From the iPhone 16 to the Galaxy Z Fold 6: Top Phones We Expect in 2024

It’s been a busy yr 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. But there are nonetheless loads of new telephones to count on earlier than the yr is over, supplied Apple, Samsung and Google observe their typical patterns.

Samsung, for instance, normally introduces new foldable telephones at a summer time occasion. This yr, 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. 

Read extra: Best Phone for 2024

As for what to count on, synthetic intelligence will probably be a giant theme in this yr’s telephones. We’ve already seen that with the Galaxy S24 household, which is the first to embrace Samsung’s new Galaxy AI options, in addition to final yr’s Pixel 8 collection. 

Generative AI, or AI that may generate content material when prompted primarily based on coaching knowledge, had a breakout second in 2023 thanks to the success of ChatGPT. But 2024 will check what these AI-powered options really carry to the telephone expertise, particularly as new devoted AI devices like the Rabbit R1 and Humane AI Pin are trying to transfer past the smartphone.

Aside from new AI-powered options, we’re anticipating corporations like Apple, Samsung and Google to proceed bettering the cameras and processors inside their upcoming telephones. 

Here’s a have a look at the most anticipated telephones from the business’s greatest gamers in 2024. The record beneath contains telephones that appear probably to debut this yr primarily based on earlier launch patterns, and we’ll proceed to replace this record as new rumors and reviews emerge.

Read extra: Samsung’s Galaxy S24 Ultra Could Be Doing So Much More With AI

Watch this: Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra Review: More AI at a Higher Cost

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Apple

iPhone 16 lineup

What to count on: Apple launches new iPhones each September, and we have now no cause to consider this yr will probably be any totally different. All iPhone 16 fashions are anticipated to get upgraded microphones to enhance Siri efficiency, in accordance to well-known analyst Ming-Chi Kuo. The change would come as Apple is alleged to be ramping up the iPhone’s AI options, Bloomberg reviews. 

Otherwise, the iPhone 16 household is rumored to get a brand new A18 chip from Apple, with the Pro fashions getting a model referred to as the A18 Pro Bionic, analyst Jeff Pu reviews, in accordance to MacRumors. Apple might also carry the Action button to all iPhone 16 fashions, not simply the Pro, in accordance to Bloomberg. The digital camera on the common iPhone 16 Pro can also be anticipated to get a tetraprism telephoto lens like the iPhone 15 Pro Max, Kuo additionally reviews, which means it could probably have a 5x telephoto zoom as a substitute of 3x. And there might even be a brand new devoted button for capturing video, as Bloomberg additionally reviews. Read our full iPhone 16 rumor roundup.

Why we’re enthusiastic about it: The iPhone 16 seems like will probably be a modest improve over the iPhone 15 household, however I’m in seeing Apple’s tackle how AI can enhance the smartphone expertise. Siri is anticipated to be a giant a part of that, and I’m trying ahead to Siri evolving into greater than only a fast manner to set timers or test tomorrow’s climate forecast. 

iPhone SE 4

(*16*)

What to count on: Apple’s subsequent budget-friendly iPhone may get an overhaul, if reviews from MacRumors and TF International Securities analyst Ming-Chi Kuo prove to be true. Apple might use a modified model of the iPhone 14’s chassis for the subsequent iPhone SE, which means it could have a 6.1-inch display screen in contrast with the present model’s 4.7-inch show, in accordance to MacRumors.The web site additionally reviews that fashionable options like Face ID, the Action 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 tough to predict than its commonplace iPhones. Apple launched the first iPhone SE in 2016 however did not launch a second mannequin till 2020. The third-generation iPhone SE got here in 2022, main to some hypothesis that its successor may arrive in 2024. But MacRumors’ intel suggests it may very well be on observe for a 2025 launch. 

Why we’re enthusiastic about it: Apple’s tiny iPhone is in want of an improve. While it runs on the similar A15 Bionic processor as 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 screen — and hopefully a secondary digital camera — could be a lot appreciated. 

Samsung

Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 6

What to count on: Samsung despatched out invitations final week to a Galaxy Unpacked occasion on July 10. We count on the Galaxy Z Fold 6 to be revealed at the occasion. It’ll most likely embrace Qualcomm’s new Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 processor and Galaxy AI identical to the Galaxy S24 lineup. 

The firm additionally normally makes minor design enhancements with every Z Fold technology. This yr, Samsung may give the Galaxy Z Fold 6 a boxier form with flat edges, reviews SmartPrix, which collaborated with well-known gadget leaker Steve Hemmerstoffer (often called @OnLeaks on X) to publish what it claims are renders exhibiting what the telephone may seem like. Often-reliable Samsung leaker Ice Universe posted a photograph that purportedly reveals the prime of the Galaxy Z Fold 6, indicating it may certainly have a wider and boxier design. 

