It has been a busy 12 months for the smartphone world. 2024 kicked off with a slew of launches, from Samsung, OnePlus, Oppo and Xiaomi, and Google introduced the Pixel 8A simply earlier than its I/O convention. However there are nonetheless loads of new telephones to anticipate earlier than the 12 months is over, supplied Apple, Samsung and Google comply with their typical patterns.
Samsung, for instance, often introduces new foldable telephones at a summer season occasion. This 12 months, there is a Galaxy Unpacked occasion on July 10 in Paris., whereas Apple usually holds its annual iPhone launch occasion each September. Google follows in October with new Pixels.
As for what to anticipate, synthetic intelligence will probably be an enormous theme on this 12 months’s telephones. We have already seen that with the Galaxy S24 household, which is the primary to incorporate Samsung’s new Galaxy AI options, in addition to final 12 months’s Pixel 8 sequence.
Generative AI, or AI that may generate content material when prompted based mostly on coaching information, had a breakout second in 2023 because of the success of ChatGPT. However 2024 will check what these AI-powered options actually convey to the cellphone expertise, particularly as new devoted AI devices just like the Rabbit R1 and Humane AI Pin are trying to maneuver past the smartphone.
Other than new AI-powered options, we’re anticipating firms like Apple, Samsung and Google to proceed enhancing the cameras and processors inside their upcoming telephones.
This is a take a look at probably the most anticipated telephones from the business’s largest gamers in 2024. The listing beneath consists of telephones that appear prone to debut this 12 months based mostly on earlier launch patterns, and we’ll proceed to replace this listing as new rumors and stories emerge.
Watch this: Samsung Galaxy S24 Extremely Evaluation: Extra AI at a Greater Value
Apple
iPhone 16 lineup
Apple launched the iPhone 15 Professional and Professional Max in September.
What to anticipate: Apple launches new iPhones each September, and we’ve no motive to consider this 12 months might be any completely different. All iPhone 16 fashions are anticipated to get upgraded microphones to enhance Siri efficiency, based on well-known analyst Ming-Chi Kuo. The change would come as Apple is alleged to be ramping up the iPhone’s AI options, Bloomberg stories.
In any other case, the iPhone 16 household is rumored to get a brand new A18 chip from Apple, with the Professional fashions getting a model referred to as the A18 Professional Bionic, analyst Jeff Pu stories, based on MacRumors. Apple may additionally convey the Motion button to all iPhone 16 fashions, not simply the Professional, based on Bloomberg. The digicam on the common iPhone 16 Professional can also be anticipated to get a tetraprism telephoto lens just like the iPhone 15 Professional Max, Kuo additionally stories, that means it could probably have a 5x telephoto zoom as an alternative of 3x. And there might even be a brand new devoted button for capturing video, as Bloomberg additionally stories. Learn our full iPhone 16 rumor roundup.
Why we’re enthusiastic about it: The iPhone 16 appears like will probably be a modest improve over the iPhone 15 household, however I am fascinated about seeing Apple’s tackle how AI can enhance the smartphone expertise. Siri is predicted to be an enormous a part of that, and I am wanting ahead to Siri evolving into greater than only a fast solution to set timers or verify tomorrow’s climate forecast.
iPhone SE 4
The 2022 iPhone SE.
What to anticipate: Apple’s subsequent budget-friendly iPhone might get an overhaul, if stories from MacRumors and TF Worldwide Securities analyst Ming-Chi Kuo transform true. Apple might use a modified model of the iPhone 14’s chassis for the subsequent iPhone SE, that means it could have a 6.1-inch display in contrast with the present model’s 4.7-inch show, based on MacRumors.The positioning additionally stories that trendy options like Face ID, the Motion button and USB-C charging are additionally coming to the subsequent iPhone SE.
As for timing, the iPhone SE’s launch sample is a little more troublesome to foretell than its customary iPhones. Apple launched the primary iPhone SE in 2016 however did not launch a second mannequin till 2020. The third-generation iPhone SE got here in 2022, resulting in some hypothesis that its successor might arrive in 2024. However MacRumors’ intel suggests it may very well be on monitor for a 2025 launch.
Why we’re enthusiastic about it: Apple’s tiny iPhone is in want of an improve. Whereas it runs on the identical A15 Bionic processor because the iPhone 14, its iPhone 8-like design is beginning to really feel dated. A contemporary model of Apple’s extra reasonably priced iPhone with a bigger display — and hopefully a secondary digicam — can be a lot appreciated.
Samsung
Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 6
The Galaxy Z Fold 5.
What to anticipate: Samsung despatched out invitations final week to a Galaxy Unpacked occasion on July 10. We anticipate the Galaxy Z Fold 6 to be revealed on the occasion. It’s going to most likely embody Qualcomm’s new Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 processor and Galaxy AI similar to the Galaxy S24 lineup.
The corporate additionally often makes minor design enhancements with every Z Fold era. This 12 months, Samsung might give the Galaxy Z Fold 6 a boxier form with flat edges, stories SmartPrix, which collaborated with well-known gadget leaker Steve Hemmerstoffer (often called @OnLeaks on X) to publish what it claims are renders displaying what the cellphone might appear to be. Usually-reliable Samsung leaker Ice Universe posted a photograph that purportedly exhibits the highest of the Galaxy Z Fold 6, indicating it might certainly have a wider and boxier design.
