Predictions for the Future of Smartphones in 2024
2023 was a solid year for the smartphone industry, with the release of excellent Android phones, competition in the foldable phone space, and flagship features becoming more affordable. Looking ahead to 2024, here are some predictions for the future of smartphones.
Generative AI is expected to be a major theme in 2024. Flagship smartphones such as the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3, MediaTek Dimensity 9300, and Samsung Exynos 2400 will feature improved AI hardware to enhance generative AI capabilities. This includes features like super-fast text-to-image generation, generative AI backgrounds for portraits, and advanced photo editing suites.
In addition to basic text/image generation, generative AI will offer features like real-time translation during calls and text summaries of phone calls. Mid-range phones will also incorporate more advanced AI features. It is hoped that Google will bring more generative AI features on-device, instead of relying on the cloud.
2024 will see more powerful smartphones with the new Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 and Dimensity 9300 chips. These chips offer increased CPU and GPU performance. However, there may be a trade-off with sustained performance, as these chips saw drops in stability during stress tests. It is also worth noting that most flagship phones launching with these chips have larger batteries, suggesting a potential increase in battery capacity in 2024.
Periscope cameras are expected to become more popular in smartphones in 2024. Several major players like HUAWEI, OPPO, Google, Samsung, and Apple have already incorporated this technology, and it is likely that other brands will follow suit. Brands like Realme, OnePlus, Xiaomi, Motorola, and vivo may also adopt periscope lenses for their phones.
The trend of camera zoom is expected to continue in 2024. Phones with periscope cameras offering good low-light image quality will be more common. There will also be a focus on megapixel wars, with rumors of phones offering 200MP and 160MP periscope cameras. Folded zoom cameras that offer zoom capabilities beyond 10x will also be introduced.
Foldable phones gained momentum in 2023, and this is expected to continue in 2024. More brands will offer foldable phones, including mid-range options that are more affordable. However, it is predicted that foldable phones will still be restricted to premium offerings and will not replace the standard form factor.
Mid-range phones had a great year in 2023 and will continue to gain traction in 2024. Features like water resistance, wireless charging, and flagship camera sensors will be brought to mid-range phones. Brands may also use older flagship silicon and continue the trend of blurring the lines between flagship and mid-tier segments.
Overall, the future of smartphones in 2024 looks promising, with advancements in AI, camera technology, and mid-range offerings.