K water-resistance, stereo speakers, and ColorOs 16. Concisely, the Reno15 Pro or Mini may suit you in case you desire elegant cameras and a luxurious feel. It offers a base Reno15 which is good value in case you just want a big screen and battery. The latter will massively be sold on Amazon and Flipkart (and are already on sale by Jan 13).
Key Specs – Oppo Reno15 5G series:
- Reno15 5G: 6.59″ 120Hz AMOLED, SD 7 Gen 4, 50+50+8MP cams, 6500mAh; ₹45,999 (8/256).
- Reno15 Pro 5G: 6.78″ 120Hz AMOLED, Dimensity 8450, 200+50+50MP cams, 6500mAh; ₹67,999 (12/256).
- Reno15 Pro Mini 5G: 6.32″ 120Hz AMOLED, Dimensity 8450, 200+50+50MP cams, 6200mAh; ₹59,999 (12/256)
Poco M8 Series
Xiaomi is also teasing a new hardware with the youthful Poco brand. The Poco M8 5G and the M8 Pro 5G were introduced at the beginning of January. The Poco M8 5G is a budget device with a 6.77-inch LCD display, a Snapdragon 6 Gen 3 CPU, a dual-camera system (including one main and one depth sensor) with a 50MP camera, and a 5520mAh.
Poco M8 pro 5G is official as from 8th January and has a capacity of up to 5,520mAh battery and 45W charging and supports up to 12GB RAM. Poco M8 5G is sold at the price of €269.90/$229/£229 and 32GB version is sold at a higher price of €299.90/$279/£259. Stated briefly, these will be low-cost phones that are entertainment-oriented within Flipkart. Provided you desire a good phone at a good price (media use, or gaming), watch out towards the Poco M8 series release.
Key Specs – Poco M8 Series :
- Poco M8 5G: 6.77″ display, Snapdragon 6 Gen 3, 50MP+2MP cams, 5520mAh battery; ~$229 (6GB/128GB).
- Poco M8 Pro 5G: 5,520mAh battery with 45W charging, coming soon
Redmi Note 15 Series
In mid-January Xiaomi presented the whole range of Redmi Note 15 resource to the world (Jan 15 launch) – a wide range of affordable to a premium phones. The important point of interest would be Redmi Titan Durability (additional ruggedness) and powerful cameras. Each of the models features an AMOLED screen, a huge battery (usually 6500-7000 mAh) and new processors.
The Note 15 Pro+ 5G and Note 15 Pro 5G are offered on the premium side. They both have a main camera of 200MP and IP ratings. The Pro+ is 6.73 inch and begins with 12/256GB at $449 (in India that is about 37,000). Its main camera is also 200MP (and battery comes at 6500mAh) and is priced at $399 (or 33,000). The bottom models, the Note 15 (4G) and Note 15 5G even, are very luxurious: 108MP camera (the 5G version) and a slim design. Starting at 299 (ndian rupee 24,000), the Note 15 5G (6.77 5 AMOLED, SD 6 Gen 3, 5520mAh) will be available, and the Note 15 4G (55 to 5000mAh) will be available starting at 199 (ndian rupee 16,000).
This smartphone launch series marks a global debut, with significant major importance, so we included it here. To buyers, the Note 15 series implies that you decide just how much you want in terms of camera performance and battery, as applied to your budget. The low-end models have a point of entry as early as $199, so hi-tech is very affordable. Note 15 can be purchased instantly in the Xiaomi store, Amazon, Flipkart, and other shops.
Key Specs – Redmi Note 15 Series:
- Note 15 Pro+ 5G: 6.73″ AMOLED, Snapdragon 7 Gen 3, 200MP main camera, 7000mAh; starts at $449.
- Note 15 Pro 5G: 6.73″ AMOLED, Snapdragon 7 Gen 3, 200MP main, 6500mAh; starts at $399.
- Note 15 5G: 6.77″ AMOLED, SD 6 Gen 3, 108MP main, 5520mAh; $299.
- Note 15 (4G): 6.77″ AMOLED, SD 4 Gen 3, 108MP main, 5000mAh; $199.
- Buy on Amazon/Flipkart
Motorola Razr Fold – CES Surprise
At CES 2026 Motorola stunned us by unveiling its first side-folding Razr Fold phone (Jan 5 announcement). Unlike past Razr flip-phones, this is a book-style foldable: a 6.6″ external display and an 8.1″ inner display. It even supports a stylus for inking on that big screen. The rear camera array is very impressive: three 50MP cameras (main, ultrawide/macro, and a 3× periscope telephoto) plus a 32MP outer selfie cam and 20MP inner selfie cam
Key Specs – Motorola Razr Fold:
- Displays: 6.6″ cover AMOLED, 8.1″ foldable AMOLED (stylus support).
- Cameras: 50MP main + 50MP ultra-wide/macro + 50MP 3× telephoto, plus 32MP outer and 20MP inner selfies.
- Processor: (Not announced yet, likely Snapdragon 8 Gen 5).
- Battery: TBD. Availability: Not yet for sale (expected later in 2026).
What to Expect in the Future – Samsung, Vivo, Xiaomi and More.
January alone experienced numerous launches though there are other big-name phones which are yet to be released. Rumors suggest Samsung will release the Galaxy S26 family in February 2026, powered by the new Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 chipset (or Exynos 2600 in some areas). New flagships to Xiaomi and Vivo can also be found in the first quarter: the Xiaomi 17 series, and Vivo V70 series, are expected to appear in the world soon. We will continue following up these rumors and report.
Overall, January of 2026 has been incredibly dynamic with a wide range of phones, such as ultra-long battery life and foldables, camera monstrosities, or budgeting giants. Hopefully, this guide can guide you to make a decision regarding the new release you would expect to make. The choice here depends on whether you need record-breaking performance (Honor Power 2), lightning-fast gaming (OnePlus Turbo 6), high-end cameras (Reno15 Pro, Note 15 Pro+), or an excellent value option (Note 15 base, Poco M8).
