With the pace of smartphone evolution moving so fast, there’s always something waiting in the wings. No sooner have you spied the latest handset, that there’s anticipation for the next big thing.
Here we look at those phones that haven’t yet launched, the upcoming phones for 2023 and 2024. We’ll be updating this list on a regular basis, with device rumours we think are credible and exciting.
As for already-launched handsets, we’ve rounded up the best smartphones of 2023 – those we consider to be the best across all platforms. If your budget is a little smaller, there is also our best budget smartphones – and our best mid-range roundup up, as well.
Samsung Galaxy S24 series
Pocket-lint
Towards the final quarter of 2023, rumours about the next flagship Samsung Galaxy series started ramping up, and there’s a lot to expect. It’s rumoured the S24 series – including the S24 Ultra – will be launched in February 2024. Rumours have suggested that the Ultra might include a titanium frame – like the iPhone 15 Pro – and feature a 1-inch primary camera sensor and 50-megapixel telephoto camera. We’re also expecting Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 processors across the board.
If accurate, that 1-inch primary sensor could mean the S24 Ultra’s primary camera will deliver the kind of images we’ve seen achieved on the likes of the Xiaomi 13 Pro and 13 Ultra, which can take superb photos with an impressive depth of field, low levels of noise and great clarity. It’ll up the image quality from the Galaxy S23 Ultra which we reviewed earlier in 2023.
Other details include the fact that we might see satellite communication added to the Galaxy S24 series this year, joining the likes of the iPhone 15 series and some of Huawei’s recent China-only smartphones. We’ve also seen rumoured that Samsung will lean more on generative AI, just like the Pixel phones, deliver text-to-image abilities, better speech-to-text accuracy and a better Bixby assistant.
The new Galaxy S24 series phones are expected to land early in 2024, with a launch date likely scheduled for January.
Microsoft Surface foldable
Microsoft
Having tried two generations of Surface Duo – with two screens that fold shut – it’s been said that Microsoft has shelved plans for a third generation and is, instead, working on a phone with one large foldable screen instead. If so, it could see the Microsoft Surface foldable work more like a Samsung Galaxy Z Fold, and not a two-screened smartphone with a hinge.
The sad part of this particular device is that very little has been said about it since an initial flurry of rumours, and with Panos Panay leaving to join Amazon, it could be that this folding phone doesn’t see the light of day. Any rumours and leaks surrounding the phone itself seem to be stuck somewhere between ‘it’s not happening’ to ‘it is happening, but probably not until late 2024.’
The first two generations of Surface Duo were interesting concepts – to say the least – and reviews were mixed around how well executed they were as usable device, but they certainly served as reminders that there’s more than one way to do a folding smartphone.
Xiaomi 14 series
Interestingly the Xiaomi 14 series has already been launched in China. So technically, they’re here now, but will take a bit of time to reach other markets. Historically, the Xiaomi models have made their way to the markets outside of China within a couple of months. With the Xiaomi 13 series we saw the Xiaomi 13 and Xiaomi 13 Pro launch in Western markets in the early part of the year. The range was expanded further with the Xiaomi 13 Ultra a little later in the year and the 13T and 13T Pro in the fall of 2023.
So far the Xiaomi 14 series is made of two models: Xiaomi 14 and Xiaomi 14 Pro. The former is a smaller model with a 6.36-inch display, the latter has a 6.7-inch display. Both are powered by the newly-announced Snapdragon 8 Gen 3, feature 120Hz displays with 3000nits peak brightness and are powered by Xiaomi’s new Android skin: HyperOS based on Android 14. We expect a launch outside of China in the coming months.
OnePlus 12
OnePlus usually launches its new flagship models in the first quarter of the year. Information from a respected leaker suggests we may get a triple camera system with a periscope zoom for the first time, along with the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 processor, 120Hz display and even up to 150W fast charging on the OnePlus 12.
Rumours have also suggested that the next generation model will feature a design reminiscent of the OnePlus 11, which we reviewed and really loved for its focused approach to flagship smartphone experience.
It’s claimed the OnePlus 12 will have a display capable of reaching 2600nits peak brightness, and have a new BOE X1 OLED panel. That should mean excellent colour accuracy and – with a resolution of 3168 x 1440 – it’ll be really crisp and detailed too.
Google Pixel 8a
It doesn’t seem like that long since the Pixel 7a launched, but – as with any new product – it’s never long before rumours of its replacement start. The Pixel 8a is rumoured to feature a Tensor G3 processor – the same processor that’s in the Pixel 8 and Pixel 8 Pro – plus 8GB RAM. Early leaks have also suggested we’re going to see a rounder, friendly device, just like the Pixel 8.
The flagship models of this series, which launched in 2023, both offer an exceptional everyday experience with great results from the camera with very little effort, plus lots of really fun AI-powered goodness that make them a very different experience to previous Pixel models. We’d very much expect the Pixel 8a to feel and act just like the 8 series proper but with a lower price tag.
The Pixel 8a is expected to get its first public outing at Google I/O in late Spring 2024, and could have a price tag of around $499.
Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 6 and Z Fold 6
Z Flip 5 and Z Fold 5 have launched and will be followed by a new generation in 2024. Understandably, it’s been a little quiet on the leak and rumour front, but early leaks have suggested we could have a different aspect ratio on the Galaxy Z Fold 6 compared to its predecessors. Perhaps to give it a more useful outer screen, like the Pixel Fold and the OnePlus Open.
Both the Z Flip 5 and Z Fold 5 reviewed well here at Pocket-lint, thanks to the smart combination of sturdy design and a robust software system designed to take advantage of the big folding screens. The Z Flip 5’s big outer screen makes it a far more useful display than what’s on the older versions.
Not much has been said on the next gen’s design or spec changes, but we’d expect both foldable phones to arrive in Summer 2024, continuing the launch patterns of previous versions of the phones. We’d also expect them to be powered by the latest Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 chipset.
Apple iPhone 16 series
iPhone 15 has only just landed, but that hasn’t stopped the rumour mill from starting up for the following series. It’s claimed – by an industry analyst specialising in display tech – that the iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Pro will have larger screens than the current crop.
There have been a few interesting rumours around the iPhone 16 series. Among them is the claim that the iPhone 16 Pro will have an under-display FaceID system, getting rid of the permanent pill-shaped cutout currently used for the Dynamic Island features. It’s also suggested we’ll see ever higher levels of camera zoom on the 16 Pro Max.
This follows on from the iPhone 15 Pro Max, which we think is one of the best smartphones on the planet. It’s powerful, has great cameras and a stunning big display. We’d expect the 16 Pro Max to follow that lead.
Samsung Galaxy Z Fold FE and Z Flip FE
This one’s a bit more of a long-tail rumour, but there’s been a suggestion that Samsung is working on a more affordable series of foldables, perhaps in response to the challenge set down by Motorola with its own affordable Razr 2023. Details are unknown, but it’s been claimed we will see them arrive towards the end of 2024 or early 2025.
It’s been suggested – or at least expected – that the Z Flip FE could return to the smaller ticker display of the older generation Z Flip models like the Galaxy Z Flip 4 and Z Flip 3.
It’ll be a smart move from Samsung, leveraging the brand appeal of the popular, fashionable Z Flip range, but delivering it in a more affordable package and with a design formula we know already know works well.
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