Technologies

Top Phones to Expect in 2024: iPhone 16, Galaxy S24 and More

Apple, Samsung, Google and other major phone-makers are all likely to add more AI to their phones in 2024.

It was a busy year for smartphone launches, and 2024 is expected to be just as eventful. Major phone-makers like Apple, Samsung and Google each typically launch new devices around the same time every year, introducing more sophisticated cameras, faster processors and enhanced designs.

But 2024 may be different. Tech companies are looking for new ways to infuse generative AI, or artificial intelligence that can create conversational (but not always accurate) responses to prompts based on training data, into their products. As 2023 draws to a close, we got our first glimpse at how that tech is appearing in smartphones through the Pixel 8 family and new mobile chips from Qualcomm and MediaTek.

While 2023 was the year generative AI went mainstream, 2024 will test how truly useful these AI-powered features are. With AI being the new buzzword thanks to the success of ChatGPT, every tech company is jumping at the chance to weave it into their products. Now, we’ll have to see if it lives up to the hype.

Here’s a look at the most anticipated phones from the industry’s biggest players next year, not including foldable phones and budget phones.

iPhone 16 lineup

What to expect: Apple launches new iPhones every September, and we have no reason to believe next year will be any different. All iPhone 16 models are expected to get upgraded microphones to improve Siri performance, according to well-known analyst Ming-Chi Kuo. The change would come as Apple is said to be ramping up the iPhone’s AI features, Bloomberg reports. Otherwise, the iPhone 16 family is rumored to get a new A18 chip from Apple, with the Pro models getting a version called the A18 Pro Bionic, analyst Jeff Pu reports according to MacRumors. The camera on the regular iPhone 16 Pro is also expected to get a tetraprism telephoto lens like the iPhone 15 Pro Max, Kuo also reports, meaning it would likely have a 5x telephoto zoom instead of 3x. Read our full iPhone 16 rumor roundup.

Why we’re excited about it: The iPhone 16 sounds like it will be a modest upgrade over the iPhone 15 family. But I’m interested in seeing Apple’s take on how AI can improve the smartphone experience. Siri is expected to be a big part of that, and I’m looking forward to seeing Siri evolve into more than just a quick way to set timers or check tomorrow’s weather forecast.

Samsung Galaxy S24 series

Samsung Galaxy S23, S23 Plus and S23 Ultra on stands on a wooden table, backs to us

What to expect: AI will likely be a big focus for Samsung’s next flagship smartphone. The South Korean tech giant in November announced Galaxy AI, which it describes as a «mobile AI experience.» Since the Galaxy S24 series is expected to launch in January according to SBS Biz News, it seems plausible that Galaxy AI will play a big role in the new device. Otherwise, the Galaxy S24 Ultra may get a flat screen instead of a slightly curved one, according to leaks that have surfaced on X (formerly Twitter) from accounts under the aliases David Martin and SuperRoader. The phones will also likely get routine camera and processor upgrades and may run on Qualcomm’s new Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 chip, which can process AI tasks without pinging the cloud. Read our Samsung Galaxy S24 rumor roundup for more.

Why we’re excited about it: I’ve been waiting for Samsung to come up with clever new software features the way Google has for its Pixel devices. Galaxy AI could be the answer, but we won’t know for sure until Samsung announces the new phones.

Google Pixel 9 and 9 Pro

What to expect: There haven’t been many rumors about Google’s next Pixel phones yet since they typically launch in October. But based on Google’s product strategy, it’s probably safe to assume we’ll be seeing new AI-powered features similar to the ones that debuted in the Pixel 8 and 8 Pro. Earlier this month, Google introduced its new AI model Gemini, which runs on the Pixel 8 Pro to power features like conversation summaries in the Recorder app. It seems plausible that Google would build on that, adding more AI-fueled capabilities to its next Pixels. Otherwise, we can likely expect routine upgrades like a new Tensor processor and camera improvements. Ross Young, CEO of Display Supply Chain Consultants, also says the new phones will have larger screens than the Pixel 8 generation, according to a post on X.

Why we’re excited about it: Google’s Pixel phones are usually among CNET’s favorite phones of the year. The Pixel 8 generation felt like an early look at Google’s new AI-focused direction for smartphones, and I imagine Google will apply learnings and feedback from the Pixel 8 to the Pixel 9. Plus, given that the Pixel 8 Pro’s camera didn’t impress CNET reviewer Andrew Lanxon the way he had hoped, I’d like to see Google make up for that with the Pixel 9 Pro.

