Why the Oppo Find X10 – and 3 more upcoming phones – will end the 2026 snoozefest

Oh, what a year we’re having.

2026 has arguably been the worst year for smartphones since the iPhone catapulted them into the mainstream almost two decades ago. The global RAM shortage has sent production costs skyrocketing, resulting in a cascade of handsets which are more expensive than their predecessors, barely upgraded, or both.

The big names have been at the centre, with Apple, Samsung and Google raising prices on both new launches and existing models, which is unprecedented.

Arguably the only bright spot has been the rise of the wide foldable, with Samsung’s impressive Galaxy Z Fold 8 very quickly followed by the iPhone Duo, Apple’s first-ever folding phone.

So, with all the major launches having already taken place, is it time to write off 2026 as a terrible year for phones? Not so fast. Here are five handsets launching before the end of December which could save the year from being a near-total write-off.

Oppo Find X10 & X10 Pro Max

• Official in China
• Launching globally on 21 October

After OnePlus’ bombshell exit from Europe and North America, all eyes are on fellow BBK-owned brand Oppo, which is expanding its global operations to hopefully fill the gap.

The Find X10 series was unveiled in China last month, but a dedicated global launch event less than a month later shows it means business. And, while the ‘Pro Max’ rebrand shows Oppo has its eyes set on the iPhone (it’s not the only one), the top-of-the-line phone is all about the cameras.

The Pro Max features a trio of 200Mp rear lenses (wide, 3x periscope telephoto, ultrawide) as it seeks to replace the Find X9 Ultra as the best camera phone you can buy. Early results are very promising.

With ultra-premium performance and display specs, plus a generous 7150mAh battery on global versions, the Find X10 series could be a compelling alternative to brands more established in the West.

However, a big question remains: will the Pro Max be even more expensive than the £1,449 Find X9 Ultra was at launch?

Learn more about the Oppo Find X10 series.

Motorola Signature 27

• Announced on 22 September
• Release rumoured for October or November

Until recently, Motorola was known as a reliable budget and mid-range phone brand. Not anymore.

After the Razr revival made it a flagship maker to be reckoned with, the company has turned its attention to straight-up flagships. And the upcoming Signature 27 (despite the name, it’s expected to ship before the end of 2026) looks like a beast.

Qualcomm’s decision to make it the lead phone powered by the new Snapdragon 8 Elite Extreme Gen 6 says a lot. Not only will peak performance be top drawer, but it should also be sustained, with an advanced cooling system that Motorola says is 40% bigger than last year’s Signature. These are the sort of gen-on-gen upgrades we simply haven’t seen on 2026 phones.

Cameras aren’t traditionally a strong point for Motorola, but the company is delivering a new 50Mp main sensor and an upgraded 200Mp periscope telephoto lens that should help it close the gap to rivals.

With Motorola’s light-touch skin over Android 17 (aside from the smorgasbord of AI assistants) and seven years of updates, the Signature 27 is shaping up to be one of the best phones of the year. But again, a lot will depend on whether the price is right.

Learn more about the Motorola Signature 27.

Xiaomi 18 Pro and Pro Max

• Official in China
• Confirmed to launch globally before the end of 2026

Right on cue, here’s another brand which has shifted its naming conventions to match the iPhone. Xiaomi went a step further, even skipping the Xiaomi 16 series to ensure it was synced with Apple/

However, that should take nothing away from how good the 18 Pro and Pro Max look. Unlike in recent years, Xiaomi isn’t wasting time getting it in front of a global audience, confirming it’ll be coming to Europe before 2026 is out.

And no prizes for guessing what the phones’ standout feature is: that secondary display. While the 17 and 17 Pro both had small screens next to the cameras, neither phone made it out of China. It can be used for selfies using the main camera (just like a flip phone), plus easy access to notifications and key glanceable info.

Even if it’s more gimmicky than genuinely useful, it’s something different in a world of boring-looking phones. And no, I’m not counting the Pixel 11 Pro‘s ‘HiLight’ as an exception.

But there’s plenty of substance here too, with Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 6 chips (regular on Pro, Extreme on Pro Max), huge silicon-carbon batteries and rapid 100W charging. Both phones also feature 200Mp main and telephoto lenses, meaning they could challenge Oppo in the camera phone stakes.

If the Xiaomi 18 Pro and Pro Max aren’t priced extortionately, they could be the genuinely unique and exciting flagships that 2026 really needs.

Learn more about the Xiaomi 18 Pro and Pro Max.

So, as you can see, all hope is not lost yet. If the Oppo Find X10 series, Motorola Signature 27 and Xiaomi 18 Pro phones are as good as they look on paper, they could end 2026 with a bang.