2012 is nearly over and what a year it has been! We have lived through the end of the world, enjoyed the London Olympics, but most importantly, we have seen some terrific Chinese Android phones!
However, 2012 was just a warm up, and Chinese phone makers are ready to launch their quad-core flagship phones as soon as 2013 begins! But with so many phone launches, leaked specifications and blurry photos, which Chinese phones should we watch out for in 2013?
Top 10 most anticipated quad-core Chinese phone of 2013!
This is lis not going in any particular order as I believe each phone is worth of being number one, but I have to start somewhere and I’m going with the….
Oppo Find 5!
Wow! What can we say about the Oppo Find 5? It was the first 1080 5-inch phone from a domestic Chinese brand to be announced, and it’s the first to go on (limited) international sale, but what about the specs?
Oppo Find 5 specification
The Oppo Find 5 is a beast! It boasts a powerful 1.5Ghz Qualcomm S4 quad-core CPU, 2GB RAM and Sony’s all new Exymor Pro 13 mega-pixel camera! Not only this but the 5-inch 1080 display has an eye pleasing 441ppi!
Oppo Find 5 launch and price
The Oppo Find 5 will go on sale in China first for 2999 Yuan for the 16GB model (3500 Yuan for the 32GB) then it will see release in a number of European, Asian and American markets for $499!
Oppo Find 5 Conclusion
I’m excited! I want one! I want one now!!
JiaYu G4
JiaYu are back for 2013 with an all new flagship phone which will take over from the very popular JiaYu G3. Let’s just hope they can keep their promises and keep fans happy this time round!
JiaYu G4 Specification
The G4 get’s numerous updates over the current G3, including a faster quad-core MT6589 CPU, a possible 2GB RAM and a larger 5-inch 1920 x 1080 display. JiaYu will offer 2 versions of the G4 with either a 3000mAh battery or slimmer more compact 1800mAh battery.
The rest of the hardware is still being kept secret but we expect Android Jelly Bean and an 8 mega-pixel camera will be present.
JiaYu G4 launch and price
As the MT6589 chip hasn’t quite started being manufactured in the numbers required I expect a launch of around April of the G4. But the G4 could be one of the cheapest quad-core MT6589 phones at launch as it will cost just 999 Yuan ($160).
JiaYu G4 conclusion
I’m excited but not enough for JiaYu burst my bubble again as they did this year.
ZTE Nubia Z5
The Nubia Z5 is ZTE’s first 5-inch 1080 phone and the first from their new China only Nubia brand. If you have any knowledge of Chinese you might be giggling at the Nubia brand which sounds rather rude if pronounced incorrectly.
Nubia Z5 specification
The Z5 offers very similar specs to the Oppo Find 5. It has the same CPU, same 2GB RAM, same rear camera (probably) and roughly the same battery size at 2300mAh, but comes with at least 32GB of memory rather than the Oppo’s 16.
Zte have opted for an Italian designed alloy body with powder coated finish, but while it is sure to be long lasting it has proven to be a love have design.
Nubia Z5 launch and price
The Nubia Z5 will go on sale in China only from January at 3400 Yuan ($545) for the base 32B model. There will also be a Titanium version on sale in limited quantities for $1300!
Nubia Z5 Conclusion
Love the specs, price is good too, but I want to get Nubia in my hand (giggle) before commenting on the looks.
Continue on to the next page to see more great 2013 Chinese phones!
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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