The future smartphones of 2023

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 elsewhere – those we consider to be the best across all platforms. If your budget is a little smaller, there is also our budget smartphones – and there’s a mid-range roundup up, as well.

The upcoming generation of phones

Before we dive into the detail, here are some of the anticipated handsets for 2023 and beyond:

• OnePlus V Fold and V Flip
• Nothing Phone (2)
• Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 5
• Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 5
• iPhone 15 and 15 Pro
• Google Pixel G10/Pixel 7 Reaccionario
• Xiaomi Mix Fold 3
• Google Pixel 8
• Samsung Galaxy S23 FE
• New Microsoft Surface foldable
• iPhone 16 series
• Xiaomi 14 series

OnePlus V Fold and V Flip

At its OnePlus 11 and Buds Pro 2 launch event, the manufacturer teased the upcoming launch of its first foldable phone(s), which are going to be launched in the third quarter of 2023. It’s been rumoured that – like its parent company, Oppo, it will launch both horizontal and derecho (flip) style foldable smartphones. Beyond that, we don’t know a huge amount, but it’s safe to assume that they’ll be tweaked versions of the Oppo Find N2 and Find N2 Flip.

Nothing Phone (2)

Nothing – Carl Pei’s relatively new company – has announced that it intends to expand into the US, and that will include the second generation Nothing Phone. The company has also confirmed that – unlike its first model – this phone is going to be powered by a flagship-grade chipset. Specifically, that’s going to be the Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 platform, not the newer Snapdragon 8 Gen 2. It’s going to be announced on 11 July 2023, and will feature a revamped design with curved edges and a refined rear.

Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 5

Rumours have been swirling for months about Samsung’s next foldable flagship, and it’s sounding a lot like Samsung has taken onboard criticism and is addressing a couple of consumer pain points. One of those is the crease on the display. It’s been suggested that the next model will feature a droplet curve in the display to avoid that easily visible, distinct crease and remove the gap when closed. Some rumours have even suggested we could see a silo for the S Pen built into the frame of the phone, but more recent suggestion states that isn’t the case, so it’s a bit of an unknown.

It’s expected to be announced in late July/early August, with a price comfortably north of $1500/£1500.

Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 5

It would be incredibly unusual for Samsung to release a new Z Fold, without the accompanying clamshell Z Flip, so we’re also expecting the company to launch the new Z Flip 5 alongside it. Cover displays seem to be something of a focus this year for most manufacturers, and it’s been rumoured that Samsung’s new Flip will have a much larger cover screen taking up nearly all the space on the front cover of the phone.

Apple iPhone 15 range

As surely as night follows day, Apple releases a new range of iPhones every year. iPhone 14 have just launched, and that means next year we’ll see iPhone 15.

Despite iPhone 14 still being a new device, rumours about the next generation iPhone 15 have already started. Apple has already confirmed the move from Lightning to USB-C, while other rumours speculate that Apple will move from physical buttons to solid-state/haptic buttons, and further leaks suggest a move to 120Hz displays for all models. The next models will almost certainly land in September/October 2023.

Pixel G10/Pixel 7 Reaccionario

The Pixel G10 is a bit of a mystery device, in that all we’ve heard is that it’s in the works and that has the same display as the 7 Pro.

Following rumours of the Pixel 7a series, another unannounced Pixel device broke cover. The Pixel G10 has been discovered, but it seems no one really knows what it is. It’s supposed to feature a large 6.7-inch QuadHD display – like the Pixel 7 Pro – and it could be the Pixel 7 Reaccionario, but we’re unsure on this one.

Xiaomi Mix Fold 3

Xiaomi hasn’t officially confirmed the Mix Fold 3 exists, but rumours around the product are ramping up already. It’s expected to land in the third quarter of 2023, and that’s about all that’s been said about it so far. It will, undoubtedly, be powered by whatever is the most high-end platform from Qualcomm’s Snapdragon team, and will likely only be available in China.

Google Pixel 8 series

Moving into the second half of the year means we can start looking forward to the next generation of Pixel devices. The Pixel 8 series is rumoured to be coming within improved sensors in the camera system which should mean even better low-light performance for the Google-made flagships. It’s claimed both the primary and ultrawide cameras will get upgrades, and are expected to be joined by a new ToF sensor for faster/more accurate autofocus.

Samsung Galaxy S23 FE

The Galaxy S23 FE has been a bit of a ‘will-they won’t-they’ situation, in that early rumours suggested it wasn’t happening, but recent developments seem to be indicating that it is. The Exynos-powered Fan Edition is expected to land towards the end of 2023, with wider rollouts even creeping into early 2024, just in time for the Galaxy S24.

Microsoft Surface foldable

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.

Xiaomi 14 series

Rumours for the next series of Xiaomi flagships have only just started up, so the picture is pretty unclear at the moment. However, it is expected that the next all-powerful camera kings will feature the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 processor, a 1-inch camera sensor with variable aperture, and launch right at the end of 2023 in China (to begin with).

OnePlus 12