There’ll be surprises beyond those of course, with the Samsung Galaxy S23 line set to be revealed in early February, and big names like the iPhone 15 and Pixel 8 set for later in the year – not to mention key software upgrades in Android 14 and iOS 17.
We also know about the chipsets that will power most of those flagship phones: the MediaTek Dimensity 9200 and Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 2. Both have now been revealed, with features including hardware-enabled ray-tracing for gaming and Wi-Fi 7 connectivity, and we’ve seen the first phones already, with plenty more to come throughout 2023 (though of course, it’s never too early for rumours about this year’s Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 launch).
Read on to ensure your next smartphone purchase is not immediately followed by regret, tying you into an unnecessarily lengthy contract. (Remember that there is a chance you could upgrade your contract early.)
Pro tip: As these new phones edge closer, the outgoing models will fall in price and you’ll be able to scoop up some great deals. If you’re not bothered about having the very latest tech, check out our take on the best phones you can buy today.
Best new phones coming out in 2023
Samsung Galaxy S23 – UK launch on 1 February
Samsung is nearly finished with the Galaxy S23 series, which it’s now confirmed will launch on 1 February.
Rumours point towards the debut of a 200Mp camera sensor in the S23 Ultra, along with larger batteries across the board and a unified camera design across the phones.
Of course the chipsets are likely to improve too, and it now looks almost certain that for the first time Qualcomm will provide its Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 chip for the phones globally, with no Exynos versions anywhere.
Read more about the Galaxy S23
OnePlus 11 – UK launch on 7 February
OnePlus has revealed the OnePlus 11 in China, but more than that the company has also confirmed that the phone’s international launch will take place on 7 February.
This time around there’s only one phone, and although it doesn’t boast the ‘Pro’ name, it’s certainly a match in terms of specs.
You can look forward to the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 chipset, nippy 100W wired charging speeds, and an upgraded triple rear camera with help from Hasselblad.
Read more about the OnePlus 11
Oppo Find N2 Flip – UK launch expected in Q1 2023
Oppo has unveiled the Find N2 Flip, its first flip-style, clamshell foldable, similar to Samsung’s Galaxy Z Flip – and it’s confirmed that the phone will launch in “most countries in Europe” in Q1 2023, which we think makes a UK launch pretty likely.
Unlike its Samsung rival this uses a large, vertical cover display, and also packs a bigger battery and what should be – on paper at least – a better main camera. Is this the phone that will finally depose the Z Flip 4 as the best foldable around?
Read more about the Oppo Find N2 Flip
Xiaomi 13 – UK launch expected in Q1 2023
Xiaomi has finally revealed the Xiaomi 13 and 13 Pro in China, though a UK launch would be more likely in February or March.
The regular Xiaomi 13 has adopted an iPhone-esque squared edge design, with curves sticking around on the Pro, and you can expect Leica-branded cameras and the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 inside.
Read more about the Xiaomi 13
Motorola Edge 40 – UK launch expected in Q1 2023
We loved Motorola’s Edge 30 line, so we’re excited to see what’s next. Motorola has even already announced one of the the first phones in China, where it’s known as the Moto X40.
The X40, likely to become the Edge 40 Pro in the West, is powered by the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 chipset, and features a super-fast 165Hz display along with an IP68 rating, high-res cameras, and fast 125W charging.
Read more about the Motorola Edge 40
Redmi Note 12 – UK launch expected in Q1 2023
Xiaomi sub-brand Redmi has revealed the Note 12 series in China already, and begun its international launch campaign in India. It’ll likely be a longer wait for the actual UK release though – there’s a risk we don’t see the phones until later in the spring.
These are exciting budget options though, with headline specs like 200Mp cameras and ludicrously fast 210W charging available in the top-end models, but all expected to cost below £500 whenever they arrive.
Read more about the Redmi Note 12
Vivo X90 – UK launch expected in Q1 2023
Vivo has already revealed the X90 flagship line in China, but it might be a few months yet before the phones make it to the UK and Europe.
In China there’s a choice between the X90, X90 Pro, and X90 Pro+, though it’s unlikely all three will launch globally. The first two models are powered by the Dimensity 9200, while the Pro+ features the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 – with debut appearances for both chipsets in the Vivo line.
Fast charging and slick designs add to the effect, but really it’s the camera prowess that will be the highlight, especially on the Pro+ with its quadruple rear camera centred around a 1in main camera sensor. This could be the best camera phone for at least the next few months.
Read the latest on the Vivo X90 series
Honor Magic Vs – UK launch expected in Q1 2023
Honor’s second foldable – the Magic Vs – has already launched in China, but the company has confirmed that a global launch is on the way, likely in early 2023.
