Technologies

New Phones to Expect in 2023: The iPhone 15, Google Pixel Fold and More

As the second half of the year approaches, we’re expecting to see several new phones from Apple, Google and others.

We’ve already seen new devices from Samsung and OnePlus arrive this year, but smartphone shoppers likely have a lot more to look forward to in 2023. That’s especially true for those interested in foldable phones.

Though it’s hard to predict exactly what’s in store for the phone industry, it’s possible to make some educated guesses since many companies stick to the same launch routine. The iPhone 15 lineup, for example, is expected to arrive in September, possibly with USB-C charging for the first time. Google’s rumored Pixel 8 could launch in the fall, likely with a new Tensor processor.

Such launches would follow the subtle but important progress that phones made in 2022. The iPhone 14, for example, gained satellite connectivity for emergencies and car-crash detection, while Google found more ways to make use of its custom Tensor chip in the Pixel 7 and 7 Pro. Samsung, meanwhile, gave its flagship Galaxy S lineup a fresh look and an upgraded camera last year, while this year’s S23 is a modest step forward.

Here are the new phones we’re likely to see in 2023, based on previous launch cycles, rumors and reports.

Apple iPhone 15 lineup

iPhone 14 family — The iPhone 14 lineup.

James Martin/CNET

What we’re expecting: Apple’s new iPhone family usually launches in September, and we have no reason to believe 2023 will be any different. The adoption of USB-C charging is one of the biggest changes we’re expecting to see on Apple’s next-generation iPhones.

The European Union recently mandated that all new phones sold in the region must support USB-C charging by 2024. Apple said it would comply with these rules but did not specify whether that means we’ll see a shift to USB-C starting in 2023. It’s also not confirmed if a USB-C iPhone would get a global release, or if it would remain solely a European model.

Otherwise, we’re likely to see routine changes such as some camera upgrades and a new processor. TF International Securities Analyst Ming-Chi Kuo, who is known for making pretty accurate predictions about upcoming Apple products, tweeted that Apple may do more to distinguish the iPhone 15 Pro from the regular iPhone 15.

It already made a step in that direction with the iPhone 14 generation by keeping features like the Dynamic Island and new A16 Bionic processor exclusive to the Pro line. What’s more interesting, however, is the idea that Apple could further differentiate the larger iPhone 15 Pro Max from the smaller iPhone 15 Pro, according to Kuo.

The main difference between the regular Pro and Pro Max comes down to screen size. Giving the Pro Max some extra perks could further convince shoppers to splurge on Apple’s biggest (and most expensive) iPhone. Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman also believes Apple could change the name of the iPhone Pro Max to the iPhone Ultra in the future to better align with other products like the Apple Watch Ultra.

Why I’m excited about it: The iPhone’s long-anticipated transition to USB-C is arguably the biggest reason to get excited about Apple’s next smartphone. The switch means iPhone users will finally be able to charge their iPhone, iPad and Mac with the same type of charging cable, reducing friction and making the iPhone that much more convenient. I’m also looking forward to seeing whether Apple further distinguishes the iPhone 15 Pro Max from the iPhone 15 Pro. I’ve argued that Apple needs to give its supersized iPhones more functionality that takes advantage of their larger screens, similar to the iPad.

OnePlus Foldable Phone

A man standing in front of a photo of a foldable phone — OnePlus teased its first foldable phone, but hasn’t provided concrete details yet.

Eli Blumenthal/CNET

What we’re expecting: OnePlus plans to launch its first foldable phone in the second half of 2023, the company said before its event at Mobile World Congress in February. Unfortunately, we don’t know much else. The company has yet to announce any details about the device itself, precisely when it plans to launch the phone, or how much it could cost.

Why we’re excited about it: Like Google, OnePlus has a reputation for beating Samsung and Apple on price. That makes me hopeful that OnePlus’ foldable phone will be significantly less expensive than the $1,800 Galaxy Z Fold 4. The Oppo Find N2 from OnePlus’ sister brand has also been well received, with CNET’s Sareena Dayaram calling it the lightest foldable she’s ever carried, so there’s a chance OnePlus could follow in its sibling’s footsteps. Plus, it’ll be nice to see Samsung face more competition in this space.

Google Pixel 7A

The back of Google's Pixel 6A phone — The Google Pixel 6A.

