These smartphones will celebrate the year 2023
2023 begins and still promises us a great battle. We take a look at the models that could shake up the market in the next twelve months.
The new year is full of promises in the smartphone market. Certainly, and we’ll come back to this, gray areas plague the sector and force manufacturers to adapt. This requires even more advanced and sustainable models, two concepts that will highlight the coming years. While manufacturers are still committed to the duration of guaranteed updates for their smartphones, they are looking for a model that will set hearts aflutter.
In this file, we are interested in the most anticipated models of 2023. You will find many high-end smartphones there (but not only) because they set the tone. More affordable models, such as folding units, will come later. The latter excite the segment, but they are still far from being in everyone’s hands.
Samsung Galaxy S23 (Ultra): the upcoming pixel battle
We have already started talking to you about the length, width and width of the Galaxy S23. Samsung’s new series will be presented in 1er February and there will be three representatives: Galaxy S23, Galaxy S23+ and Galaxy S23 Ultra. The world’s number one among iPhone 14 and Android competitors does not want to waste time.
The first two promise reforms to put pressure on Chinese competition. However, all of Samsung’s know-how – in a classic smartphone – will be present in the Galaxy S23 Ultra. The term “Ultra” is in vogue among manufacturers to highlight a range of flagship models. With a powerful Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 (even in France) and a 200-megapixel main sensor, the Galaxy S23 Ultra still wants to be the smartphone of all advantages.
The world number one can also make a difference on the software side. Samsung differentiates itself by providing 4 years of Android updates and 5 years of security updates. In the Android universe, the brand leads by example and others, such as OPPO, follow suit.
iPhone 15: Ultra surprise?
It’s not really a surprise to mention the iPhone among the most anticipated smartphones, but it’s still a must. At 15 years old, Apple’s flagship device continues to bring rain and shine to the market; especially in the premium segment.
It’s a little early to know what Apple has in store for us in 2023, but it could be an interesting event date. Indeed, we expect the range to switch to USB-C, and all models will be affected by this important change. However, Apple is not bound to take this step this year and may reserve this change for its Pro range. It is likely that the gap between the base models and the Pro variants will continue to grow.
The most expensive iPhones will be equipped with the upcoming A17 Bionic chip, while the “classic” iPhone 15 and Plus will host the A16 Bionic, which now powers the iPhone 14 Pro and iPhone 14 Pro Max. As expected, the brand will change its strategy to offer the latest innovations to Pro devices and sell proven components in their standard versions.
iPhone 15 and 15 Plus may be equipped with a new 48-megapixel sensor. While the telephoto lens and LiDAR sensor remain exclusive to the Pro variants, it’s exciting news that will help the series take a new step. The information will be refined over the months, and another big surprise could come from the new ultra-high-end smartphone, the iPhone 15 Ultra. The arrival of the Apple Watch Ultra has rekindled rumors about this new model.
OPPO Find X6 Pro: the future king of photography?
Behind the “historic” Samsung and Apple, OPPO has perhaps the most anticipated smartphone of the year in its box. After the very convincing Find X5 Pro, the Chinese brand will introduce the Find X6 Pro, and this smartphone could be the new king of good photography. Since the fall of Huawei, OPPO has tended to present itself as a “successor” with its premium models that are comfortable in photos.
The Find X6 Pro aims to drive the point home by offering a tidy spec sheet that highlights its photographic performance. It will carry three 50-megapixel sensors. Among them is the 1-inch Sony IMX989, which we saw in the Xiaomi 12S Ultra, which offers interesting performances.
To accompany it, OPPO will add a 50-megapixel ultra-wide-angle (IMX890) and a x3 optical zoom telephoto lens (IMX766 or IMX890). And to control this smartphone? Not to mention the inevitable Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 SoC, the second-generation MariSilicon X chip. It should also be noted that the device will have the experience of a Hasselblad photo specialist.
OPPO has not announced the release date of its upcoming flagship. If we trust the habits of the manufacturer, the presentation may take place at the end of February or the beginning of March. It will be accompanied by the Find X6.
OnePlus 11: power, lots of power
Unlike several models mentioned here, the OnePlus 11 is now official. Awaiting its international launch, the OnePlus 11 has made its debut in China. A successful debut if we believe the manufacturer who wants to prove everything in 2023.
