Five Innovations That Could Transform Smartphones Forever in 2025.

The year in smartphones has been extraordinary, with unprecedented competition across all market segments. In the affordable phone category, the standout devices include the Google Pixel 8a, the Nothing Phone 2a, and the OnePlus 12R. On the other hand, the premium segment has seen the launch of high-quality devices such as the Google Pixel 9 Pro, the iPhone 16 Pro, the Galaxy S24 Plus, and the OnePlus 12. Additionally, in the ultra-premium and foldable phone categories, where Samsung has had significant dominance in the United States, it now faces intensified competition both domestically and internationally. The company launched the Galaxy S24 Ultra in January, but the real challenge came with the Galaxy Z Fold 6. In the U.S. market, Google introduced the impressive Pixel 9 Pro Fold, while Honor launched the Magic V3 in other markets.

Numerous phone manufacturers are exploring and pushing the boundaries of current technology, with some already showing glimpses of the future of smartphones. Here are five innovations that could have a significant impact on the evolution of these devices.

One of the first innovations is the adoption of silicon batteries as a standard. In the United States, brands like Honor and Oppo have begun incorporating this technology, which offers energy density up to 34% higher. This means that larger batteries can be manufactured without increasing the device's thickness, in addition to supporting fast charging. For example, the Honor Magic V3, despite being only 4.3 mm thick, features a 5,150 mAh silicon-carbon battery that provides excellent longevity compared to other models on the market.

Another emerging trend is trifolding or rollable screens. The Huawei Mate XT has capitalized on this feature, being a pioneer in the market despite not being widely available. This type of design could revolutionize the way we use phones, allowing a device to expand to tablet size.

Artificial intelligence is also at the center of this revolution. While many current AI features focus on creativity, there should be a greater emphasis on solving everyday problems. AI personalization could significantly enhance the user experience, moving away from being a mere "gimmick."

Additionally, the concept of "Ultra" in smartphones is evolving. While it is currently mainly associated with telephoto cameras, the next generation of "Ultra" devices is expected to offer advancements such as larger batteries, rollable screens, and multiple cameras, in an effort to remain relevant and differentiated.

Lastly, the return of physical buttons on phones has sparked new interest. After years of lacking dedicated buttons, recent models like the iPhone 16 and Oppo Find X8 have reintroduced specific buttons for the camera, allowing quicker access to important functions.

As a new year begins, expectations are high. Samsung continues to lead, but Google and OnePlus have demonstrated significant progress and are competitors to watch. Looking ahead, many are eagerly anticipating what the Google Pixel 10 series and the next generation of phones from OnePlus and Oppo will bring, as well as the highly anticipated iPhone 17 and its artificial intelligence features.