Even though the year has just begun, there are already a lot of stories, speculations, and leaks concerning new phones that are supposed to be released during 2023.
The first new gadgets will be released by Samsung and OnePlus. The Galaxy S23 is anticipated to be announced by Samsung on February 1 while the OnePlus 11 5G will go on sale worldwide on February 7.
Even while it’s challenging to forecast exactly what the smartphone market will look like in 2023, it is feasible to make some educated predictions because many firms follow a similar launch schedule each year. For instance, the iPhone 15 series is scheduled to release in September and may have USB-C charging for the first time. The 200-megapixel camera sensor from Samsung may be found in the Galaxy S23 Ultra.
Apple iPhone 15 lineup
What we anticipate: Apple always introduces its new iPhone line around September, and there is no reason to think 2023 would be any different. One of the greatest changes we anticipate seeing in Apple’s next iPhones is the implementation of USB-C charging.
By 2024, all new phones sold in the area must enable USB-C charging, according to a recent directive from the European Union. Apple stated that it would abide by these regulations, however it was unclear if this meant that USB-C would take precedence starting in 2023. Additionally, it is unclear whether a USB-C iPhone will be available worldwide or only in Europe.
Otherwise, standard adjustments like camera improvements and a new CPU are expected to be made. The well-known TF International Securities Analyst Ming-Chi Kuo stated that Apple could take more steps to set the iPhone 15 Pro apart from the standard iPhone 15 in the future.
With the iPhone 14 generation, it already took a step in that approach by restricting the availability of features like Dynamic Island and the new A16 Bionic CPU to the Pro line. But what’s more intriguing, in Kuo’s opinion, is the notion that Apple would further distinguish the bigger iPhone 15 Pro Max from the more compact iPhone 15 Pro.
The screen size is the primary distinction between the Pro and Pro Max. Giving the Pro Max some more benefits would persuade customers even more to go out on Apple’s largest (and most costly) iPhone. According to Mark Gurman of Bloomberg, Apple may eventually rename the iPhone Pro Max to the iPhone Ultra in order to more closely resemble other items like the Apple Watch Ultra.
Why it makes me happy: The biggest reason to get excited about Apple’s next smartphone is probably the long-awaited switch to USB-C for the iPhone. With the transition, iPhone customers will now be able to use the same charging cable to charge their iPhone, iPad, and Mac, which will reduce friction and make the iPhone even more practical. I’m also interested to see whether Apple makes any other distinctions between the iPhone 15 Pro and the iPhone 15 Pro Max. I’ve advocated that Apple should equip their giant iPhones with extra features that make use of their larger screens, much like the iPad.
OnePlus 11 5G
What to anticipate: The OnePlus 11 5G is now available in China, but the new device won’t go on sale there until February 7. The new phone will sport a 6.7-inch OLED screen with a 120Hz refresh rate, Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 engine, and 100-watt fast charging, according to information we’ve acquired via the OnePlus China website. That’s an improvement above the 80W fast charging that OnePlus provided on the smartphone from the previous year, albeit regrettably, those rates were restricted to 65W on the US model.
Additionally, the OnePlus 11 5G will include three cameras: a 32-megapixel telephoto camera, a 48-megapixel ultrawide camera, and a 50-megapixel primary camera. That is consistent with earlier specs from renowned leaker Steve Hemmerstoffer that were posted on the website GadgetGang.
Why I’m Excited About It: In recent years, OnePlus’ costs have become closer to those of the competitors it intends to undercut, despite the company’s reputation as the “flagship killer.” Despite this, OnePlus is still known for offering inexpensive products with premium features like speedy charging.
According to my colleague Andrew Lanxon, who evaluated the OnePlus 10 Pro, it was quite close to being a fantastic iPhone rival. However, limitations like the absence of 80-watt charging in the US and a somewhat underwhelming camera kept it from being as good as it may have been. OnePlus should make these improvements in its upcoming model.
Samsung Galaxy S23 lineup
What we anticipate: According to reports, Samsung’s Galaxy S23 might have significant improvements to the camera and design, two areas that have long been top priorities for the South Korean tech giant.
A 200-megapixel primary camera may be included in the anticipated Galaxy S23 Ultra. Samsung’s announcement of a new 200-megapixel camera sensor in mid-January increased rumours that it will be included in the Galaxy S23 Ultra. On paper, that seems like a significant improvement over the 108-megapixel primary sensor of the Galaxy S22 Ultra.
Samsung could potentially alter the appearance of the standard Galaxy S23 and S23 Plus so that it more closely resembles the Ultra variant. Samsung may replace the camera hump on the S23 and S23 Plus with the protruding lenses featured on the Galaxy S22 Ultra, according to images from trusted leaker Hemmerstoffer. Together with Hemmerstoffer, images were posted on the tech blogs Digit and Smartprix.
Samsung often uses Qualcomm’s most recent mobile processor in the new version of its phones that are introduced in the United States and some other areas, albeit we are not exactly what to anticipate in terms of performance. Therefore, the Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 will probably be included in Samsung’s next Galaxy phone. Among other improvements, the new CPU delivers increased power efficiency, ray tracing for better visuals in mobile games, and updated AI that can better distinguish you from your Zoom backdrop. Analyst Kuo even thinks Samsung might stop using its own Exynos chips and switch the Galaxy S23 entirely to Qualcomm.
The reason I’m interested in it is because smartphone cameras have already advanced to the point where I’m keen to see whether a 200-megapixel sensor truly makes a noticeable difference. In any case, it will be intriguing to watch how Samsung improves the photography experience in the S23 lineup considering the recent escalation of competition from Google’s Pixel line. I also support the expected redesign of the Galaxy S23 and S23 Plus to more closely match the Galaxy S23 Ultra. According to the renderings, it appears more streamlined and clean than the camera bulge on the Galaxy S22.