Lisa Eadicicco/CNET

What we’re expecting: If Google maintains its tradition, we could see a cheaper version of the Pixel 7 known as the Pixel 7A launch in the spring or summer time frame. Rumors about the Pixel 7A are scarce right now. But developer Kuba Wojciechowski says he found details possibly pertaining to the Pixel 7A in the Android codebase, suggesting that some fairly significant upgrades are in store.

Wojciechowski’s findings indicate the Pixel 7A could have a screen with a higher refresh rate of 90Hz and wireless charging — two characteristics that are noticeably absent from the Pixel 6A. Leaked renders from Hemmerstoffer that were once again published on Smartprix also suggest the Pixel 7A will have a very similar design as its predecessor.

The Pixel 7A could also include the same Tensor G2 processor that powers the Pixel 7 and 7 Pro as well as a camera setup that includes wide and ultrawide sensors. That’s if the Pixel 7A follows in the same footsteps as the Pixel 6A, of course.

The Pixel 7A is also believed to have surfaced on the Vietnamese website Zing News, which suggests it will have a 6.1-inch screen and a design that’s very similar to the Pixel 7’s — even down to the camera bar.

Why I’m excited about it: Google’s A-series Pixel phones are seriously impressive from a value standpoint. That’s why the Pixel 6A has received a CNET Editors’ Choice award and is our favorite Android phone under $500. If Google manages to address the Pixel 6A’s very few shortcomings while maintaining the same price of $449, it’ll be an even more formidable challenger to Samsung in the affordable phone market.

Google Pixel 8 lineup

The Pixel 7 Pro (left) and Pixel 7 (right).

Andrew Lanxon/CNET

What we’re expecting: Google’s Pixel 7 and 7 Pro have only been out since mid-October 2022, but rumors have already started to surface about the Pixel 8 family. German tech blog WinFuture reports that it found references to two unreleased Pixel smartphones in publicly available code. The findings indicate that these two devices are codenamed “Shiba” and “Husky” and that they’re powered by a new processor codenamed “Zuma.” The code also suggests these devices will run on Android 14 and include 12GB of RAM, according to WinFuture.

Prolific leaker Steve Hemmerstoffer also partnered with the tech blogs MySmartPrice and SmartPrix to publish what are said to be renderings of the Pixel 8 and Pixel 8 Pro. Based on these images, both phones will have a similar design with softer edges compared to the Pixel 7 and 7 Pro.

Why I’m excited about it: There haven’t been many rumors about the expected Pixel 8 and 8 Pro, which means there isn’t too much to get excited about yet. But what I’m most interested in is what new features Google’s next-generation chip will bring to its future phones. Google’s current Tensor chips have enabled features that seem practical and useful in everyday life, such as Magic Eraser and Face Unblur for improving photo quality and the ability to add speaker labels to transcripts in the Recorder app. That makes me excited about where Google could take things next.

Google Pixel Fold

Oppo Find N open — Leaks suggest Google’s foldable Pixel could look like the Oppo Find N, pictured here.

Eli Blumenthal/CNET

What we’re expecting: Google hasn’t entered the foldable phone race yet, but that could change very soon. The search giant may release a foldable Pixel phone as early as June, according to 9to5Google and WinFuture.

Google’s take on the foldable phone could look like the Oppo Find N, according to 9to5Google. YouTube personality Dave2D says he received a blank model showing what the rumored Pixel Fold’s design could look like, and it kind of resembles Microsoft’s Surface Duo.

Developer Kuba Wojciechowski also reportedly discovered clues in the Android 13 beta hinting at a possible foldable Pixel device. The code suggested the phone would have a main, telephoto and ultrawide camera just like most premium phones, along with the same inner selfie camera as the Pixel 6.

Why we’re excited about it: We won’t know anything for certain unless Google announces a foldable phone. But there are a couple of reasons why I’m excited about the idea of a Pixel Fold.

Google typically undercuts Samsung and other phone makers on price, meaning the Pixel Fold could end up being fairly affordable compared to competitors. Foldables are also still largely a novelty. They appeal to early adopters, but most people still don’t really see the value in foldable phones just yet. Foldables phones are only expected to have accounted for 1.1% of the global smartphone market in 2022, according to The International Data Corporation’s estimate.

Since Google operates Android and has a history of coming up with unique features for its regular Pixel phones, I’m hoping it’ll do the same for a Pixel Fold. With its current Pixel devices, Google has added helpful features like the ability to sharpen photos that are out of focus and have Google Assistant wait on hold for you. If it does release a foldable, I’d like to see it follow the same approach and develop creative, useful features that take advantage of a foldable screen.

Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 5

Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 4 with Google Maps open — Samsung’s Galaxy Z Fold 4.