Pronounced ‘vee-ess’ – not ‘versus’ – this sleek foldable has been designed to feel as natural as possible to use when closed, prioritising that ‘regular’ smartphone experience over the unfolded tablet display.
The powerful Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 keeps it all running, paired with a big battery, powerful (at least on paper) triple rear camera, and a price tag that could undercut Samsung’s when it launches worldwide.
Find out more about the Honor Magic Vs
Honor 80 – UK launch expected in Q1 2023
Alongside the Magic Vs foldable, Honor also unveiled the Honor 80 series in China – though hasn’t yet confirmed if the 80 phones will also get a global release.
There are three main phones in the series – the 80, 80 SE, and 80 Pro – but it’s unlikely that the whole trio would reach the UK. The Pro is naturally the most exciting, with a dual selfie camera and 8+ Gen 1 chip, but even the regular 80 packs in the headline feature: a super-resolution 160Mp main rear camera.
Read the latest on the Honor 80
Honor Magic 5 – UK launch expected in Q1 2023
Honor may be yet to give global launches to the Honor 80 and Magic Vs phones, but it still has yet more in the pipeline.
Since the Magic 4 line launched at MWC 2022 in late February, we’re expecting a similar treatment for the Magic 5 series, which has already begun to appear in leaks.
Tipsters are pointing to Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 across the board, together with 120Hz AMOLED displays and at least 50Mp rear cameras.
Read more about the Honor Magic 5 series
Vivo X Flip – Expected Q1 2023
Vivo has already released two generations of book-style foldable, the X Fold and X Fold+, but now rumour has it the company is ready to follow them up with a flip phone – which everyone thinks, shockingly, could be called the Vivo X Flip.
We’re firmly in speculation territory right now, but it’s tipped to have a large, landscape cover display similar to the Razr 2022, and like that phone (and the Z Flip 4) to be powered by the Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1.
Read on for the latest Vivo X Flip rumours
Solana Saga – Expected Q1 2023
The Solana Saga is the phone once known as the Osom OV1. It had been intended to launch as the debut phone from new start-up Osom, but re-branded after a partnership with blockchain company Solana to serve as a web3 handset.
Specs are high-end, with a Qualcomm Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1, 6.67in OLED screen, 12GB RAM, and 512GB storage. Plus it has an additional ‘secure element’ to help keep financial information safe and secure during crypto transactions and when minting NFTs.
Read more about the Solana Saga.
Oppo Find X6 – Expected Q1 2023
The Find X line is Oppo’s flagship series, and the Find X6 phones are expected to arrive some time in early 2023.
It’s too early for any detailed leaks on the specs, but Oppo has confirmed that the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 will power at least one of the phones. Elsewhere we expect tweaked Hasselblad cameras, and likely a redesign after two years of using a similar form factor, with the first possible sign of that seen in the leaked render above.
The line-up should include a regular model, top-tier Pro, and a cheaper Lite.
Read more about the Oppo Find X6.
Huawei Mate X3 – Expected Q1 2023
Huawei phones don’t always launch in Europe, but the Mate Xs 2 did, giving us hope that the rumoured upcoming Mate X3 foldable might as well. It’s apparently set to be Huawei’s next flagship phone launch, so shouldn’t be far off.
This will likely be a return to the classic ‘book’ foldable form factor used by the rest of the industry and in the Mate X2 (as opposed to the outwards folding screen of the Xs 2).
Spec leaks are limited so far, though mostly point to a 4G version of the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 chip and the inclusion of satellite communications tech.
Read more about the Mate X3
OnePlus Nord 3 – Expected Q2 2023
The next OnePlus mid-ranger is tipped to include an upgraded 150W charging spec – capable of a full charge in just 15 minutes – alongside a new Dimensity 8100 chipset and a larger, 6.7in 120Hz display.
The camera spec isn’t expected to change as much though, with the same 50Mp IMX766 main camera as the Nord 2, joined by an 8Mp ultrawide and 2Mp macro.
Read more about the Nord 3
Google Pixel Foldable – Expected Q2 2023
This is a bit of a wild card – but leaked internal documents and bits of code suggest that Google may be working on a Pixel-branded foldable device. We thought it might launch in late 2021, and then in October 2022 alongside the Pixel 7 – but now most leakers predict it will arrive in early 2023.
Leaks so far point to a phone with similar specs to the Pixel 7 Pro, including the same Tensor G2 chip and a similar, if slightly less powerful, triple camera setup.
Read more about the Pixel foldable
Samsung Galaxy A54 – Q2 2023
The Galaxy A53 sits at the heart of Samsung’s mid-range line-up – it’s basically the company’s core rival to the iPhone SE – so we’re confident we’ll see an A54 follow it up next year.
