Get ready for high-end smartphone launches this month

After the spate of announcements earlier this month, September is all set to become more action-packed with most of the smartphones announced globally set to be launched here in the coming days.

With research firms like Canalys confirming that India is now the world's third largest smartphone market in terms of shipments after China and United States, it will be getting most new devices in the first wave itself.

If you are planning to buy a new phone, this festive season could offer you the best picks.

First of the mark will be Samsung which is launching its flagship phablet the Galaxy Note 3 on Tuesday. Announced at the IFA trade show in Berlin earlier this month, this new update is slightly larger, but at the same time is thinner and lighter, than its predecessor. Instead of Samsung's trademark plastic back, the Note 3 will have a soft textured back cover with a serrated pattern on the side. It will also be among the first devices to feature a 3GB RAM and will run the latest Android version 4.3. Going on sale on September 25 globally, Samsung is expected to be priced around Rs 47,990 here.

A day later, Sony will unveil its new Xperia Z1 in India. The Z1 will be the first Android smartphone to feature a 20 megapixel camera with a 27mm wide angle lens. Like the other new phones in the series, the Z1 too is waterproof and dust-resistant, making it great for those who spend a lot of time outdoors.

After the success of its Nexus 4, LG is preparing to launch the G2 by the end of this month or early October. With the G2, LG has opted to put the volume rocker and power button on the rear, just where the fingers naturally rest. This is expected to make the handheld experience a little less awkward on such a large phone. There isn't any confirmation on the price, but market reports suggest the 5.2-inch G2 will be priced around Rs 40,000.

Then there are the big Apple launches, the iPhone 5C and 5S. Though India is not a first wave country for the phones, the devices are expected to be officially launched before Diwali. Dealers in Delhi are hoping this will be as early as mid-October. Last year, the iPhone 5 had been launched just before the festival.