January is starting with serious pace. The smartphone lineup for 2026 is already shaping up, and India is set to see a long list of launches — from budget phones to near-flagship models and even a tri-fold device. If you’re thinking about upgrading, here’s a simple look at what’s expected and the key specs to watch.
Redmi Note 15 5G — Jan 6 starter
Redmi is likely to kick things off on January 6 with the Note 15 5G. It’s expected to get a 108MP main camera and a 20MP selfie camera. Power may come from Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 6 Gen 3 along with a 5,520mAh battery and 45W fast charging. A 6.77-inch Full HD+ AMOLED display with high brightness and 120Hz refresh rate is also expected.
realme GT8 — compact power
realme may launch a smaller GT8 variant in India. Rumors point to the Snapdragon 8 Gen 5 chipset, an 8,000mAh battery, and a 1.5K OLED display with a 165Hz refresh rate. The phone may also carry a 200MP main camera and a 32MP selfie camera.
realme 16 Pro — new number series
The realme 16 Pro looks like a solid mid-range entry. Leaks suggest a MediaTek processor, 12GB RAM, and a 6,500mAh (or slightly bigger) battery. A 200MP camera is also expected, along with Master Gold and Orchid Purple color options.
realme 16 Pro+ — bigger screen, bigger battery
The 16 Pro+ is expected to arrive alongside it on January 6. As listed on TENAA, it may feature a Snapdragon 7 Gen 4 processor, a 6.8-inch 1.5K AMOLED display, a 7,000mAh battery, and a 200MP rear camera. Early estimates place the price near ₹40,000.
Vivo X300 FE — compact flagship feel
Vivo may add the X300 FE to the X300 family. It could run either the MediaTek Dimensity 9500 or the Snapdragon 8 Gen 5. A 6.3-inch 1.5K OLED display, triple 50MP rear cameras, a 50MP selfie camera, and a 6,500mAh battery with 90W charging are also expected.
OPPO Reno 15 and Reno 15 Pro — camera focus
The Reno 15 may come with the Dimensity 8450, a 6.32-inch AMOLED display, and a 6,200mAh battery with 80W charging. It’s likely to offer a 200MP triple rear camera setup and a 50MP front camera.
The Reno 15 Pro may take it further with a 6.78-inch FHD+ AMOLED display, 120Hz refresh rate, a 6,500mAh battery, 80W wired and 50W wireless charging, plus a 200MP main camera with 50MP ultra-wide and 50MP telephoto lenses.
Vivo V70 — big display, big battery
The Vivo V70 may launch with the Snapdragon 8s Gen 3. It’s expected to feature a 6.59-inch 1.5K flat AMOLED display, triple 50MP rear cameras, a 50MP front camera, and a 6,500mAh battery with 90W fast charging.
Samsung Galaxy Z TriFold — a first for India
Samsung’s tri-fold may finally arrive in India this month. It is said to feature a 6.5-inch FHD+ Dynamic AMOLED 2X cover display and a 10.0-inch QXGA+ main screen. It may run on the Snapdragon 8 Elite, with up to 16GB RAM and 1TB storage. The camera setup could include 200MP + 12MP + 10MP on the back and a 10MP selfie camera, powered by a 5,600mAh battery.
POCO lineup — huge batteries
The POCO X8 Pro may arrive with the Dimensity 8500, an 8,500mAh battery with 100W charging, a 6.6-inch FHD+ OLED display, a 50MP dual rear camera, and a 16MP selfie camera. A Pro Max version is also rumored, possibly with a 9,000mAh+ battery, 100W charging, a Dimensity 9-series chip, and a 1.5K LTPS display.
POCO M8 and M8 Pro are expected as well, likely featuring Snapdragon 6 Gen 3 or 7s Gen 4 processors, batteries between 5,520mAh and 6,500mAh, fast charging up to 100W, and OLED or 1.5K OLED displays.
Ramesh is a technology writer at gemch.in, covering smartphone launches, leaks, and comparisons. His articles focus on real-world features, performance, and value-for-money insights to help readers make informed buying decisions.