The best upcoming phones in the UK and US in 2024

The smartphone has been a major part of our lives for almost two decades, but new launches are showing no signs of slowing down.

We’ve already seen several high-profile smartphone launches at the start of 2024, including the Samsung Galaxy S24 series, OnePlus 12, Xiaomi 14 series, Honor Magic 6 Pro, Nothing Phone (2a) and Asus Zenfone 11 Ultra.

But lots are still expected over the next few months, including handsets from Apple, Google and Motorola, plus more from Samsung, OnePlus, Xiaomi and Honor.

Alongside the new phones, look out for the software that will run on them, with Android 15 and iOS 18 both expected to be officially revealed soon.

Most flagship Android handsets will use either the Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 or MediaTek Dimensity 9300, though look out for successors in the form of the Snapdragon 8 Gen 4 and Dimensity 9400 towards the end of the year.

On the iPhone, a successor to the current A17 Pro is likely to debut on Pro models of the iPhone 16.

All of the phones in this list are expected to launch in the UK, but some won’t make it to the US. For each device, we’ll make the expected availability clear.

If you don’t need a brand-new device, any of the current best smartphones will serve you very well. Alternatively, opt for a refurbished phone to save a significant amount of money.

Best new phones coming out in 2024

Here are some of the phones we’re expecting over the next few months.

Motorola Edge 50 series – Releasing in the UK in mid-May, US launch yet to be confirmed

There are three models of Motorola’s Edge 50 range this year, and all of them are coming to the UK.

While the mid-range Edge 50 Fusion, more premium Edge 50 Pro and high-end Edge 50 Ultra share premium designs, polished software and AI features, there are also plenty of differences between them.

It’s the Edge 50 Ultra that will get most of the attention, especially given it’s the first phone to launch in Europe with Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 8s Gen 3 chipset. You also get a 6.7-inch 144Hz display, 4500mAh battery with 125W charging and triple rear cameras, including a 3x telephoto lens.

As for US availability, that’s not yet clear. Motorola says it wants to expand availability of the Edge series in North America, but that’s unlikely to mean all three phones arrive there.

Read more about the Motorola Edge 50 series

Google Pixel 8a – Likely UK and US launch on 14 May

The last two generations of Google’s mid-range phone have launched at the company’s I/O developer conference, so that’s likely to be the case again in 2024, with the event confirmed to take place on 14 May.

The phone’s design has leaked, though a subtle refinement to the Pixel 8 and 8 Pro aesthetic isn’t a surprise. The chipset is likely to be upgraded to the Tensor G3 found in Google’s flagships, while the 6.1-inch display could move from 90- to 120Hz in terms of refresh rate.

Just the two rear cameras (main and ultrawide) are expected once again, and there are no rumours of an improvement in battery capacity (4385mAh) or charging speeds (18W wired, 7.5W wireless).

Read more about the Google Pixel 8a

Motorola Razr 50 Ultra/Razr+ (2024) – Possible UK and US launch in June

The Razr 40 Ultra, also known as the Razr+ (2023) in the US, arrived in June 2023 and remains the best flip phone you can buy.

Its successor is likely to arrive around year later, though rumours suggest there won’t be any big changes. Expect the same 3.6-inch cover display, which currently opens to reveal a 6.9-inch main screen.

The chipset is likely to be upgraded to at least the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2, but hopefully it’ll be the latest 8 Gen 3. And if Motorola can meaningfully improve the cameras without raising the price, it’ll be onto a winner again.

Read more about the Motorola Razr 50 Ultra

Asus Zenfone 11 – Possible UK and US launch in June/July

Asus has already launched a new Zenfone model in 2024, but it couldn’t have been more different to 2023’s Zenfone 10.

The Zenfone 11 Ultra is as big as its name suggests, combining a chunky design with large 6.8-inch display. It also has a significantly higher price tag.

Many people think this means the end of Asus’ small phone, but there’s still a chance we’ll see another small phone. After all, why did Asus call the big phone ‘Ultra’ if it wasn’t planning to also release a regular model?

If a small Zenfone 11 does arrive, it’s likely to be sometime in the summer based on the previous two generations.

Read more about the Asus Zenfone 11

Nothing Phone (3) – Possible UK and US launch in July

Nothing has already released the Phone (2a) in 2024, but that’s a more affordable phone than the Phone (2) and not designed to replace it.

We are still expecting a successor later in the year, which will almost certainly be known as the Phone (3). Rumours suggest it’ll move to the Snapdragon 8s Gen 3, which would be a big upgrade compared to the Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 found on the Phone (2).

Elsewhere, its characteristic ‘Glyph Interface’ of lights on the back is likely to stay, but there could be upgrades in other areas.

There’s room for improvement when it comes to cameras and the IP54 water and dust resistance. But the battery life and software experience are already very good, especially for a mid-range phone.

Hopefully, Nothing won’t increase the price significantly.

Read more about the Nothing Phone (3)

Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 6 – Possible UK and US launch in July

Samsung’s sixth folding flip phone is expected this summer. Judging by previous generations, it’ll probably be unveiled in July or August.

Considering the larger cover display was only introduced on the Z Flip 5, don’t expect any changes to this 3.4-inch panel or the internal 6.7-inch one. The overclocked Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 for Galaxy is likely to be replaced with the 8 Gen 3 version in some markets, but the UK and others may get the Exynos 2400 instead.

