In 2025, a significant trend in smartphones will be the continued integration of AI. The year 2024, much like the previous year, focused heavily on AI advancements. Smartphones, especially those using Google’s Android, and notebooks have become smarter with the help of generative artificial intelligence. However, the development of AI-powered devices is just beginning, as evident in the anticipated trends for the smartphone market.
The core of every smartphone is its processor, known as the System-on-a-Chip (SoC). This chip combines various components like the CPU, GPU, and NPU, each responsible for different computational tasks. In the AI sector, which is expanding in both Android and iOS by 2025, the Neural Processing Unit (NPU) plays a critical role, especially for tasks that can be performed directly on the device.
New processors from Qualcomm, such as the X Elite, and Mediatek’s Dimensity 9400, are expected to provide a significant boost in this area. These SoCs have shown performance on par with Apple’s A18 Pro in early tests and benchmarks, which is quite impressive.
Regarding AI capabilities, further growth is expected. Both Apple and Google are enhancing their mobile operating systems with additional generative AI features. It is anticipated that Android 16 will allow most of the smartphone’s functions to be controlled via voice commands using Gemini. Apple’s iOS 19 is expected to transform Siri into a full-fledged chatbot.
Even though the new processors, already announced and installed in initial devices in China, are not only faster but also more energy-efficient, AI calculations on devices are quite power-consuming. To prevent significant reductions in battery life during AI usage, many manufacturers are opting for larger batteries with silicon-carbon cell chemistry. This technology offers a higher energy density than traditional lithium-ion batteries, allowing for greater capacity without increasing size.
Manufacturers like Oppo and Xiaomi have already introduced models for 2025 featuring batteries growing up to 6,000 milliampere-hours, compared to the previous 5,000 milliampere-hour batteries. Insiders even suggest that future batteries could reach up to 7,000 milliampere-hours. Other manufacturers are likely to follow this trend, which Honor initiated with the Magic 6 Pro in early 2024.
Despite increased AI functionality, you can expect up to two days of battery life with normal use if you use fewer AI features. Apple is also rumored to be using new cell chemistry in the iPhone 17, which sounds similar to silicon-carbon. The company is reportedly manufacturing the new batteries largely independently, with the added benefit of increased charging capabilities.
By 2025, we can also anticipate a trend towards thinner smartphones, facilitated by the new battery cell chemistry. Both Apple and Samsung are expected to introduce particularly slim smartphones. Thanks to silicon-carbon batteries, the battery life should not be significantly compromised. However, it remains to be seen how much the rest of the device’s features will be reduced.
Manufacturers are also working on reducing the size of the often massive camera bumps on the back of devices. For instance, the Oppo Find X8 Pro, a high-end smartphone with a quad camera, has managed to reduce the camera bump, partly due to a new design of the periscope telephoto zoom camera.
Numerous innovations are expected under the hood, giving smartphones new capabilities. In 2025, we can expect the first devices equipped with the new Bluetooth 6.0 standard. The successor to Bluetooth 5.4 is expected to enhance “Find My” solutions for Airtags and similar devices. New functions for digital key solutions for cars or door locks are also anticipated, allowing for precise distance settings for unlocking.
Additionally, a new protection class is being introduced: IP69. This means you can take your smartphone into the shower without worry, as the devices will withstand higher water pressure. The IP69 standard suggests that devices will be protected against high-pressure water jets of up to 100 bars.
For smartphone owners and the environment, there will be positive news from mid-2025 in the EU: smartphone manufacturers will be required to provide software updates for their devices for five years. Some manufacturers, like Samsung and Google, are already complying, while others have yet to catch up.