The new year of 2026 is starting with a bang for tech enthusiasts and smartphone shoppers. The month of January is witnessing a flurry of activity from top brands, all set to unveil their latest devices across India and global markets. From performance beasts with massive batteries to camera-centric flagships, the lineup promises something for every segment of the buyer.
Flagship & Performance Launches Kickstart the Month
OnePlus is leading the charge with the debut of its Turbo 6 series in China on January 8. The series, comprising the Turbo 6 and Turbo 6V, is squarely aimed at users who demand top-tier performance. The standard model is anticipated to be powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon 8s Gen 4 processor and sport a 1.5K resolution display with a blazing-fast 165Hz refresh rate. A standout feature is its enormous 9,000mAh battery, supported by 80W fast charging and 27W reverse charging.
Its sibling, the Turbo 6V, is likely to feature a 6.8-inch OLED screen with a 144Hz refresh rate and might run on the Snapdragon 7s Gen 4 chipset. Both phones are expected to offer configurations with up to 16GB of RAM and 12GB of storage, launching in multiple colour options.
Not to be outdone in the battery department, Honor is unveiling the Power 2 on January 5 in China. As the name suggests, it focuses on endurance, housing a colossal 10,080mAh battery. The company claims this will deliver up to 22 hours of short-video playback and over 14 hours of gaming on a single charge. It supports 80W wired and 27W reverse charging. Under the hood, it will likely use the MediaTek Dimensity 8500 Elite chipset and feature a 6.79-inch 1.5K LTPS display. Its camera system is tipped to be led by a 50-megapixel main sensor, available in Black, White, and Orange colours.
Major Mid-Range & AI Camera Focus in India
The Indian market has its own set of exciting launches lined up. Realme is scheduled to introduce the Realme 16 Pro series in India on January 6. The devices will be available on Flipkart and Realme's official website. A key highlight will be new AI-powered imaging capabilities under the brand's LumaColor technology.
The Realme 16 Pro 5G is expected to be driven by the MediaTek Dimensity 7300-Max chipset and boast a large AMOLED display with a 144Hz refresh rate and 1.5K resolution. It is also rumoured to pack a substantial 7,000mAh battery paired with an advanced cooling system.
The higher-tier Realme 16 Pro+ 5G is said to upgrade to a Snapdragon 7 Gen 4 processor. Its camera setup could be a major selling point, featuring a 200-megapixel main sensor alongside a 50-megapixel periscope telephoto lens. The phone is also expected to have ultra-slim bezels, a peak brightness of 6,500 nits, and strong IP-rated dust and water resistance.
Following closely, Oppo is gearing up to launch the Reno 15 series in India around January 8. The lineup will include the Reno 15, Reno 15 Pro, and a compact Reno 15 Pro Mini. All models will share a premium build with aerospace-grade aluminium frames and Oppo's HoloFusion design. Display sizes will vary from 6.32 inches on the Pro Mini to 6.78 inches on the Pro model, all using AMOLED panels with advanced glass protection. The series will also feature high IP ratings for durability.
Upcoming Additions to the Budget Segment
Poco is also preparing to refresh its popular M series with the Poco M8 lineup, expected to arrive in India soon. The series will consist of the Poco M8 5G and M8 Pro 5G. The standard model is rumoured to have a slim 7.35mm profile and a 50-megapixel rear camera. The Pro variant could offer high-end specs like 12GB of RAM and 512GB of storage. A major highlight for the series is expected to be a large 6,330mAh battery with support for 100W fast charging, potentially making it one of the fastest-charging phones in its price bracket.
This jam-packed January indicates a highly competitive and innovative year ahead for the smartphone industry. Brands are pushing boundaries in battery technology, processing power, and camera AI, giving consumers a wide array of powerful choices right at the start of 2026.