OnePlus 12

What to expect: OnePlus already introduced its new flagship phone in China, and an international release is expected in early 2024. The OnePlus 12 is a modest upgrade over the OnePlus 11 that runs on Qualcomm’s new Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 processor, has a higher resolution 64-megapixel telephoto camera like the OnePlus Open compared to the previous model’s 32-megapixel zoom camera, more storage in the base model (256GB instead of 128GB), and faster 50-watt wireless charging among other changes.

Why we’re excited about it: OnePlus built a reputation for offering some of the fastest charging speeds available in smartphones, and it sounds like that could hold true yet again for the OnePlus 12. In addition to supporting 50-watt wireless charging, there’s also 100W wired charging. Plus, it’s one of the first phones to run on Qualcomm’s new chip, which has been optimized for AI-powered tasks like generating details beyond the frame in an image to make it look like the photo was taken with an ultrawide lens. Now, I’m waiting to see how OnePlus puts that chip to use.

Oppo Find X7 series

What to expect: If Oppo maintains the same launch schedule as 2023, the Oppo Find X7 could arrive in early 2024. (The Find X6 series launched in March.) It may have 100-watt fast charging, according to tech blog The Tech Outlook, which says two Oppo devices expected to be the Find X7 and X7 Pro have been spotted on a Chinese certification database. The Find X7 family will also have a Hasselblad Hypertone camera system, which uses computational photography to cut down on distortion and image noise. It could also run on Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 chip, since an Oppo press release mentions that chip will appear in the company’s future flagship phone.

Why we’re excited about it: Oppo is known for offering phones with sleek hardware and quality cameras, and soon we’ll learn if the Find X7 upholds that reputation. However, the Find X6 only launched in China, so it’s unlikely that we’ll see an international release for the Find X7.

Xiaomi 14 series

What to expect: Xiaomi introduced its new pair of flagship phones at the end of October, touting that they’re the first with Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 processor. Otherwise, the Xiaomi 14’s display can reach 3,000 nits of peak brightness, and its camera sensor can take in 180% more light than the Xiaomi 13. There’s also 90-watt fast charging on the regular Xiaomi 14 and 120 watts on the Pro. Both phones run on Xiaomi’s new HyperOS software, which is designed to power mobile devices, cars and smart home devices. Xiaomi typically launches new phones in China before bringing them to other markets, although these phones aren’t expected to arrive in the US.

Why we’re excited about it: Xiaomi’s phones are known for packing powerful performance, massive cameras and speedy charging. It’s the third-largest phone-maker behind Apple and Samsung by global shipment volume, so its new devices and technologies are bound to have an influence on the industry.

Based on the rumors, reports and announcements so far, next year’s phones should bring a balance of new AI features and updates to existing staples like charging speeds. Although AI still has to prove its purpose in phones, the idea of software features that truly bring something new and useful to phones is refreshing.

Technologies

Today’s Wordle Hints, Answer and Help for July 5, #1477

Here are hints and the answer for today’s Wordle for July 5, No. 1,477.

Looking for the most recent Wordle answer? Click here for today’s Wordle hints, as well as our daily answers and hints for The New York Times Mini Crossword, Connections, Connections: Sports Edition and Strands puzzles.

Today’s Wordle puzzle is a pretty tough one. I grew up on a farm, so I know the word, but I didn’t put it together right away, even though the letters are common ones. If you need a new starter word, check out our list of which letters show up the most in English words. If you need hints and the answer, read on.

Today’s Wordle hints

Before we show you today’s Wordle answer, we’ll give you some hints. If you don’t want a spoiler, look away now.

Wordle hint No. 1: Repeats

Today’s Wordle answer has no repeated letters.

Wordle hint No. 2: Vowels

There is are two vowels in today’s Wordle answer.

Wordle hint No. 3: First letter

Today’s Wordle answer begins with the letter B.

Wordle hint No. 4: Down on the farm

Today’s Wordle answer describes a piece of farm equipment.

Wordle hint No. 5: Meaning

Today’s Wordle answer refers to a machine for making paper, hay, or cotton into bales.

TODAY’S WORDLE ANSWER

Today’s Wordle answer is BALER.

Yesterday’s Wordle answer

Yesterday’s Wordle answer, July 4, No. 1476 was CURVE.

Recent Wordle answers

June 30, No. 1472: BLINK

July 1, No. 1473: MOLDY

July 2, No. 1474: INCUR

July 3, No. 1475: POPPY

Technologies

Today’s NYT Strands Hints, Answers and Help for July 5, #489

Here are hints and answers for the NYT Strands puzzle for July 5, No. 489.

Looking for the most recent Strands answer? Click here for our daily Strands hints, as well as our daily answers and hints for The New York Times Mini Crossword, Wordle, Connections and Connections: Sports Edition puzzles.

