Upcoming May 2024 phone releases: Google Pixel 8a, Poco F6, Vivo V30e, and more

Expected release date: 14 May

After the trendsetting Pixel 8 and Pixel 8 Pro, Google’s next big bet will be on the Pixel 8a. Following the footsteps of its predecessor – the Pixel 7a – the Pixel 8a could deliver the Pixel 8’s AI-baked premium user experience at a more accessible price. 

Ahead of its release, we have a fair idea of what to expect from the Pixel 8a, courtesy of all the leaks. The Pixel 8a will be based on Tensor G3 chipset and offer Google’s Gemini AI features. Along with a promise of delivering seven years of OS updates, the Pixel 8a could also offer a 120Hz OLED display, a dual camera system with Gen-AI enhancements, faster wired charging and a chic design that takes after the Pixel 8.

For a more in-depth look, check out our story on everything you need to know about the Pixel 8a. 

(Image Credits: Courtesy @MysteryLupin via X)

Expected release date: Mid-May

The Motorola Edge 50 Fusion could come as a fashionable alternative to the Nothing Phone (2a) in the budget smartphone space. Expected to be released in a few weeks, the Edge 50 Fusion will flaunt Motorola’s premium design based on a vegan leather back, a Snapdragon 7s Gen 2 chipset, a 6.7-inch pOLED display with 144Hz refresh rate and a 5,000mAh battery that supports 68W wired charging.

Unlike its sibling with the ‘Pro’ moniker, the Edge 50 Fusion offers only a dual camera system consisting of a 50-megapixel primary sensor and a 13-megapixel ultrawide shooter. 

(Image Credits: Motorola)

Expected release date: 14 May

While the Edge 50 Fusion is slated to cater to the budget segment, Motorola is also rumoured to bring the entry-level Moto E14 to our shores.

Joining Motorola’s lineup as the most affordable smartphone, the Moto E14 is rumoured to be built around a Unisoc T606 4G chipset, a 5,000mAh capacity battery with USB-C charging, support for 20W wired charging and a single rear camera.

(Representational Image / Courtesy Motorola)

Expected release date: NA

The iQOO Z9X will be the latest entrant in the budget phone segment in May 2024. Aping the design of the flagship iQOO 12, especially with its squircle camera hump, the iQOO Z9X will take on the likes of the Redmi Note 13 5G and Realme 12 5G.

Rumours suggest that the phone will be based on the Qualcomm Snapdragon 6 Gen 1 chipset, which will bring 5G connectivity along with decent performance. A 6.7-inch IPS LCD display with a maximum refresh rate of 120Hz will be at your service and courtesy of the 6,000mAh battery, the phone could offer up to two days’ worth of stamina on a full charge.

With a 44W charging solution, you can expect the phone to recharge itself in less than 1.5 hours. iQOO might also be giving it a dual camera system that comprises a 50-megapixel sensor for the main camera. 

(Image Credits: iQOO)

Expected release date: NA

Samsung’s Galaxy M35 is expected to be another strong contender in the budget smartphone space. Based on the Galaxy A35, the Galaxy M35 is rumoured to cut corners with its build quality and specifications to achieve a lower price tag. 

Rumours say that the Galaxy M35 will be based on the familiar Exynos 1380 midrange chipset and feature a 6.6-inch AMOLED display that has a refresh rate of 120Hz. Samsung is likely to put a 6,000mAh battery in the Galaxy M35 and, as usual, you can expect support for 25W wired charging to be the sole way to refill its reservoir. Similar to the Galaxy A35, the Galaxy M35 is also expected to feature a triple rear camera system led by a 50-megapixel sensor for the primary shooter.

(Representational Image / Credits: Samsung)

Expected release date: NA

As competition stiffens in the midrange segment, Samsung plans to bolster its presence with the Galaxy F55. Although many consider it to be another affordable clone of the Galaxy A55, the Galaxy F55 is in essence a rebranded version of the Galaxy C55 from China. It stands out with a trendy vegan leather back panel, which is a first for any Samsung smartphone.

The Snapdragon 7 Gen 1 chipset isn’t cutting edge in this segment but Samsung tries to make up for it with a 5,000mAh capacity battery and 25W wired charging, a 50-megapixel primary camera with OIS for better stability and a 6.6-inch FHD+ AMOLED display with a refresh rate of 120Hz.  

(Image Credits: Samsung)

Expected release date: May 2

The Vivo V30e is expected to be a camera-centric midrange offering competing with the Nothing Phone (2a). Despite belonging to the Vivo V30 series, the V30e flaunts a distinct look from its expensive siblings. Vivo has already confirmed the presence of a 6.7-inch AMOLED display with curved edges and a maximum refresh rate of 120Hz.

Rumours suggest the V30e will be based on the Snapdragon 6 Gen 1 chipset and feature a 50-megapixel selfie camera. It will be powered by a 5,500mAh battery and backed by a 44W wired charging solution. Sadly, you don’t get the Zeiss filters as seen on the V30 Pro. 

(Image Credits: Vivo)

Expected release date: NA

The Poco F series technically hasn’t had a properly designed flagship killer since 2018’s Poco F1 but the Poco F6 could change that. Although it is likely to be a rebadged version of the Redmi Turbo 3 from China, the Poco F6’s specifications could make it a great alternative to the likes of the iQOO Neo 9 Pro and OnePlus 12R.

The Poco F6 could be one of the few smartphones to use Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 8s Gen 3 chipset, which offers comparable performance to the flagship Android phones of 2023 using the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 chip. Along with LPDDR5X RAM and UFS 4.0 storage, the Poco F6 could be a great gaming smartphone to consider.

Other highlights on this handset include a 6.67-inch 1.5K resolution OLED display with up to 120Hz refresh rate and 2,400 nits of peak brightness, a 5,000mAh battery along with 90W wired charging and a 50-megapixel Sony LYT-600 image sensor for the main camera.

(Image Credits: Xiaomi)