Smartphone trends 2023
More and more countries were leaving the Corona pandemic behind in 2022. Unfortunately, a new crisis emerged: the Ukraine war, which brought completely new challenges for smartphone manufacturers. How does this affect the smartphone world? Which trends are being set in 2023? And which smartphone trends have come true in 2022? We will tell you in this article.
Trend #1: Chip crisis eases… slightly
Tough lockdowns in China, the Ever Given crisis and the Ukraine war – 2022 was a horror year for global supply chains. The disrupted supply chains will also follow us into the second half of 2023. Towards the end of the year, we can expect a slight easing of the situation – as long as another crisis such as a possible China-Taiwan war does not negatively impact the global economy again. However, it will still take several years before the flow of goods reaches pre-pandemic levels again. In addition, large chip factories are being built in Europe. Intel, for example, wants to build a huge chip factory in Magdeburg in eastern Germany, and the industry also expects Taiwanese chip giant TSMC to commit to a European location soon. All this helps to ease the chip shortage.
Trend #2: Smart Home becomes mainstream
For many, smart homes have been a gimmick for nerds until now. In 2023, smart homes will finally become mainstream. By the end of 2022, many people have already had experiences with smart thermostats and sockets to save electricity and energy.
The introduction of Matter, a common smart home standard developed by over 400 companies including Apple, Google, Amazon and Microsoft, as well as countless smart home companies, will give smart home technology a major boost. Isolated solutions like Homekit will give way to a standard that spans platforms and manufacturers. Smartphone manufacturers will integrate the new Matter standard into their smartphones – you can possibly even hope for new smart home products from Apple, Google and co.
Trend #3: Smartphone prices are falling…
With the increasing chip availability, smartphone prices will also drop again somewhat. Those who wanted to buy a new iPhone in 2022 had to dig deep into their wallets. We don’t expect this to last however. Google, for example, didn’t increase their Pixel 8 pricing. You may even expect slight price reductions for premium smartphones.
Trend #4: … but mobile plan pricing are rising
In contrast, the costs for mobile phone subscriptions are rising. Because Swisscom, Salt, Wingo and Co. are also affected by the higher energy and procurement prices, they will raise the prices for their subscriptions in 2023. Radio masts need electricity, have to be maintained and repaired, wage costs are rising – all this will be reflected in rising subscription prices.
Trend #5: New, more creative smartphone designs
Samsung has shown the way with its Galaxy Flips and Folds , but the competition is remarkably reticent with new innovations in housing design. In view of the USB-C obligation, which will become mandatory for smartphones in the EU by 2024 at the latest, we will see new designs. Augmented reality and virtual reality with smartphones will also play a bigger role this year.
Trend #6: The smartphone market is stagnating
Despite an easing chip market, despite new falling smartphone prices and despite new designs: the smartphone market will stagnate significantly this year. Customers’ willingness to pay has become lower due to high energy prices and inflation, and truly new, innovative smartphone features are becoming increasingly rare. Customers will hold on to their current smartphones a little bit longer.
The trends of 2022: What has come true?
Finally, let’s take a look at the smartphone trends of 2022. What has come true? One thing is certain: We all imagined this year to be different. A year without pandemic restrictions, without crises and wars.
Trend #1: Turn night into day – camera upgrades
(Partially) proven – We were right about this trend, even if we expected bigger leaps. Apple gave its iPhone 14 models Action Mode, which makes shake-free video recordings possible that were previously only possible with an image-stabilising gimbal. Samsung and Google have also improved the cameras in their smartphones, but the wow moment unfortunately failed to materialise.
Trend #2: 5G? No more luxury!
Proven – We were also on the right side with this trend. 5G is included in more and more mobile phone subscriptions at no extra cost. Even in 2023, the development is not over.
Trend #3: Smoother than ever: the display gets even better
Proven – in 2022 we predicted that even mid-priced smartphones will get display upgrades. There are hardly any mid-priced smartphones left without a 90- or even 120-hertz display.
Trend #4: Intelligent gesture control
Not proven – Here we would have wished for more. While gesture control is already part of both major smartphone operating systems, these gestures are still hidden deep in the settings.
Trend #5: Corona and supply problems remain present
Proved true – bingo. While we could not have foreseen the Ukraine war at the time of publication of last year’s Trend article, supply problems would have been present even without the Ukraine war. Corona outbreaks in China have led to the lockdown of several metropolises with millions of inhabitants. Container ships could not be unloaded and loaded as a result, and the Ever Given blockade in the Suez Canal in March 2022 put additional strain on the global goods economy.
alao is your expert for mobile phone subscriptions
At alao you can find mobile phone subscriptions that you won’t find anywhere else – including unique discounts and switching service. Number portability? With alao, of course. Completed in 5 minutes? We know that too. And if you want, you can get a new smartphone with your mobile phone subscription – so what are you waiting for?
