Is this finally the year we’ll see Jetsons-like technology come to life? From virtual reality taking centre stage to EVs packing the potential to dominate the auto space, there’s a lot to look forward to this year. Despite the economical future of 2023 hanging in limbo and a global recession looming large, there seems to be no dearth of interesting tech products headed your way. From 200-megapixel smartphones and convertible laptops to all-in-one workstations and virtual reality headsets, tech manufacturers are not shying away never mind the delay in delivery times. Here’s what we can look forward to in 2023.
SMARTPHONES
APPLE IPHONE 15
This year’s annual Apple event in September promises to be a special one, with an overwhelming number of reports suggesting the addition of USB-C for the upcoming iPhone 15. Apple confirmed that it’ll comply with the recently passed European Union ruling that mandates all new phones sold in the region must support USB-C charging by 2024. However, the company is yet to confirm if the USB-C iPhone would get a global release or will remain Euro-specific.
SAMSUNG GALAXY S23
Samsung is expected to take things up a notch this year, with reports of a heavily updated Galaxy S23 doing the rounds. The Korean manufacturer might be introducing a 200-megapixel main camera with the S23, along with a tweaked design and a more powerful Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 processor.
LAPTOPS
LENOVO X1 YOGA GEN 8
Lenovo will be launching the all-new X1 Yoga Gen 8 in April 2023. At a reported price tag of $1,859 (Rs 1.53 lakh), it will be considerably more expensive than the G6, but for a good reason. The foldable 2-in-1 laptop gets the same specs as the high-performance Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Carbon Gen 11. This includes Intel’s Core i7 processor, Intel Iris Xe graphics, up to 64GB of LPDDR5 RAM, and to top it off, 2TB of Gen 4 PCIe NVMe SSD storage. As far as the display is concerned, expect a 14-inch OLED panel with up to 4K resolution.
15-INCH APPLE MACBOOK AIR
Apple is set to update its entire MacBook range with the new-generation M2 Pro chip. However, the biggest update here might come in the form of a larger 15.15-inch MacBook Air, which could be launched in the spring of 2023. It is expected to feature the same design as the 13-inch model, albeit with the updated M2 and M2 Pro chip options.
ONEPLUS PAD 5G
Smartphone manufacturer OnePlus will enter the android tablet segment, with its OnePlus Pad 5G. Expected to break cover in India this year, the tablet is said to rock a Snapdragon 865, with 6GB of RAM. Reportedly, it will come with a 13MP main camera, with a 5MP front shooter and a healthy 10,090mAh battery with 45W fast charging.
GOOGLE PIXEL TABLET
Google too will be entering the tablet market with the launch of the Pixel Tablet. While not much is known, the company did confirm that it’ll be powered by the first-gen Tensor chipset, seen on the Pixel smartphones. As per reports, it is also said to pack a 10.95-inch display and come with 256GB of storage.
HEALTH
DYSON ZONE
Dyson, one of the biggest names in home appliances, is set to launch a rather unique product, which combines headphones with an air purifier. Called Dyson Zone, the main highlight here is a detachable visor that doubles as an air purifier, which claims to capture 99 per cent particle pollution as small as 0.1 microns. The headphones themselves offer a 50-hour battery backup on a single charge with ANC (Active Noise Cancellation).
VIRTUAL REALITY
META QUEST 3
Meta is expected to make a splash with the Meta Quest 3 VR headset hitting the shelves this year. Details are still scarce, but reports have suggested that it’ll likely cost around $300 (Rs 24,824) – $500 (Rs 41,374) and come with ‘minimum’ 90Hz refresh rate.
SONY PSVR 2
Coming to technology that’s already confirmed, Sony will officially be launching the PSVR 2 this February. The virtual reality headset comes packed with improved position tracking, an external camera, and an exclusive Horizon title.
ELECTRIC VEHICLES
MERCEDES-BENZ VISION EQXX
If range anxiety is your primary concern, Mercedes-Benz may have a solution for you. The German carmaker is expected to launch the futuristic VISION EQXX this year, which comes with over 1,000km of range on a single charge. Thanks to its solar roof panel and aerodynamic efficiency, the VISION EQXX might just be the biggest EV launch this year.
BMW IX1
Looking for a little more on tap? How about BMW’s upcoming all-electric premium SUV, the iX1? Considered to be one of the most highly-anticipated launches of 2023, the SUV is expected to pack dual electric motors, churning out 317PS of power and 494Nm of torque. The range here is expected to be up to 438km on a single charge, with an 80 per cent top-up happening in just 29 minutes (via a fast charger).
HYUNDAI IONIQ 5
After its grand unveiling at the Gateway of India, Hyundai will be announcing the prices of its flagship product, the IONIQ 5 this quarter. Based on Hyundai’s E-GMP platform, the premium hatchback is expected to offer a range of 480km on a single charge and can be topped up from 10 to 80 per cent in 18 minutes via a fast charger.
DISPLAYS AND MONITORS
SAMSUNG VIEWFINITY S9
To compete with Apple, Samsung will be launching its first 5K display this year with the ViewFinity S9. With a 27-inch screen display, the South Korean manufacturer promises its monitor packs “smart colour calibration designed for creative professionals.” However, while it passes the compatibility check with both USB-C and Thunderbolt, the display doesn’t feature an in-built camera. Instead, customers might need to shell out a few extra bucks for the 4K SlimFit camera, given its seemingly bezel-less screen real estate.
