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Many of us can’t imagine life before smartphones, and the tech industry has shown an eager interest in keeping customers coming back on a regular basis to purchase the latest and greatest models. Most every year brings a new iPhone, and Apple and its competitors are constantly raising the bar on what their flagship smartphones can do.
Recent years have brought innovations to smartphones ranging from top-quality cameras to the latest biometric identification capabilities. And tech experts believe the industry’s top players are just getting started. Forbes Technology Council members always keep an eye on developments at major tech companies; here, nine of them share their predictions for new smartphone features and functions the public can expect to hear about soon.
1. Holographic Displays
One possible feature that may come to smartphones in the near future is the integration of holographic displays and accessories. This technology would allow users to view and interact with 3D holographic images, opening up new possibilities for gaming, education and entertainment that could potentially be used for virtual reality and augmented reality applications. - Junior Bernadin, The Ron Clark Academy
2. Universal Wireless Charging
To the best of my knowledge, wireless charging is the most practical future feature. With the growing popularity of the Qi standard, it is now possible to buy wireless charging pucks and stands that are compatible with every phone that has this functionality built in. It’s an optional extra that may be installed on certain models via a wireless charging adapter or a charging case. - Chintan Shah, Brainvire InfoTech Inc.
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3. Improved AI And ML Capabilities
One feature that I think has the potential to become more common in smartphones in the near future is improved artificial intelligence and machine learning capabilities. Smartphones are already able to perform a wide range of tasks using AI, such as language translation, image and voice recognition, and predictive text input. However, there is still room for improvement and further development in this area. - Ivan Novikov, Wallarm Inc.
4. More 5G-Enabled Connectivity And Functionality
Have you ever been to a large event and been unable to get a cell connection? Forget about posting that Snapchat. In 2021, one of the biggest phone-related developments was 5G. To this point, it has not been fully utilized. As cell towers are transitioned to 5G, connectivity will be available where it never was before. With that, applications will evolve to deliver features that were previously impossible. - Nicholas Domnisch, EES Health
5. Longer-Lasting Battery Life
In the next few years, we will see stronger batteries that allow users to charge their phones less often. Apple has been heavily criticized for selling devices with less-than-impressive battery life. They may try to force critics to change their minds by introducing a long-lasting battery that the other big phone manufacturers will replicate. - Thomas Griffin, OptinMonster
6. ‘Remote Control’ Capabilities
Organizations are constantly seeking to make their products environmentally friendly and with improved capacity and resilience, and smartphone manufacturers are no exception. The smartphone is set to evolve to become the “remote control” for our entire lives through the release of sophisticated applications that are able to fully regulate our living environments, including light, heat, and video and surround sound! - Dax Grant, Global Transform
7. The Rise Of Superapps
Superapps are expected to be a big part of the future of apps. A superapp can be a self-contained online platform that encompasses multiple facets of commercial and personal life, including financial and payment transactions. They are likely to lead to a more efficient world where people can spend less time on mundane tasks and more time exploring new opportunities. - Pavel Orlov, Innowise Group
8. Innovations To Health-Tracking Tech
I think one specific feature coming soon is greater functionality in health-tracking devices and metrics. A smartphone is one of the only items we constantly have with us, and the health information available to it is incredibly robust. Apple or Google will find new ways to leverage that data and seamlessly bring it to users and their healthcare providers. - Jordan Yallen, MetaTope
9. Lithium-Ion Battery Alternatives
Battery technology is ripe for innovation. Smartphones get upgrades to cameras and sensors, but batteries have not changed much in years. Alternatives to lithium-ion batteries allow for faster charging and longer battery life. Some technologies even allow batteries not to lose capacity over time. We’ll see if these new technologies will find applications, as they go contrary to manufacturers’ goals to sell new phones each year. - Alex Gudilko, AJProTech LLC
