What will be the smartphone trends in 2023?
As you know, manufacturers are constantly increasing their ingenuity in the field of mobile telephony. The design and capabilities of smartphones are constantly evolving to best suit consumers. Foldable formats, increasingly large screens, eSIM technology… Find out what the trends in the industry will be in 2023.
There are no limits to the creativity of builders. Apple, Samsung, Huawei and Google double their ingenuity every year to adapt to the new needs of consumers and satisfy them even more. Cell phones have undergone many changes throughout their history: from flip phones to sliders, then the generalization of touchscreens, and today, the rise of foldable smartphones. A trend that should grow even more in 2023…
The must-have foldable smartphones are becoming increasingly popular
Foldable smartphones, which have been in the market for four years, are among the trends of 2023. Samsung is a pioneer in this field. With the Galaxy Z Flip and Galaxy Z Fold ranges, the Korean manufacturer has really established itself, even if it is closely followed by its competitors. Especially with the marketing of Huawei, the Mate X and P50 Pocket, or Motorola and its iconic RAZR. For its part, OPPO recently launched two new foldable smartphones, the Find N2 and Find N2 Flip, with the latter clamshell model expected in the European market early this year. Another Chinese manufacturer is expected to return in 2023 with new – similar – folding models: vivo with the X Fold+ and X Flip. There are also rumors that Google may finally unveil the much-anticipated Pixel Fold this year…
On the other hand, however, one of the reference firms in terms of innovation is slow to take the foldable course. This is Apple, which has not really introduced the concept of a foldable iPhone yet, and should not immediately join its competitors. It also seems that the iPad could be the first product to be covered by a corked apple equipped with this kind of technology.
Folding inward or outward, unfolding like a book, or in a more compact format known as a “dust case,” the foldable smartphone clearly has a bright future ahead of it.
Smartphones are getting bigger every year. The time of the first iPhone (released as a reminder in 2007) with a screen of only 3.5 inches seems very distant indeed. We don’t see such a mini today, and even the first Samsung Galaxy Note, which looked revolutionary at 5.3 inches in 2011, would be considered “small” today. In fact, few smartphones in the current market have a screen diagonal of less than 6 inches. And manufacturers are simply responding to the expectations of consumers who value XXL sizes more, allowing them to watch TV series, play video games or simply benefit from better visual comfort on a daily basis.
Take, for example, Apple, which recently completely abandoned the 5.4-inch “mini” format and introduced the 6.7-inch iPhone 14 Plus instead. A size that is also found in the competition, for example, in the Google Pixel 7 Pro. And in 2023, manufacturers are still expected to offer us XXL screens: Samsung notably the 6.8-inch Galaxy S23 Ultra, the Xiaomi 13 Pro will measure 6.73 inches, and whispers that the OPPO Find X6 Pro will also be there. It should be 6.7 inches.
eSIM or “virtual SIM” is on the way to democratization
An eSIM is a digital, virtual SIM card that can be used in the same way as a physical SIM card, taken with your mobile plan operator. This allows you to use the data included in the subscription (browse on the Internet, make calls, send messages, etc.) in exactly the same way, the difference is that it is damaged or lost. Interesting, isn’t it? The good news is that all traditional operators, including SFR, now offer eSIM as an option. And our little finger tells us that this technology should be democratized soon.
For good reason, there is already a smartphone model exclusively compatible with eSIM on the market, and not the least: Apple this year launched the iPhone 14 without a SIM card drawer, thus promoting this new technology. A new model intended only for the American market, but which can be imitated in terms of many advantages of virtual SIM. For consumers: no risk of loss, theft or damage. For manufacturers: more space in smartphones, fewer elements, therefore cheaper and better sealing, if not for this drawer dedicated to SIM cards.
Ever bigger, foldable or without a physical SIM card, here are the trends to expect in the smartphone market in 2023. And you, which model will you choose?
Sources: Apple, Samsung, Frandroid, Mobiles, 01 Net, Macway, Clubic, Le Figaro