A Samsung patent has generated hypothesis that the Galaxy Z Fold 6 may get an S Pen slot for the first time, which might make it a lot simpler to stow and rapidly entry the stylus. The Galaxy Z Fold 5 does not include an S Pen in the field, so hopefully the inclusion of a devoted slot on the Z Fold 6 would imply that may change. 

However, since that is only a patent, it is unclear if this displays Samsung’s precise plans for future Galaxy Z Fold units. What’s maybe extra thrilling is the concept that Samsung may very well be launching a number of variations of the Galaxy Z Fold. The firm is reportedly popping out with a less expensive model of the Galaxy Z Fold 6, in accordance to Korean information web site The Elec, whereas Galaxy Club reviews that an much more premium Galaxy Z Fold 6 Ultra may very well be in the works. 

Why we’re enthusiastic about it: The authentic Galaxy Z Fold was amongst the first foldable telephones you can purchase when it launched again in 2019, and Samsung has refined its design and performance over the final couple of years. Samsung’s Won-Joon Choi additionally teased that the firm is tailoring Galaxy AI options for particular forms of units, like foldables and tablets, slightly than simply copy-and-pasting what’s already obtainable on the Galaxy S24 lineup. With that in thoughts, I’m trying ahead to seeing whether or not Samsung has something unique and new to carry to the subsequent Galaxy Z Fold in phrases of software program. 

And if the rumors and hypothesis a couple of cheaper model of the Galaxy Z Fold 6 and an S Pen slot prove to be true, Samsung could also be addressing a few of our greatest criticisms about the Z Fold with its subsequent mannequin. 

Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 6

What to count on: Samsung’s Galaxy Z Flip 5 represented a giant leap over the Z Flip 4 thanks to its bigger cowl display screen, which makes it doable to use the gadget with out having to open it. As such, there’s an opportunity we cannot see dramatic design modifications in the Galaxy Z Flip 6, which is able to probably debut at the July Galaxy Unpacked occasion. 

But we predict to see it inherit a few of the Galaxy S24’s traits, similar to a brand new Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 processor and Galaxy AI options. However, as is probably going 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 similar processors as the firm’s flagship Galaxy S telephones. But 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 might also improve core features of the telephone, like the digital camera and battery life, with weblog Galaxy Club reporting an even bigger battery and a sharper, 50-megapixel digital camera.

Why we’re enthusiastic about it: With its bigger cowl display screen and sleeker design, the Galaxy Z Flip 5 is already one in every of our favourite foldable telephones. With the Galaxy Z Flip 6, I’m hoping to see extra use circumstances for the cowl display screen and a lower cost. 

Google

Google Pixel 9 and 9 Pro

What to count on: Based on what we have seen with the Pixel 8 household and Galaxy S24 lineup, it is most likely secure to assume we’ll be seeing much more new AI-powered options on the Pixel 9 and 9 Pro. Late final yr, Google launched its AI mannequin Gemini, which runs on the Pixel 8 Pro to energy options like dialog summaries in the Recorder app. The mannequin additionally powers a few of the new Galaxy AI options on the Galaxy S24 lineup, together with these discovered in the Samsung Notes and Voice Recorder apps. More lately, Google mentioned it is bringing Gemini Nano to the common Pixel 8 as a developer possibility, too. It appears believable that Google would construct on that by including extra AI-fueled capabilities to its subsequent Pixels. 

Otherwise, we will probably count on routine upgrades like a brand new Tensor processor and digital camera enhancements. Ross Young, CEO of Display Supply Chain Consultants, additionally says the new telephones may have bigger screens than the Pixel 8 technology, in accordance to a post on X, though a more moderen report from Hemmerstoffer and MySmartPrice suggests the Pro mannequin may have a smaller 6.5-inch show. The Pixel 9 Pro might also get a refreshed design with flat edges that resembles the iPhone, in accordance to that very same report.

Why we’re enthusiastic about it: Google’s Pixel telephones are normally amongst CNET’s favourite telephones of the yr. The Pixel 8 technology felt like an early have a look at Google’s new AI-focused route 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 Pro’s digital camera did not impress CNET reviewer Andrew Lanxon the manner he had hoped, I’d like to see Google make up for that with the Pixel 9 Pro. 

Based on the rumors, reviews and bulletins thus far, this yr’s telephones ought to carry a stability of recent AI options and updates to present staples like efficiency and design upgrades. Although AI nonetheless has to show its function in telephones, the concept of software program options that actually carry one thing new and helpful to telephones is refreshing.