After a few relatively quiet weeks, the smartphone market is back buzzing. Several smartphones are scheduled to launch in May, starting as early as the first week. Vivo, OnePlus, and iQOO will all be in action next week (May 4th-8th) in India and globally, launching new iterations of their popular series. The list includes Vivo X300 FE, Vivo X300 Ultra, OnePlus Nord CE6, OnePlus Nord CE6 Lite, and iQOO Z11 series.
Here’s a quick roundup of these smartphones’ launch dates and what to expect from them:
Table of Contents
Vivo X300 FE
This next-gen compact flagship from Vivo is set to launch in India on May 6, and it’s shaping up to be an interesting one. The Vivo X300 FE not only arrives with a refreshed identity, highlighted by an iPhone Air-like camera deco, but also adds support for a Teleextender kit to enhance its photography capabilities. Key aspects such as the 6.31-inch LTPO display, Zeiss-backed 50MP triple rear cameras, 50MP front camera, and 6,500mAh battery remain unchanged from its predecessor, the Vivo X200 FE.
However, there are a few notable upgrades aimed at improving the overall experience. These include the latest Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 5 SoC, an ultrasonic fingerprint scanner, and support for 40W wireless charging, among other things. The handset will also be available in three new colour choices, Urban Olive, Lilac Purple, and Noir Black.
All that, along with the soaring memory prices, is expected to make the Vivo X300 FE an expensive buy. An alleged retail box reveal over Rs 1,00,000 MRP of the smartphone. We anticipate the actual selling price of the smartphone could be around Rs 70,000 for the base variant. If you own the Vivo X200 FE, the X300 FE’s Snapdragon 8 Gen 5 and wireless charging might be a compelling upgrade, but consider the price jump.
Vivo X300 Ultra
The Vivo X300 Ultra is launching in India on the same date, May 6th, alongside the Vivo X300 FE. However, the handset will be positioned to the extreme opposite in the lineup. The X300 Ultra is the first Ultra offering from the brand in the country and the most ambitious one, too. The highlight is going to be cameras again, with a 50MP ultrawide lens accompanined by two large 200MP telephoto and main sensors in the gigantic circular camera module at the back.
Similar to the X300 FE, the handset will also support the extender kits, but the Vivo X300 Ultra will benefit from two kits: 200mm and 400mm, extending its optical zooming capabilities to a staggering 17.4x. Furthermore, the handset will also rock Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 SoC under the hood – a shift from the MediaTek chipsets that we saw on the Vivo X300 and X300 Pro.
The Vivo X300 Ultra will also sport the biggest battery in the X300 series lineup at 7,000mAh. This will be backed by 100W wired fast charging and 40W wireless charging. The display is going to be a large one as well, 6.81-inch, with top-notch features such as 144Hz dynamic refresh rate, 2K resolution, and more. All these should aid the smartphone compete against the likes of iPhone 17 Pro Max and Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra in the ultra premium category space.
The Vivo X300 Ultra is tipped to be priced in India starting at Rs 1,59,999.
OnePlus Nord CE6 series
In the affordable segment, OnePlus will introduce two smartphones in its Nord-series lineup. Called the OnePlus Nord CE6 and Nord CE6 Lite, the handsets will be unveiled on May 7th in India. The Nord CE 6 will sit as the more premium offering, featuring the Snapdragon 7s Gen 4 chipset, a 1.5K display with up to 1,800 nits peak brightness, and support for 144FPS gaming in select titles.
The handset will also stand out with its massive 8,000mAh battery and a 50MP primary camera with dual-axis OIS, making it a well-rounded option for users prioritising performance, battery life, and smooth visuals.
Moving on, the Nord CE 6 Lite targets more budget-conscious buyers, powered by the MediaTek Dimensity 7400 Apex chipset. It offers a 144Hz display, support for high frame rate gaming in lighter titles, and a large 7,000mAh battery. Camera duties include a 50MP main sensor and a 32MP front camera, keeping it competitive in its segment.
In terms of pricing, the Nord CE 6 Lite is expected to launch under Rs 25,000, while the Nord CE 6 could be priced around the Rs 30,000 mark, potentially higher depending on market conditions.
iQOO Z11 series
This may not be heading to India, but one to keep an eye on. The iQOO Z11 is making its way beyond China, with the global rollout kicking off in Malaysia on May 6th. The global iQOO Z11 will differ slightly from its Chinese counterpart, with the Dimensity 8500 SoC under the hood instead of for the Snapdragon 7s Gen 4 chipset.
Apart from this, the handset is all set to boast a massive 9,020mAh battery with 90W fast charging, a 6.83-inch AMOLED display with up to 165Hz refresh rate, and a 50MP primary camera with OIS. The Z11x (review), which has already been launched in India, is also launching in Malaysia alongside the iQOO Z11. The handset’s specifications remain largely unchanged, featuring a Dimensity 7400 Turbo chipset and a 7,200mAh battery.
Following the global launch, iQOO may bring its vanilla Z11 to India soon. So, if you’re considering a new smartphone in the affordable segment, especially with battery life in mind, the iQOO Z11 could be worth waiting for.
iQOO Z11 5G Images
| Expected Price: | N/A |
| Release Date: | (Expected) |
| Variant: | 8 GB RAM |
| Phone Status: | Upcoming Phone |
vivo X300 FE Images
vivo X300 Ultra Images
OnePlus Nord CE 6 Lite 5G Images
OnePlus Nord CE 6 5G Images
