New Delhi: Smartphones have always been here and there are few that stand out. This year was no exception, but the smartphone industry went through a rough patch, fueled by component shortages and a chipset crisis globally, which gave way to premature shutdowns and delays in launches. Brands such as Apple and Samsung remained somewhat unaffected by supply chain issues, but they also bore the brunt of global chip shortages.
According to Counterpoint Research, India’s smartphone market declined by 2 per cent in the third quarter of 2021 due to a lack of global component and demand among smartphone buyers due to coronavirus last year.
The smartphone industry showed resilience despite challenges and Realme quietly climbed the ladder and Samsung set an example in making the foldable phones of the future. This year too Motorola made a comeback and Vivo launched its most premium smartphone till date, giving a tough competition and Asus failing to launch a flagship in the country. Sadly, in April, LG officially said goodbye to us and left the smartphone business. As the year comes to an end, we bring you the best Android smartphones of 2021 that stood out.
Xiaomi Mi 11 Ultra
This is definitely Xiaomi’s most ambitious top-tier smartphone to date. Armed with super-fast charging capabilities, excellent rear camera setup which is also its biggest USP, gorgeous display and waterproofing, Mi 11 Ultra has been one of the most sought-after flagship devices of 2021 globally. However, it is one of the flagships that saw limited availability which can be attributed to the lack of global chipsets. Still, despite the limited supply, the Mi 11 Ultra remains one of the best Android flagships we’ve seen this year.
Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 3 and Galaxy Z Flip 3
Samsung saw a strong start with its latest foldables, the Galaxy Z Fold 3 and Galaxy Z Flip 3 and made sure to try wholeheartedly to fill the void that its Galaxy Note series has left behind. In fact, the success of Samsung’s Fold lineup has been such that according to Counterpoint Research, it is likely to help the company surpass the lifetime revenue contribution of any Galaxy Note series.
This year’s Galaxy Fold is the third iteration in Samsung’s Galaxy Fold line and brought a number of improvements to the table. The Galaxy Fold 3 is a futuristic device from Samsung that brings support for S-Pen, upgraded hardware and IPX8 water resistance. The Galaxy Flip 3, meanwhile, is one of Samsung’s best efforts to make a foldable device. It’s smaller than the Galaxy Fold 3 and it’s also my personal favorite. Their low starting prices made the deal even sweeter.
Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra
This year’s Samsung Galaxy S21 series may look somewhat familiar from the previous generation Galaxy S20 lineup, but the super-premium Galaxy S21 Ultra made a lasting impression. Equipped with a 108MP lens (a total of four cameras at the back), it’s an excellent device for meeting high imaging expectations. While last year’s Galaxy S20 Ultra raised expectations, this year’s Galaxy S21 Ultra set the benchmarks even higher.
With support for the S-Pen, a combination of great hardware and software, thanks to the timely rollout of updates that Samsung is now providing, the Galaxy S21 Ultra is the fastest and best Android flagship of 2021. However, it doesn’t come cheap. 1,05,999 with a starting price of Rs.
Vivo X70 Pro Plus
This year’s Vivo X70 Pro Plus is definitely one of the best Android flagships we’ve seen. With top-tier hardware, big battery, big display and flagship Snapdragon 888 chipset, Vivo took an ambitious leap and how. Much more capable than the previous generation X60 series, the Vivo V70 Pro Plus also offers an excellent camera and ample storage for under Rs 80,000.
realme gt
One of the best smartphones Realme has launched till date, the Realme GT offers a Snapdragon 888 chipset, a minimalist rear design, premium specs and company-owned 65W charging. Apart from the other key features it offers, the inclusion of 120Hz AMOLED screen and stereo speakers under Rs 38,000 is worth mentioning.
,