The smartphone industry is gearing up for 6G, with leading brands developing future-ready phones designed to support early trials and next-generation connectivity.
From Apple to Samsung and Xiaomi, smartphone makers are preparing devices that could support early 6G testing as the world moves beyond 5G networks.
6G may be years away, but smartphone brands are already building hardware platforms ready for trials, experiments, and long-term connectivity evolution.
The global smartphone industry is advancing at a rapid pace. After the successful introduction of 5G technology, the industry is now gearing up for 6G, the next major advancement in wireless connectivity. 6G is expected to transform speed, reduce delays, and improve device intelligence.
The commercial launch of 6G networks is still years away; the technology is currently in the research and development stage. However, smartphone manufacturers are actively developing hardware platforms that will support 6G trials.
Most brands, like Apple, Samsung, Huawei, Xiaomi, Google, and Sony, are investing heavily in research beyond 5G. These companies still don’t have models with consumer-ready 6G service. However, they represent the most ambitious devices expected to play a key role in early testing environments, lab deployments, and pilot programs.
Below are the models that may feature hardware to go through early-stage 6G trials in the coming years:
Currently, no smartphone really has 6G connectivity, but once it becomes available, Apple is one of the top smartphone manufacturers that may adopt this technology. Rumors are already circulating about the tech giant testing hardware capabilities to go beyond 5G. In that case, iPhone 18 and later models may have Apple’s meaningful upgrades.
It’s possible that when the iPhone 18 comes, the 6G won’t be available. Still, hopefully, these models will be designed to support the advanced network intelligence required for future 6G use cases. So, the upcoming Apple devices may become a bridge between mature 5G networks and experimental 6G frameworks.
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Samsung leads the Android smartphone sector in India. The brand is renowned for its rapid adoption of advanced technologies. So, the case will be the same for Samsung Galaxy’s upcoming models, starting with the S26 series.
Samsung is reportedly testing its hardware to support advanced connectivity features, and the upcoming Galaxy S26 models and later models like S30 will be released between 2027 and 2030 (expectedly). These models may serve as reference devices for next-generation connectivity testing.
The South Korean smartphone manufacturing giant’s involvement in global telecom research and semiconductor manufacturing makes the upcoming Samsung devices potential candidates for early 6G interoperability trials.
Huawei aggressively contributes to next-gen wireless research. The company's Mate 6G Series is expected to focus heavily on experimental radio technologies, including 6G connectivity and exploration of higher-frequency spectrum.
Currently, there’s no launch date for the Huawei Mate 6G Series, but these devices are expected to arrive around 2030. Given the timeframe, these devices will likely be important for 6G connectivity testing, particularly where Huawei’s infrastructure is involved.
Google Pixel devices are well-known for combining a clean Android experience with experimental hardware features. Google Pixel 12 Pro is still unannounced and is expected to arrive sometime between 2028 and 2030. Google is quick to adopt advanced features, so upcoming smartphones will be a great fit for testing 6G technology.
Google's upcoming Pixel devices may be suitable for testing emerging 6G software frameworks and intelligent connectivity features.
Sony’s Xperia series smartphones are renowned for advanced features, including high-end multimedia, cloud gaming, and ultra-low-latency streaming. These are the most potential areas where 6G will shine. Additionally, Sony’s expertise in imaging, entertainment, and sensors makes these devices the most suitable for testing 6G scenarios when testing begins.
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6G connectivity is still under trial, but the technology might reach the global market by 2030; nothing can be said for sure. Like most other countries in the world, India has been preparing the groundwork for 6G through research initiatives, spectrum planning, and global collaboration.
The commercial deployment is expected around 2030, but early-stage trials will likely begin in 2027 or 2028. About the launch of 6G, Chandra Sekhar Pemmasani, Minister of State for Telecom, has shared at Bharat 6G 2025 conference, “India now ranks among the top six nations globally in 6G patent filings… We have a vast talent pool and enough time. There is no reason for us not to lead in 6G.”
Until 6G technology is officially launched, smartphone hardware may be designed with future cellular standards in mind, but it cannot truly support them in practice. As a result, whether current smartphones will be compatible with 6G remains uncertain, and any claims around support are purely speculative.
Which smartphones are expected to support early 6G trials?
Ans: Apple iPhone 18, future Samsung Galaxy S series models, Huawei Mate 6G, Google Pixel series models, and Sony Xperia 6G phones are expected to be used for early trials.
Are 6G smartphones available for consumers right now?
Ans: No, commercial 6G smartphones are not available yet. Current models are designed only to support future hardware compatibility and testing environments.
When will 6G networks become commercially available?
Ans: Globally, 6G networks are expected to roll out around 2030, with early trials and pilot programs starting between 2027 and 2028.
Will 6G-ready phones work on current 5G networks?
Ans: Yes, these future-ready smartphones will remain fully compatible with existing 5G and 4G networks until 6G infrastructure becomes available.
Is it worth buying a 6G-ready smartphone now?
Ans: If you prefer long-term use and future-proofing, it may be worth considering. Otherwise, high-end 5G smartphones are still ideal for most users today.