A new entry in the Compact & Premium Smartphone segment
Phones to launch with massive batteries sizes, along with Faster Charging
January will see a large number of budget and mid-range segment devices
2025 turned out to be a packed and eventful year for the Indian smartphone market, with no shortage of impressive launches spread across the calendar. We saw phones being launched with larger batteries, along with a significant focus on cameras and AI. With that said, the next year is already almost upon us. As 2026 draws closer, the obvious question is this: What can we realistically expect from the upcoming smartphones in January 2026? The early part of the year is traditionally busy, and January looks set to continue that trend, with several notable launches lined up.
Survey1. Redmi Note 15
Launch Date: 6th January, 2026
Redmi is all set to launch its value mid-ranger, the Redmi Note 15 5G, in the Indian market. The phone will come with a 6.77-inch AMOLED display, and 120Hz refresh rate and up to 3,200 nits of peak brightness. The phone will likely be powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon 6 Gen 3. Along with that, it will be paired with up to 12 GB RAM and up to 256 GB of UFS 2.2 storage. It will pack a 5,520mAh battery along with support for 45W fast charging. The main highlight of the phone is expected to be its 108MP rear camera. In terms of pricing, the phone could be launched in India for under Rs 25,000.
Also Read: Apple iPhone 17 Pro and Pro Max users report a strange charging-related speaker issue
2. Realme 16 Pro+
Launch Date: 6th January, 2026
Realme will also be kicking off the year with the launch of the Realme 16 Pro+. The phone is expected to feature a 6.78-inch 1.5K AMOLED display with up to 6,500 nits of peak brightness. Under the hood, it will be powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon 7 Gen 4, paired with up to 12 GB RAM and 512 GB storage. The phone is confirmed to feature a large 7,000mAh battery along with support for 80W fast charging. The camera setup also looks strong, with a triple rear camera system. This includes a confirmed 200MP main sensor, a 50MP periscope telephoto lens, and an ultra-wide camera. The phone is expected to be priced under Rs 30,000.
3. Oppo Reno 15 Series
Launch Date: To Be Announced
The Oppo Reno 15 Series was launched in China back in November 2025 and is now set to arrive in India next month. As per rumours, the Reno 15 Series may launch on 8 January and could include three devices: the Reno 15, Reno 15 Pro, and the most interesting phone of the lineup, the Reno 15 Pro Mini. The compact model is expected to feature a 6.32-inch AMOLED display with a 120Hz refresh rate. The camera setup is likely to include a triple rear camera system with a 200MP primary sensor, a 50MP telephoto camera, and a 50MP ultra-wide lens. At the front, the phone could feature a 50MP selfie camera. The device is also expected to pack a 6,200mAh battery with support for 80W fast charging. The Reno 15 Pro is expected to be priced under Rs 60,000 in India.
Also Read: Apple iPhone 16e price drops by over Rs 12,900: How to get this deal
4. Poco M8
Launch Date: 8th January, 2026
The budget segment will see another entry in the form of the Poco M8, with its launch scheduled for early January. The device is expected to feature a 6.77-inch AMOLED display with a 120Hz refresh rate and up to 3,200 nits of peak brightness. Targeted at users looking for a slim phone, the device will reportedly come in a 7.35mm slim profile and weigh just 178 grams. It will be powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon 6 Gen 3, paired with up to 8 GB RAM and 256 GB of UFS 2.2 storage. The phone is expected to pack a 5,520mAh battery with support for 45W fast charging. On the camera front, the Poco M8 is likely to feature a dual rear camera setup with a 50MP primary camera, although details about the secondary sensor are still unclear. The phone is expected to be priced under Rs 20,000.
5. OnePlus Turbo 6
Launch Date: 8th January, 2026 (China)
While the India launch timeline remains unclear, the OnePlus Turbo 6 is set to launch in China on 8 January 2026. The phone is aimed at power users who prioritise performance and battery life. It will feature a 6.78-inch 1.5K flat OLED display with a 165Hz refresh rate. Powering the device will be the Qualcomm Snapdragon 8s Gen 4, paired with up to 16 GB of LPDDR5X RAM and 512 GB of UFS 4.0 storage. In terms of battery and charging, the phone is expected to feature a massive 9,000mAh silicon-carbon battery with support for 100W fast charging. The camera setup could include a dual rear camera system with a 50MP main camera and an 8MP ultra-wide lens. While Indian pricing is yet to be revealed, the phone is expected to be priced under CNY 2,500, which is roughly Rs 32,100.
Follow Us
Madhav Banka
Madhav currently works as a Consultant at Digit, covering branded content and feature stories. He has been a part of the Consumer Tech Industry for over 4 years, covering news, features & reviews. While not busy working, you'll usually find him playing video games, or watching films. View Full Profile
