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Last year was an okay year for the smartphone industry. We saw popular releases like the Samsung Galaxy S24 and the iPhone 16 Pro Max, while the Google Pixel 9 series also made a solid impression. However, the general vibe was that 2024 felt a bit uninspired. Aside from Huawei’s flawed yet bold move with the Mate XT, most designs were recycled (looking at you, Samsung), and there wasn’t a groundbreaking feature to wow us (no, a camera button doesn’t count). It seems like the smartphone industry hit a plateau.

Now that CES 2025 has wrapped up and several devices have already been announced, here are the trends shaping up to define this year in smartphones:

1. Snapdragon 8 Elite: A Game-Changer for Android

Qualcomm pulled out all the stops with its X Elite processors for laptops last year, shaking up the market with claims that it could do for Windows what Apple’s M-series did for macOS. While those laptops didn’t quite live up to the hype, the Snapdragon 8 Elite for smartphones is a different story. It currently outshines anything available on mobile devices and will feature prominently in flagship Android phones this year, including the Samsung Galaxy S25 series (at least in the US and North America editions).

2. Bigger Batteries Are the New Norm

For the past three years, 5000mAh batteries have been the gold standard for most smartphones, with only gaming phones and niche devices going higher. But 2025 is breaking that mold. The OnePlus 13 debuted with a massive 6000mAh battery, and rumors suggest the Galaxy S25 Ultra will sport a 5500mAh battery. Pairing larger batteries with efficient chips? Yes, please!

3. AI Everywhere, but Smarter This Time

AI was the buzzword of 2024, slapped onto just about everything, often with underwhelming results (looking at you, Apple). But 2025 promises more refined AI integrations. Apple Intelligence is set to shine on the iPhone 17 series, while Samsung and Google’s ongoing collaboration continues to push boundaries. With smarter AI features from all players, competition is heating up—and consumers stand to benefit.

4. Foldables Take Centre Stage

The Huawei Mate XT was arguably the most innovative device of last year, and it looks like 2025 is the year other manufacturers will follow suit. Expect to see trifold devices and, hopefully, the long-awaited disappearance of that pesky crease. Foldables are set to become even more versatile, giving users exciting new ways to interact with their smartphones. Fingers crossed!

What Did We Miss?

Are there any other trends or features you’re excited about for 2025? Share your thoughts in the comments!