A Samsung patent has generated hypothesis that the Galaxy Z Fold 6 might get an S Pen slot for the primary time, which might make it a lot simpler to stow and rapidly entry the stylus. The Galaxy Z Fold 5 would not include an S Pen within the field, so hopefully the inclusion of a devoted slot on the Z Fold 6 would imply that might change.
Nonetheless, since that is only a patent, it is unclear if this displays Samsung’s precise plans for future Galaxy Z Fold gadgets. What’s maybe extra thrilling is the concept Samsung may very well be launching a number of variations of the Galaxy Z Fold. The corporate is reportedly popping out with a less expensive model of the Galaxy Z Fold 6, based on Korean information website The Elec, whereas Galaxy Membership stories that an much more premium Galaxy Z Fold 6 Extremely may very well be within the works.
Why we’re enthusiastic about it: The unique Galaxy Z Fold was among the many first foldable telephones you may purchase when it launched again in 2019, and Samsung has refined its design and performance over the past couple of years. Samsung’s Received-Joon Choi additionally teased that the corporate is tailoring Galaxy AI options for particular forms of gadgets, like foldables and tablets, fairly than simply copy-and-pasting what’s already out there on the Galaxy S24 lineup. With that in thoughts, I am wanting ahead to seeing whether or not Samsung has something unique and new to convey to the subsequent Galaxy Z Fold when it comes to software program.
And if the rumors and hypothesis a few cheaper model of the Galaxy Z Fold 6 and an S Pen slot transform true, Samsung could also be addressing a few of our largest criticisms in regards to the Z Fold with its subsequent mannequin.
Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 6
The Galaxy Z Flip 5.
What to anticipate: Samsung’s Galaxy Z Flip 5 represented an enormous leap over the Z Flip 4 because of its bigger cowl display, which makes it potential to make use of the system with out having to open it. As such, there’s an opportunity we can’t see dramatic design adjustments within the Galaxy Z Flip 6, which can probably debut on the July Galaxy Unpacked occasion.
However we predict to see it inherit a few of the Galaxy S24’s traits, akin to a brand new Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 processor and Galaxy AI options. Nonetheless, as is prone to be the case with the Galaxy Z Fold 6, there’s an opportunity Samsung will customise Galaxy AI options particularly for the Z Flip 6. Samsung’s new foldable telephones usually run on the identical processors as the corporate’s flagship Galaxy S telephones. However leaked specs that appeared on the benchmarking platform Geekbench counsel Samsung may very well be testing a mannequin with an older processor, weblog SamMobile reported. Samsung may additionally improve core features of the cellphone, just like the digicam and battery life, with weblog Galaxy Membership reporting an even bigger battery and a sharper, 50-megapixel digicam.
Why we’re enthusiastic about it: With its bigger cowl display and sleeker design, the Galaxy Z Flip 5 is already one among our favourite foldable telephones. With the Galaxy Z Flip 6, I am hoping to see extra use circumstances for the quilt display and a lower cost.
Google Pixel 9 and 9 Professional
The Pixel 8 Professional (left) and Pixel 8 (proper) are Google’s newest fashions.
What to anticipate: Based mostly on what we have seen with the Pixel 8 household and Galaxy S24 lineup, it is most likely secure to imagine we’ll be seeing much more new AI-powered options on the Pixel 9 and 9 Professional. Late final 12 months, Google launched its AI mannequin Gemini, which runs on the Pixel 8 Professional to energy options like dialog summaries within the Recorder app. The mannequin additionally powers a few of the new Galaxy AI options on the Galaxy S24 lineup, together with these discovered within the Samsung Notes and Voice Recorder apps. Extra just lately, Google stated it is bringing Gemini Nano to the common Pixel 8 as a developer choice, too. It appears believable that Google would construct on that by including extra AI-fueled capabilities to its subsequent Pixels.
In any other case, we are able to probably anticipate routine upgrades like a brand new Tensor processor and digicam enhancements. Ross Younger, CEO of Show Provide Chain Consultants, additionally says the brand new telephones can have bigger screens than the Pixel 8 era, based on a post on X, though a newer report from Hemmerstoffer and MySmartPrice suggests the Professional mannequin can have a smaller 6.5-inch show. The Pixel 9 Professional may additionally get a refreshed design with flat edges that resembles the iPhone, based on that very same report.
Why we’re enthusiastic about it: Google’s Pixel telephones are often amongst CNET’s favourite telephones of the 12 months. The Pixel 8 era felt like an early take a look at Google’s new AI-focused course for smartphones, and I think about Google will apply learnings and suggestions from the Pixel 8 to the Pixel 9. Plus, provided that the Pixel 8 Professional’s digicam did not impress CNET reviewer Andrew Lanxon the best way he had hoped, I might prefer to see Google make up for that with the Pixel 9 Professional.
Based mostly on the rumors, stories and bulletins to this point, this 12 months’s telephones ought to convey a stability of recent AI options and updates to present staples like efficiency and design upgrades. Though AI nonetheless has to show its objective in telephones, the concept of software program options that really convey one thing new and helpful to telephones is refreshing.
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