The best New Telephones Coming to the UK in 2023
The Best New Telephones Coming to the UK in 2023 We’ve already seen launches from the Samsung Galaxy S23, OnePlus 11, and Xiaomi 13 series, with more set to come in the next few months. Then big names like the iPhone 15 and Pixel 8 are set for later in the year – not to mention key software upgrades in Android 14 and iOS 17. 2023 is set to be a big year for smartphones.
We also know about the chipsets that will power most of those flagship phones: the MediaTek Dimensity 9200 and Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 2. Both have now been revealed, with features including hardware-enabled ray-tracing for gaming and Wi-Fi 7 connectivity, and we’ve seen the first phones already, with plenty more to come throughout 2023 (though of course, it’s never too early for rumors about this year’s Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 launch).
Read on to ensure your next smartphone purchase is not immediately followed by regret, tying you into an unnecessarily lengthy contract. (Remember that there is a chance you could upgrade your contract early.)
Pro tip: As these new phones edge closer, the outgoing models will fall in price and you’ll be able to scoop up some great deals. If you’re not bothered about having the very latest tech, check out our take on the best phones you can buy today.
Best new phones coming out in 2023
Honor Magic Vs -On sale in the UK on 19 May
Honor
Honor’s second foldable – the Magic Vs – launched in China last year, but has now reached Europe as well. It will go on sale in the UK on 19 May, and you can sign up to be notified and save £200 on the £1,399 asking price if you’re interested.
Pronounced ‘vee-ess’ – not ‘versus’ – this sleek foldable has been designed to feel as natural as possible to use when closed, prioritizing that ‘regular’ smartphone experience over the unfolded tablet display.
The powerful Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 keeps it all running, paired with a big battery, powerful triple rear camera, and nippy wired charging.
Find out more about the Honor Magic Vs, or read our Magic Vs review
Huawei Mate X3 – On sale in the UK on 26 May
Huawei
Huawei brought its latest foldable, the Mate X3, to Europe alongside the P60 Pro. While the P60 is on sale now, we have to wait until 26 May for the foldable to hit stores, when it will cost a pretty penny at £1,999.
This is a return to the classic ‘book’ foldable form factor used by the rest of the industry and in the Mate X2 (as opposed to the outwards folding screen of the Mate Xs 2).
Huawei says this is the thinnest foldable yet, but with an IPX8 water-resistance rating it should also be among the most durable. At the same time, its camera is a rival to many traditional flagships and potentially the best in any foldable out there.
Read more about the Mate X3
Google Pixel Fold – On sale in the UK in June
Google fully revealed the Pixel Fold at its annual I/O conference on 10 May, and you can pre-order the phone now before it ships sometime in June.
Powered by the same Tensor G2 chip as the other Pixel phones, this packs a triple rear camera and a slim design reminiscent of the Pixel 7 line.
The big test will be how much Google has managed to use its control of the Android ecosystem to improve the still-iffy optimization of apps for the big screen, which could make or break the Fold.
Read more about the Pixel Fold
Sony Xperia 1 V – On sale in the UK on 29 June
Sony
The Sony Xperia 1 V is finally official and will go on sale in the UK on 29 June, though it’ll be expensive at £1,299.
The phone looks remarkably similar to last year’s Xperia 1 IV but has had a few key upgrades. The big one is a brand-new custom camera sensor for the main camera, though the jump to the latest Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 chipset is certainly welcome too.
There have been a few other tweaks elsewhere, but the bottom line is more power and a better camera.
Get the latest on the Xperia 1 V
Xiaomi 13 Ultra – Expected on sale in the UK in Q2 2023
Xiaomi
Xiaomi has finally revealed its souped-up Xiaomi 13 Ultra – and this time the phone is set to come out internationally in the “next few months”, making it the first Ultra model to leave China.
The phone is all about that enormous camera, which features four 50Mp lenses: a 1-inch Sony IMX989 sensor for its main lens with variable aperture, with a trio of IMX868 sensors for the ultrawide, 3.2x telephoto, and 5x periscope lenses.
Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 performance, a 2600 nits peak brightness display, and fast 90W charging round out the flagship feature set, which makes this one of the most powerful phones in the world right now.
Read more about the Xiaomi 13 Ultra, or read our 13 Ultra review to find out what we think after trying out a Chinese model of the phone
Realme GT 3 – Expected on sale in the UK in Q2 2023
Hannah Cowton / Foundry
Realme has officially announced its GT 3 flagship, which it revealed in late February and will go on sale in May or June.
The headline feature is 240W fast charging, also featured in the company’s China-only GT Neo 5 (which is, really, the same phone under a different name). Realme claims 30 seconds of charging can deliver two hours of call time, four minutes gets you half the battery back, and a full charge takes just under ten.
Beyond charging, the phone features a 144Hz AMOLED display, a 50Mp camera, and a Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 inside, along with an unusual rectangular RGB light on the rear – next to the camera – for displaying notifications and alerts.
Read the latest on the Realme GT3, or read our GT 3 review to find out what we think from trying it out
Solana Saga – Expected Q2 2023
Solana
The Solana Saga is the phone once known as the Osom OV1. It had been intended to launch as the debut phone from new start-up Osom but re-branded after a partnership with blockchain company Solana to serve as a web3 handset.
Specs are high-end, with a Qualcomm Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1, 6.67in OLED screen, 12GB RAM, and 512GB storage. Plus it has an additional ‘secure element’ to help keep financial information safe and secure during crypto transactions and when minting NFTs.
Read more about the Solana Saga.
OnePlus Nord 3 – Expected Q2 2023
EvLeaks
The next OnePlus mid-ranger is tipped to include an upgraded 150W charging spec – capable of a full charge in just 15 minutes – alongside a new Dimensity 8100 chipset and a larger, 6.7in 120Hz display.
