Tech enthusiasts all over the world are gearing up for what promises to be an exciting week ahead, thanks to 2013 International CES (or CES 2013), which kicks off on Tuesday, Jan. 8.

Major players like Sony, LG, Samsung, and HTC, to name a few, are expected to showcase a wide gamut of gadgets that range from smartphones, tablets, PCs, TVs etc.

We take a look at the smartphones to watch out for at CES 2013. Here's our Part 1 of the two-part event preview.

Samsung

As much as we'd love to see the next big thing from Samsung, the Galaxy S4 smartphone to be announced at the CES 2013, it seems highly unlikely. We'd be stretching the imagination in anticipation of January unveiling, despite the spate of rumors, keeping in mind that both the Galaxy S2 and Galaxy S3 saw the light of day in spring.

However, rumor has it that the Galaxy S4 could be lurking around sneakily at the CES event. Recently, South Korean Web site MT reported that Jay Lee, Vice Chairman of Samsung Electronics, will be present at the event and would show off the Galaxy S4 to a select few behind closed doors.

Apparently, Lee is carrying two Galaxy S4's with him to the U.S. Who knows, if we're lucky, someone may spill the beans and share some Galaxy S4 nuggets to whet our appetite!

The phones that Samsung will likely take the wraps off are several budget-friendly devices like the Galaxy Young Duos, Galaxy Frame, and an improved version of the Galaxy M Pro.

Samsung could also give a peak into some advanced prototypes that sport its much-touted flexible display. Still hankering for more? How about a basic Galaxy Note 2 to get you excited?

Samsung's press conference is scheduled for Monday, Jan. 7, at 2PM.

Sony

Sony is gearing up to stamp its presence in the hotly-contested smartphone space. Rumors have been flying thick and fast regarding the company's 5-inch phablets - the Xperia Z (Yuga) and the Xperia ZL (Odin). With press shots of the two smartphones leaked via Sony's Web site, the5-inch 1080p devices are all bit conformed and are just awaiting a green signal at the CES.

While the Xperia phablets may have hogged all the limelight, Sony is also said to have a mid-range phone "HuaShan" in the works. However, it is possible that the Japanese company will just unveil its Xperia smartphones at the CES and save this one for the MWC in February.

Sony's press conference is scheduled for Monday, Jan. 7 at 5PM.

HTC

Taiwan-based HTC is tipped to unveil its 2013 flagship smartphone, codenamed M7, at the CES. The HTC M7 is believed to be the successor of the One X and One X+ and allegedly sports a 4.7-inch 1080p display and a 1.7GHz Qualcomm Snapdragon processor.

While it is conjectured that either a CES or MWC launch is in the anvil, it seems implausible considering the One X+ and the Droid DNA from the company released in Oct. 2012 and Nov. 2012, respectively. It follows logic that HTC would want a bigger time window between the launches, but then again you never know.