What will smartphones look like in the future?
If you were to pick one consumer device that has shaped the last decade, it would be that black screen in your hands: the smartphone.
While the original iPhone first hit the market in 2007, it wasn't until the 2010s that most people ditched their old devices en masse and flocked to the smartphones that we have today. After a decade of innovation and development, the smart devices have gone from clunky keypads with wider screens to the contemporary elegant phone in your pocket. And these devices have changed us too: they've revolutionised the way we interact, play, work, and even do business.
In the UK alone, the majority of children own a mobile phone by the tender age of seven, according to a recent study. In line with this, research also suggests that Brits are making poor buying decisions when it comes to mobile phones.
For instance, almost half of individuals surveyed have let their contract run on after the minimum term has ended, instead of trading up or renegotiating their monthly fee, which is a potential route for saving money. In addition to this, looks tend to be a major consideration for mobile phone buyers, which is shaping new developments in the retail industry. Here are some of the technologies that are likely to reshape your smartphone in the future:
Different form factors
Since last year, manufacturers have been introducing their own dual-screen smartphones designed to rev up interest in the smartphone markets. The foldable phones, as the Mobile World Congress in Barcelona last year suggests, are the future of smartphones. But some experts note that this might just be the start of the rapid expansion of this new type of phone.
These phones were made possible with advances in making batteries smaller and the rise of flexible printed circuit boards. Engineering software company Altium highlights how flex PCBs are set to be the future as they allow for the creation of new applications.
Samsung has recently launched its dual-screen flip phone called the Galaxy Z Flip, which pre-sold out just moments later. LG has likewise revealed that they have created a dedicated division called Innotek to prototype a rigid-flexible PCB for their foldable phone. In the future, some speculate that stretchable screens will replace today’s flexible screens to allow bending without damaging the display.
Seamless phones
Numerous manufacturers have already ditched the top front-facing cameras in favour of putting the camera behind the display screen. Both Oppo and Samsung have demonstrated some variation of the technology earlier this year. This also means ditching ports completely.
On top of nearly all flagship phones today not having 35mm earphone ports, experts believe that even the charging port will become obsolete in the future. One possibility towards this end is over-the-air charging, which has been in development for years now. With this technology, you can charge your phone the same way you connect to the Wi-Fi through a ubiquitous field.
Better battery life
We’re at the end of Moore’s Law, which says chipsets will keep getting smaller over time. Shrinking today’s chipsets is not economically viable anymore and, as phones become smarter, it takes a toll on your batteries. If you’re thinking that your Android OLED screens are draining your batteries, you're right.
While UI developers have integrated more powerful chips into your phones, battery life remains a problem. Experts at Android Authority note that future technologies can resolve this by combining E-ink technologies into OLED displays. By switching to different modes, your batteries will be able to last longer.
With smartphones already having a great impact on retail, these new smartphone designs are undoubtedly going to change the way we do business. Some of these technologies are expected to roll out this year, and others are still in their infancy. But what’s sure is that the smartphone is here to stay - that is, until smart glasses or other more inconspicuous forms overtake it.