Neo N003
Neo are another domestic Chinese phone maker who have been lighting up the local market with great prices and solid hardware, so what do they have in store for 2013?
Neo N003 specification
Neo have stuck with their own styling for the N003 which is preferable than the knock-off look of the UMi X2, and they have also opted for a larger 5.3-inch display rather than the more common 5-inch.
However, unlike he UMi X2, the Neo N003 is expected to have only 1GB RAM, a lower resolution 1280 x 720 display and just Android 4.0 ICS. But the cameras look good with a 3 mega-pixel sitting on the front and 12 mega-pixel to the rear.
Neo N003 launch and price
Neo are at the whims of MTK so again expect a launch of between February and April with pricing expected to be around 1299 Yuan ($208).
Neo N003 Conclusion
A good looking phone for the money, but I’d spend the extra for the Umi X2.
TCL Y900
TCL are a solid company with a great range of phones, and if rumors are true they could have the TCL Y900 MT6589 quad-core phone on sale in just a matter of weeks!
TCL Y900 Specification
Leaked photos of the real TCL Y900 have been spotted on-line already so it is safe to assume the leaked specs which have been attached to them are probably confirmed. This means the Y900 will get a 5-inch display, 13 mega-pixel rear camera, MT6589 quad-core chip and Android 4.1 Jelly Bean OS.
TCL Y900 launch and price
The Y900 could go on sale as soon as next week, but with no confirmed we are just making educated guesses based on sources close to the company. As for price expect around 1300-1500 Yuan ($230-$250) as TCL tend to sell at a more premium price, but they do have their own stores and good support.
TCL Y900 conclusion
Great quality phones, but this one hasn’t excited me as much as the others.
Huawei Ascend D2
Huawei are following ZTE in to the 5-inch phablet battle with the Ascend D2, which offers a similar price, specification but less than sexy body.
Huawei Ascend D2
The Ascend D2 has had really trouble keeping away from cameras, so we already have a very good idea of what this new phone will look like, and from a design point I’m not impressed.
Hardware is on par with Oppo and ZTE though so expect 13 mega-pixel main camera, 2GB RAM etc if you choose the Huawei you’ll be getting Huawei’s own Hass quad-core CPU.
Huawei Ascend D2 Launch and price
Huawei will be launching the D2 at CES with the phone shipping soon after. Prices are expected at 3300 Yuan ($530) but we have no idea if this will be a 16GB or 32GB phone.
Huawei Ascend D2 Conclusion
Although I think it’s ugly I really can’t wait to see how well the quad-core Huawei performs when up against the Qualcomm S4 Pro in the ZTE and Oppo.
Zopo ZP800
Zopo have long been rumored to be entering the quad-core segment and if rumors are anything to go by we won’t have to wait much longer to see their first 4-core phone.
Zopo ZP800 Specification
Like the UMi X2, TCL and Neo, the Zopo ZP800 is expected to get Mediatek’s MT6589 quad-core CPU, but in this case running at a much slower 1-1.2Ghz.
A 5-inch screen also makes an appearance, but with a 720 resolution rather than 1080 and a 13 mega-pixel main camera will be attached to the rear. The rest of the spec is unconfirmed and Zopo themselves say the phone is a while off launch!
Zopo ZP800 launch and price
Again expect around April and with prices of around 1400+ Yuan ($224).
Zopo ZP800 Conclusion
This is going to be one popular phone thanks to Zopo’s great support and quality, but It looks to be as if they are playing it a little safe with the specs. Come on Zopo launch a fire breather!
Which Chinese phone are you waiting for in 2013?
2013 is going to be an amazing year for Chinese phone makers and I can’t wait to see what they have in store for us.
Which Chinese phone are you waiting for for 2013?
Andi, what is your favorite? Oppo, Nubia?
Oppo then the Grand S
Why the Huawei ascend mate is not in your list ? Waiting for this phone 🙂
It’s too huge 😉
xiaomi mi-2 it’s good than every thing
very best in every thing also in repair when some mistake happen he repair self
i’m not waiting any of this phones… 5″+ is really TOO much for phone.
you should name this article “Top of phablets and Xiaomi M3” 🙂
Maybe I should do a write up of phones smaller than 5-inch for 2013?
Hi Andy,
Great work!
Can you please suggest me some latest and good 4 to 4.5 inches phones? It will be very nice since I am unable to find any good phone in 4 to 4.5 inches range.
Thanks,
Sachin
It seems that lots of phones are expected to come up in April. So will that be the perfect time to buy a quad core? 🙂
+1
What do you think Andi? Anyway, I’m waiting at least after CES 2013 & MWC + 2-3 weeks. But that’s before April 13… not sure if good timing then.
BTW, great summary of Chinese smartphones situation, keep on and Happy New Year!
I want an Oppo, but the way things keep going another phone will be out by the time it launches….. 😉
No newmann n2?
Couldn’t fit them all in sorry 🙂 The Newman does look awesome though!
