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

Memorial Day Deal: The Apple Watch SE Returns to Its Best Price of 2025 So Far

Buy the Apple Watch SE for just $169 before the deal ends.

Memorial Day deals are in full swing right now and one of our top-rated smartwatches is on sale. The Apple Watch SE has dropped to its best price of the year, albeit one that might not last for long. If an Apple Watch SE is on your wish list, this deal is for you — order today, and you’ll pay just $169 for the 40mm version in your choice of case and band combinations.

Given the sometimes volatile pricing, we suggest ordering as soon as possible. This is your chance to pick up a solid smartwatch at a price that won’t break the bank.

Hey, did you know? CNET Deals texts are free, easy and save you money.

The Apple Watch SE is a great wearable. It also makes an excellent first smartwatch for kids. Features include crash detection, heart rate monitoring and activity tracking. Apple also says this model is carbon-neutral when you choose the Sport Loop band.

Looking to compare prices on Apple Watches? We’ve rounded up the best Apple Watch bargains. And if you’re hoping for a new iPhone to pair with that watch, we’ve rounded up our favorite iPhone deals, too.

Why this deal matters

We’re big fans of Apple’s smartwatches but not everyone can pay to put the company’s premium models on their wrist. The Apple Watch SE offers many of the same features on a budget, and this is your chance to get it for even less than usual. This is the lowest price we’ve seen this model fall to in the last few months, which makes now the perfect time to order yours.

Technologies

What to Expect (and Not Expect) From OpenAI and Jony Ive’s AI-Centric ‘Screenless Phone’

Here’s everything we know so far about the mysterious upcoming AI device from the iPhone designer and creator of ChatGPT.

AI is coming for your phones — this you know by now and maybe you’ve already experienced it for yourself in the form of Apple Intelligence or Google’s Gemini.

But OpenAI, maker of ChatGPT and perhaps the biggest name in AI software and services right now, is making a different bet. It’s looking beyond the traditional smartphone and thinking about how AI might reinvent our devices altogether.

On Wednesday, the company announced that it had bought Jony Ive’s device startup IO for $6.5 billion. Together, Ive and Altman are building something new — a device unlike anything we’ve owned before, with AI at its core.

«It became clear that our ambitions to develop, engineer and manufacture a new family of products demanded an entirely new company,» the pair said in a statement about their working relationship. «The IO team, focused on developing products that inspire, empower and enable, will now merge with OpenAI to work more intimately with the research, engineering and product teams in San Francisco.»

Ive is the visionary veteran Apple designer, who together with Steve Jobs created the iPhone, along with a long list of Apple devices. Now he’s turned his attention to creating a fresh device category, which has clearly piqued the interest of Altman. Ive’s startup has reportedly been working on a «screenless phone» — although other reports suggest it’s actually not a phone at all.

Rumors of this mysterious AI-focused device have been circulating for months but Ive and Altman are keeping a tight lid on the details, fearing that a competitor may try to beat them to market.

So, for now, we’ll just have to imagine.

The obvious existing point of comparison is the Humane AI Pin, an AI-specific device designed to be worn clipped to your collar. It launched to much fanfare in February 2024, but turned out to be a spectacular failure, creating a lasting air of pessimism around the entire idea of AI devices.

«It is unsurprising that there is skepticism about this type of product, particularly in the context of the high-profile failure of the Humane AI, which captured the imagination of tech enthusiasts, including me, but turned out to be a classic example of over-promising and under-delivering,» said Ben Wood, chief analyst at CCS Insight.

The combination of Ive and Altman though, is full of potential. «It would be foolish to bet against Jony Ive, given his remarkable track record of delivering products that disrupt a market,» said Wood.

«I have a growing sense that everything I have learned over the last 30 years has led me to this moment,» Ive said in a YouTube video in which the pair talk about their friendship.

Their challenge, says Thoman Husson, VP principal analyst at Forrester, «is not just to use AI to enhance existing tasks, but to invent new products and experiences.»

That said, OpenAI’s ambitions for its AI devices are that it’s able to ship 100 million units — a bold bet for a software company entering the hardware space for the first time, with no pre-established supply chain.

«Jony Ive is an exceptional designer but smartphones (and hardware) is a volume play about scale and scope,» said Husson. «I think Apple is still best placed to win this marathon race.»

A wearable? Glasses? A phone? Perhaps not

In the absence of any substantial hints or clues, we remain for now in the dark as to what this first piece of OpenAI hardware will look like, how it will function and how it will fit into our lives.

There’s been some speculation, based largely on claims made by reliable Apple analyst Ming Chi Kuo, that the OpenAI device will be a wearable. In a social media post, Kuo said the io product was designed to be worn around the neck and was «as compact and elegant as an iPod Shuffle.»

This would indicate that Altman and Ive are taking a different approach to Meta, which has gone all in on smart glasses. Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg has said the glasses are the ultimate AI device, because of their ability to receive and deliver information in close proximity to your eyes and and ears.

But we should also be prepared for the possibility that Altman and Ive’s device isn’t a wearable at all. According to the Wall Street Journal, Altman said Ive was skeptical about the idea of AI wearables, making it sound unlikely that he would embrace them as part of this project.

Citing a briefing given by Altman to OpenAI employees, the WSJ reports that the device «will be unobtrusive, able to rest in one’s pocket or on one’s desk, and will be a third core device a person would put on a desk after a MacBook Pro and an iPhone.»

It’s curious to see the OpenAI screenless phone being discussed this way, almost as if it falls within Apple’s specific family of products. The WSJ said Altman is envisaging in the long term «a family of devices,» which will be defined by what Ive described as «a new design movement.»

Perhaps the only thing we know for sure about this product is that it won’t come with a screen. Altman has been critical of the amount of time we spend looking at screens — but is there room on the market for devices that tempt us away from our screens? «Except smartwatches, no new product category has emerged since the smartphone,» said Husson. «There is room for disruption and innovation.»

This not-a-phone, not-a-wearable currently exists to us only as an amorphous third thing — and likely will do for some time yet. Keep checking back for more rumors and updates, which we will add as we get more information about what kind of device may rule our lives in the near future, just as the smartphone does today.