For the longest time, smartphone manufacturers looked to develop devices that came with unique features in all different manners of form factors. Nowadays, however, there are very few phone manufacturers and those that are left have pretty much decided, for now, what the smartphone would look like. Even the ones that fold in half look and function pretty much the same. In this week’s blog, we will take a look at the declining innovation in the smartphone market and why it may not be a bad thing.

The Smartphone

The smartphone is the most important computer ever developed. Users are so connected to their smartphones today that there is an official phobia explaining the fear of going without their phone, called nomophobia. People depend on their smartphone more than many of the people in their lives.   

In many cases, smartphones hold people’s personal and professional lives together. They allow people to interact with their friends and family at the touch of a button and they provide an outlet for people to do more than they would otherwise be able to do. With so much at stake, it would stand to reason that smartphone manufacturers would be pushing the proverbial envelope when it comes to innovating the features on their devices. 

They just haven’t, and there are a few reasons why. Let’s take a look at a few:

We Already Have the Basics

For years, companies added tons of new stuff—like better cameras, faster processors, and brighter screens. Now, most phones already do everything we need really well, so there’s not much new to add.

Small Changes Don’t Feel Big

Each year, phones do get a little better, but the improvements are so small that most people don’t notice a big difference. For example, a camera that goes from 40 to 50 megapixels sounds like a lot, but it doesn’t make photos that much better to our eyes.

Almost Everyone Has One

Nearly everyone who wants a smartphone already has one. So instead of trying to make brand-new phones every year, companies focus more on making their apps and services (marginally) better, which doesn’t feel as exciting as a new gadget.

Tech Limits and Costs

Some new ideas—like foldable screens or cameras that hide under the screen—are still super expensive or hard to make strong enough. Since these are tricky to build, not everyone can afford them yet.

Better Software and Services 

Now that the hardware (like screens and cameras) is pretty good, companies are putting more energy into making software better. They add new features through apps, like cool photo editing or ways to connect your phone to other devices.

Are smartphones smart enough? Do they do everything you need them to do? What else of value do you think they could do that would get you to immediately upgrade? One thing is for certain, they aren’t going away anytime soon. For more great technology content, stop back to our blog on the regular.