Are you someone who closely tracks every smartphone launch? If so, your schedule must be quite packed. Whether it’s budget-friendly devices, cutting-edge flagships, or the latest foldable phones, there’s an array of exciting new releases slated for 2024. In this guide, we’ll walk you through the most anticipated upcoming phones set to hit the market in the next twelve months.
Below, we’ve compiled information on confirmed releases, likely launches, and rumored unveilings throughout the year. Stay well-informed about the latest in smartphones and get ahead of the curve with our comprehensive list. Additionally, we’ve provided a summary of the major smartphone announcements from recent months, complete with links to our reviews of the standout models. Our regularly updated list encompasses all the top upcoming phones that we anticipate will make waves in the market.
Asus ROG Phone 8 Pro
Asus’s gaming division has previously released highly powerful phones, but their exclusive focus on gaming often resulted in devices that fell short in overall quality. The combination of aggressive design and mediocre cameras made these phones less appealing to non-gamers, especially when mainstream flagship phones offered comparable performance for casual gaming. The Asus ROG Phone 8 Pro seeks to break away from this trend by introducing a more enticing set of rear cameras and adopting a subtler design.
The AniMe matrix lighting on the back remains eye-catching, but discreetly disappears behind the frosted glass back panel when turned off. With slimmer dimensions and an IP68 rating, the ROG Phone 8 Pro competes head-to-head with well-known rivals. Its Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 CPU and sizable battery ensure that it maintains its status as a high-performance device.
Samsung Galaxy S24
Samsung’s trio of Galaxy S phones continues to be among the most popular smartphones that don’t bear the Apple logo. While the 2023 Galaxy S23, S23+, and S23 Ultra didn’t represent significant leaps forward from the previous generation, anticipation is high for Samsung’s potential groundbreaking innovations in the upcoming 2024 models. Notably, the unveiling is scheduled for January 17th, a month earlier than the usual announcement.
There are speculations that the S24 Ultra might incorporate titanium, aligning with the iPhone 15 Pro’s material choice, while the S24 and S24+ are expected to maintain aluminum construction. Camera hardware may not undergo a drastic overhaul, and there’s a possibility that Samsung will revert to a two-chip strategy. This could mean Qualcomm-powered devices for the US market and Exynos-powered handsets for other countries. Both variants are likely to emphasize artificial intelligence, which is anticipated to be a prominent theme in 2024.
For those unwilling to wait for the latest release, the existing S23 range still packs a punch, offering impressive cameras and commendable battery life for a flagship phone.
Apple iPhone 16 series
The one every Apple fan will be waiting for. The iPhone 16 line-up will almost certainly be revealed in early September 2024, bringing multiple sizes and at least one Pro variant. There’s little info out there right now, other than Apple is apparently going to go big on AI this year – just like the rest of the phone world.
A new generation of Apple silicon seems likely, as does a new version of iOS. We’re also hoping the iPhone 15 Pro Max’s 5x telephoto lens makes its way down to the more palm-friendly iPhone 16 Pro.
September 2024 feels like a long way off right now, though. The iPhone 15 line-up is as good as it gets in Apple land today:
Nothing Phone 3
Nothing’s third smartphone is currently just a murmur on the horizon. The emerging company has issued invitations for an event scheduled in February at the Mobile World Congress 2024. However, the speculations circulating suggest that the unveiling might not showcase the actual handset. Instead, we can anticipate an official acknowledgment of its existence, along with potential initial hardware details.
It seems plausible for the upcoming device to serve as an entry-level model, potentially taking the place of Phone 1 in the product lineup, which will have been in existence for two years by July. The higher-tier Phone 2 likely has another year before it’s due for an upgrade. Images from patent filings suggest a design for the new handset that closely resembles the current Nothing lineup, featuring a transparent rear and glyph lighting. The actual name of the device remains a mystery; while some propose Nothing Phone 3, others speculate it might be labeled Nothing 1a.
Expectations are that Nothing will continue to offer Phone 2 for the foreseeable future, and it continues to stand out as one of the top mid-range smartphones available.
Xiaomi 14 series
Xiaomi typically reveals its latest smartphone models in December, initially launching in its home country, China, before a global release in the following spring. However, the company deviated from this pattern in 2023, choosing to announce its new generation of mobile devices during Qualcomm’s annual Snapdragon Summit in October.
This departure was motivated by the inclusion of the new Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 CPU in these phones, offering advanced on-device AI capabilities, enhanced performance, efficiency, and camera features. While China remained the first market to receive the new smartphones, the rest of the world is expected to follow suit in early 2024.
The upcoming models include the Xiaomi 14 and 14 Pro, with no information yet on a more premium version like the Xiaomi 14 Ultra. The Pro variant will feature a titanium frame resembling the design of the iPhone 15, contributing to weight reduction. Both models boast screens with an impressive peak brightness of 3000 nits – a 6.36-inch panel for the Xiaomi 14 and a 6.73-inch screen for the Xiaomi 14 Pro. Additionally, both screens support a 120Hz refresh rate. The camera setup includes a triple rear camera configuration, with the Pro model incorporating variable aperture technology to enhance low-light photography. The renowned brand Leica is collaborating once again to optimize camera performance. Running on top of Android 14, these devices operate on the new HyperOS skin.
Anticipate a global launch of these smartphones in February. In the meantime, consumers can still explore and purchase the Xiaomi 13 or Xiaomi 13 Pro, both recognized as top-notch options in the realm of photography-centric smartphones.
Honor Magic 6 Pro
A recently confirmed addition to the upcoming smartphone lineup unveiled at Qualcomm’s Snapdragon Summit is the Honor Magic 6 Pro. This device is set to feature the powerful Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 processor. One noteworthy innovation is the introduction of the “Magic Capsule,” an eye-tracking information pill positioned at the top of the screen. Its design seems to draw inspiration from Apple’s Dynamic Island.
While specific details about other specifications are yet to be officially confirmed, as the phone is anticipated to make its debut at the Mobile World Congress in February, photography is expected to be a focal point. Current rumors suggest the inclusion of a 1-inch main sensor and a robust telephoto lens. The Magic 5 Pro, known for its impressive camera capabilities, remains among the top choices, and it is currently available at a price below the recommended retail price.