From Nothing’s “see-through” Phone 3a series boasting AI-powered features and extended software support, to Xiaomi’s camera-centric 15 Ultra, and iQOO’s high-performance Neo 10R, the Indian smartphone market is set to receive a diverse range of exciting devices in March 2025. Samsung’s new Galaxy A series trio and Google’s anticipated Pixel 9a are also in line to woo customers. Here are 5 devices to watch out for.
1. Nothing Phone 3a series:
On 4th March, London technology upstart Nothing, will release two new Nothing Phone 3a series phones. These are the Phone 3a and Phone 3a Pro. The Phone 3a Pro is Nothing’s first phone with a periscope telephoto camera. The first look of both devices is out confirming two vastly different chassis with the pro model getting a more pronounced circular camera assembly. The Phone 3a sticks to a Phone 2a like styling with the addition of a third camera (the Phone 2a had just the two). Ahead of launch, Nothing has announced that the two phones will support up to six years of software updates, though OS upgrades will be limited to only three. The second big headlining feature is the Essential Space, which Nothing says will take a “little help from AI” to “capture, organise and take action.” Elsewhere, both devices are confirmed to feature Qualcomm processors.
2. Xiaomi 15 series:
Hot on the heels of a China launch, Xiaomi will release the “Xiaomi 15 series” consisting of the Xiaomi 15 and Xiaomi 15 Ultra globally on 2nd March. Both phones are confirmed to launch in India, though the exact date of launch remains a mystery (Xiaomi would have you believe they are launching in India at the same time, per teasers, but we can’t say for sure yet). Of the two, the 15 Ultra launched in China on February 27. The Xiaomi 15 Ultra’s big USP feature obviously is the camera setup. It has four Leica-tuned cameras on the rear: a 50-megapixel Sony LYT900 primary sensor behind a wide f/1.63 lens with optical image stabilisation, a 50-megapixel Sony IMX858 sensor behind an f/1.8 3x telephoto lens, another 200-megapixel Samsung ISOCELL HP9 sensor with f/2.6 periscope telephoto lens, and another 50-megapixel f/2.2 ultrawide. The phone has a 2K LTPO AMOLED display, Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 8 Elite chip, and a 6,000mAh battery.
3. iQOO Neo 10R:
iQOO Neo 10R officially breaks cover in India on 11th March. The Neo 10R is billed as an “all-rounder high-performance smartphone with a bold and unique design.” One of the variants, called “iQOO Neo 10R Raging Blue” has a striking blue and white back “crafted exclusively for India—to provide Indian consumers with unique and innovative designs that resonate with their bold and vibrant colour preferences,” iQOO says. Expected to rival the OnePlus 13R, the iQOO Neo 10R comes powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon 8s Gen 3 processor and a 6,400mAh battery with 80W fast charging support.
4. Samsung Galaxy A56, Galaxy A36 5G:
On February 26, Samsung announced it is launching three new Galaxy A series smartphones in India “next week.” The Samsung India website—which went live with registrations at around the same time—revealed the launch date as 2nd March. In typical Samsung fashion, the South Korean major hasn’t confirmed the name of the devices but that hasn’t stopped the internet from “gossiping” about what’s coming. Apparently, Samsung will release the Galaxy A56 5G, Galaxy A36 5G, and the Galaxy A26 5G, on D-day. Samsung promotional materials hype only two phones, possibly the higher-end A56 and A36. The company says the “new Galaxy A series smartphones will be the successors to Galaxy A35 and Galaxy A55 smartphones launched last year” and are “likely to feature new design, enhanced durability, and advanced security ensuring a seamless and secure user experience.” Rumour has it that the Galaxy A56 has the Exynos 1580, Galaxy A36 the Qualcomm Snapdragon 6 Gen 3, and the Galaxy A26, the Exynos 1380. Running the show is likely the One UI 7.0 based on Android 15.
5. Google Pixel 9a:
Last but not the least, Google is tipped to launch the Pixel 9a, sometime in mid-March. Expected to rival the Apple iPhone 16e, the Pixel 9a is the highly anticipated sequel to the Pixel 8a and is expected to have the Google Tensor G4, the same chip that is at the heart of the Pixel 9 series devices. The design will reportedly see some change with the Pixel 9a coming in with a recessed dual camera setup. Word on the street is that the Pixel 9a with 128GB of storage will be priced at $499. The 256GB variant is tipped to cost a bit higher, at $599.