The camera spec isn’t expected to change as much though, with the same 50Mp IMX766 main camera as the Nord 2, joined by an 8Mp ultrawide and 2Mp macro.
Read more about the Nord 3
Motorola Razr 2023 – Expected Q2 2023
Motorola is expected to launch another version of its Razr flip phone this year, and it may be a radical redesign.
If leaked renders are to be believed, the Razr 2023 – or perhaps Razr+, going by another rumored name – will boast a screen that covers its entire front side, wrapping right around the cameras and flash.
We know less about what specs to expect on the inside, but a flagship chipset is a given. We’re also hoping for a bigger battery than before – it might be needed to keep that big screen running.
Read more about the Razr 2023
Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 5 & Z Flip 5 – August 2023
Samsung has formed a habit of releasing its Z Flip foldable in August each year, so that’s when we’re expecting to see the Z Fold 5 and Z Flip 5.
Little is known so far about what to expect, though a bump to the next-gen Snapdragon silicon is almost certain. More camera and battery improvements would be welcome, but will we see a bigger redesign to go with them?
Read more about the latest Galaxy Z Fold 5 and Galaxy Z Flip 5 rumors
iPhone 15 – September 2023
Apple hasn’t confirmed anything about the iPhone 15 yet, but based on the company’s track record we’ll almost certainly see it in September.
Early rumors suggest we’ll see the new Dynamic Island design extended to the regular models this time around, while the Pro Max may be re-branded the iPhone 15 Ultra and come with some extra, unknown upgrades.
Get the latest on the iPhone 15
Nothing Phone (2) – Expected in Q3 2023
Nothing has already begun teasing its second smartphone, which it says will be a “more premium” handset powered by a Snapdragon 8-series flagship chip, due to arrive this summer.
That’s all we know for now. The first model launched in July, so don’t expect a follow-up before then. Also bear in mind that the company hasn’t promised which Snapdragon 8 chip it will use, and odds are it will be an older model rather than the latest 8 Gen 2.
The big question is whether the company will update the phone’s outlandish design, or take the approach it used for the second-gen Ear (2) headphones and keep the aesthetic identical.
Read more about the Nothing Phone (2)
OnePlus foldable – Q3 2023
OnePlus
Rumour has it that OnePlus is working on its debut foldable phone, and the company has now teased that we should see it revealed in Q3 2023.
Leakers now think there may be two phones, based closely on the Oppo Find N2 and Find N2 Flip – the two companies now share R&D, so that’s no real surprise. That means we can expect something like a 7.1 folding display, flagship Snapdragon chip, and triple rear camera including an ultrawide and telephoto on the larger model.
As for names, right now people point to ‘OnePlus V Flip’ and ‘OnePlus V Fold’, but of course, it’s all speculation for now.
Read our round-up of the OnePlus foldable rumors for the latest hints.
Asus Zenfone 10 – Expected in Q3 2023
Asus usually updates its flagship Zenfone line in the summer, so this year we’re expecting to see the Zenfone 10 launch sometime in Q3.
What we’ve heard so far from leaks is a little surprising: Asus intends to give up the compact form factor that made the Zenfone 9 so unique and revert to a larger display in line with other high-end phones.
That will come with perks if true: a bigger battery and upgraded cameras, perhaps even a 200Mp main camera.
Read more about the Zenfone 10
Google Pixel 8 – October 2023
Solid rumors about the next Pixel flagship phones are thin on the ground right now, but it’s a pretty safe bet that we’ll see them arrive in October 2023 – after all, every Pixel flagship so far has launched in October.
Google’s next Tensor chip should power the phone, and otherwise expect new camera features and perhaps a refreshed design. And maybe finally some faster charging?
Get the latest on the Pixel 8
Microsoft Surface Duo 3 – 2023
IDG
Microsoft has so far released two iterations of its unusual dual-screen foldable device, and we’re expecting the Duo 3 to follow them up sometime in 2023.
It’s too early to say exactly what to expect, beyond the obvious: better specs, a refined design, and more polished software. The Duo 2 has come on leaps and bounds since its launch though, so we’re optimistic that Microsoft can pull off something special here.
Read the latest on the Surface Duo 3.
Samsung Galaxy S24 – Expected in February 2024
Samsung updates its flagship S-series like clockwork every February (or thereabouts) so we think we’ll see the Galaxy S24 turn up in February 2024.
It’s too early to say what’s coming, though an upgrade to the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 is likely. Rumors point to a faster refresh rate in the Ultra model too, and maybe tweaks to the telephoto.
Get the latest Galaxy S24 rumors
iPhone SE 4 – 2024
Apple seems to be on a biannual release schedule for its budget-friendly iPhone SE, so after 2020 and 2022 models, we’re not expecting to see the next iteration until early 2024.
The biggest question mark is around whether Apple will finally jump to a full-screen design for the phone, ditching the Home Button for good – and in turn, if that will mean including FaceID in the SE for the first time.
It’s worth noting that some rumors have said the SE 4 has been canceled, so there’s a risk we won’t see it at all.
Read more about the iPhone SE 4.
Foldable iPhone/iPad – 2024/25
A folding iPhone has been rumored ever since the first foldable display tech existed pretty much, but thanks to leaks and rumors we have pretty good reason to believe Apple is at least working on a foldable iPhone – or iPad, which has begun to look more likely.
Various analysts have predicted that we’ll see the tech appear first sometime in 2024, though the year after remains a possibility. While many had hoped for a bendy iPhone, more recent reports suggest Apple may test the water with a larger folding iPad, with longer to wait for an actual phone – though if it can perfect the tech in that time it may well be worth the wait.
Check out all the foldable iPhone rumors so far.