Best New Phones Coming to the UK in 2022 & 2023

2022 has been a big year for smartphones, and there are still a few new and upcoming models to get excited about, including the next Vivo flagship series and the latest Huawei photography flagship.

Most of the year’s biggest flagships have launched already, with the iPhone 14 series, Pixel 7 range, and the latest Samsung Galaxy foldables all now out – not to mention key software upgrades in Android 13 and iOS 16.

From the first half of the year, the Samsung Galaxy S22, OnePlus 10 Pro, Oppo Find X5, and Xiaomi 12 series are also all on sale, and there’s even a new affordable phone from Apple in the iPhone SE.

Of course, there’s lots to look forward to from 2023 too. The first rumours are out regarding the next generation of flagships from Xiaomi, Samsung, OnePlus, and more, including the chipsets that will power them: the MediaTek Dimensity 9200 and Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 2, both expected to launch in November this year.

Read on to ensure your next smartphone purchase is not immediately followed by regret, tying you into an unnecessarily lengthy contract. (Remember that there is a chance you could upgrade your contract early.)

Pro tip: As these new phones edge closer, the outgoing models will fall in price and you’ll be able to scoop up some great deals. If you’re not bothered about having the very latest tech, check out our take on the best phones you can buy today.

Best new phones coming out in 2022 and 2023

Vivo X90 – Q4 2022

Dominik Tomaszewski

Vivo has already begun teasing the X90 series, talking up its photography prowess, so it seems almost certain that we’ll see the new flagship phones before the year is out.

We’re likely to get the X90, X90 Pro, and X90 Pro+, and we know we can expect a new imaging sensor (potentially another 1-inch model) and co-processor. Certification has revealed big batteries, and leakers are pointing to the latest Snapdragon chips appearing too.

Read the latest on the Vivo X90 series

Redmi Note 12 – Q4 2022

Redmi

Xiaomi sub-brand Redmi has revealed the Note 12 series in China already. It’ll likely be a longer wait for the actual UK release though – there’s a risk we don’t see the phones until next year.

These are exciting budget options though, with headline specs like 200Mp cameras and ludicrously fast 210W charging available in the top-end models, but all expected to cost below £500 whenever they arrive.

Huawei Nova 10 – Q4 2022

Dominik Tomaszewski / Foundry

The Nova 10 and Nova 10 Pro are the latest Huawei mid-rangers launching in the UK and Europe, and they’re set to go on sale some time in the next few months.

The pair both feature a massive 60Mp selfie camera sensor, capable of really high-res and ultrawide photos – which the Pro then pairs with a 2x zoom telephoto too. Both pack the same powerful triple rear camera, and you get the choice of 66W charging and a 4000mAh battery on the 10, or an upgrade to 100W charging and a bigger 4500mAh call on the Pro.

As Huawei phones, the downsides are that both are limited to 4G, and app support is still a little patchy.

Huawei Mate 50 Pro – Q4 2022

Huawei

After initially launching the Mate 50 Pro in China, Huawei has confirmed that the phone will go on sale in Europe too (likely including the UK), though hasn’t said exactly when.

We’re only getting the Pro – not the regular and Porsche Design variants – which packs a 50Mp main camera with a variable aperture to handle a variety of lighting conditions.

It’s also powered by the Snapdragon 8 Gen 1, albeit a 4G version of the chip – though satellite connectivity takes the edge off, at least for emergency communications.

OnePlus Nord 3 – Q4 2022

The next OnePlus mid-ranger is tipped to include an upgraded 150W charging spec – capable of a full charge in just 15 minutes – alongside a new Dimensity 8100 chipset and a larger, 6.7in 120Hz display.

The camera spec isn’t expected to change as much though, with the same 50Mp IMX766 main camera as the Nord 2, joined by an 8Mp ultrawide and 2Mp macro.

Nokia X50 – Q4 2022

The X50 is the rumoured name for the next Nokia flagship, which we’re expecting to see some time this spring or summer.

Solid specs are thin on the ground, but point to a device at the lower end of the flagship range, with a Snapdragon 7-series chipset – though some think a Pro model with an 8-series chip may also be coming.

Oppo clamshell foldable – Q4 2022

Oppo killed it with its first foldable – the book-style Oppo Find N – so we’re eagerly awaiting its second, rumoured to adopt the clamshell format of the Z Flip and teased to launch in the UK and Europe this time.

There are few concrete rumours as to specs yet, except that it’s likely to use the Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 chipset, so it won’t skimp on specs.

Read more about the
Oppo clamshell foldable

Xiaomi 13 – December 2022

It’s pretty much a given that the Xiaomi 13 is on the way, and going by Xiaomi tradition it should be revealed in December.

Even if it is, expect it to not to arrive in the UK until early 2023. That might change though, as some rumours point to an earlier reveal for the phone this time around – perhaps as soon as October.

Other rumours are thin on the ground so far, but expect a Leica-branded camera and next year’s Snapdragon 8 Gen 2.

Google Pixel Foldable – Q1 2022

Dominik Tomaszewski / Foundry

This is a bit of a wild card – but leaked internal documents and bits of code suggest that Google may be working on a Pixel-branded foldable device. We thought it might launch in late 2021, and then in October 2022 along with the Pixel 7 – but now most leakers predict it will arrive in early 2023.

Beyond the device’s existence there haven’t been many leaks with details of what sort of foldable device it will be, or what specs it will have, but we know a lot of people will be curious about a Google-branded folding phone with that Pixel camera.

