Like to follow every smartphone launch like a hawk? Your diary must’ve been busy these past twelve months. From affordable blowers and fresh flagships to folding phones, there’s been a whole host of shiny new handsets. But you’re presumably here to stay on top of what’s around the corner – so here’s our guide to the best upcoming phones for 2023.
We’ve rounded up the confirmed releases, probable launches and rumoured reveals for the year below, so you can keep your smartphone knowledge well ahead of the curve. We’ve also summarised the major smartphone announcements from last year, with links to our reviews of the big hitters. We’ll keep this list regularly updated, too. Here are all the best upcoming phones we expect to see in 2023.
The best upcoming phones this year
Apple iPhone 15
Any Apple launch deserves top billing on a list of best upcoming phones and this year will see the launch of the iPhone 15 series. It’s due to launch in September 2023 (as Apple’s launches and release dates are, mercifully, very consistent). The fancy Dynamic Island notch will make its way down to the base iPhone 15 models (there will almost certainly be an iPhone 15 Plus as well). We’d also love to see 8K video recording (because why not), along with a periscope zoom camera to better match the lossless 10x optical zoom offered by the formidable Galaxy S23 Ultra.
On that note, we could see the launch of an iPhone 15 Ultra instead of the iPhone 15 Pro Max, if the latest rumours are to be believed. And that’s the one that will have the periscope lens. In the meantime, the iPhone 14 Pro Max remains top dog in Apple world.
Samsung Galaxy S24
Samsung’s Galaxy S phone trio remain some of the most popular smartphones that don’t wear an Apple badge. This year’s S23, S23+ and S23 Ultra weren’t giant leaps forward from the previous generation, so hopes are high that Samsung will pull something special out of the bag for 2024. Current rumours suggest the S24+ might not make the grade, with the firm instead focusing on a two-phone line-up, but with nothing set in stone until next February, there’s plenty of time for things to change.
Don’t fancy waiting that long for a new handset? The S23 range is still plenty punchy, with fantastic cameras and very respectable battery life for a flagship phone:
Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 5
Given that the Galaxy Z Fold 4 is the best folding phone Samsung has ever made, it would be a shame for them to end it there. And they more than likely won’t. That’s why the Z Fold 5 is high on our list of best upcoming phones that fold (check out our roundup of the best foldable phones). It’s almost certainly set to be revealed at Samsung’s upcoming Unpacked event in late July.
We’d like to see an even slimmer design, faster charging, and a built-in S-Pen to take advantage of drawing and doodling on its expansive unfolded display. Don’t fancy waiting until July for an all-new Samsung foldable? The current version is still a tasty device:
OnePlus V Fold
Little is known about OnePlus’ debut foldable, which is expected to land later this year. The firm has yet to ramp up its teaser campaign, but all signs are pointing to it sharing much with sister brand Oppo’s Find N2. That means it’ll be a book-style foldable with a shorter, wider display than the Galaxy Z Fold 5, and should pack flagship-grade hardware.
We’re betting Hasselblad will help out on the camera front again, and it should deliver rapid wired charging. As to what software tweaks OnePlus will make for the foldable screen, the recent OnePlus Pad should give a clue or two as to how OxygenOS will work at a larger scale. Not bothered about folding phones? The OnePlus 11 is a corker of a traditional handset.