The theme of today’s NYT Strands puzzle isn’t terribly tough, but at least one of the words is unusual and really, really long to unscramble. If you need hints and answers, read on.

I go into depth about the rules for Strands in this story.

If you’re looking for today’s Wordle, Connections and Mini Crossword answers, you can visit CNET’s NYT puzzle hints page.

Read more: NYT Connections Turns 1: These Are the 5 Toughest Puzzles So Far

Hint for today’s Strands puzzle

Today’s Strands theme is: Every second counts.

If that doesn’t help you, here’s a clue: Does anybody really know what time it is?

Clue words to unlock in-game hints

Your goal is to find hidden words that fit the puzzle’s theme. If you’re stuck, find any words you can. Every time you find three words of four letters or more, Strands will reveal one of the theme words. These are the words I used to get those hints but any words of four or more letters that you find will work:

DIAL, SOLE, MOLE, MOLES, SHAKE, CHEEP, ROLE, HOME, LOCK, MEAT, TAME, TAMES, ROLES, ROON, TRON

Answers for today’s Strands puzzle

These are the answers that tie into the theme. The goal of the puzzle is to find them all, including the spangram, a theme word that reaches from one side of the puzzle to the other. When you have all of them (I originally thought there were always eight but learned that the number can vary), every letter on the board will be used. Here are the nonspangram answers:

CLOCK, WATCH, SUNDIAL, HOURGLASS, CHRONOMETER

Today’s Strands spangram

Today’s Strands spangram is TIMEKEEPERS. To find it, look for the T that’s four letters down on the far left, and wind across.

Technologies

Microsoft Is Eliminating Passwords in August: Here’s What You Need to Do to Prepare

Microsoft Authenticator has already stopped autofilling passwords, but the biggest change comes next month.

In June, Microsoft Authenticator stopped letting users create new passwords. In July, it turned off the autofill password function. And in August, the login app will stop supporting passwords entirely, moving to more secure passkeys, such as a PIN, fingerprint or facial recognition.

Attila Tomaschek, CNET’s software senior writer and digital security expert, says that passkeys are a safer alternative to the risky password habits practiced by 49% of US adults, according to a recent survey by CNET.

«Passwords can be cracked, whereas passkeys need both the public and the locally stored private key to authenticate users, which can help mitigate risks like falling victim to phishing and brute-force or credential-stuffing attacks,» Tomaschek said.

Using the same password for several accounts or adding personal hints can be a convenient way to remember your login. But that puts you at a big risk for scammers, identity theft and fraud. Here’s more on Microsoft’s plan for eliminating passwords and how to make the switch to passkeys before August.

When will Microsoft Authenticator stop supporting passwords?

Microsoft Authenticator houses your passwords and lets you sign into all your Microsoft accounts using a PIN, facial recognition like Windows Hello, or other biometric data like a fingerprint. Authenticator can be used in other ways, such as verifying you’re logging in if you forgot your password, or using two-factor authentication as an extra layer of security for your accounts. In June, the company stopped letting users add passwords to Authenticator, but here’s a timeline of other changes you can expect from Microsoft.

July 2025: You won’t be able to use the autofill password function.
August 2025: You’ll no longer be able to use saved passwords.

If you still want to use passwords instead of passkeys, you can store them in Microsoft Edge. However, CNET experts recommend adopting passkeys during this transition. «Passkeys use public key cryptography to authenticate users, rather than relying on users themselves creating their own (often weak or reused) passwords to access their online accounts,» Tomaschek said.

Why are passkeys a better alternative to passwords?

So what exactly is a passkey? It’s a credential created by the Fast Identity Online Alliance that uses biometric data or a PIN to verify your identity and access your account. Think about using your fingerprint or Face ID to log into your account. That’s generally safer than using a password that is easy to guess or susceptible to a phishing attack.

Passkeys aren’t stored on servers like passwords. Instead, they’re stored only on your personal device. More conveniently, this takes the guesswork out of remembering your passwords and the need for a password manager.

How to set up a passkey in Microsoft Authenticator

Microsoft said in a May 1 blog post that it will automatically detect the best passkey to set up and make that your default sign-in option. «If you have a password and ‘one-time code’ set up on your account, we’ll prompt you to sign in with your one-time code instead of your password. After you’re signed in, you’ll be prompted to enroll a passkey. Then the next time you sign in, you’ll be prompted to sign in with your passkey,» according to the blog post.

To set up a new passkey, open your Authenticator app on your phone. Tap on your account and select «Set up a passkey.» You’ll be prompted to log in with your existing credentials. After you’re logged in, you can set up the passkey.