Specs so far are thin on the ground, but the render above is one of several imaging the improvements Samsung could be working on, borrowing spec and design elements of its flagships to trickle down to its more affordable hardware.
Get the latest Galaxy A54 rumours
Google Pixel 7a – Q2 2023
Google usually releases its mid-range handsets in the summer, so that’s when we’re expecting to see the Pixel 7a make its debut.
Leaks on this phone have proved confusing so far, with evidence Google is working on a more premium phone with a ceramic back and wireless charging, which would mark a sharp upgrade for the a-series – but seems equally likely to be a new handset altogether.
We’ll find out more next year.
Read the latest news on the Pixel 7a
Huawei P60 – Expected Q2 2023
It’s been well over a year since Huawei launched the P50 series, so we’re long overdue the launch of the flagship P60, even though it did take months more for the P50 Pro to reach Western shores.
Specs have begun to leak for the series, which could feature the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 and a return of Huawei’s variable aperture camera tech for the main lens – at least on the Pro model.
What’s unclear yet is whether we’ll also get a follow-up to the P50 Pocket flip phone foldable – it seems likely, but so far nothing on that model has leaked.
Read the latest rumours on the Huawei P60
Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 5 & Z Flip 5 – August 2023
Samsung has formed a habit of releasing its Z Flip foldables in August each year, so that’s when we’re expecting to see the Z Fold 5 and Z Flip 5.
Little is known so far about what to expect, though a bump to the next-gen Snapdragon silicon is almost certain. More camera and battery improvements would be welcome, but will we see a bigger redesign to go with them?
Read more about the latest Galaxy Z Fold 5 and Galaxy Z Flip 5 rumours
iPhone 15 – September 2023
Apple hasn’t confirmed anything about the iPhone 15 yet, but based on the company’s track record we’ll almost certainly see it in September.
Early rumours suggest we’ll see the new Dynamic Island design extended to the regular models this time around, while the Pro Max may be re-branded the iPhone 15 Ultra and come with some extra, unknown upgrades.
Get the latest on the iPhone 15
Google Pixel 8 – October 2023
Solid rumours about the next Pixel flagship phones are thin on the ground right now, but it’s a pretty safe bet that we’ll see them arrive in October 2023 – after all, every Pixel flagship so far has launched in October.
Google’s next Tensor chip should power the phone, and otherwise expect new camera features and perhaps a refreshed design. And maybe finally some faster charging?
Get the latest on the Pixel 8
Microsoft Surface Duo 3 – 2023
Microsoft has so far released two iterations of its unusual dual-screen foldable device, and we’re expecting the Duo 3 to follow them up some time in 2023.
It’s too early to say exactly what to expect, beyond the obvious: better specs, a refined design, and more polished software. The Duo 2 has come on leaps and bounds since its launch though, so we’re optimistic that Microsoft can pull off something special here.
Read the latest on the Surface Duo 3.
OnePlus foldable – 2023
Rumour has it that OnePlus is working on its debut foldable phone, and we may see it arrive some time next year.
The phone is apparently based closely on the Oppo Find N – the two companies now share R&D, so that’s no real surprise – which means we can expect something like a 7.1in folding display, Snapdragon 888 chip, and triple rear camera including an ultrawide and telephoto.
None of this is certain yet, but read our round-up of the OnePlus foldable rumours for the latest gossip.
Foldable iPhone – 2024
A folding iPhone has been rumoured ever since the first foldable display tech existed pretty much, but thanks to leaks and rumours we have pretty good reason to believe Apple is at least working on a foldable iPhone – even if it’s probably still years away.
Apple is rarely the first to market with new tech, though given that Samsung has already released several iterations of its folding tech there’s a risk Apple will look backwards if it doesn’t follow suit until 2024 – though if it can perfect the tech in that time it may well be worth the wait.
Check out all the foldable iPhone rumours so far.
iPhone SE 4 – 2024
Apple seems to be on a biannual release schedule for its budget-friendly iPhone SE, so after 2020 and 2022 models we’re not expecting to see the next iteration until early 2024.
The biggest question mark is around whether Apple will finally jump to a full-screen design for the phone, ditching the Home Button for good – and in turn if that will mean including FaceID in the SE for the first time.
It’s worth noting that some rumours have said the SE 4 has in fact been cancelled, so there’s a risk we won’t see it at all.
Read more about the iPhone SE 4.
Tech Advisor’s Deputy Editor, Dom covers everything that runs on electricity, from phones and laptops to wearables, audio, gaming, smart home, and streaming - plus he’s a regular fixture on the Tech Advisor YouTube channel.
