The iPhone 15, Google Pixel Fold and Different Telephones We Count on This 12 months

Samsung and OnePlus already introduced new gadgets within the first quarter of 2023, however smartphone buyers seemingly have much more to look ahead to later this 12 months.

Although it is onerous to foretell precisely what’s in retailer for the cellphone business, it is attainable to make some educated guesses since many firms stick with the identical launch routine. The iPhone 15 lineup, for instance, is predicted to reach in September, presumably with USB-C charging for the primary time. Google’s rumored Pixel 8 may launch within the fall, seemingly with a brand new Tensor processor.

Such launches would observe the delicate however necessary progress that telephones made in 2022. The iPhone 14, for instance, gained satellite tv for pc connectivity for emergencies and car-crash detection, whereas Google discovered extra methods to utilize its customized Tensor chip within the Pixel 7 and 7 Professional. Samsung, in the meantime, gave its flagship Galaxy S lineup a contemporary look and an upgraded digicam final 12 months, whereas this 12 months’s S23 is a modest step ahead.

Listed below are the brand new telephones we’re more likely to see in 2023, based mostly on earlier launch cycles, rumors and studies. 

Apple iPhone 15 lineup

What we’re anticipating: Apple’s new iPhone household often launches in September, and we now have no purpose to consider 2023 can be any completely different. The adoption of USB-C charging is without doubt one of the greatest modifications we’re anticipating to see on Apple’s next-generation iPhones. 

The European Union not too long ago mandated that every one new telephones offered within the area should help USB-C charging by 2024. Apple mentioned it could comply with these guidelines however didn’t specify whether or not which means we’ll see a shift to USB-C beginning in 2023. It is also not confirmed if a USB-C iPhone would get a world launch, or if it could stay solely a European mannequin.

In any other case, we’re more likely to see routine modifications reminiscent of some digicam upgrades and a brand new processor. TF Worldwide Securities Analyst Ming-Chi Kuo, who is thought for making fairly correct predictions about upcoming Apple merchandise, tweeted that Apple could do extra to tell apart the iPhone 15 Professional from the common iPhone 15. 

It already made a step in that path with the iPhone 14 era by conserving options just like the Dynamic Island and new A16 Bionic processor unique to the Professional line. What’s extra attention-grabbing, nevertheless, is the concept that Apple may additional differentiate the bigger iPhone 15 Professional Max from the smaller iPhone 15 Professional, in line with Kuo. 

The primary distinction between the common Professional and Professional Max comes right down to display screen measurement. Giving the Professional Max some additional perks may additional persuade buyers to splurge on Apple’s greatest (and costliest) iPhone. Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman additionally believes Apple may change the title of the iPhone Professional Max to the iPhone Extremely sooner or later to raised align with different merchandise just like the Apple Watch Extremely. 

Why I am enthusiastic about it: The iPhone’s long-anticipated transition to USB-C is arguably the most important purpose to get enthusiastic about Apple’s subsequent smartphone. The swap means iPhone customers will lastly be capable to cost their iPhone, iPad and Mac with the identical kind of charging cable, lowering friction and making the iPhone that rather more handy. I am additionally wanting ahead to seeing whether or not Apple additional distinguishes the iPhone 15 Professional Max from the iPhone 15 Professional. I’ve argued that Apple wants to offer its supersized iPhones extra performance that takes benefit of their bigger screens, much like the iPad.

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Google Pixel 7A

What we’re expecting: If Google maintains its tradition, we could see a cheaper version of the Pixel 7 known as the Pixel 7A launch in the spring or summer time frame. Rumors about the Pixel 7A are scarce right now. But developer Kuba Wojciechowski says he found details possibly pertaining to the Pixel 7A in the Android codebase, suggesting that some fairly significant upgrades are in store. 

Wojciechowski’s findings indicate the Pixel 7A could have a screen with a higher refresh rate of 90Hz and wireless charging — two characteristics that are noticeably absent from the Pixel 6A. Leaked renders from Hemmerstoffer that were once again published on Smartprix also suggest the Pixel 7A will have a very similar design as its predecessor. 

The Pixel 7A could also include the same Tensor G2 processor that powers the Pixel 7 and 7 Pro as well as a camera setup that includes wide and ultrawide sensors. That’s if the Pixel 7A follows in the same footsteps as the Pixel 6A, of course. 

The Pixel 7A is also believed to have surfaced on the Vietnamese website Zing News, which suggests it will have a 6.1-inch screen and a design that’s very similar to the Pixel 7’s — even down to the camera bar. 

Why I’m excited about it: Google’s A-series Pixel phones are seriously impressive from a value standpoint. That’s why the Pixel 6A has received a CNET Editors’ Choice award and is our favorite Android phone under $500. If Google manages to address the Pixel 6A’s very few shortcomings while maintaining the same price of $449, it’ll be an even more formidable challenger to Samsung in the affordable phone market. 

Google Pixel 8 lineup

What we’re expecting: Google’s Pixel 7 and 7 Pro have only been out since mid-October 2022, but rumors have already started to surface about the Pixel 8 family. German tech blog WinFuture reports that it found references to two unreleased Pixel smartphones in publicly available code. The findings indicate that these two devices are codenamed “Shiba” and “Husky” and that they’re powered by a new processor codenamed “Zuma.” The code also suggests these devices will run on Android 14 and include 12GB of RAM, according to WinFuture.

