From Google's Pixel 7A to Apple's iPhone 15, this is the phone we most look forward to.
2023 is an exciting year for smartphones. In the first few months of the year, we've already seen new devices from Samsung and OnePlus. As we approach the second half of 2023, Apple, Google, and others have more to look forward to, especially if you're interested in foldable phones.
While it's hard to predict exactly what will happen in the phone industry, it's possible to make some educated guesses because many companies stick to the same release procedures. For example, the iPhone 15 series is expected to be available in August and may be the first to use USB-C charging. Google's rumored Pixel 8 could launch in the fall, possibly with a new Tensor processor.
Such a launch would follow the subtle but important progress that the phone made in 2022. The iPhone 14, for example, gets satellite connectivity for emergency and crash detection, while Google has found more ways to use its custom Tensor chips in the Pixel 7 and 7 Pro. Meanwhile, Samsung gave its flagship Galaxy S lineup a fresh look and upgraded cameras last year, and this year's S23 is a step forward.
Here's what we're likely to see in 2023 for new phones, based on previous release cycles and reports.
Apple's iPhone 15 lineup
What to expect: Apple's new iPhone line usually launches in January 2023, and there's no reason to believe 2023 will be any different. The adoption of USB-C charging is one of the biggest changes we'd expect to see on Apple's next iPhone.
The European Union recently mandated that all new phones sold in the region must support USB-C charging by 2024. Apple says it will abide by the rules, but doesn't specify if that means we'll see a shift to USB-C starting in 2023. It has not been confirmed whether the USB-C iPhone will be released globally or if it will still be a European model.
Otherwise, we may see routine changes such as some camera upgrades and new processors. TF International Securities analyst Ming-Chi Kuo, known for making fairly accurate predictions about upcoming Apple products, tweeted that Apple may do more to distinguish the iPhone 15 Pro from the regular iPhone 15.
It has already taken a step in that direction in the iPhone 14 generation, retaining features like Dynamic Island and the new A16 Bionic processor exclusive to the Pro series. More interestingly, however, Apple can further differentiate between the larger iPhone 15 Pro Max and the smaller iPhone 15 Pro.
The main difference between the regular Pro and Pro Max is the screen size. Giving the Pro Max a few extra perks could further convince shoppers to splurge on Apple's biggest (and most expensive) iPhone. Bloomberg's Mark Gurman also believes that Apple may change the name of the iPhone Pro Max to iPhone Ultra in the future to better align with other products such as Apple Watch Ultra.
The iPhone's long-awaited transition to USB-C is arguably the biggest reason to be excited about Apple's next generation of smartphones. This conversion means that iPhone users will finally be able to charge their iPhones, iPads, and Macs using the same type of charging cable, reducing friction and making iPhones more convenient. I'm also looking forward to seeing if Apple further differentiates between the iPhone 15 Pro Max and the iPhone 15 Pro. I think Apple needs to give its oversized iPhones more features to take advantage of its larger screen, similar to the iPad.
OnePlus foldable phone
OnePlus broke the news of its first foldable phone, but has yet to provide specifics.
What we look for: OnePlus plans to launch its first foldable phone in the second half of 2023, which the company unveiled at Mobile World Congress in February. Unfortunately, we don't know much else. The company hasn't announced any details about the device itself, exactly when it plans to launch the phone, or how much it might cost.
Like Google, OnePlus is known for beating Samsung and Apple on price. That makes me hope that OnePlus' foldable phone will be much cheaper than the $1,800 Galaxy Z Fold 4. OnePlus' sister brand, the Oppo Find N2, was also critically acclaimed, with CNET reviewers calling it her lightest foldable device ever, so OnePlus has a chance to follow in the footsteps of its siblings. Also, it's nice to see Samsung facing more competition in this space.
Google Pixel 7A
Google Pixel 6A
What to expect: If Google stays alive with its traditions, we may see a cheaper version of the Pixel 7, called the Pixel 7A, in the spring or summer. Rumors about the Pixel 7A are few and far between now. But the developer said he found details in the Android codebase that could be related to the Pixel 7A, suggesting that some fairly important upgrades are underway.
The developer's findings suggest that the Pixel 7A's screen may have a higher 90Hz refresh rate and wireless charging — two features that are conspicuously lacking in the Pixel 6A. The leaked renders released by the developers again on the Smartprix also indicate that the Pixel 7A will have a design very similar to its predecessor.
The Pixel 7A could also include the same Tensor G7 processors that power the Pixel 2 and 7 Pro, as well as a camera setup that includes wide-angle and ultra-wide sensors. Of course, if the Pixel 7A follows in the same footsteps as the Pixel 6A.
The Pixel 7A is also believed to have appeared on Vietnamese website Zing News, suggesting that it will have a 6.1-inch screen with a design very similar to the Pixel 7 — even including the camera bar.
Review: From a value standpoint, Google's A-series Pixel phones are impressive. That's why the Pixel 6A won the CNET Editor's Choice Award and is our favorite Android phone under $500. If Google manages to address several of the Pixel 6A's shortcomings while maintaining the same price of $449, it will become a stronger challenger for Samsung in the affordable phone market.
