With the IFA 2014 set to kick off in Berlin, Germany, from a few days from now, all eyes will be peeled on what the goliaths of the tech space have in store for us.
IFA 2014, the biggest tech show in Europe, will be held from Sept. 5 to Sept. 10 and major players like Samsung, Sony, Microsoft and LG are slated to showcase new devices. We take a look at what to expect at this year's IFA.
Sony
Expectations from the company are riding high as Sony is anticipated to launch the successor to its Xperia Z1 and Xperia Z2 smartphones dubbed the Xperia Z3. Rumors and leaks point to 5.2-inch Full HD IPS display, a 20.7-megapixel primary camera, a quad-core processor clocked at 2.5GHz, 16GB of on-board memory and 3GB of RAM. The Xperia Z3 will likely run on Android 4.4.4 KitKat.
Sony is also rumored to launch a compact variant of the Xperia Z3 smartphone, which will have a 4.5-inch screen, 2GB of RAM, and a 20-megapixel primary camera.
Apart from the smartphones, Sony may also dive into the smaller tablet space with its Xperia Z3 Tablet Compact, which will be pitted against the likes of the iPad Mini. The Xperia Z3 Tablet Compact is rumored to tout an 8-inch display and will also be waterproof like Sony's Xperia Z2 smartphone.
Sony is also said to have a SmartWatch 3 in the works, which has a built-in Wi-Fi; the wearable may make an appearance at the IFA 2014. The company is also expected to show off its variant of the curved LCD TV (with a 4K resolution) at the IFA. The televisions will be available in 65-inch and 75-inch screen sizes.
The Sony press event is scheduled for Sept. 3 in the evening.
Samsung
Samsung usually debuts the next iteration of its popular Galaxy Note series phablet at the IFA each year. It is likely that the Galaxy Note 4, the successor of the Galaxy Note 3, will be launched at the IFA 2014. Rumors and leaks point to a 5.7-inch or 5.9 inch screen size and the display may possibly be a curved one. The Galaxy Note 4 may also tout a faster processor like the Qualcomm Snapdragon 805 or the 8-core Exynos one and a 16-megapixel primary camera. The device will likely get a graphics and memory upgrade as well and may pack in a fingerprint scanner.
Samsung is also expected to launch the Tizen-powered Gear Solo smartwatch at the IFA, which it announced recently. The company may also announce the "Gear VR" headset at the event as the device works in tandem with its Galaxy smartphones to provide a 3D experience.
Samsung may have another surprise up its sleeve with its variant of the Google Glass dubbed the Gear Glass.
The Samsung press event is scheduled for Sept. 4 from 11 am to 12 pm.
LG
LG has a few devices up its sleeve for this year's IFA. The South Korean company is anticipated to take the wraps off its LG G3 Prime smartphone, which is the successor of the popular LG G3.
Rumors suggest that the company may also introduce the next iteration of the LG G Flex smartphone dubbed LG G Flex 2, which will have a curved screen.
Recently, LG debuted its G3 Stylus smartphone which touts a 5.5-inch screen and the company may showcase the phablet at the IFA as well. Similarly, the company's smartwatch G Watch R may also make an appearance at the event.
Microsoft
With Microsoft already teasing the unveiling of its "Super Selfie Phone" at the IFA 2014, Nokia fans will be excited. The upcoming Nokia smartphone Lumia 730 or "Superman," is the successor of the Lumia 720, and will apparently have the biggest secondary camera for a Windows Phone-powered handset.
The Lumia 730 will supposedly boast a 5-inch display, 1GB of RAM and a 6.7-megapixel primary camera. The smartphone will also have a 5-megapixel front-facing camera.
Microsoft is also expected to launch the mid-range Lumia 830 smartphone which will have a 13-megapixel primary camera.
Keep in mind the Selfie phone - the expected sequel to the Nokia Lumia 720 - is also known as the Nokia Lumia 730 and Nokia Lumia Superman. Both the Lumia smartphones will likely run on Windows Phone 8.1
Microsoft is expected to showcase the devices on Sept. 4.
Motorola
Tech pundits opine that Motorola may launch the successor of its Moto X smartphone, the Moto X2 or Moto X+1, at the event. The smartphone is rumored to sport a 5.2-inch screen and may pack in a quad-core processor clocked at 2.2GHz. The Moto X2 may also boast a 12-megapixel primary camera and up to 64GB of on-board memory capacity.
The company is also anticipated to unveil the Moto 360 smartwatch.
Acer
Acer is speculated to launch the Iconia A3-A20 tablet, likely the successor of the Iconia A3-A10, at the IFA 2014. The tablet may boast a 10.1-inch display, 1GB of RAM, a 5-megapixel primary camera and 32GB of on-board storage.
Acer's press event is slated for Sept. 3 from 11 am to 12 pm.
ASUS
ASUS revealed via a Twitter post that it is gearing up to release a smartwatch at the IFA 2014. The wearable is expected to be priced between $99 and $150 and will tout an AMOLED screen.
Speculations are rife that the company may unveil some new tablets as well. The next-gen Padfone may also make an appearance.
