Samsung technology objects we expect in 2023: foldable smartphones, VR headsets, connected watches

The Galaxy S23s is expected to arrive next month, but Samsung doesn’t just have that product in store for us this year. The company regularly releases new foldable smartphones and smartwatches in August, and occasionally surprises us with other gadgets before then.

While Samsung frequently releases products in many categories, including TVs, home appliances, and monitors, we’re particularly intrigued by the purpose of its mobile devices. Samsung is one of the world’s largest smartphone makers by market share, which means the company has more leverage than most other tech companies over the devices we shove in our pockets every day. Wearables have also become an important part of how Samsung intends to differentiate its phones from other Android device makers, as it seeks to create a network of products that keep users engaged, much like Apple.

Here is our favorite Samsung product of the yearbased on rumours, leaks, and the company’s usual product launch schedule.

Galaxy S23 range

Samsung Galaxy S22 range. Lisa Eadicicco/CNET

Samsung makes a lot of phones, but the Galaxy S23 lineup generally the best it has to offer. He is set to make his debut in the show Unpacked from February 1st and will probably launch soon after. The standard S23 and S23 Plus are set to get a general refresh which will likely include a new processor, a slightly refreshed design, and possibly some camera improvements.

But on the Ultra, the top-of-the-range model, Samsung devotes most of its photographic prowess. The new model is expected to feature a 200-megapixel main sensor, likely the new Isocell HP2 announced by Samsung on January 16.

We will know more when Samsung introduces its new generation of flagships.

Galaxy Z Fold 5

Galaxy Z Fold 4. Patrick Holland/CNET

Samsung’s next phone-tablet hybrid could be the first to feature an integrated S Pen, according to a report by Electricity. This not only means that the stylus will be included for free, but also that the phone will include a slot to store it, just like on the S22 Ultra. If you want to use the S Pen stylus with the Galaxy Z Fold 4, you’ll have to buy it separately, and there’s no mechanism to attach or store it on the phone without buying a case.

It’s a seemingly small addition, but one that the Galaxy Z Fold 5 could make much more useful as a productivity tool. It will also give the Galaxy Z Fold 5 a clearer focus and could increase its appeal to early adopters, artists and recorders. Samsung will have the weapons to target the same buyer audience that is usually attracted by the Galaxy Ultra or previous Galaxy Note devices.

Samsung usually releases new foldable phones in August, so we’re hoping to hear more about this around this time. Along with rumors of an included S Pen, the Z Fold 5 is likely to benefit regular update of the processor and photo section.

Galaxy Z Flip 5

The cover screen is identical to the Galaxy Z Flip 3. Patrick Holland/CNET

Samsung’s pocket foldable device is likely to be upgraded around August, as is expected with the Z Fold 5. The Galaxy Z Flip 4 already has a lot going for it, and it’s one of the most practical and affordable foldable phones on the market. However, there are many ways Samsung can and should improve the Z Flip. Samsung smartphones can benefit bigger cover screen, longer battery life, and better camera equipment which would make it closer to those found on the Galaxy S series, for example.

But the main reason we’re interested to see what comes next for the Z Flip is its price ($1,109 for the base version at launch). Samsung has also kept the Galaxy Z Flip 3 in its range and has lowered its price (599€). This shows that the Z Flip is on its way to becoming Samsung’s most affordable foldable phone yet.

The Galaxy Z Flip 5 with a newer processor, better camera and bigger screen for the same price as the Z Flip 4 (or maybe a bit less) might be one of the most exciting foldable phones out there.

Galaxy VR headsets

Photo of the Samsung Gear VR headset, which requires a smartphone to operate, from 2017. Sarah Tew/CNET

This year has been a big one for virtual and augmented reality headsets. Apple is expected to introduce a VR headset, and the PlayStation VR 2 and HTC Vive XR are coming next month. Samsung has been surprisingly absent from the VR space over the past few years, which leads us to believe that 2023 could be the year of its return to the industry.

Report from ETNews suggests that this may indeed be the case. The Korean news site reported in December that Samsung would release an augmented reality headset for developers in 2023, according to an English translation of the article. Extended is shortened to “XR” in the article, indicating that this helmet can mix of virtual and augmented reality aspects.

A new type of folding galaxy

Samsung shows off its display concept at CES 2023. David Katzmaier/CNET

Samsung hasn’t mentioned any plans for future foldable devices outside of the Galaxy Z Fold and Galaxy Z Flip series, but the manufacturer definitely has plenty of ideas to choose from. At CES 2023, Samsung showcased its lineup of “Flex” display concepts, including the aptly named Flex Hybrid. This device is equipped a folding screen, about the size of a tablet, that extends by sliding when open to provide more viewing space.

The Flex Hybrid caught our eye because we understood the potential of a foldable tablet. Tablets are inherently bigger than phones, so the ability to make them more portable by folding them in half seems more necessary. Tablets are also commonly used as secondary devices for tasks such as watching movies, reading, or working. Having a screen that can change according to different circumstances sounds great.

Whether any of these ideas will lead to an actual product is unclear. But it’s important to remember that the Galaxy Z Fold is just a concept.

Galaxy Clock 6

Galaxy Watch 5. Lexy Savvides/CNET

Samsung hasn’t said anything about its future smartwatch plans, and there haven’t been any leaks or rumors about the Galaxy Watch 6. But if the company sticks to its usual schedule, we should be seeing a new Galaxy Watch in the future. They probably will the same health sensor than those found on the Galaxy Watch 5 and 5 Pro, to measure body composition, blood oxygen, and perform an EKG, among other things. There is also a temperature sensor that is not yet active on the Galaxy Watch 5 and Watch 5 Pro.

chips Exynos W920 from Samsung, which powers the Galaxy Watch 5, offers better performance for 3D graphics like emoji avatars and faster app launches. It’s not yet known whether Samsung will develop a new chip for the Galaxy Watch 6, but we still hope for a longer battery life. Since Apple and Qualcomm have both worked to extend smartwatch functionality in Low Power Mode, it wouldn’t be surprising to see Samsung doing this as well.

Samsung is already experimenting with different opportunities for its wearables and phones to work together in new ways. For example, the company recently announced a software update for the Galaxy Buds 2 Pro that will allow the latter to capture 360-degree audio when shooting video with a Galaxy phone. It also expands the Camera Controller app for the Galaxy Watch 4 and 5 to include zoom support. Hopefully we’ll see a lot more with the Galaxy Watch 6.

We’ll hear more about Samsung’s future plans for its mobile devices after the upcoming Unpacked event on February 1. But if the launch cycle in 2023 is similar to last year, we can expect to see some of these products and possibly more.

CNET.com article adapted by CNET France