News around technology very often pertains to rumours and leaks around upcoming gadgets like smartphones, laptops, wearables, and more. While many a times rumours and leaks are absolutely spot on, there are a lot of times when they just don’t come true. Every year, we get thousands of such rumours that never materialise into an actual product launch. In 2021 as well, there were several – from rollable phones, to foldable Pixel, to a flat-edged Apple Watch – there was a slew of rumours that never turned into reality this year. As 2021 is coming to an end in less than two weeks, let us take a look at some of the most-hyped rumours that never materialised throughout the year:
1. Galaxy S21 FE
Possibly the only smartphone that was actually materialised, but didn’t launch this year, despite several hints that it will launch during one of the few events Samsung held this year. The Samsung Galaxy S21 FE, a toned-down version of this year’s flagship Galaxy S21 series, is now set to launch in January 2022, instead of 2021. Ahead of a couple of Samsung events – be it for the Fold launch or the later “Unpacked” event where the company launched the customisable Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 3, the Galaxy S21 FE was rumoured to launch on multiple occasions. Here’s hoping that the January launch report is true.
2. Pixel Fold
Google this year launched its most advanced and probably the newest Pixel smartphones – the Pixel 6 and Pixel 6 Pro. Now, while we waited for the Pixel devices throughout the year, only to see them launch in October. While rumours around the Pixel 6 were going around, there was talk that Google may also launch a foldable Pixel smartphone. The Google Pixel Fold, codenamed “Passport” according to rumours, was said to come with an LTPO display made by Samsung. This, however, never materialised and there is no word about a foldable Pixel smartphone as of now. The rumours were based on the fact that in 2019, Google had confirmed it was working on a prototype foldable smartphone but only for internal testing purposes.
3. Pixel Watch
Like the Pixel Fold, the Pixel Watch is also something that was also rumoured several times in 2021. The Google smartwatch is now expected to arrive in 2022, and was recently reported to be codenamed “Rohan.” Renders of the Pixel Watch also surfaced earlier this year, showing a round dial with practically no bezels. The Pixel Watch is said to be separate from Google’s Fitbit wearables, and is said to be priced higher than Fitbit wearables.
4. Flat-Edged Apple Watch
All Apple products have significance presence in news and rumours every year. This year, ahead of the iPhone 13 and Apple Watch Series 7 launch, there were rumours about Apple bringing a new design for its Apple Watch, which would be more in-line with the current design language with flat edges, similar to the iPhone 13 series and the new MacBook Pro models. However, much to everyone’s (especially tipsters) surprise, Apple did not bring a flat-edged Apple Watch this year. The company did put a larger display, something that leaks also hinted, but the design language remained pretty much the same as predecessor.
5. LG Rollable
LG, the company that took us all by surprise last year with its unique LG Wing smartphone was this year rumoured to bring the LG Rollable smartphone. The LG Rollable was rumoured to be the second device in the company’s “Explorer Project” range (first was the LG Wing). The smartphone was teased on a couple of occasions by LG itself, but never made it to the markets or even an official unveil. Not only did LG not bring its next-gen smartphone form factor this year, the company shuttered its smartphone business altogether in 2021 due to years of losses.
6. Oppo X 2021
The Oppo X 2021, another “rollable” smartphone that was teased at the Chinese company’s Inno Day event in 2020 was also said to arrive this year. It, however, did not make it to the markets this year. Instead, Oppo took this year to launch its first foldable, the Oppo Find N (Review). The Oppo Find N was launched during Oppo Inno Day event earlier this month. The Oppo X 2021, according to Oppo’s teaser last year, was a regular 6.7-inch smartphone in its compact form. The display, however, expanded to a 7.4-inch size as it extended (rolled out) from the right side. Similar concept to the LG rollable.
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