The smartphone industry never slows down. Each year we see new models released with slight iterative improvements and occasionally major advancements that push the boundaries of what a phone can do. 2023 was no exception, with many exciting new devices hitting the market. On a recent episode of the Waveform podcast, tech YouTuber Marques Brownlee recapped his 2023 smartphone awards, highlighting the most notable phones and trends over the past year.
The Big and the Small
When it comes to smartphone size, both ends of the spectrum saw innovative new releases in 2023. For large phones, Marques awarded the Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra the title of best big phone. With its expansive 6.8-inch display, 5000 mAh battery, S Pen stylus, and top-of-the-line specs, the S23 Ultra represents the pinnacle of today’s plus-sized flagship phones. Though some may consider it boring or predictable for Samsung to win this category yet again, Marques felt the S23 Ultra’s versatility, performance, and features make it a standout even among stiff competition from OnePlus and others this year.
On the more compact side, Marques celebrated the triumphant return of the small phone with the ASUS Zenfone 10. Clocking in at just 5.9 inches, the Zenfone 10 is a rare find these days, as most flagships have crossed the 6-inch threshold. Marques praised the Zenfone 10 for packing flagship-level power and performance into its petite frame, thanks to a Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 chip, 90Hz AMOLED display, and capable triple camera system. For those longing for the days when phones fit comfortably in the palm of your hand, the Zenfone 10 proves that flagship quality and compact size need not be mutually exclusive.
The Best Cameras Get Even Better
Smartphone cameras saw significant improvements across the board in 2023, but as usual, Apple and Google continued to lead the pack. For overall camera performance, Marques awarded the iPhone 15 Pro top honors for its stellar image quality, versatile camera array, and ever-improving video capture capabilities. The addition of ProRes video recording, Action Mode stabilization, and other pro-level features have made the latest iPhones true videography powerhouses in your pocket. But Google certainly gave Apple a run for its money this year with the Pixel 8 and 8 Pro. Marques was particularly impressed by the Pixel 8’s improved stabilization, color science, and new manual controls in photo mode.
In his annual blind smartphone camera test, the Pixel 7A emerged victorious for daylight photos, demonstrating Google’s computational photography expertise. But the iPhone 15 Pro edged out the competition in dimmer conditions, producing the most natural looking low light images according to voters. The Pixel 8 Pro also snagged the top spot for portrait mode, highlighting Google’s edge in computational photography and image processing. But one thing’s for certain – with incremental improvements across the board, smartphone cameras are better than ever regardless of which flagship you choose.
Folding Phones Find Their Form
Foldables continued pushing boundaries in 2023 with wider availability of flip and fold style devices. Samsung maintained its reputation as the leader in the folding phone space, taking home Marques’ first ever “Best Folding Phone” award with the Galaxy Z Fold 5. Thanks to its refined design, increased durability, and flexible usability, the Z Fold 5 beats out other offerings from companies like OPPO and Honor. While concerns around fragility and bulk have limited mainstream adoption so far, Marques believes Samsung is getting tantalizingly close to a truly practical and dependable foldable phone.
Not to be outdone, Google’s long-awaited Pixel Fold also earned a nod from Marques as runner up. Though held back slightly by its unwieldy dimensions, the Pixel Fold brings much of Google’s software smarts like AI-enabled features and integrated Assistant to the foldable form factor. Marques sees early stumbles as expected growing pains for the emerging form factor – if manufacturers can iron out the kinks, foldables have opportunity to bring new utility that augments how we use our phones.
What’s Next?
While 2023 brought a refreshingly high number of compelling new devices, the smartphone industry never stands still. We’re already getting hints of what’s to come in 2024 and beyond, from expanding adoption of USB-C to rumors of satellite connectivity in iPhones. And with artificial intelligence poised to take on an even greater role, our smartphones are only going to get smarter from here. But for now, tech enthusiasts have an impressive slate of 2023 flagships to choose from as we head into the new year. As always, the smartphone arena remains competitive and innovative – and tech fans have a lot to look forward to.
Looking Ahead to 2024
The smartphone world wasted no time gearing up for further innovation in 2024. Apple is heavily rumored to be developing satellite connectivity for future iPhones, which would allow users to send texts and make emergency calls even without cellular service. This could be a potential lifesaver in remote areas where coverage is spotty.
Meanwhile, Google’s Pixel Fold 2 is expected to refine the formula and address some of the shortcomings of the 1st generation model. Rumors point to a more polished exterior display and reduced weight. Google may also expand its reach in the hardware realm with the long-awaited Pixel Watch.
On the more bleeding edge side, various brands are experimenting with under-display cameras and in-screen fingerprint sensors to achieve the holy grail of the entirely smooth, notchless front display. Vivo and ZTE have already demoed under-display cameras, but image quality remains a challenge.
The Role of AI
Beyond evolving hardware, artificial intelligence looks to play an even greater role in our smartphones in the years ahead. Google and Apple continue to find new ways to integrate AI into the software experience. Google’s conversational AI could give the Pixel’s Assistant more capabilities for natural-language interactions. Apple’s focus on on-device processing means Siri and other features rely less on the cloud while maintaining user privacy.
AI-enhanced photography will also continue improving. Features like Google’s Magic Eraser and Apple’s Photonic Engine give a taste of how algorithms can augment and enhance image quality beyond what the sensors alone can capture. The impact of AI on smartphone photography is still in its infancy.
As smartphone innovation marches forward, AI is sure to be at the vanguard. In many ways, the future capabilities of our phones will be limited only by the advancements in machine learning.
An Exciting Time for Tech
2023 delivered an impressive array of new mobile tech, but the industry won’t be slowing down anytime soon. With smartphone sales still going strong globally, manufacturers have plenty of incentive to keep pushing boundaries and exploring new ideas. For tech enthusiasts, it’s an exciting time, with more diverse options than ever and a promising outlook of how smartphones could evolve. The new year promises no shortage of intriguing innovations, and early glimpses of 2024 indicate the momentum will keep building.