Being very close to OPPO, Oneplus intends to maintain its uniqueness. Oneplus 11 fits the philosophy of the brand with a 6.7-inch AMOLED screen that displays 1440 x 3216 pixels up to 120 Hz. The device has the latest technologies (LTPO 3.0, Dolby Vision, HDR10+…) and is very powerful.
Among the first models on the market to ship Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 8 Gen 2, it adds up to 16GB of RAM and 512GB of storage in UFS 4.0. For the photo, photo specialist Hasselblad accompanies a promising configuration consisting of three sensors, including a 50-megapixel (OIS) Sony IMX890 main sensor. There is a 48-megapixel IMX581 ultra-wide-angle lens and a 32-megapixel IMX709 telephoto lens with 2x optical zoom.
The smartphone will go on sale worldwide on February 7. It can be a little more affordable than its excellent competitors.
Google Pixel 8 and 8 Pro: always more ambition
Like the iPhone 15, the Pixel 8 launch won’t happen before the second half of the year. Google is currently focusing on its Pixel 7 and the arrival of the Pixel 7a, one of the models to follow this year. As for the Pixel 8, there are still rumors that the Google smartphones could experience a major evolution in the photo sensor. This element is already a strong point of the range, while the Mountain View company does not necessarily integrate the latest sensors on the market. Software development makes a difference, which does not prevent the manufacturer from working on new solutions.
Thanks to Samsung’s efforts, Google is trying to get the Pixel 8 to support scaled HDR. To learn more about it, do not hesitate to read our article dedicated to this innovation. Specifically, future devices can limit the blur effect on moving objects and therefore improve the quality of footage. However, this will force the firm to integrate a new 50-megapixel sensor (Isocell GN2) into the Pixel 8. Its presence will help in low light, and the module also consumes less power than the Pixel 7’s current Isocell GN1. The base will also offer a new, more compact design.
The presentation of the Pixel 8 is planned for the fall of 2023. We may learn more in the spring, during the Google I/O conference. The possibility of a folding smartphone appearing in the Pixel range this year has not been ruled out.
Xiaomi 13 and 13 Pro: more than outsiders
Launched in China last December, the Xiaomi 13 Pro will soon make its grand debut in Europe. Known for the quality-price ratio of its smartphones, Xiaomi wants to move up the ladder by entering the high-end segment. With the Xiaomi 13 Pro, this could be true as the model presents convincing arguments.
We confirmed that the Chinese manufacturer was not there to configure during its launch. Its Xiaomi 13 Pro model offers a 6.73-inch OLED screen (LTPO) that displays 2K (1440 x 3200 pixels) up to 120 Hz. The brightness goes up to 1900 nits, which is quite impressive.
Under the hood, the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 definitely has up to 12GB of RAM and 512GB of storage (UFS 4.0). For photography, there is a 1-inch 50-megapixel (f / 1.9) Sony IMX989 sensor with Hyper OIS. This is paired with a 50-megapixel telephoto lens (f/2.0, focal length 75mm) that offers x3.2 optical zoom. It also has a 50-megapixel ultra-wide-angle (f/2.2) camera on the back of the device, offering a versatile setup.
Xiaomi 13 and 13 Pro will be shown at MWC 2023 in Europe. We will also be watching for a possible launch of the Xiaomi 13 Ultra in the coming months.
Samsung Galaxy A54: will sell the best
The Galaxy A54 is a bit of an intrusion among the models mentioned here. It won’t be premium or really high-end, and it won’t necessarily have a flagship feature that sets it apart. However, the Samsung Galaxy A54 has its own place in this file, it occupies a special place.
Following the discontinuation of the Galaxy Note series is the non-subscriber Galaxy S FE. Therefore, the successor to the Galaxy A52 and A53 has all the cards in its hands to bridge the gap between the mid-range and high-end of the market leader. These predecessors were best sellers and the Galaxy A54 will try to replicate the same recipe, attractive value for money.
For this, we expect a 6-inch (rumored 6.4 to 6.6-inch) AMOLED screen and a 120 Hz refresh rate. Under the hood, the chip will get an update (Exynos 1380 ) and we expect 50 megapixels. the main sensor, in addition, a 12-megapixel ultra-wide-angle and a macro module (5 megapixels).
It’s still a pretty solid configuration for the price we were hoping for. A little extra: software support will be equivalent to the Galaxy S, that is, four years of Android updates and five years of patches. It should be formalized in January.
