Why Your Smartphone May Be Obsolete in Five Years (And What’s Next)

I know this surprises you as much as it did me, but there really is a high chance the smartphone you’re probably reading this on now will become obsolete in the next half-decade or so. It’s insane, considering we’re all relying on smartphones, but I have many reasons suggesting we’re entering a new, smartphone-less era. I’ll also share some tips to ensure you’re on the right track if we lose our smartphones.

We’ve Reached Peak Smartphone

Think about it: what else could a smartphone achieve now? And yes, I know some brands are already concocting a feature I can’t even imagine right now, but that goes to show you how much we’ve advanced over the past few decades. Initially, phones were designed to connect people verbally, but now we’ve far surpassed that goal.

We’re already in an era where video calling a friend across continents is just a click away, and this is just a basic development. We’re also seeing smartphones become more innovative, faster, and more adept at handling day-to-day tasks. Now, this does make it sound like we’ve got a long road before smartphones finally stop to exist, but if you focus on all that’s happening around us, it seems like we’re halfway there. Since every smartphone is introducing the same feature, just designed differently, there’s a possibility that we’re exhausting our smartphone creativity.

AI Is All the Rage

Recently, the trend of AI has gained significant momentum, and it’s taking the world by storm. In just a couple of months, we’ve shifted from barely functioning chatbots to fully functional AI systems and software installed within every device in the household, including smartphones and appliances. If this isn’t a show of power, I don’t know what is. Since AI is practically everywhere, it’s really stretching the idea of finding a new device beyond our phones.

Think about it this way: your smartphone has AI, but it’s not the only thing, is it? We can access AI tools and bots anywhere, so we no longer need a smartphone to do basic tasks for us. For all we know, there could be a gadget in the making that’s just a click away from doing everything a smartphone does, coupled with AI and minus the flimsy rectangle device that we adore so much. 

You should also know that AI isn’t powered by touch anymore. Chatbots and tools like Siri and Cortana have long existed, but now we’re seeing an increasing number of AI tools adopt voice controls. This means we won’t even need to scroll a screen to access what we want; we’d only have to say it.

There’s Fancier Tech in the Market

I’ve already talked about the possibility of fancier devices in the making, and here’s proof I’m not making it all up. Remember the time when wearing a pair of shades simply meant ducking from sunlight? Well, now, you’ll wear a pair of glasses and be greeted by installed software that analyzes everything for you.

You could look around and memorize (really, picture) a particular scene, recall some information, and look up answers directly, all with a few eye movements. And if that’s what’s happening with glasses, imagine what else could accomplish this. Companies like Google, Meta, and Apple are heavily invested in exploring virtual and augmented reality and have even introduced VR and AR glasses.

And if they’re as smart as they claim to be, they’re already halfway to developing the next big thing. So, all I’m trying to say is that while using your smartphone might be your only option for now, it’s increasingly going to go down the list of preferences and may even be bonked out of existence because there will be fancier and savvier tech devices in the market.

You Might Not Even Need A Device

And when you’ve got glasses that pull up information, headsets that alter reality, and chatbots that do all the work for you, do you even think you’ll need a smartphone in the future? What if you could accumulate all this in one place without requiring an external device? Say, I’m sure I’m not the only one who’s been reading up on those companies that are introducing brain chips.

If you don’t know what I’m talking about, several companies are working on chips that can alter and process information and do all the basic tasks. More than your smartphones do, but instead of being installed in a device, they’ll connect to your brain and work chemically. It’s really a long and fascinating process, but it’s already in the works, so within the next decade or so, you could do things with your eyes closed and your hands clasped. If this doesn’t scream a smartphone-less future, I don’t know what does.

What You Should Do Now

We’ve talked about the possibility of smartphones becoming outdated and obsolete, so what’s next? There’s still a chance the transition will take some time, so don’t drop your phones and go running for cover just yet. But in the meantime, you will need to know what to do, so here’s what I think.

Firstly, it’s essential to stay updated. I know it’s hard to keep up with all the developments, but the world’s moving at a fast pace, and the only way to keep up is to stay updated. Staying updated ensures you know when the idea of smartphones going obsolete transitions from possible to ‘it’s happening.’

Secondly, try to learn and encourage learning about updated trends. Maybe I’m a bit biased about this, but if there’s anything I’ve learned from the youngsters, it’s that we’ve got to know how things work. Even if you’re not too keen on using AI and other technological marvels, it’s still a good idea to try anyway so you know you’re not rusty and out of the loop. Experimenting with these things will ensure you’re well informed and ready to take action if needed.

And lastly, be prepared. You know it’s going to happen at some point, even if it takes more than five years. Since the world’s already embracing other, savvier forms of technology, it only makes sense to prepare yourself mentally. If smartphones become obsolete, you shouldn’t have trouble keeping up, provided you stick with the tips I shared above.