Apple, Samsung, Google and other major phone-makers are all expected 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
Apple launched the iPhone 15 Pro and Pro Max in September.
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
The Galaxy S23 series of phones came out earlier this year.
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.
