Best upcoming phones: 2023’s biggest smartphone releases so far
Some of the most exciting new smartphones set to launch in 2023
The Asus ROG Phone 7 Ultimate is poised to be the ultimate gaming smartphone of 2023. As the name suggests, it packs the latest and most powerful Snapdragon mobile platform along with an optional active cooling accessory to ensure flawless performance during graphics-intensive gameplay. Beyond its sheer power, the ROG Phone 7 Ultimate features a massive 6.78-inch OLED display with a fast 144Hz refresh rate, a secondary rear display for notifications and visual effects, and an enormous 6,000mAh battery to keep you gaming for hours on end. While its triple rear camera array is fairly average for a phone at this price point, the ROG Phone 7 Ultimate is really designed for serious mobile gamers looking for a dedicated gaming device.
Building on the success of last year’s popular Pixel 6a, Google’s Pixel 7a looks to raise the bar for mid-range smartphones once again. It offers premium features like a smooth 90Hz display, wireless charging, and an upgraded camera with improved low-light performance. Powered by Google’s Tensor G2 processor, the Pixel 7a provides performance that rivals much more expensive flagship phones. While the Pixel 7a does see a slight price increase over its predecessor, the additional features and upgrades seem well worth the extra cost.
The Honor Magic 5 Pro establishes Honor as a brand that can produce premium flagship smartphones to compete with the best devices from Samsung, Apple, and Google. It ticks all the boxes with a powerful processor, high-quality display, long battery life, and a versatile triple camera system. Some minor software issues remain, and its video recording capabilities aren’t quite on par with its photography prowess, but the Magic 5 Pro presents an attractive alternative to pricier flagship phones.
Huawei’s P60 Pro focuses on photography and imaging with a unique variable aperture camera lens and impressive computational photography. Its wide f/2.1 aperture telephoto lens handles both macro and low-light photography with ease. Overall, the P60 Pro ranks among the best camera phones currently available, though its lack of Google Mobile Services will limit its appeal in Western markets.