Andy, check your sources. Official G4 specifictations are available for some time. It will have 4,7 720p OGS screen. http://bbs.ejiayu.com/thread-368465-1-1.html
thank for detailed info of upcoming quad core .. my favourates are umi x2 , jiayu g4 , and neo 003 . and even dual core jiayu g2s .
Knowing jiayu strange timeline I think you can already add the G4 to the 2014 list as well
I dont have a problem with phones running MTK processors but I would like to see MTK phones sporting 2gb RAM which seems to be the 2013 norm.
If you could explain what those 2gb of ram would be for, maybe I would agree with you.
I doubt that Jiayu G4 will be 5″ Full HD. (I have the G3 andI like it , for sure would consider a 1920×1080 phone from Jiayu). You can check Jiayu official forum they speak about G4,G5 and G6 as comming in 2013 (official not speculations). Unfortunatelly using Google translate at least it does not look like any of these models will be full HD so no new Jiayu for me in 2013.
Are there any plans to models for Windows Phone 8?
I doubt.You expect a “cheap” phone when the OS licence alone is $90 ?
I was a Microsoft suporters back on Windows Mobile times, but noy anymore. Windows Phone is a CLOSED OS more closed tan Apple’s one.Remember on The Windows Phone 7 they did not even implement a file system (not user accessible one) and did not support SD cards? They were forced to do a little bit more lately but an OS which does not allow side loading of apps (I don’t speak about beiing open source here, just allow the same level of user control like the old WIn Mobile) has no chance of success in my eyes.Same fate for Windows RT which will soon be remembered by some as the second Zune.
I think any serious manufacturer especially the ones which goes for value prices would be stupid to even consider Windows Phone.
By the way Windows Phone 8 does not support Full HD so don’t expect a 5″ full HD from anybody. Wait for Windows Phone 9 for this. (happy waiting…).
Nice list, but can you add a table for easier comparison?
I don’t see why not. I’ll work on it later.
Please do so. I need help comparing tablets.
Will do once I have some time.
I’m waiting on Huawei’s Ascend Mate. 6.1″ and record breaking processor is just too alluring.
But in all honestly, I’m going to take a hard look and EVERY device that ships with a 5″ 1080p screen for under 3000RMB.
Now if we can just get these manufactures from faking videos and claiming “they are the first to ship” (Goophone!) and focus on ACTUALLY shipping, then we’ll all be happy campers.
Opps. no editing possible on posted comments…
My current thinking is:
(1) Huawei Ascend Mate (hate the name though 😉
(2) Oppo Find 5
(3) ZTE Grand S
In that order, subject to actual availability.
I’m not a fan of the Mate, but I agree with the Oppo and Grand S 🙂
+1 waiting for the “mate”
+1 “going to take a hard look and EVERY device that ships with a 5″ 1080p screen for under 3000RMB”
You know, 3000 RMB is quite a good money for me and gets pretty near the price the Note 2 will have in a few months (I guess it’ll be cheaper when the 1st round 5″ FullHD beasts come out). Last but not least is Lenovo K5 and so on…
I definitely will wait, other things I want to know is what will happen with Samsung Tizen releases, Ubuntu for phones real-life requirements and other manuf.’s: RIM’s Z10, Sony’s next 5″… the market is on fire! =:U
For me, it has to be a DUAL SIM phone ! 😛
Did you check out the new TCL Y900? Looks awesome!
So where are the rest of the top 10?
OK I see. Next page. Not very visibible
Andi, trying to place a pre-order for UMI X2, but don’t have any links with the price you are suggesting here. Could you guide us the correct website with the correct price, please? It would be quite useful.
It’s not been released yet how are you planning to order it?
Thank you Andi for the good coverage of the most prospective China’s smartphones in 2013. I am awaiting eagerly these cool handsets to reach the South East Asia marketplaces at good bargain prices, under excellent specs & functionalities, hopefully at the soonest within the Q1 (at the latest, in early Q2) 🙂 i’m TERRIBLY SICK of no good choices at present, being cornered with the blackmailing prices of iExtortU device and the repeatedly Samesong, again… 😀
Happy New Year Andi, and to all GizChina frequent readers too 🙂
I wish GizChina flourishes through 2013 and after…
ReformedSheep
Thanks for the kind words! Happy New Year to you too!
Andi, please don’t forget to give info about Miracast when you will describe any MT6589 smartphone, The Miracast is the most important thing and also the Active Dual Sim function for the MT6589 chipset.
Miracast is available starting with Android 4.2, so is important also the version of Android.
At this rate, we’ll be using 7-inch superphablets in a couple years. This is ridiculous — are people actually asking for phones so big that you can’t even use them properly with one hand unless you’re an NBA player?
The only phone in this batch that is practical, and hence I’m most excited about, is the Xiaomi Mi3 phone (4.5″ is about the maximum screen size you can comfortably use with one hand).
Hi,
Thank you for the nice information. 5 inch is very big imo.
Can you also tell about any upcoming phones having 4 inch screen.
Cheers!
guys, I’m sick of changin the battery ogf my phone. please list phone with more than 3500mah capacity!!
my phone battery last only 6 hours, it’s really annoying. i’m going to downgrate to dual core