Recent years were full of surprises when it comes to the smartphone industry. However, if we take a closer look, we have to admit that at some point it seemed to us that the market had stopped and that all models were already “déjà vu”. However, the end of the year is approaching and, as you can already guess, it is time to summarize what this year has brought us and what are the trends in the smartphone industry that has completely fascinated users.
The cool trends we loved in the previous year are:
Do you remember the movies in which the main action hero (eg James Bond) takes a phone-shaped gadget out of his pocket that is completely transparent and made of glass? If you liked it, then we have good news for you – in 2018 we can freely say that we are one step closer to this idea.
Namely, these are phones that have a display over the entire surface of the phone and are currently more than in trend. If this trend seems familiar to you, you are absolutely right. It all started in 2016, with the release of the Xiaomi Mi Mix model. This trend was continued by Samsung when it launched the Samsung Galaxy S8, and big manufacturers like Google, Huawei, and Apple just followed up on this cool feature.
Is this trend just another in a series that manufacturers have started to beautify the look of the phone? Not really. Apart from aesthetics, this trend also has its functionality. Namely, when a smartphone has a display that covers the entire surface of the phone, it means that manufacturers can make a model that is narrower, potentially lighter, and that has a better resolution.
This is the first trend from our list of trends in the smartphone industry brought by 2018 and at the same time one of those features of the phone that will be present for a longer period of time. This is supported by the fact that the manufacturers went one step further and decided to introduce a camera that will be integrated into the display itself so that the front of the phone can be completely covered by the touch screen. Just a few days ago, Huawei launched a new model – the Huawei Honor V20, which has just this feature.
Artificial Intelligence – AI
Another specification on our list of trends in the smartphone industry concerns, believe it or not, robots. Whether robots will really rule the world remains to be seen in the coming years, and until then we can enjoy all the benefits of Artificial Intelligence and the application of this technology in the smartphone industry.
How does AI integrate into the phone? According to what we had the opportunity to see in 2018, the manufacturers have created a special set of chips in addition to the processors that allow your phone to work like a robot. Thus, in Samsung phones, we had the opportunity to see Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 855 multi-core processor, next to which are AI Engine and Computer Vision ISP chips, which allow Samsung phones to recognize objects and faces. Believe it or not, it all started with the LG V30 ThinQ, which has artificial intelligence built into the camera. The camera of this model recognizes certain objects and is able to determine which colors need to be emphasized in order to get a perfect photo.
And what about other manufacturers? Don’t worry – Apple has an A12 Bionic processor, while Huawei is on the verge of competing with the Kirin 980. Both of these processors support additional chips that use AI technology. Amazing, isn’t it?
AR and emojis
We’re pretty sure you remember the Samsung Galaxy S9 and the AR emoji (or Apple’s Animoji). These emojis use precisely AR (Augmented Reality) technology to allow you to see yourself in animated form.
Although this is a technology that is extremely well known in other industries because it has a wide application, in the smartphone industry it has yet to experience its expansion. That is why we can hardly wait for 2019 and we are looking forward to what it brings, at least when it comes to AR technology.
If you have followed the last few texts in which we wrote about phones, then you know that we have often stated that the background of the phone is made of bulletproof glass.
But why glass? According to smartphone manufacturers, the reason lies in the fact that this material enables the easier implementation of wireless charging. In fact, if you google a bit about what we mentioned, you’ll notice that even those models that don’t have the ability to charge wirelessly have a back made of glass. Therefore, we can freely conclude that this functionality from our list of trends in the smartphone industry, which was brought in 2018, contributes to the aesthetics and appearance of the phone itself and nothing more.
You will agree with us when we say that these phones really look impressive but are also easily soiled because fingerprints are more visible than on a metal surface.
Fast phone charging
If you remember earlier texts, then you know that this is not really something new – this feature was present in 2017 as well. However, what 2018 brought us was the super-fast charging we had been waiting for all along.
If you are looking for an Android phone that charges quickly, we suggest you read the text from the Android Authority website and find the ideal model for you.
Fingerprint reader built into the display
If you are used to the fingerprint reader placed on the back of the phone, it’s time to change that habit and welcome this feature which, at least in 2018, was highlighted on the phone’s display. This feature was first introduced by Huawei and the OnePlus smartphone models.
This is the only feature of the phone from our list of Trends in the smartphone industry that we are not satisfied with. Namely, there is still a lot of work to be done about this feature and manufacturers should definitely address the speed of the phone’s response when recognizing a fingerprint.
Cameras, cameras, and just cameras
Trends in the smartphone industry are not always related to the latest technology. On the contrary, sometimes just one number can start a new trend. We’re sure you know what we’re talking about – it’s the number of cameras on smartphones.
In one of the previous texts, we mentioned the LG V40 ThinQ model, which has as many as five cameras. Yes, you read that right – three cameras on the back and two cameras on the front of the phone.
This trend was followed by Huawei when it launched the Huawei Mate 20 Pro , and Samsung with the Samsung Galaxy A7 model. You can also find an impressive number of cameras on the Samsung Galaxy A9 model – as many as four.
5G instead of 4G
You will agree that it is really time for the speed of the internet to be even stronger and better. And this is achieved with the fifth version of the network, which will help you connect quickly and easily upload and download files. By mid-2019, all cities in the world will use 5G technology.
The first commercial blockchain phone
Of all these trends, we were definitely most pleased with this one. With good reason, this news is on our list of trends in the smartphone industry, which was brought in 2018.
Namely, at the end of October this year, HTC Exodus appeared on the market, the first commercial phone intended for all bitcoin diggers. With this phone, you can not only buy and sell this digital gold but you are able to store it in a safe place and offline.
In addition to this main specification, the HTC Exodus is just like any other phone – it has a good battery as well as a processor, a satisfactory camera, and keeps pace with other models – it is waterproof.
Which trend did you like the most?
In 2018, we witnessed remarkable changes and innovations in the smartphone industry. Through trends that meet only the aesthetic requirements of users, all the way to those phones that have the latest technology in them, following the smartphone industry this year has been a real pleasure.
Of all the mentioned phone features from our list of Trends in the smartphone industry brought by 2018, which trend caught your eye? Would you perhaps add some? Write to us in the comments below.