Prolific leaker Steve Hemmerstoffer also partnered with the tech blogs MySmartPrice and SmartPrix to publish what are said to be renderings of the Pixel 8 and Pixel 8 Pro. Based on these images, both phones will have a similar design with softer edges compared to the Pixel 7 and 7 Pro. 

Why I’m excited about it: There haven’t been many rumors about the expected Pixel 8 and 8 Pro, which means there isn’t too much to get excited about yet. But what I’m most interested in is what new features Google’s next-generation chip will bring to its future phones. Google’s current Tensor chips have enabled features that seem practical and useful in everyday life, such as Magic Eraser and Face Unblur for improving photo quality and the ability to add speaker labels to transcripts in the Recorder app. That makes me excited about where Google could take things next. 

Google Pixel Fold

What we’re expecting: Google hasn’t entered the foldable phone race yet, but that could change very soon. The search giant may release a foldable Pixel phone as early as June, according to 9to5Google and WinFuture.

Google’s take on the foldable phone could look like the Oppo Find N, according to 9to5Google. YouTube personality Dave2D says he received a blank model showing what the rumored Pixel Fold’s design could look like, and it kind of resembles Microsoft’s Surface Duo.

Developer Kuba Wojciechowski also reportedly discovered clues in the Android 13 beta hinting at a possible foldable Pixel device. The code suggested the phone would have a main, telephoto and ultrawide camera just like most premium phones, along with the same inner selfie camera as the Pixel 6. 

Why we’re excited about it: We won’t know anything for certain unless Google announces a foldable phone. But there are a couple of reasons why I’m excited about the idea of a Pixel Fold. 

Google typically undercuts Samsung and other phone makers on price, meaning the Pixel Fold could end up being fairly affordable compared to competitors. Foldables are also still largely a novelty. They appeal to early adopters, but most people still don’t really see the value in foldable phones just yet. Foldables phones are only expected to have accounted for 1.1% of the global smartphone market in 2022, according to The International Data Corporation’s estimate. 

Since Google operates Android and has a history of coming up with unique features for its regular Pixel phones, I’m hoping it’ll do the same for a Pixel Fold. With its current Pixel devices, Google has added helpful features like the ability to sharpen photos that are out of focus and have Google Assistant wait on hold for you. If it does release a foldable, I’d like to see it follow the same approach and develop creative, useful features that take advantage of a foldable screen. 

Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 5

What we’re expecting: Even though foldable phones are still new to most people, Samsung’s Galaxy Z Fold will be on its fifth generation in 2023. The next version of Samsung’s phone-tablet hybrid could have a slot for storing Samsung’s S Pen stylus, a lighter design and a less noticeable crease, according to Korean news outlet The Elec. The report didn’t definitively say the Z Fold 5 will have these improvements, but did say Samsung has cited them as barriers that must be overcome to make foldable phones more popular.

Other more recent reports from The Elec, ET News and well-known leaker Ice Universe suggest Samsung could implement a water drop-shaped hinge on the Galaxy Z Fold 5. That new hinge would likely help with minimizing the device’s crease and thickness. 

Otherwise, we can probably expect to see routine improvements to the camera and processor in the Galaxy Z Fold 5. Samsung also added some new multitasking features to the Z Fold 4 this year, such as the ability to use the bottom portion of the screen as a mini trackpad when the display is folded halfway. So there’s a chance we’ll see other software enhancements in the future, too. 

Samsung typically releases its new foldable phones in August, meaning we’re likely to see the next Z Fold around that time.

Why I’m excited about it: The Galaxy Z Fold 5 needs a lot more than an included S Pen to bring foldables into the mainstream. But making the S Pen a bigger part of the experience could go a long way in further defining who the Z Fold is for and why it exists in the first place. Samsung is promoting the Z Fold 5 as a productivity-oriented device, so having an embedded S Pen seems like a natural move. The Galaxy Z Fold 4 and Z Fold 3 are both compatible with the S Pen, but they must be purchased separately. 

Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 5

What we’re expecting: Samsung’s next flip phone may have a larger cover screen and a less noticeable crease, according to Ross Young, cofounder and CEO of Display Supply Chain Consultants. Ross recently tweeted that the Z Flip 5 will have a cover display measuring around 3 inches and a new hinge design that could make the crease more subtle. That would represent a sizable increase from the current Z Flip 4’s 1.9-inch cover screen. Like with the Z Fold 5, there’s a chance we’ll see general improvements to camera quality and software as well as a new processor. 

Why I’m excited about it: Making the cover screen slightly larger would address one of the Z Flip’s biggest shortcomings. As my colleague Patrick Holland wrote in his review of the Z Flip 4, the cover screen is the biggest area where Samsung could be doing more. I’m also hoping to see longer battery life from the Z Flip 5 considering that’s another area where Samsung’s current flip phone could use some improvement. 

Overall

It seems like some of the biggest improvements we’re expecting to see across the board on new smartphones in 2023 will have to do with battery and charging improvements, as well as camera and design upgrades. We’ll know more throughout the year as more reports and rumors arrive, and as Samsung, Apple and Google actually debut their devices.