We’re now mid-way into 2023, and so far it has been a superb year for phones, with everything from the Samsung Galaxy S23 series to the Google Pixel Fold landing, among many others.
But there’s still a whole lot left to come, with many of the year’s most potentially exciting releases yet to land. We’re talking the likes of the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 5 and the iPhone 15 line, which rank among the most anticipated phones of 2023.
And there are less obvious yet no less exciting upcoming phones too, from brands including Xiaomi, Motorola, and more.
So below, you’ll find the phones we’re most looking forward to throughout the rest of 2023. These are phones that in most cases are likely to be great – we expect many to make it into our best phones guide – and at the very least should be interesting, unusual, or innovative.
Google Pixel 8
The Google Pixel 7 and the Pixel 7 Pro were so good that we’re eager to see what Google cooks up for the Pixel 8, and thanks to leaks and rumors we have quite a good idea of what to expect.
For one thing, it will probably use a Tensor 3 chipset, support satellite communications, and might have a 6.2-inch screen, 12GB of RAM, and a dual-lens camera. Indeed, based on past form we’d expect class-leading cameras and generally strong software.
We’ve also seen what the Pixel 8 might look like and, well, it’s not a big visual change from the Pixel 7, but that’s already one of the more distinctive phones, so it makes sense that Google would stick with this design for a while.
Stay tuned for more information, because leaks and rumors are sure to start emerging in greater quantities as we get closer to the phone’s launch.
iPhone 15 Ultra
Obviously the entire iPhone 15 line is enormously anticipated, but it’s the intriguing talk of an iPhone 15 Ultra that has us the most excited.
This phone could land in place of an iPhone 15 Pro Max according to some rumors (though not all sources agree that the name will be changing).
Regardless of the name, this could sport a big spec upgrade, with better cameras than even the iPhone 15 Pro, including a long-range periscope snapper, along with a focus on battery life, a titanium frame, and a very high price.
This probably won’t be out until September 2023 if it lands at all, but it’s a phone you might want to get saving for, as the iPhone 15 Ultra could be extremely expensive.
Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 5
The Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 5 is set to be Samsung’s next foldable flagship, but we’re not expecting to see it until August 2023, so there’s a while to wait.
As such, we also don’t know everything about it yet, but an early leak points to it using the powerful Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 chipset and having similar cameras to the Galaxy Z Fold 4.
In fact, it might be similar to the Z Fold 4 in other ways too, with the same storage and the same size cover screen also rumored. However, its hinge could get a big upgrade, with a new design that allows the phone to fold flat, rather than leaving a gap between the two halves.
If nothing else, expect it to have a big foldable screen so it can double as a tablet, coupled with a similarly big price tag.
Google Pixel 8 Pro
Along with the Google Pixel 8, we’re also expecting to see the even higher end Google Pixel 8 Pro this year.
Based on leaks this could be similar to the vanilla model in some ways, but with a larger 6.7-inch screen, a third rear camera for telephoto shots, and – oddly – a thermometer on the back, which can be used to detect the temperature of your body or objects.
With the Pixel Fold now available this won’t be Google’s most expensive phone, but conventional screen aside it could be the company’s most high-end one.
Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 5
Along with the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 5, we’re also looking forward to the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 5, which is likely to be the better seller of the two, thanks to a more palatable price.
This upcoming clamshell foldable phone will reportedly use the top-end Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 chipset, have a 3.3 or 3.4-inch cover screen (up from 1.9 inches on the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 4), and will have a less visible crease than the current model.
That all sounds very promising, but Samsung will have its work cut out to stay at the top of the clamshell foldable heap, thanks to tough competition from the likes of Oppo and Motorola.
iPhone 15 Pro
While not quite as exciting as the iPhone 15 Ultra, the iPhone 15 Pro is still bound to be one of the best phones of 2023.
Big upgrades this year could include a move to USB-C, a super-powerful A17 Bionic chipset, titanium sides, and thinner bezels.
So this could in many ways be like a smaller iPhone 15 Ultra (with a 6.1-inch display likely here). However reports suggest the iPhone 15 Pro won’t get the long-range periscope camera that’s possibly coming to the Ultra, so if you want the very best iPhone cameras you might have to spend more.
Motorola Razr 2023
2023 looks to be a massive year for foldable phones, with the Motorola Razr 2023 also expected to land, though when it does it might be called the Motorola Razr 40 if you’re in Europe.
This will be a rival to the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 5, and leaks suggest there will be both a standard model and a Motorola Razr Plus or Ultra.
We’ve heard more about that latter phone than the vanilla model, with the top Razr said to have a 144Hz foldable display, a large cover screen, a Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 processor, 12GB of RAM, a pair of 12MP rear cameras, a 32MP front-facing camera, and a 3,640mAh battery with 33W charging. Expect to see these phones in or around August.
