This story is part of our end-of-year series This Year in Gear, rounding up the most notable releases of 2023. For more stories like this, click here.
As per usual, a ton of new smartphones and accessories launched this past year. Now that 2023 is just about done and dusted, here are the most innovative and eye-opening releases, as researched and reviewed by our team.
Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 5
The Galaxy Z Flip 5 is the fifth-generation foldable smartphone in Samsung’s “Flip” series. Samsung gave it a bunch of internal upgrades, but the biggest physical change is that the small cover screen on the front of the smartphone is 3.78 times bigger than the one on last year’s Flip 4 — so you can do a lot more without having to flip the smartphone open.
Learn more about Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 5 here.
iPhone 15 and 15 Plus
Apple
Apple gave its more affordable line of iPhones a brighter screen with the Dynamic Island notch, which was previously only available on the Pro models. These smartphones have also been updated with an improved camera system and, maybe most significantly, a USB-C charging port.
Learn more about iPhone 15 and 15 Plus here.
iPhone 15 Pro and Pro Max
Apple
The iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 15 Pro Max have a couple of key upgrades over their iPhone 14 predecessors. They have a customizable Action button, a new titanium case, a USB-C charging port, Apple’s new A17 Pro chip and an upgraded camera system. The Pro Max also has a 5x telephoto lens.
Learn more about iPhone 15 Pro and 15 Pro Max here.
Moment T-Series
Moment
Moment’s T-Series of lenses are designed to get more out of your smartphone’s camera. Compared to its existing M-Series, which has been around since 2017, the T-Series all have thicker glass for better optics and are bigger to better fit today’s smartphones. There are eight lenses in the T-Series, ranging from $120 to $150.
Learn more about Moment T-Series here.
Google Pixel Fold
Released this past May, the Pixel Fold is Google’s first foldable smartphone. When closed, it works as a 5.8-inch smartphone. When opened, it transforms into a 7.6-inch tablet. It’s powered by the same Tensor G2 chip as Google’s Pixel 7 and 7 Pro smartphones.
Learn more about Google Pixel Fold here.
Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra
The Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra is the company’s new “best of the best” flagship smartphone. It has the biggest and brightest display, the biggest battery and the best camera system (now with a 200MP sensor), and it comes with an embedded S Pen stylus for note-taking.
Learn more about the Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra.
Google Pixel 8
The Pixel 8 is the company’s new baseline smartphone. Compared to last year’s Pixel 7, the Pixel 8 has a brighter screen with a higher refresh rate (now up to 120Hz), faster charging and Google’s new Tensor G3 chip, plus an improved main camera. The downside is that Google increased its starting price. It also comes with the promise of seven years of OS updates.
Learn more about Google Pixel 8 here.
Google Pixel 8 Pro
The Pixel 8 Pro is the company’s new high-end smartphone. It’s the same size and looks mostly the same as its predecessor, the Pixel 7 Pro, but the Pixel 8 Pro has improved cameras, a brighter screen, a next-gen Tensor G3 chip and a lot more software tricks. As with the Pixel 8, Google has promised an unprecedented seven years of OS updates.
Learn more about Google Pixel 8 Pro here.
Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 5
Samsung
The Galaxy Z Fold 5 is the newest foldable smartphone in Samsung’s higher-end and more-productivity-focused Fold series. It’s not that much different from last year’s Fold 4, but it has upgraded internals and a slimmer, lighter and more pocketable design.
Learn more about the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 5 here.
Belkin BoostCharge Pro 2-in-1 Dock with MagSafe
Belkin
Belkin’s 2-in-1 MagSafe charging stand for your iPhone and Apple Watch is exclusively being sold by Apple. It has a minimalist design and is available in two neutral colors: sand or charcoal. It’s one of the most elegant MagSafe chargers we saw all year.
Learn more about the Belkin BoostCharge Pro 2-in-1 Dock here.
Google Pixel Watch 2
Google’s second-generation smartwatch looks identical to the original Pixel Watch, but it packs a much improved processor, a bunch of new sensors (including barometer, magnetometer and a skin temperature sensor) and up to 24 hours of battery life with its always-on display turned on.
Learn more about the Google Pixel Watch 2 here.
Apple Watch Ultra 2
Apple
Apple’s second-generation Ultra smartwatch looks identical to its predecessor, but it boasts several key updates under the hood. It has a 2x brighter screen, a much faster chipset and it supports new-age features like gesture controls and on-device Siri processing. Of course, it might also be impossible to get.
Learn more about Apple Watch Ultra 2 here.
Nomad Charge Mount
Nomad
Nomad’s first MagSafe car mount has a slick all-black design — very similar to the company’s Stand One MagSafe charging stand — and comes with an 18-watt USB-C car adapter so you can fast charge your iPhone. (Nomad also announced the Mount, which looks the same, costs $45, but can’t charge your iPhone.)
Learn more about the Nomad Charge Mount here.
Apple Watch Series 9
Apple
The Series 9 looks identical to last year’s Series 8, but Apple has given it a brighter display and its fancy S9 processor, the latter of which enables new features like double-tap gesture controls and on-device Siri processing. The Series 9 is also Apples’s first-ever carbon neutral product. Like the Ultra 2, it might also be impossible to get.
Learn more about the Apple Watch Series 9 here.
Samsung Galaxy Watch 6 Classic
Samsung
The Samsung Galaxy Watch 6 Classic is essentially a larger version of the Galaxy Watch 6; it’s available in 43mm and 47mm sizes. Samsung had skipped a year of releasing a “Classic” version of its smartwatch, but this year’s model is a pretty big deal because it marks the return of what used to be a signature feature for a Samsung smartwatch: a physical rotating bezel.
Learn more about the Samsgun Galaxy Watch Classic here
Nothing Phone (2)
The Nothing Phone (2) is the company’s first Android smartphone to be available in the United States. It looks very similar to its predecessor, last year’s Phone (1), but boasts higher-end specs and an upgraded and more customizable LED lighting notification system on its back.
Learn more about the Nothing Phone (2) here
Nomad Stand One
Nomad Goods
The Stand One is probably the most elegant wireless charging stand that fully supports MagSafe. It’s unique because it’s a made of really premium materials — a solid metal body paired with a glass top — and weighs just over a pound, so it doesn’t lift up every time you go to grab your iPhone. It’s available in silver or black (carbide).
Learn more about the Nomad Stand One here
Samsung Galaxy S23 and S23 Plus
The Samsung Galaxy S23 is the smallest and most affordable of the company’s three new flagship smartphones. It has a 6.1-inch display and the same triple rear camera system as the Ultra, except the main camera has a 50-megapixel sensor instead of the Ultra’s 200-megapixel sensor).
Learn more about the Samsung Galaxy S23 here
Alex Mitchell is your go-to expert for all things mobile. With a passion for the latest smartphones, apps, and mobile innovations, Alex provides in-depth reviews, insightful analyses, and breaking news about the ever-evolving world of mobile technology. Stay connected with Alex to navigate the fast-paced realm of mobile devices.
