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

Google’s New AI Features Are Trying to Make Data Entry a Thing of the Past

More Gemini AI features will come to Google Docs, Sheets and Slides.

The latest batch of Google updates to its workspace tools highlights AI’s promise to automate mundanity in the workplace. Google Docs, Slides, Sheets and Drive all have new AI-powered features, the company announced Tuesday. The one thing all these updates have in common? Gemini is using your files, emails and chats to give you relevant information, not random answers gleaned from the web.

These updates come as AI is playing a bigger role in our work lives, for better or worse. Agentic tools like Claude Cowork and coding assistants like Anthropic’s Claude Code and OpenAI’s Codex are more capable than chatbots and able to handle tasks announced independently. AI tools are also becoming more customized, with Google’s personalized intelligence rolling out across its platforms to help refine AI outputs to things that are relevant and useful for you. Google continues that trend with this new batch of Workspace updates.

New Gemini AI features in Google Workspace apps will cite their sources after each query. For example, if you ask Gemini in Google Docs to fill out an itinerary template, it will pull the information from your email, chats and files. The «sources» tab in the Gemini side panel will show you where it found the information it used, like your flight confirmation email and chats discussing dinner plans. Seeing where Gemini pulled its answers from is also how you’ll double-check Gemini’s work.

The most impressive new features are in Sheets, where AI can fill in the holes in your spreadsheets. You can describe what you want the AI to do with a simple prompt and avoid writing an exact formula. You can click on an empty cell, select the pop-up that says «Drag to fill with Gemini,» then highlight the cells you want Gemini to fill in. That deploys an AI agent to search the web to fill each cell with the necessary information.

For example, if you have a spreadsheet of the contact info for local companies, you can have Gemini search the web to fill in a the location, CEO and other publicly available information of each company. The tool aims to dramatically reduce the time needed for manual data entry. Gemini can also summarize, categorize and create charts with prompts alone.

You can also chat with Gemini in Sheets and have it scour your raw data to make custom reports and charts. No need for pivot tables if they confound you as much as they baffle me. One of the biggest uses of AI at work is helping create presentations.

In Google Slides, you can now tell Gemini in natural language what you want to appear on a slide, and it will create it, matching the style of your existing slides. You can also ask Gemini to edit your slides if you don’t want to waste time painstakingly moving design elements around the slide. The AI should fill the slides with relevant information based on your instructions and the work files it has access to, so you shouldn’t need to replace a bunch of filler text.

If you use Docs, Sheets and Slides through the Workspace account of your company, then you won’t be able to turn off AI features individually. The managing company is in control of AI access for users. Personal users can tweak their settings to limit Gemini. The new features are rolling out in beta now, in English only, to Google AI Ultra and Pro subscribers in the US, as well as some Google Workspace customers who are part of the Gemini Alpha testing program.

For more, check out the new cowork feature in Copilot and how to use Perplexity AI for deep research.

Technologies

Nintendo Switches Lanes, Sues US Over Tariffs

Mario wants his money back.

Tariffs implemented by President Donald Trump were struck down by the Supreme Court last month. Companies that were subjected to those fees, such as FedEx and Dollar General, have since sued the federal government, and Nintendo wants a piece of the action.

Nintendo filed a lawsuit against the federal government in the US Court of International Trade on Friday, as first spotted by Aftermath. The complaint seeks refunds of tariffs Nintendo paid, plus interest, and asks the court to declare the tariffs unlawful and stop the government from collecting them going forward.

«Since February 1, 2025, President Trump has executed the unlawful Executive Orders, imposing tariffs on imports from a vast swath of countries,» Nintendo said in the complaint.

When reached for comment, Nintendo of America confirmed the lawsuit.

«We can confirm that we filed a request. We have nothing else to share on this topic,» Nintendo of America said in an emailed statement on Friday, March 6.

It’s unclear how much Nintendo paid in tariffs, and it did not state an amount in the lawsuit. While the Switch 2 was priced at $450 when it launched last year, and has stayed at that amount, Nintendo did increase the price of the original Switch and accessories for both consoles. Microsoft and Sony also increased the prices of their hardware and accessories last year due to tariffs.

The White House didn’t immediately respond to a request for comment.

On Feb. 20, the Supreme Court ruled by a vote of 6 to 3 that the sweeping tariffs Trump instituted last year exceeded his executive powers. Following the ruling, on the same day, Trump announced a new set of tariffs of 10% on imported goods that would last for 150 days, starting Feb. 24.

The decision on what to do with the collected tariffs — a reported $166 billion — has been left to the US Court of International Trade. Judge Richard Eaton told the US Customs and Border Protection on Wednesday, March 4, to refund the importers that were forced to pay tariffs, which is more than 330,000. On Friday, the CBP said it couldn’t easily issue tariff refunds because its system requires duties to be recalculated and refunds processed entry by entry. This process would involve tens of millions of transactions. The agency said it’s updating its systems and could start providing refunds by late April.