As the year-end is approaching, let’s have a look at some of the upcoming smartphone launches worth waiting for in the first half of the new year.
Two-third of the world’s population will be online by the end of 2023, according to recent trends. 92.1% of the people use a mobile phone to access internet. In other words, close to 60% of the world’s web traffic is through mobile phones, and now, this device account for more than 55.7% of our online time.
Annual growth rate of smartphone sales is 5.1% currently. Every day, around 1 million new smartphones are being newly added to the network. These figures, indeed shows the inevitability of this magical device in human life. Also, the level of competition and the quest for quality are moving upward minute by minute. As the year-end is approaching, let’s have a look at some of the upcoming smartphone launches worth waiting for.
Apple iPhone 15
Qualcomm’s 5G modem chips were expected for the 2023 iPhone 15 line-up in order to increase processing performance and reduce power consumption. 15 Pro models may have an increased 8GB RAM instead of its predecessor’s 6GB RAM. Rumours suggest that the iPhone 15 series will be similar in design to the predecessor, and all the new models would have no notch, but come equipped with the Dynamic Island introduced in the iPhone 14 Pro models.
We can expect a titanium chassis that features curved rear edges replacing the existing squared off design. The back edges may be rounded off, similar to the casing on the iPhone 14 launched last year. The Pro models may have solid-state volume and power buttons similar to the home button in the iPhone 7 and may continue with Face ID.
In compliance with the upcoming European regulations, Apple may have to incorporate USB – C port. Pro models with USB – C ports will be capable of faster data transfer. Another speculation is that the top most variant, the ‘Pro Max’ could be renamed as the iPhone 15 Ultra. The company is working on including ‘periscope’ telephoto lens technology in 15 Pro models.
Samsung Galaxy S23
The biggest revolution that Samsung is set to unleash with Galaxy S23 next year may be the next-gen Universal Flash Storage 4.0 solution which is almost twice as fast as the company’s current UFS 3.1 storage.
A 3900mAh battery is expected for the S23, and a 4700mAh cell for the S23+. Both phones will have wireless charging, with reverse power share. As the company filed a patent application for its ‘Superfast Portable Power’, the faster charging technology is in pipeline for the new phone.
There are industry reports that the Galaxy S23 Ultra may get an upgraded 200MP camera coming in the form of a new ISOCELL HP3 camera module, and the S23 Ultra may also get a 40MP front selfie cam.
Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 5
Z Fold 5 may get an S Pen slot in order to establish cements it as the successor to the now-extinct Galaxy Note family. The latest Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 chipset also may be added to the new foldable device. Samsung is expected to stick with the triple camera array in the Fold 5, combining a 50Mp main sensor (the Samsung ISOCELL GN3), presumably flanked by a 12Mp ultrawide and 10Mp telephoto as found in the predecessor. The selfie camera may feature a 12Mp sensor, which will be better than the 10Mp one currently being used on the Fold 4.
Google Pixel Fold
We need to expect that the Google Pixel Fold could be called the Pixel Notepad. If this is true, we would expect Google to offer stylus support, but that remains to be seen. Google is reportedly considering the name Logbook also for the device. It is expected to have a large outer display and a striking foldable design.
The front outer screen will house a 9.5MP front-facing camera in a punch-hole cut out. The bezels around the screen seem minimal and it the back looks strikingly similar to the Pixel 7 Pro with a glass finish and a triple camera set up. The processor powering the Pixel Fold will be its home-grown Tensor chip. This chip might be paired with 12GB of RAM and a Mali-G78 GPU.
Finally, Android 12L, an extension of Android 12, offering an interface that takes better advantage of the bigger screens of foldable phones.
Huawei P60 Pro
The P60 range, code-named Mona Lisa, is expected to feature the Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 as its processor. The device will probably support 4G network only as there are sanctions against Huawei, stopping it from accessing 5G components.
To strengthen camera capabilities, Huawei’s own XMAGE imaging technology may be included the new device package as standard across the range. The main camera may be upgraded with a 64mp sensor, and will have a variable aperture in order to have more flexibility.
Oppo Flip Phone
The flip sibling of Oppo Find N, code-named the ‘Dragonfly’ will be a clamshell device similar to the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 3. Its narrow flexible internal screen can be folded and shut to a palm-sized clamshell shape. We can expect Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1, or 8 Gen 1 platform, if the device is planned as a flagship model.
Charging mechanism can be in the fast league of some SuperVOOC options offering 65W, 80W or even higher-powered versions. For a smooth and responsive experience, the display may offer 120Hz refresh rates. Among other features, there will be primary cameras and a smaller secondary display on the front cover.