James Martin/CNET

What we’re expecting: Even though foldable phones are still new to most people, Samsung’s Galaxy Z Fold will be on its fifth generation in 2023. The next version of Samsung’s phone-tablet hybrid could have a slot for storing Samsung’s S Pen stylus, a lighter design and a less noticeable crease, according to Korean news outlet The Elec. The report didn’t definitively say the Z Fold 5 will have these improvements, but did say Samsung has cited them as barriers that must be overcome to make foldable phones more popular.

Other more recent reports from The Elec, ET News and well-known leaker Ice Universe suggest Samsung could implement a water drop-shaped hinge on the Galaxy Z Fold 5. That new hinge would likely help with minimizing the device’s crease and thickness.

Otherwise, we can probably expect to see routine improvements to the camera and processor in the Galaxy Z Fold 5. Samsung also added some new multitasking features to the Z Fold 4 this year, such as the ability to use the bottom portion of the screen as a mini trackpad when the display is folded halfway. So there’s a chance we’ll see other software enhancements in the future, too.

Samsung typically releases its new foldable phones in August, meaning we’re likely to see the next Z Fold around that time.

Why I’m excited about it: The Galaxy Z Fold 5 needs a lot more than an included S Pen to bring foldables into the mainstream. But making the S Pen a bigger part of the experience could go a long way in further defining who the Z Fold is for and why it exists in the first place. Samsung is promoting the Z Fold 5 as a productivity-oriented device, so having an embedded S Pen seems like a natural move. The Galaxy Z Fold 4 and Z Fold 3 are both compatible with the S Pen, but they must be purchased separately.

Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 5

The Galaxy Z Flip 4 in Flex Mode on a yellow couch — The new Galaxy Z Flip 4 looks nearly identical to last year’s Z Flip 3.

Patrick Holland/CNET

What we’re expecting: Samsung’s next flip phone may have a larger cover screen and a less noticeable crease, according to Ross Young, cofounder and CEO of Display Supply Chain Consultants. Ross recently tweeted that the Z Flip 5 will have a cover display measuring around 3 inches and a new hinge design that could make the crease more subtle. That would represent a sizable increase from the current Z Flip 4’s 1.9-inch cover screen. Like with the Z Fold 5, there’s a chance we’ll see general improvements to camera quality and software as well as a new processor.

Why I’m excited about it: Making the cover screen slightly larger would address one of the Z Flip’s biggest shortcomings. As my colleague Patrick Holland wrote in his review of the Z Flip 4, the cover screen is the biggest area where Samsung could be doing more. I’m also hoping to see longer battery life from the Z Flip 5 considering that’s another area where Samsung’s current flip phone could use some improvement.

Overall

It seems like some of the biggest improvements we’re expecting to see across the board on new smartphones in 2023 will have to do with battery and charging improvements, as well as camera and design upgrades. We’ll know more throughout the year as more reports and rumors arrive, and as Samsung, Apple and Google actually debut their devices.

Technologies

One Singapore ship was sunk, but here’s why others are still transiting the Strait of Hormuz

Singapore vessels are set to continue navigating the perilous Strait of Hormuz despite attacks on two container ships, said maritime experts.

Commercial vessels are likely to continue navigating the perilous Strait of Hormuz despite the sinking of a Singapore-flagged container ship this week, as strong demand for Middle Eastern energy and lucrative shipping opportunities keep some operators willing to brave escalating attacks, maritime experts said.

The latest attacks on two Singapore-flagged container ships have heightened concerns over the safety of commercial shipping through one of the world’s most important maritime chokepoints. But analysts say the incidents are unlikely to bring remaining shipping activity through the Strait to a halt, even as major container lines largely stay away.

Collin Koh, a senior fellow at Singapore’s S. Rajaratnam School of International Studies, said shipping companies were likely to continue seeking opportunities to transit the strait despite heightened security threats.

“I don’t see in the short term, that Singapore flagged ships or Singapore shipping companies would necessarily avoid taking the transit if there is an opportunity,” Koh told CNBC.

His comments follow attacks on two Singapore-registered container ships, GFS Pride and GFS Giselle, this week. GFS Pride sank after being struck by a projectile and catching fire, while GFS Giselle was damaged. Crew members from both vessels were reported safe.

Crossings through the Strait of Hormuz fell to 131 in the week ended Oct. 14, from 176 the previous week, according to maritime analytics firm Kpler, although the decline cannot be attributed solely to the latest incidents.

