Table of contents:
- 120 Hz displays
- Five cameras, just because
- Folding mobiles: getting better and better
- Harmony OS, the future of Huawei?
- The 5G
- Fast and wireless charging, even faster
2019 has been a good year for mobiles. We have seen manufacturers, such as Samsung, Huawei or Motorola, launch terminals with flexible screens. Also OnePlus announce an Android mobile with a 90 Hz screen, as well as Apple launching a new iPhone model with triple camera and practically the same screen as the previous generation. What awaits us 2020? The truth is that there are very cool technologies that will reach mobile phones this year, and here we review them.
120 Hz displays
One of the features that we will see in 2020 are the screens at a frequency of 120 Hz. In 2019 OnePlus announced the OnePlus 7 Pro with a 90 Hz panel, this means that the interface moves more fluidly, and that in terms of playability the experience increases. Also when watching video. The latest rumors suggest that Samsung will launch a Galaxy S10 with a 120 Hz screen. That is, a higher frequency than OnePlus. Apple already implements a 120 Hz screen in one of its products; the 2019 iPad Pro.
Mainly these screens improve the experience when playing games and watching series or movies. Also when it comes to navigating the interface, although based on my use with the iPad Pro, you get used to the movement after a few days, and you only notice the difference if you have another device next to it.
A 120 Hz screen also has its drawbacks: it consumes more battery. This often means that the screen does not work at this speed in order to save autonomy. Also, there are applications that are not compatible with this frequency. If you are concerned about the battery issue, you should know that the terminals will have an option to return to 60 Hz.
Five cameras, just because
The Xiaomi Mi Note 10 has five cameras.
2019 has been the year of the four cameras, and most follow a similar setup: a 48-megapixel main sensor, a second wide-angle camera, a telephoto zoom sensor, and a ToF or depth of field lens. At the end of this year we have already started to see terminals with five cameras, and it seems that this year it will be the standard configuration.
64 or up to 108 megapixel main sensor. Two lenses that are mainly manufactured by Samsung and that will be incorporated in both mid-range and high-end devices. Of course, you cannot miss the ultra-wide-angle sensor, which allows us to take more panoramic photographs. Neither does the lens with depth of field. The fourth camera will be a telephoto sensor, where the 5x optical zoom will reign. Huawei was the first manufacturer to incorporate it. The fifth sensor is still unclear, but everything points to a macro lens for close-range photography.
Folding mobiles: getting better and better
In 2019 we have seen several foldable phones: Samsung with its Galaxy Fold, Huawei with its Mate X and Motorola with its Razr. The latter has had very good reviews, since its concept of a foldable or flexible terminal convinces users. Mainly because its design is very practical: it is a shell-type mobile that, when unfolded, reveals a large flexible screen. In the pocket it is compact, and when we open it we can enjoy a normal screen, like that of any other mobile. It seems that Samsung will take this step and its Galaxy Fold 2 will have a clamshell design.
On the other hand, Huawei has already revealed that the second version of its Mate X will have a similar design, but that it will come with a more powerful processor and 5G connectivity.
Harmony OS, the future of Huawei?
And speaking of Huawei: the Chinese company could bet on HarmonyOS, its own operating system, if they still cannot use Google on their terminals. This system would incorporate the Huawei Mobile Services, its own services with its own application store, map app and different services that will replace those of Google. It is unknown if the Huawei P40, its next flagship, will arrive with its own operating system or a clean version of Android, without Google applications.
The 5G
In 2019 we have already seen several models with 5G. In addition, in Spain we can already enjoy 5G networks thanks to Vodafone, although only in some countries. This year, more terminals with 5G connectivity are expected to launch, especially the main manufacturers. We could see only versions with 5G and at a cheaper price, since mid-range terminals could incorporate compatible chips to have 5G coverage.
Fast and wireless charging, even faster
Terminals, especially high-end ones, load faster and faster. We have seen how chargers of up to 45W are incorporated into the box, being able to charge the terminal in less than an hour. Also different mobile phones and accessories compatible with wireless charging, which has improved its speed in recent months (a year ago wireless fast charging stood at 7W, now at 27W). This year we will continue to see fast chargers, and increasingly faster. Also larger batteries, for a longer duration (the latter necessary if we want to see screens at 120 Hz).
We will have to wait a few weeks to see if these characteristics are met. Samsung will announce the Galaxy S10 during the month of February, LG also plans to launch new high-end terminals during the 2020 Mobile World Congress, and we will have to wait until September for Apple to present new high-end terminals.