Google Pixel 8 lineup
Pixel 7 Pro (left) and Pixel 7 (right).
What to expect: Google's Pixel 7 and 7 Pro have only been available since mid-August 2022, but rumors about the Pixel 8 series are already starting to surface. German tech blog WinFuture reported that it found references to two unreleased Pixel smartphones in public code. The findings suggest that the two devices, codenamed "Shiba" and "Husky," are powered by new processors codenamed "Zuma." According to WinFuture, the code also suggests that these devices will run on Android 12 and include 12GB of RAM.
Prolific leaker Steve Hemmerstoffer also teamed up with tech bloggers MySmartPrice and SmartPrix to release renderings of what is said to be the Pixel 8 and Pixel 8 Pro. According to these images, the two phones will have a similar design with softer edges compared to the Pixel 7 and 7 Pro.
Review: There aren't many rumors about the expected Pixel 8 and 8 Pro, which means there's not much to be excited about yet. But I'm most interested in what new features Google's next-generation chips will bring to its future phones. Google's current Tensor chip enables features that look practical and useful in everyday life, such as a magic eraser and face unblurring for improving photo quality, and the ability to add speaker tags to transcripts in the Recorder app. That excites me about what's next for Google.
Google Pixel folds
The leak suggests that Google's foldable Pixel may look like the Oppo Find N, as shown in the image.
What to expect: Google hasn't entered the foldable phone race yet, but that could soon change. According to 9to5Google and WinFuture, the search giant could release a foldable Pixel phone as early as June.
According to 9to5Google, Google's take on foldable phones might look like the Oppo Find N. YouTube celebrity Dave2D said he received a blank model showing the rumored design of the Pixel Fold, which is somewhat similar to Microsoft's Surface Duo.
Developer Kuba Wojciechowski also reportedly found clues in the Android 13 beta that hinted at a possible foldable Pixel device. The code suggests that the phone will come with a main camera, a telephoto camera, and an ultra-wide-angle camera like most high-end phones, as well as the same internal selfie camera as the Pixel 6.
Comment: Unless Google announces a foldable phone, we won't be sure of anything. But there are several reasons that get me excited about the idea of pixel folding.
Google typically undercuts Samsung and other phone makers on price, which means the Pixel Fold could end up being quite affordable compared to its competitors. Foldable devices are still largely a novelty. They attracted early adopters, but most still don't really see the value of foldable phones. According to International Data Corporation, foldable phones accounted for only 1% of the global smartphone market in 2022.
Since Google operates Android and has a history of providing unique features for its regular Pixel phones, I hope it will offer the same features for the Pixel Fold as well. With its current Pixel device, Google has added useful features like the ability to sharpen out-of-focus photos and let Google Assistant wait for you. If it does release foldable screens, I'd like to see it follow the same approach and develop creative, useful features that take advantage of foldable screens.
Samsung folding screen: Galaxy Z Fold5
Samsung's Galaxy Z Fold 4
What we expect: Although foldable phones are still new to most people, Samsung's Galaxy Z Fold will launch its fifth generation in 2023. According to South Korean news outlet The Elec, the next version of the Samsung phone-tablet hybrid may have a slot for storing the Samsung S Pen stylus, a lighter design and less noticeable creases. The report doesn't explicitly say that the Z Fold 5 will have these improvements, but it does say that Samsung has listed it as a hurdle that must be overcome to make the foldable phone more popular.
Other recent reports from The Elec, ET News, and well-known leaker Ice Universe suggest that Samsung could implement a teardrop-shaped hinge on the Galaxy Z Fold 5. This new hinge may help minimize the crease and thickness of the device.
Otherwise, we might expect to see regular improvements in 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 of the screen as a mini trackpad when the display is half folded. Therefore, it is possible that we will see additional software enhancements in the future.
Samsung usually releases its new foldable phone in August, which means we could see the next Z Fold around that time.
The Galaxy Z Fold 5 needs more than just the included S Pen to bring the foldable device into the mainstream. But making the S Pen a more important part of the experience can further define who the Z Fold is 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. Both the Galaxy Z Fold 4 and Z Fold 3 are compatible with the S Pen, but must be purchased separately.
Samsung flip phone: Galaxy Z Flip5
The new Galaxy Z Flip 4 looks almost identical to last year's Z Flip 3.
What to expect: Samsung's next-generation flip phone could have a larger cover screen and a less pronounced crease, according to Ross Young, co-founder and CEO of Display Supply Chain Consultants. Ross recently tweeted that the Z Flip 5 will have a roughly 3-inch cover display and a new hinge design that can make the crease more subtle. That's a huge increase over the current Z Flip 4's 1.9-inch cover screen. As with the Z Fold 5, we have the possibility of seeing overall improvements in camera quality and software, as well as the new processor.
Review: Making the cover screen slightly larger will solve one of the Z Flip's biggest drawbacks. As my colleague Patrick Holland wrote in his review of the Z Flip 4, the cover screen is the biggest area where Samsung can do more. I'd also like to see the Z Flip 5 have a longer battery life, considering this is another area where Samsung's current flip phones could use some improvements.