Google Pixel 7A
What we anticipate: If Google sticks to its pattern, the Pixel 7A, a less expensive variant of the Pixel 7, might be released in the spring or summer. There are currently few rumours about the Pixel 7A. However, developer Kuba Wojciechowski claims to have located information in the Android core that may be related to the Pixel 7A, indicating that some very big enhancements are in the works.
According to Wojciechowski’s research, the Pixel 7A could offer wireless charging and a screen with a higher refresh rate of 90Hz, two features that are conspicuously lacking from the Pixel 6A. The Pixel 7A will likely have a very similar style to its predecessor, according to leaked renderings from Hemmerstoffer that were once again posted on Smartprix.
The same Tensor G2 CPU and camera system found in the Pixel 7 and Pixel 7 Pro may also be found in the Pixel 7A, along with wide- and ultrawide-angle sensor configurations. That is, of course, assuming that the Pixel 7A follows in the footsteps of the Pixel 6A.
Why it makes me happy: From a value perspective, Google’s A-series Pixel phones are quite outstanding. Because of this, the Pixel 6A is our top Android phone under $500 and has won a CNET Editors’ Choice award. Google will be an even more powerful competitor to Samsung in the low-cost phone market if it can fix the Pixel 6A’s few minor flaws while keeping the same price of $449.
Google Pixel 8 lineup
What to expect: Although Google’s Pixel 7 and 7 Pro have just been available since mid-October 2022, speculation regarding the Pixel 8 family has already begun to circulate. According to the German tech site WinFuture, publicly accessible code contains mentions to two upcoming Pixel devices. These two devices are powered by a new CPU with the codename “Zuma,” according to the research, and are known by the codenames “Shiba” and “Husky.” According to WinFuture, the code also reveals that these smartphones will use Android 14 and have 12GB of RAM.
Why I’m interested in it: Since there haven’t been many speculations regarding the anticipated Pixel 8 and Pixel 8 Pro, there isn’t much to be excited about just now. But I’m most curious to see what new capabilities Google’s next processor will give its phones. With the latest Tensor chips from Google, functions like Magic Eraser and Face Unblur for bettering photo quality and the capacity to add speaker labels to transcripts in the Recorder app appear to be helpful and practical in daily life. That gets me curious about Google’s potential future directions.
Samsung Galaxy A54 5G
What to expect: Samsung may be best known for its Galaxy S products, but if you’re on a smaller budget, you should pay attention to its line of Galaxy A phones. Following the release of the Galaxy A53 5G in the spring, the Galaxy A54 5G is anticipated to be the following phone in this series.
According to the scant number of leaks that have leaked so far, the Galaxy A54 5G will only be somewhat superior to the A53 5G. It is anticipated to sport a triple back camera and a 6.4-inch screen, which is somewhat smaller than the A53’s 6.5-inch display. That’s according to the leaker Hemmerstoffer, who provided images with the tech blog 91Mobiles that purported to depict the design of the Galaxy A54 5G. According to a rumour from the Dutch technology website Galaxy Club, the A54 5G could feature a somewhat bigger battery than its forerunner.
Why I’m Excited About It: The Galaxy A53 5G seemed much more costly than it actually was when I tried it shortly after its introduction. Although it isn’t ideal, Samsung’s Galaxy A53 5G offers a complete package for the money. I’m hopeful that the popularity of Google’s Pixel A series will spur Samsung to improve its low-cost phone lineup even more.
Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 5
Although most people are still unfamiliar with foldable phones, Samsung’s Galaxy Z Fold will be on its fifth iteration in 2023. According to Korean news source The Elec, Samsung’s next phone-tablet hybrid may include a space for storing the company’s S Pen pen, a lighter build, and a less obvious crease. The story didn’t specifically state that the Z Fold 5 will include these upgrades, but it did mention that Samsung has identified them as challenges that must be addressed to increase the popularity of folding phones.
Otherwise, we can definitely anticipate periodic updates to the Galaxy Z Fold 5’s camera and chipset. This year, Samsung has improved the Z Fold 4’s multitasking capabilities, such as the capability to utilise the bottom third of the screen as a little touchpad while the display is folded in half. So there’s a potential that in the future, we’ll also see more software improvements.
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: The Galaxy Z Fold 5 requires much more than just an integrated S Pen to make foldables popular. Making the S Pen a greater part of the experience, though, would help clarify the purpose and target audience for the Z Fold. Considering that Samsung is pitching the Z Fold 5 as a gadget focused on work, having an inbuilt S Pen seems like a logical choice. The S Pen is compatible with the Galaxy Z Fold 4 and Z Fold 3, however they must be purchased separately.
Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 5
What we anticipate: According to Ross Young, co-founder and CEO of Display Supply Chain Consultants, Samsung’s upcoming flip phone may have a bigger cover screen and a less obvious seam. According to a recent tweet from Ross, the Z Flip 5 will have a cover display that is around 3 inches wide and a redesigned hinge that could make the crease less obvious. That would be a significant improvement over the 1.9-inch cover screen on the existing Z Flip 4. Similar to the Z Fold 5, there’s a possibility that we’ll see general upgrades to the camera and software in addition to a new CPU.
Why I’m Excited: By significantly enlarging the cover screen, the Z Flip would fix one of its main drawbacks. In his assessment of the Z Flip 4, my colleague Patrick Holland noted that the cover screen was the main area where Samsung might have improved. The Z Flip 5’s battery life is another area where I’m expecting for enhancements, since Samsung’s current flip phone could need some work.
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. Of course, we’ll know more throughout the year as more reports and rumors arrive and as Samsung, OnePlus, Apple and Google actually debut their devices.
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