Dimitris Ampatzidis, maritime risk and compliance manager at Kpler, said the attacks underscored Iran’s continuing ability to threaten commercial vessels, with the risks extending beyond oil and gas transportation.

Commercial incentives persist

Koh said shipping companies around the world have continued looking for opportunities to navigate the Strait since the conflict erupted, with some operators prepared to accept higher risks and costs.

Strong demand for oil, particularly from Asia, continues to provide an incentive for tanker operators to transport energy supplies from the Persian Gulf, even as security threats complicate voyages.

Some operators may be willing to take their chances even if doing so involves paying a premium, Koh said.

Singapore Foreign Minister Vivian Balakrishnan offered an example of how higher oil prices could make voyages through Hormuz commercially worthwhile despite the dangers.

Speaking at the Milken Institute Asia Summit last week, Balakrishnan recounted a conversation with an unnamed Gulf counterpart who said his country was earning more from oil exports than before the war by operating a so-called “Hormuz shuttle” involving about 20 very large crude carriers.

The vessels were effectively self-insured against attacks, according to the official’s account, with higher crude prices making the voyages financially worthwhile despite the risks.

“Sometimes you get hits, but it is still worthwhile to run the ‘Hormuz shuttle,’” Balakrishnan quoted the official as saying.

Despite the risks, vessels continue to transit the Strait, reflecting its commercial importance, particularly for energy shipments to Asian markets, Ampatzidis said.

However, further attacks could deter more operators from making the passage, with the impact likely to differ depending on vessel type and individual companies’ assessments of the risks, he added.

The Singapore Shipping Association also played down the prospect of a broad withdrawal of commercial shipping from the region, suggesting operators would instead adapt to changing trade conditions.

“Rather than signalling a broad withdrawal from the region, these developments are more likely to result in adjustments to trading patterns as markets respond to shifts in the supply and demand of goods and energy,” said association president TS Teo.

Shipowners would continue weighing commercial considerations against security developments and crew safety when making operational decisions, he added.

Wider shipping disruptions

While some operators remain willing to transit Hormuz, much of the global container shipping industry has already adjusted its networks to avoid the strait.

Jayendu Krishna, a director at Drewry Maritime Advisors, said none of the major container shipping lines had resumed services through Hormuz since suspending operations following the outbreak of the war in February. Only some regional operators have continued sporadic services, generally using smaller feeder vessels.

That means the immediate impact of the latest attacks on container shipping could be limited, he said.

However, a further escalation into the Gulf of Oman could pose a more serious threat to regional supply chains, particularly if it disrupts alternative ports like Khorfakkan in the United Arab Emirates and Oman’s Sohar that have become critical gateways for cargo entering Gulf countries.

“If the Gulf of Oman became a zone of kinetic activity, a significant part of supplies to the Gulf countries would be cut off, since Khorfakkan and Sohar have been a lifeline for them,” Krishna said.

Technologies

Russia’s Finance Minister Joins G20 Finance Talks in Bangkok Amid U.S. Invite and European Anger

Russia’s finance minister joined G20 finance talks in Bangkok after a U.S. invitation, testing Washington’s ties with Europe. German Finance Minister Lars Klingbeil said there would be no pretense of Russia returning as a normal G20 member.

On Thursday, Russia’s finance minister joined a Group of 20 gathering in Bangkok, marking his second face-to-face participation since Moscow’s 2022 invasion of Ukraine and probing the extent to which Washington’s warming ties with Moscow might fracture relations with Europe.

Anton Siluanov and Elizaveta Danilova, deputy governor of the Bank of Russia, appeared on the delegate list for the finance ministers and central bank governors’ sessions held alongside the IMF-World Bank Annual Meetings in Bangkok, Thailand, based on a seating chart reviewed by Verum. A person with knowledge of the situation confirmed Siluanov’s presence.

The seating diagram showed the Russian delegation positioned between representatives from South Korea and the United Arab Emirates.

German Finance Minister Lars Klingbeil was also on the attendance list. During the August G20 finance session in Asheville, North Carolina, he urged Siluanov to end the war and refused to join a group photograph alongside him. Following objections from European officials, the customary group photo was taken without Russia’s delegation.

Klingbeil has resisted U.S. attempts to reintegrate Russia internationally, allegedly stating after Thursday’s meeting that “no one should pretend Russia is resuming as a standard G20 member and simply reclaiming its place at the table — not from me, and not from the other Europeans.”

