Here are my guesses about the new tablets and phones can we expect in the coming months. What are your predictions?
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August
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Samsung Galaxy Note 3 "phablet"
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This line is Samsung's premium tablet, with AMOLED screen and stylus for on-screen "inking." Likely to be upgraded to Qualcomm Snapdragon S800 processor and Adreno 330 gpu. Likely to upgrade screen resolution from 1280x800 on 5.5 inch screen to 1920x1200 on 5.8 inch screen. Possible 6.3 inch screen size, too. GPS and GLONASS receivers included. Galaxy Note 2 can be used for cellular telephone calls as well as data (AT&T). Will Note 3 retain this feature?
Samsung Galaxy Note 3 10 inch tablet
-------------------
This is Samsung's competitor for full size iPad, and big brother to the 5.8 inch "phablet." The upgrade is likely to use the latest Samsung Exynos 5 "octa" system on a chip. I expect an upgrade to full HD 1920 x 1200 screen, possibly even higher pixel count. The cellular modem will upgrade to include LTE. It's likely the Galaxy Note 3 10 inch will drop cellular voice capability in USA. I expect Galaxy Note 3 prices to track the iPad pricing, so starting at $459.
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Late September:
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Apple iPhone
-----------------
Lots of iPhone 6 rumors about screen sizes larger than the iPhone 5's 4 inch, 1136x640 pixel screen. To date, Apple design for the iPhone has been guided by the notion that you should be able to access all the features of the phone while using it with one hand. The acceptance of 5 inch Android phones may force Apple to re-think this model. Today, many Android flagship phones use a 4.7 or 5 inch screen with 1920x1080 resolution (aka Full HD) with pixel density around 440 ppi, much higher than the iPhone's 325 ppi.
Apple may introduce an iPhone 5S model, with same screen and updated processor (faster, uses less power) , plus an iPhone 6 with larger screen.
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October
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Apple iPad and iPad Mini
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iPad is unlikely to change screen resolution, just get a faster, more power-efficient processor. It would be nice if Apple put a GPS chip in its WiFi-only models.
iPad Mini 2 may get upgrade to higher resolution screen, even though this would mean an increase in thickness and weight. The iPad 3 was a big success, even though it was thicker and heavier than the iPad 2. The iPad 3's higher resolution "Retina" screen was enough reason to ignore the size increase. If the Mini 2 increases the screen resolution, Apple might continue to offer the original iPad Mini at a lower price point, attractive to schools and students.
(I read that the LA school district will be purchasing 640,000 iPads for its students over the next 18 months. One reason tablets are attractive to schools is that they can stop buying/transporting/storing/tracking/replacing physical textbooks. I cringe when I see the huge bookbag that elementary students carry around today. With digital copies of books on an iPad, all the students have to worry about is being robbed while walking home.)
Windows 8.1 tablets
-----------------
Microsoft now officially supports Windows 8.1 on devices with smaller screens. I expect to see new 7 and 8 inch tablets running Windows from many manufacturers, along with the original 10 inch models. So far, Windows tablets have not included GPS capability built in, relying instead on external GPS receivers attached by Bluetooth or USB. The smaller tablets may add GPS internally, making a more convenient navigation tool. Let's hope that Microsoft recognizes that they will sell a lot more tablets if the price is closer to the iPad ($450-$650) than they can when the price is $800 to $1000.
I expect Windows RT 8.1 for ARM processors will receive less attention now that Intel plans to deliver improved low power Atom and Core processors in the next 6 months. RT can't run the full universe of Windows applications, while Windows Pro 8.1 can.
Nexus 5 Phone
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Today's Nexus 4 phone, made by LG, was introduced in September 2012. The Nexus 4 lacks LTE, and has 1 GB RAM and 16 GB memory. The Nexus 4 has a 4.7 inch, 1280 x 768 display. I expect all these features to be upgraded in a new model. Let's hope Google can keep the price around $300. Maybe Motorola, now a subsidiary of Google Inc., will be the manufacturer of the Nexus 5.
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November
---------------
Update to Nexus 10 inch tablet
-----------------
Google caused a sensation when they introduced the Nexus 10 with a 2560 x 1600 pixel screen for $400 last November. The Nexus 10 is built by Samsung, and powered by a dual core Samsung Exynos 5250 processor. Today, Samsung has an eight core Exynos 5xxx "system on a chip" with 20% more CPU power and 2X improvement in graphics performance, all while using less battery power.
Amazon Kindle
----------------
The $199 7 inch Kindle Fire HD was introduced in September 2012. Compared to the newly released Nexus 7, the Fire HD lacks GPS and access to the full Google Play store, has a lower resolution 1280x800 screen, uses a dual core processor and is a little large and heavy. I expect Amazon to respond with a new version of the Fire HD in time for the holidays. The Fire HD will be marketed with ties to Amazon's Prime service and special book deals, which are attractive inducements.
