As we approach the end of 2023, it is evident that there was a diverse range of phone launches that catered to consumers across all segments, from entry-level to premium flagship devices. Several brands have already started providing a sneak peek of what to expect from their 2024 lineup, and the outlook appears promising.
As we anticipate the arrival of 2024, here are some of the smartphone trends that we are excited about:
Smartphone Trends We Want To See In 2024
- Telephoto cameras on mid-range phones
- Back panels that are not made of glass
- Universal fast charging speeds
- Newer processor choices
- Bigger batteries (beyond 5000mAh)
Telephoto cameras on mid-range phones
We are tired of seeing countless mid-range phones with low-quality 2-megapixel cameras, and we hope that brands will use better camera setups on their phones. OPPO and Xiaomi have taken a step in the right direction by including a 2x telephoto camera in the Reno10 5G and 13T respectively, while more affordable phones such as the realme 11 4G and Infinix ZERO 30 4G are properly utilizing software processing to improve in-sensor zoom capabilities.
We have been seeing these low-quality cameras on phones for the past three years and hope that by 2024, brands will level up their camera game, especially in the mid-range segment. After all, who wants to spend over Php 30k on a phone with filler cameras in 2024?
Back panels that are not made of glass
While glass is typically associated with premium phones, in 2023 we began to recognize that vegan leather and other materials can provide the same luxurious feel as glass. These alternative materials have a textured surface that gives a unique feel and are more durable than glass, making them less prone to breaking when dropped. As Zack Nelson from Jerryrigeverything said, ‘Glass is glass, and glass breaks.’
Although mid-range phones have already started to offer vegan leather options, we hope that in 2024, more budget phones will feature vegan leather or other non-glass materials instead of the usual polycarbonate.
Universal fast charging speeds
In 2022, 120w charging went mainstream, and 2023 saw further advancement with the realme GT3 offering 240w charging. However, fast charging can pose a challenge when it comes to compatibility. Oftentimes, specific chargers and cables are required to take advantage of these fast charging speeds. As most phones today, including iPhones, use USB-C, it would be beneficial for phone brands to add support for USB-PD charging.
USB-PD is widely adopted by other gadgets such as laptops, gaming consoles, cameras, and more. Therefore, it makes sense for phones to do the same. The most suitable version that phone brands should support is USB PD Programmable Power Supply (PPS), which allows for variable voltage levels to meet the charging requirements of any phone.
Newer processor choices
In 2024, we hope that phone brands will start using newer processors, particularly in the mid-range segment. We wish to see brands move away from processors like Snapdragon 680, Snapdragon 695, or Helio G99 and adopt more advanced chips like MediaTek’s Dimensity 8300 and Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 7 Gen 3, which are expected to go head-to-head in the mid-range segment.
If not, we hope to see more phones powered by the Dimensity 7200 or Snapdragon 7+ Gen 2, both of which have proved to be excellent mid-range chips.
Bigger batteries (beyond 5000mAh)
Although processors have become more power-efficient, there has been little development in better batteries. For the past few years, we have been stuck with the 5000mAh capacity, and only a few brands have managed to increase the cell capacity without adding bulk to the phone. However, phones such as the POCO F5 Pro have proven that it is possible to go beyond 5000mAh without making the phone too thick.
In addition, new technologies like HONOR’s Silicon-Carbon battery promise higher capacity batteries without adding bulk. The most groundbreaking battery technologies right now are graphene and solid-state batteries, but it may take some time before both become widely available for consumer devices.
Honorable Mention(s):
5G Phones under Php 10k. We don’t mind if brands would use old 5G processors (like the Dimensity 700/6020/6100+), but if they can offer us a 5G-ready phone for under Php 10k, we’re all for that–especially if it means making 5G devices more accessible to Filipinos.
More affordable foldable phones. The Phantom V Flip made mid-range flip phones a reality, and while Php 30k is steep for most Filipinos, we’re confident that phone brands will be able to offer affordable, value-packed flip phones in 2024.
Flat displays on premium flagships. With rumors that the Galaxy S24 Ultra will have a flat display, we think phone brands should stop using curved displays and follow Samsung’s move. Flat displays are more practical than curved ones, and people will agree with that.
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That rounds up the smartphone trends we look forward to in 2024. What trend are you excited about the most?
