Not so Smart - the Likely Decline of the Smartphone

Smartphones have, in the past few years, taken over the world. However, smartphone sales have flattened with most major markets largely saturated. Even major phone companies like Apple and Samsung are a part of this. The next step to stay in the game would be developing a 5G network. However, even though there is a decline, they won’t disappear anytime soon. Although, the designs and shapes might have some changes to them.

David McQueen said in a recent report that the mobile industry is evolving to devices with more immersive touch-less experiences, fueled by artificial intelligence, mixed reality and gesture control. New devices may also see improved biometrics such as face recognition, and changes such as foldable screens.

Future Today Institute founder Amy Webb said in her annual report on technology trends that 2018 "marks the beginning of the end of traditional smartphones" and sees a transition to a new era of computing and connected devices based on voice, gesture and touch.

It’s speculated that it will be Google and Amazon who will lead and drive the innovation around new smartphones and their related ecosystems in the next five to six years. It’s also said that the global smartphone sales are expected to decline by 0.7 per cent. One aspect of the sales going down can be due to people paying a lot for phones for their full value. Hence, people are more likely to keep their phones for longer periods of time rather than buying new ones every year or so.

In 2019, 5G will probably boost the sales of smartphones. On top of that, there is the possibility of the first devices being introduced that will have foldable or bendable displays according to Bob O’Donnell. He continued to say “people have been talking about (foldable screens) for some time and I think we may finally see the first ones next year.” This could open a huge raw potential for the devices as the concept of foldable phones could bring around some pretty unique and individual enhancements.