Solana Saga – Q1 2023

Solana

The Solana Saga is the phone once known as the Osom OV1. It had been intended to launch as the debut phone from new start-up Osom, but re-branded after a partnership with blockchain company Solana to serve as a web3 handset.

Specs are high-end, with a Qualcomm Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1, 6.67in OLED screen, 12GB RAM, and 512GB storage. Plus it has an additional ‘secure element’ to help keep financial information safe and secure during crypto transactions and when minting NFTs.

Samsung Galaxy S23 – Q1 2023

Samsung is almost certainly hard at work on the Galaxy S23 series, with three phones likely to launch in spring 2023.

Rumours point towards the debut of a 200Mp camera sensor – likely in the S23 Ultra – along with larger batteries across the board.

Of course the chipsets are likely to improve too, but there’s plenty of debate about whether Samsung will continue to use a mix of Snapdragon chips and its own Exynos hardware, or shift entirely to the Qualcomm silicon.

OnePlus 11 – Q1 2023

OnePlus is certainly working on its next flagship series, though after disruption this year we don’t know exactly which phones to expect and when.

Still, it normally reveals handsets in spring, so keep that in mind. Expect the upcoming Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 to power the phone, along with likely upgrades to fast charging speeds and camera specs.

Oppo Find X6 – Q1 2023

Dominic Preston / Foundry

The Find X line is Oppo’s flagship series, and the Find X6 phones are expected to arrive some time in early 2023.

It’s too early for any real leaks on the flagship X6 Pro’s specs, but expect an upgrade to the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2, tweaked Hasselblad cameras, and likely a redesign after two years of using a similar form factor.

The Pro will likely be joined by a streamlined Find X6 and a cheaper X6 Lite.

Samsung Galaxy A54 – Q2 2023

The Galaxy A53 sits at the heart of Samsung’s mid-range line-up – it’s basically the company’s core rival to the iPhone SE – so we’re confident we’ll see an A54 follow it up next year.

Specs so far are thin on the ground, but the render above is one of several imaging the improvements Samsung could be working on, borrowing spec and design elements of its flagships to trickle down to its more affordable hardware.

Get the latest Galaxy A54 rumours

Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 5 & Z Flip 5 – August 2023

Dominik Tomaszewski / Foundry

Samsung has formed a habit of releasing its Z Flip foldables in August each year, so that’s when we’re expecting to see the Z Fold 5 and Z Flip 5.

Little is known so far about what to expect, though a bump to the next-gen Snapdragon silicon is almost certain. More camera and battery improvements would be welcome, but will we see a bigger redesign to go with them?

Read more about the latest Galaxy Z Fold 5 and Galaxy Z Flip 5 rumours

iPhone 15 – September 2023

Dominik Tomaszewski / Foundry

Apple hasn’t confirmed anything about the iPhone 15 yet, but based on the company’s track record we’ll almost certainly see it in September.

Early rumours suggest we’ll see the new Dynamic Island design extended to the regular models this time around, while the Pro Max may be re-branded the iPhone 15 Ultra and come with some extra, unknown upgrades.

Get the latest on the iPhone 15

Google Pixel 8 – October 2023

Henry Burrell / Foundry

Solid rumours about the next Pixel flagship phones are thin on the ground right now, but it’s a pretty safe bet that we’ll see them arrive in October 2023 – after all, every Pixel flagship so far has launched in October.

Google’s next Tensor chip should power the phone, and otherwise expect new camera features and perhaps a refreshed design. And maybe finally some faster charging?

Get the latest on the Pixel 8

Microsoft Surface Duo 3 – 2023

IDG

Microsoft has so far released two iterations of its unusual dual-screen foldable device, and we’re expecting the Duo 3 to follow them up some time in 2023.

It’s too early to say exactly what to expect, beyond the obvious: better specs, a refined design, and more polished software. The Duo 2 has come on leaps and bounds since its launch though, so we’re optimistic that Microsoft can pull off something special here.

Read the latest on the Surface Duo 3.

OnePlus foldable – 2023

Dominik Tomaszewski / Foundry

Rumour has it that OnePlus is working on its debut foldable phone, and we may see it arrive some time next year.

The phone is apparently based closely on the Oppo Find N – the two companies now share R&D, so that’s no real surprise – which means we can expect something like a 7.1in folding display, Snapdragon 888 chip, and triple rear camera including an ultrawide and telephoto.

None of this is certain yet, but read our round-up of the
OnePlus foldable rumours for the latest gossip.

Foldable iPhone – 2023

A folding iPhone has been rumoured ever since the first foldable display tech existed pretty much, but thanks to leaks and rumours we have pretty good reason to believe Apple is at least working on a foldable iPhone – even if it’s probably years away.

Apple is rarely the first to market with new tech, though given that Samsung has already released several iterations of its folding tech there’s a risk Apple will look backwards if it doesn’t follow suit until 2023 – though if it can perfect the tech in that time it may well be worth the wait.

Check out all the foldable iPhone rumours so far.

iPhone SE 4 – 2024

Dominik Tomaszewski / Foundry

Apple seems to be on a biannual release schedule for its budget-friendly iPhone SE, so after 2020 and 2022 models we’re not expecting to see the next iteration until early 2024.

The biggest question mark is around whether Apple will finally jump to a full-screen design for the phone, ditching the Home Button for good – and in turn if that will mean including FaceID in the SE for the first time.