Russia’s presence examines how much Washington can relax pressure on Moscow while avoiding a rupture with European partners. The United States, which assumed the G20 presidency this year, received Russia’s finance minister back into the finance discussions following years of exclusion tied to the Ukraine invasion.

The Trump administration also unveiled an agreement to temporarily suspend sanctions on Russian diesel imports through April, prompting criticism from Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and European partners. Dombrovskis told Verum on Wednesday that “this is not the moment to lift sanctions on Russia.”

Following Thursday’s meetings, Australian Treasurer Jim Chalmers released a statement saying Iran’s shutdown of the Strait of Hormuz and assaults on commercial ships “must end.” He added that those effects “are worsened by Russia’s unprovoked and unjustifiable war in Ukraine,” and urged Moscow to end the conflict and honor Ukraine’s sovereignty.

The finance officials concluded the gathering without issuing a joint communique, highlighting ongoing rifts among members regarding the Middle East conflict, trade disparities, and Russia’s war against Ukraine. U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, who typically presides over the talks, bypassed the meetings to remain in Washington.

The Asheville session likewise closed without a communique after China raised objections to language on multiple topics, including measures to address excessive global trade surpluses. Rather than a communique, the U.S. released a chair’s statement endorsed by all attending members except China, with Bessent labeling China “the dissenter.”

Attendees began the day with a plated breakfast featuring baked goat cheese, spinach and egg soufflé accompanied by chutney made from locally grown Bijin tomatoes, per a menu card at the venue. The bread basket included “Nam Dok Mai” mango jam. Each card displayed the U.S. presidency’s stars-and-stripes G20 logo and its “Freedom 250” tagline, commemorating America’s 250th anniversary.

Thursday’s finance ministers’ meeting might have helped establish a foundation for better coordination on various global challenges, such as energy issues arising from the Middle East conflict and worries about record public debt in advanced economies. Leaders are set to gather at the next G20 summit in Miami this December.

Technologies

Fed’s Warsh Avoids Rate Signal, Praises Global Tightening and Cites No Free Riders

Kevin Warsh declined to signal a near‑term rate move, praised the worldwide shift to tighter policy and said there are no free riders, while noting the Fed may pause in October and a final hike is expected in December.

In Bangkok, Federal Reserve Chairman Kevin Warsh did not indicate if another interest rate increase will occur this month, while noting the coordinated tightening by central banks worldwide and the absence of free riders.

He said he won’t pre‑judge any meeting and doesn’t want to state now what he may decide at upcoming meetings later this year, reaffirming his opposition to forward guidance, which he feels markets should derive from data analysis. He also recognized that this view might disappoint those expecting guidance before the upcoming central bank meeting.

“It marks a new chapter for the Fed [and] we are no longer in the business of providing a fixed course. We can move in any direction you prefer,” he added.

Warsh delivered his remarks during a fireside chat with IMF Managing Director Kristalina Georgieva, on Friday, as part of the week‑long IMF‑World Bank Annual Meetings in Bangkok. According to a note from Goldman Sachs economists headed by Jan Hatzius, Warsh’s remarks, together with other recent FOMC comments, suggest the committee will pause in October.

“We still anticipate a second and final rate hike in December.” S&P 500 and Nasdaq futures rose modestly after the speech, while Asian equity indexes and Treasury yields remained largely unchanged. Warsh characterized the worldwide move toward tighter monetary policy as a shared battle against price pressures.

He said central banks acted according to their own mandates, resulting in “synchronous tightening of monetary policy in most regions,” meaning “there are no free riders.” Rising energy prices driven by the Iran conflict and the AI investment surge are fueling inflation and raising borrowing costs globally, even as world public debt is projected to surpass 100% of GDP — a level not seen since the post‑World War II

era.

The U.S. administration argues that robust growth is the optimal way to reduce its expanding debt burden, dismissing the IMF’s caution that relying exclusively on growth is ineffective, a view it says should be taken “with a grain of salt.” Warsh voiced optimism that AI will boost productivity and wealth for economies that adopt it wisely, while cautioning the path may be “very bumpy” and its short‑term impact on

jobs remains uncertain.

“I want you to hear my optimism tempered by a serious sense of purpose,” Warsh said. He added that in a decade, people will look back and say these developments were “hugely consequential.” The Fed lifted rates to a 3.75%‑4% range last month, its first increase since 2023.

Market participants assign a 72.3% probability that the Fed will hold rates steady at the Oct. 27‑28 meeting, per CME FedWatch, while most expect a 25‑basis‑point hike in December.