With the pace of smartphone evolution moving so fast, there’s always something waiting in the wings. No sooner have you spied the latest handset, that there’s anticipation for the next big thing.

Here we look at those phones that haven’t yet launched, the upcoming phones for 2023. We’ll be updating this list on a regular basis, with those device rumours we think are credible and exciting.

As for already-launched handsets, we’ve rounded up the best smartphones of 2022 elsewhere - those we consider to be the best across all platforms. If your budget is a little smaller, there is also our budget smartphones for under £200 feature - and there’s a mid-range roundup up to £400 as well.

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The upcoming generation of phones

Before we dive into the detail, here are some of the anticipated handsets for 2023 and beyond:

  • Google Pixel Fold Huawei Mate X3 OnePlus 11 Pro Oppo Find X6 Pro Samsung Galaxy S23 series Xiaomi 13 and 13 Pro iPhone 15 and 15 Pro Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 5 Google Pixel 7a Google Pixel G10/Pixel 7 Ultra Motorola Razr(s) 2023 New Microsoft Surface foldable

Google Pixel Fold

Google hasn’t confirmed this one, but the rumours surrounding the foldable pixel have been circling for a long time.

Rumours of the folding Google Pixel have been around since 2019, and the company still hasn’t launched one or even confirmed that there’s a release any time in the near future. Recent news on the device suggests Google isn’t happy with it and has delayed its launch. It is expected to be a book-style foldable like the Galaxy Z Fold 4, but more compact. A leaked case model seems to confirm the design leaks are accurate, but physical evidence is still pretty thin on the ground.

Huawei Mate X3

The Mate XS 2 was launched in 2022 and the Mate X3 is predicted to follow soon.

Having already launched the outward-folding Mate XS 2 in summer 2022, it’s been claimed the company will launch the inward-folding Mate X3 next. December 2022 was slated as the timeframe to look out for, but it’s not been confirmed as yet. It’s expected to be slimmer and more durable than its predecessor.

OnePlus 11 5G

OnePlus 11 5G is getting a revamped design, a Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 chipset, 5000mAh battery, 100W charging and has already been launched in China. A wider global launch will be taking place on 7 February in India.

OnePlus is going for a major redesign on its OnePlus 11, the camera unit will resemble a giant circle on the rear of the phone, rather than the square module on previous phones. It features Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 processor, up to 16GB RAM and a 5000mAh battery with 100W charging.

Oppo Find X6 Pro

The next Find X series flagship is claimed to feature a revamped design and the latest Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 processor inside.

The Oppo Find X6 Pro is going to be one of the first phones running the Snapdragon 8 gen 2 platform and is likely to appear at the beginning of 2023. Leaked renders show a radical redesign with a prominent circular camera housing right in the middle of the phone’s rear, complete with four new matte pastel colours.

Samsung Galaxy S23 series

Samsung’s next flagship phones are said to come with only Snapdragon processors.

Expected in the early part of 2023, the Galaxy S23 will be Samsung’s flagship series for next year. Not a huge amount has been said about the phones so far, except to say Samsung is claimed to be ditching its own Exynos processors and will use Qualcomm Snapdragon SoC’s exclusively in every market. It’s also been rumoured we’ll get even better night photography. A leaked reservation page suggests the phones will be launched on 1 February 2023.

Xiaomi 13 and 13 Pro

Xiaomi - like OnePlus - has already announced the first models in its 2023 flagship range, in China at least. We’re still awaiting global launch, but there’s a suggestion that we could see new phones arriving in time for MWC in Barcelona at the end of February 2023. Both the 13 and 13 Pro are powered by the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2, and feature 120Hz refresh rates and impressive triple camera systems. Stay tuned for more news on the global launch.

Apple iPhone 15 range

As surely as night follows day, Apple releases a new range of iPhones every year. iPhone 14 have just launched, and that means next year we’ll see iPhone 15.

Despite iPhone 14 still being a new device, rumours about the next generation iPhone 15 have already started. Apple has already confirmed the move from Lightning to USB-C, while other rumours speculate that Apple will move from physical buttons to solid-state/haptic buttons. The next models will almost certainly land in September/October 2023.

Pixel G10/Pixel 7 Ultra

The Pixel G10 is a bit of a mystery device, in that all we’ve heard is that it’s in the works and that has the same display as the 7 Pro.

Following rumours of the Pixel 7a series, another unannounced Pixel device broke cover. The Pixel G10 has been discovered, but it seems no one really knows what it is. It’s supposed to feature a large 6.7-inch QuadHD display - like the Pixel 7 Pro - and it could be the Pixel 7 Ultra, but we’re unsure on this one.

Google Pixel 7a ‘family’

Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 5

Rumours have already started up for Samsung’s next foldable flagship, and it’s sounding a lot like Samsung has taken onboard criticism and is addressing a couple of consumer pain points. One of those is the crease on the display. It’s been suggested that the next model will feature a droplet curve in the display to avoid that easily visible, distinct crease and remove the gap when closed. It’s also suggested we’ll see a permanent S Pen silo in the frame of the phone.

Motorola Razr(s) 2023

A recent leak suggests we’ll see two Razr phones in 2023, beyond that, little is known.

It’s been claimed that Motorola could launch two Razr phone models in 2023, following the Razr 2022 from this year. Exactly what those two phones will look like and feature is yet to be seen. We can safely assume one of them will be similar to the current clamshell, but could the second one be a larger-screened foldable like the Galaxy Z Fold, or will Motorola build something using its rollable prototype display?

Microsoft Surface foldable

Having tried two generations of Surface Duo - with two screens that fold shut - it’s been said that Microsoft has shelved plans for a third generation and is, instead, working on a phone with one large foldable screen instead. If so, it could see the Microsoft Surface foldable work more like a Samsung Galaxy Z Fold, and not a two-screened smartphone with a hinge.