I used to cringe watching occasions introducing new smartphones.
I keep in mind the examples and pondering nobody makes use of their gadget that approach, and that firms had been making up outlandish situations to justify new, fringe options.
It wasn’t till I began attending launches and getting in-person demos that I noticed that wasn’t wholly correct.
I used to be in a room final 12 months getting a walk-through of some new options. I used to be being proven new fancy animations for a surf report on the West Coast.
It was a report I’d by no means have cared about, however on cue, one other individual within the room talked about they’d surfed there final weekend, and the waves had been superb.
I simply nodded and tried to not let on that I used to be in shock, however it helped me understand that, for essentially the most half, firms don’t actually have our on a regular basis use in thoughts when designing {hardware} and software program, and it’s value speaking about.
Right here’s what deserves extra focus.
6 smartphone design traits I want to see blow up earlier than 2030
From rollable telephones to next-level repairability
AI is ok on smartphones, however tone it down
Not every little thing must be linked again to Gemini
I’m not going to say the corporate or smartphone in my instance, as a result of it’s unfair. It’s additionally not distinctive to 1 producer; all of them fall into the entice in a technique or one other.
I’ve seen a separation between how I take advantage of desktop AI instruments and the way I take advantage of them on my smartphone.
For all the flamboyant developments, options like Gemini are as a rule reserved for bar trivia, asking how a lot an athlete makes, or who was the coach the final time the Seattle Seahawks had been within the Tremendous Bowl (Mike Holmgren, when you had been questioning).
However even makes an attempt by Google and Samsung to make AI a extra sensible a part of the consumer expertise have fallen quick.
Now Transient on Galaxy AI is a large number. Samsung’s tried to make enhancements, and I preserve going again to see if something significant has modified, however it’s nonetheless a glorified climate report with an inventory of my conferences and a random information story.
I had larger hopes for Google’s Day by day Hub, and I nonetheless do, however its return is nowhere in sight.
Google has had a greater grasp of AI from the start, and objects like Magic Cue are a step in the suitable path, even when they want extra polish.
AI must take a again seat. I would like it to assist me within the background, as a substitute of being thrust to the forefront.
Each new telephone presentation doesn’t have to start out with AI and the way it will enhance the consumer expertise. Don’t inform me, present me. And nobody has achieved that simply but.
Simply as soon as, I’d love one thing to really feel generative. Even a discover that, regardless that it’s sunny proper now, there’s rain forecast for later, so deliver an umbrella. I’m not asking for the moon.
Battery life and charging speeds are important
25W and an absence of silicon-carbon isn’t chopping it anymore
Utilizing the OnePlus 15 and 15R has spoiled me. By no means once more can I take a look at smartphone battery life the identical approach.
Getting flagship-tier efficiency and almost three days of use on a single cost is excellent, and having 80W wired and 50W wi-fi charging is spectacular.
I hardly ever even bothered to verify how a lot battery I had left, and that’s after hours of turn-by-turn navigation and streaming stay sporting occasions.
If Samsung and Google actually wish to get my consideration in 2026, then cease counting on chipset effectivity enhancements to assist battery life.
I would like bigger, silicon-carbon battery cells with speedy charging charges.
Rumors counsel Samsung is lastly attending to 60W for the Galaxy S26 Extremely, and that’s a welcome change. However extra work must be achieved.
It might be improbable if Google may take part a minimum of a bit. Battery life has been stable on my Pixel 10 Professional XL, however it’s nothing in comparison with what I get on the OnePlus 15.
Upcoming flagships just like the Galaxy S26 Extremely and Pixel 11, later this 12 months, ought to higher mirror our real-world utilization and ship important battery enhancements.
Ok shouldn’t be the usual anymore.
Software program is lastly shifting in the suitable path
Materials 3 Expressive offers me hope
I’ve been dissatisfied with smartphone software program for some time, however Materials 3 Expressive helped flip the nook. It’s playful, intuitive, and enjoyable — exactly what Android software program was lacking.
Samsung’s additionally achieved wonders with One UI 8, and I would like that pattern to proceed.
It appears a bit too straightforward for firms to slap AI into their shows and name it a day.
I nonetheless don’t perceive how Galaxy AI is supposed to enhance my Galaxy Z Fold 7 expertise, however it was a part of the gross sales pitch.
I don’t want generative surf stories on my house display screen. I’d accept extra options like AirDrop compatibility on the Pixel 10 collection and Magic Cue doing extra.
It’s going to be the smaller modifications that add as much as a revamped consumer expertise on Android software program shifting ahead.
Materials 3 Expressive is the very best but, however I’m hopeful different producers are working to assist us use our telephones higher, not simply how they assume we should always.
Day by day use usually strays removed from what firms give attention to
I can’t keep in mind the final time I felt a brand new characteristic was so good that it modified how I take advantage of my smartphone.
We’re lengthy overdue, and whereas AI has loads of promise, the truth has fallen wanting expectations.
It’s time for producers to get again to fundamentals and begin by recognizing how most individuals use their smartphones, which might go a great distance in fixing the issue.