Mobile phone line-ups are a little like Hollywood movie franchises, and by now we have a pretty good idea of what we should be expecting to see over the next 12 months as all the big players will be producing sequels to their blockbusters of 2014.
With the HTC One M8, the iPhone 6, the iPhone 6 Plus, the Nexus 6, the Galaxy S5 and many others we've been spoiled over the last year, but there's always room for improvement: QHD displays, DSLR-quality cameras, high-end audio, 4K video and the Snapdragon 810 should make 2015 a year to remember for smartphone buyers.
So here's our handy guide - if you're looking to upgrade at some point in the next 6 months, these are the ones you should check out.
1) HTC One M9
Predicted release date: March 31
Estimated price: £579 / $649 / AU$849+
How excited are we? 4/5
The HTC One M9 has been unveiled and it's perhaps the most beautiful phone we've ever seen, with a refined version of the curved metal design found on the HTC One M8.
It's got more going for it than looks though, with a powerful octa-core Snapdragon 810 processor, 3GB of RAM and a new 20.7MP camera, though you'll still find UltraPixels in the front-facing snapper.
Plus there are changes on the software front, with a new theme creation app and a location-sensitive homescreen, while it's got the same sharp 5.0-inch 1080p screen as its predecessor and a promisingly large 2840 mAh battery, making this a flagship to get excited about.
2) Galaxy S6 Edge
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Predicted release date: April 10
Estimated price: Around £650, $950, AU$1234+
How excited are we? 5/5
While the Galaxy S6 will be Samsung's big seller it's the Samsung Galaxy S6 Edge that we're really excited about.
It has all the same specs as the Galaxy S6, including a 5.1-inch QHD display, an octa-core processor, 3GB of RAM, a 16MP camera with optical image stabilisation, fast and wireless charging and a stylish new metal and glass design.
But it also has a screen that curves down both edges, which both gives it a futuristic look and adds additional features, such as using the curves to display video controls and other context-sensitive buttons so they don't obstruct your view of the main screen. It's expensive, but it's also one of the most innovative and feature-packed phones we've seen in a while.
3) iPhone 6S
Predicted release date: September 2015
Estimated price: At least £539 / $649 / AU$869
How excited are we? 4/5
You can usually set your watch by Apple's annual iPhone refresh, and 2015 should be no different with the release of the iPhone 6S/7.
The refreshed 2014 design is unlikely to change significantly in 2015, so expect a similar look and screen, but there are rumours of Apple's innovative 'Force Touch' technology being incorporated.
It's bound to have a new A9 processor, set to be 15% smaller, 20% more powerful and 35% more power efficient than the A8 in the iPhone 6. Plus it's thought that Apple might finally double up on RAM to 2GB.
4) LG G4
Predicted release date: April 2015
Estimated price: Around £500 / $600 / AU$800
How excited are we? 4/5
The LG G3 impressed us a great deal but we still want more from the LG G4. The rumoured reduction in screen size to 5.3 inches would make handling it a touch easier and it looks like it will be slightly curved, but not as much as the LG G Flex 2.
The 20.7MP camera upgrade we've heard rumours about would be most welcome and there's talk of a metal case too.
Like many other flagships we're expecting an octa-core Snapdragon 810 processor and 3GB of RAM, so it should certainly be powerful if nothing else. And LG usually charges a lot less for the same premium features, so it's definitely worth checking out.
5) Sony Xperia Z4
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Predicted release date: Summer 2015 (probably IFA in September)
Estimated price: At least £549 / $630 / AU$849
How excited are we? 3.5/5
There's a lot riding on the Xperia Z4 for Sony and the company is clearly taking its time as it now seems like we won't see it until the summer.
There's talk of an octa-core Snapdragon 810, 3GB of RAM and a beefy 3420 mAh battery, alongside an improved 20.7MP snapper.
Of course we'd like to see the 4K video recording feature actually work this time around, while a QHD display is the logical next step up for the screen, though there are conflicting rumours as to whether it will get a QHD upgrade or stick with 1080p.
The hardware design is due a refresh too: look forward to a mirrored front and back, thinner bezels and more rounded corners.
6) Galaxy Note 5
Predicted release date: October 2015 (launched at IFA 2015)
Estimated price: At least £620 / $720 / AU$920
How excited are we? 4/5
Will the Note 5 be Samsung's first device to sport a 4K UHD display? We wouldn't complain at a 2160 x 3840 pixel resolution or a 746ppi density rating, even if we have to wait until October to get our hands on it.
Beyond that be prepared for a 6-inch display and an even better version of the S Pen stylus. Plus it may well have a metal frame and glass body like the Galaxy S6.
There's nothing much in the way of specs rumours yet, but we'd wager it will be one of the most powerful phones of the year, beating even the Galaxy S6 for raw power.
7) The next Nexus
Predicted release date: October 2015
Estimated price: At least £499 / $649 / AU$700
How excited are we? 2.5/5
Where does Google take the Nexus smartphone next (if indeed it takes it anywhere at all)? It can't use the Nexus 7 name for one thing.
Lollipop is a mobile OS that looks good and works well so its successor should also hit the mark, and as for the hardware we'd like to see something that can be used easily in one hand — and how about a fingerprint scanner too?
Huawei is being pegged as the maker of the next Nexus, which may mean one of its own chips will be used, while Google's mobile phone service could be exclusive to the device, at least initially.
8) Lumia 1030
Predicted release date: September 2015
Estimated price: At least £499 / $649 / AU$700
How excited are we? 3/5
We've been waiting for a successor to the Lumia 1020 since 2013 and in that time Microsoft has taken over the reins from Nokia. A leaked image we saw a little while ago suggests the wait might finally be over sometime this year- but not until the second half, at least.
If the rumoured Lumia 1030 is actually a real device then the star of the show is likely to be its 50MP camera. A snapper of that quality with the Lumia technology behind it might even be worth switching to Windows Phone for, especially since that itself is undergoing some major changes as it becomes Windows 10.
9) Moto X+2
Predicted release date: September 2015
Estimated price: At least £269 / $349 / AU$400
How excited are we? 2.5/5
We've only quite recently been treated to a revamped Moto X (originally known as the X+1) so the next version is still some way off.
What we really want to see is more of the same from Motorola: clever features like Active Display, competitive pricing, a stand-out screen and some internal improvements would be just the job, with more customisation options as well.
With the current Moto still quite nascent, and Lenovo taking over the brand, not a lot has leaked thus far so it's hard to get too excited, but with a less is more approach combined with the same stylish build and relatively affordable price tag as last year's model it could be a cut-price king.
10) OnePlus 2
Predicted release date: July - September 2015
Estimated price: At least £420 / $499 / AU$534
How excited are we? 4/5
The OnePlus One delivered high-end specs at a budget price and we'd expect that formula to continue with the OnePlus 2. One upgrade we can predict is the arrival of Android 5.0 Lollipop to the OnePlus line-up, albeit with a new OxygenOS ROM.
Early rumours also point to an octa-core Snapdragon 810 processor, 4GB of RAM and a big 3300 mAh battery. The screen is said to be staying at 5.5 inches, but there's a chance it could be boosted to QHD resolution, while the body is reportedly going to be slimmer and possibly made of metal.
We might have a while to wait for it though, as the release has been pushed back to the third quarter, so expect it sometime between July and September.
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