Expect some of the Galaxy S24 series’ key software features to arrive here, including new AI functionality and potentially seven years of updates.

Elsewhere, it’d be nice to see improvements to the cameras, battery life and charging speeds, which are all a step down from the best non-folding smartphones.

Read more about the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 6

Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 6 & Z Fold 6 Ultra – Possible UK and US launch in July

Whenever the Z Flip 6 arrives, expect it to be joined by at least one new Z Fold 6 model. Samsung’s book-style foldable is an accomplished device, but that price makes it hard to recommend.

The big rumour so far is that we’ll be getting two models: a regular and Ultra. However, there’s a chance the Ultra version won’t be released globally, and it’s not clear what the differences between the two will be.

So far, the only concrete rumour is that the aspect ratio of the external 6.2-inch display will be changed on the regular model, hopefully to become less tall and narrow. There are unlikely to be significant changes to the 7.6-inch internal screen, though.

Like the Flip, the Fold 6 will probably either move to the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 or Exynos 2400 chipsets. New AI features and seven years of software updates are also likely.

Read more about the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 6

iPhone 16 series – Possible UK and US launch in September

Apple’s remarkably consistent when it comes to the launch of new iPhone flagships, making a September launch of the iPhone 16 models highly likely.

Rumours suggest four models once again: the iPhone 16, 16 Plus, 16 Pro and 16 Pro Max. Both Pro models will supposedly have slightly larger displays and various camera improvements, including a new high-zoom telephoto lens.

We’re also expecting the Action Button introduced on the iPhone 15 Pro and Pro Max to make it to all four models in 2024. And the current A17 Pro chip may move to the 16 and 16 Plus, making way for an even more powerful chip on the Pro versions.

Read more about the iPhone 16

Google Pixel 9 series – Possible UK and US launch in October

New Pixel flagships are released every October, so it’d be a big surprise to see Google deviate from this.

The most likely scenario is that we’ll see two phones once again: the Pixel 9 and Pixel 9 Pro. But there is a rumour suggesting a second Pro model will be introduced, potentially with a smaller display than the current 6.7-inch Pro, which may itself get bigger. We could also see a larger display on the regular Pixel 9 than the current 6.2-inches.

Elsewhere, Google is likely to reveal a new Tensor G4 chipset to power them. But it’s not clear if it’ll be capable of any more AI features than are already available.

As usual, expect cameras to be a major focus, and this may be where we see Android 15 make its debut.

Read more about the Google Pixel 9 series

Xiaomi 14T series – Possible UK and US launch in September/October

Xiaomi has launched at least one T series phone every September or October for the last four years, so it seems highly likely that the 14T and 14T Pro will also arrive around that time.

Think of them as more affordable versions of the Xiaomi 14 and 14 Ultra, operating in the upper mid-range market. Leaks suggest the 14T Pro will use a MediaTek Dimensity 9300 chipset – the 14T’s processor isn’t confirmed, but it’s likely to be something slightly less powerful.

The other big expected difference between the two is charging speeds. Xiaomi may stick with the 67W and 120W we see on the 13T and 13T Pro respectively. However, the 14T Pro could also be the only one to get wireless charging.

OnePlus Open 2 – Possible UK and US launch in October

The original OnePlus Open is the best book-style foldable you can buy, so we have high hopes for the second generation.

It’s not clear if OnePlus will continue to update it annually. But if so, it’s likely to arrive around October.

The only real upgrade we can say with confidence will be a new Qualcomm chipset – if it launches in 2023, that’ll probably be the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3.

There’s no reason to change the cover or internal displays, while the cameras are already very good. Instead, focusing on improving battery life and getting more apps optimised for that inner screen should be the priority.

Read more about the OnePlus Open 2

Honor Magic V3 – Possible UK launch in late 2024

Honor’s Magic V2 foldable finally arrived in the UK and Europe at the start of 2024.

It has the best design of any folding phone, but the delayed global launch meant the chipset was out of date. The software also needs work to make it feel truly optimised for both the 6.43-inch cover and 7.92-inch cover displays.

There’s no concrete news regarding its successor yet, but it’d be a surprise to not see a new model launch, at least in China.

The only upgrade we can be confident about is a new chipset. That’ll probably be the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3, but Honor might be better off waiting until the 8 Gen 4 is released. Hopefully, the Magic V2’s £1,699.99 launch starting price will also be reduced.

Read more about the Honor Magic V3

iPhone SE 4 – Possible UK and US launch in early 2025

Apple took a four-year break between the first and second generations of iPhone SE, before releasing a third version in 2022. If this two-year update cycle continues, we can expect to see a fourth generation in 2024.

However, rumours suggest Apple may be waiting until 2025 instead. If that materialises, big upgrades would be expected.

The next iPhone SE might finally see Apple ditch the home button (and Touch ID) in favour of Face ID. That would almost certainly lead to a display larger than the current 4.7-inch panel.

Change that’s are almost guaranteed is a move from Lightning to USB-C and more powerful chipset, while Apple may also introduce the Action Button from iPhone 15 Pro models.

Read more about the iPhone SE 4

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