-----------------
August
-----------------
Samsung Galaxy Note 3 "phablet"
-------------------
This line is Samsung's premium tablet, with AMOLED screen and stylus for on-screen "inking." Likely to be upgraded to Qualcomm Snapdragon S800 processor and Adreno 330 gpu. Likely to upgrade screen resolution from 1280x800 on 5.5 inch screen to 1920x1200 on 5.8 inch screen. Possible 6.3 inch screen size, too. GPS and GLONASS receivers included. Galaxy Note 2 can be used for cellular telephone calls as well as data (AT&T). Will Note 3 retain this feature?
Samsung Galaxy Note 3 10 inch tablet
-------------------
This is Samsung's competitor for full size iPad, and big brother to the 5.8 inch "phablet." The upgrade is likely to use the latest Samsung Exynos 5 "octa" system on a chip. I expect an upgrade to full HD 1920 x 1200 screen, possibly even higher pixel count. The cellular modem will upgrade to include LTE. It's likely the Galaxy Note 3 10 inch will drop cellular voice capability in USA. I expect Galaxy Note 3 prices to track the iPad pricing, so starting at $459.
-----------------
Late September:
-----------------
Apple iPhone
-----------------
Lots of iPhone 6 rumors about screen sizes larger than the iPhone 5's 4 inch, 1136x640 pixel screen. To date, Apple design for the iPhone has been guided by the notion that you should be able to access all the features of the phone while using it with one hand. The acceptance of 5 inch Android phones may force Apple to re-think this model. Today, many Android flagship phones use a 4.7 or 5 inch screen with 1920x1080 resolution (aka Full HD) with pixel density around 440 ppi, much higher than the iPhone's 325 ppi.
Apple may introduce an iPhone 5S model, with same screen and updated processor (faster, uses less power) , plus an iPhone 6 with larger screen.
-----------------
October
-----------------
Apple iPad and iPad Mini
-----------------
iPad is unlikely to change screen resolution, just get a faster, more power-efficient processor. It would be nice if Apple put a GPS chip in its WiFi-only models.
iPad Mini 2 may get upgrade to higher resolution screen, even though this would mean an increase in thickness and weight. The iPad 3 was a big success, even though it was thicker and heavier than the iPad 2. The iPad 3's higher resolution "Retina" screen was enough reason to ignore the size increase. If the Mini 2 increases the screen resolution, Apple might continue to offer the original iPad Mini at a lower price point, attractive to schools and students.
(I read that the LA school district will be purchasing 640,000 iPads for its students over the next 18 months. One reason tablets are attractive to schools is that they can stop buying/transporting/storing/tracking/replacing physical textbooks. I cringe when I see the huge bookbag that elementary students carry around today. With digital copies of books on an iPad, all the students have to worry about is being robbed while walking home.)
Windows 8.1 tablets
-----------------
Microsoft now officially supports Windows 8.1 on devices with smaller screens. I expect to see new 7 and 8 inch tablets running Windows from many manufacturers, along with the original 10 inch models. So far, Windows tablets have not included GPS capability built in, relying instead on external GPS receivers attached by Bluetooth or USB. The smaller tablets may add GPS internally, making a more convenient navigation tool. Let's hope that Microsoft recognizes that they will sell a lot more tablets if the price is closer to the iPad ($450-$650) than they can when the price is $800 to $1000.
I expect Windows RT 8.1 for ARM processors will receive less attention now that Intel plans to deliver improved low power Atom and Core processors in the next 6 months. RT can't run the full universe of Windows applications, while Windows Pro 8.1 can.
Nexus 5 Phone
-----------------
Today's Nexus 4 phone, made by LG, was introduced in September 2012. The Nexus 4 lacks LTE, and has 1 GB RAM and 16 GB memory. The Nexus 4 has a 4.7 inch, 1280 x 768 display. I expect all these features to be upgraded in a new model. Let's hope Google can keep the price around $300. Maybe Motorola, now a subsidiary of Google Inc., will be the manufacturer of the Nexus 5.
----------------
November
---------------
Update to Nexus 10 inch tablet
-----------------
Google caused a sensation when they introduced the Nexus 10 with a 2560 x 1600 pixel screen for $400 last November. The Nexus 10 is built by Samsung, and powered by a dual core Samsung Exynos 5250 processor. Today, Samsung has an eight core Exynos 5xxx "system on a chip" with 20% more CPU power and 2X improvement in graphics performance, all while using less battery power.
Amazon Kindle
----------------
The $199 7 inch Kindle Fire HD was introduced in September 2012. Compared to the newly released Nexus 7, the Fire HD lacks GPS and access to the full Google Play store, has a lower resolution 1280x800 screen, uses a dual core processor and is a little large and heavy. I expect Amazon to respond with a new version of the Fire HD in time for the holidays. The Fire HD will be marketed with ties to Amazon's Prime service and special book deals, which are attractive inducements.
