Technologies

Your Next Phone Will Likely Be Smarter, Faster and More Bendy

Annual phone upgrades often feel mundane, but in 2023, phone-makers found new ways to make mobile devices fresh and interesting.

Your phone could get a major upgrade in 2024 — and it could go beyond the routine camera and processor changes we’ve seen in mobile devices over the past decade.

New AI-fueled features could make phones much smarter, potentially turning them into capable personal assistants rather than pocket-sized portals to the internet. In addition, foldable phones are inching closer to their breakout moment thanks to clever design improvements, cementing their place in the smartphone market. Taken together, these changes could make your next phone feel like much more than just another rectangle made of glass and metal.

«That newness … is really key,» said Peter Jarich, head of mobile industry research firm GSMA Intelligence. «And I think folding form factors are part of that.»

While AI and foldable screens may be crucial to where smartphones are going, we’re also seeing notable leaps in areas that directly affect how you use your phone today. Charging speeds are faster, meaning you no longer have to carve out as much time to top off your phone. Tech companies are also making their products more sustainable in ways that could potentially make your phone last longer, lessening their impact on the environment and possibly benefiting your wallet.

These jolts of excitement are much needed for an industry that’s been in decline. In 2022, low demand combined with economic challenges resulted in a smartphone market that saw its lowest annual shipment total since 2013, according to the International Data Corporation. Data from insurance provider Assurant also suggests that phone owners are holding onto their devices for longer, although that could be a testament to how phones have improved over the last decade. Analysis from Consumer Intelligence Research Partners tells a similar story, indicating that more people upgraded from iPhones that were at least 3 years old in 2023 compared with 2019, when the majority of upgraders came from 2-year-old devices.

«People were really struggling to see the value,» said Aaron West, senior analyst for market research firm Omdia. «Why upgrade when my phone from two years ago is almost identical?»

Now that smartphones have become ubiquitous and are more utilitarian than novel, it takes more to impress audiences. That held true in 2023, when it became clear that smartphones were starting to regain their wow factor. More recent data from the IDC suggests smartphone shipments started picking up again as 2023 drew to a close, perhaps signaling that new phones are catching our interest again.

AI is coming for your phone in 2024

Artificial intelligence has played an important part in smartphones for years, particularly when it comes to features like facial recognition, photography and language translation. However, generative AI — the tech that powers ChatGPT and creates answers based on training data in response to prompts — brings new capabilities that go beyond unlocking your phone or blurring the background of a photo. Instead of working passively in situations like these, generative AI-powered features are meant to be used in more proactive ways.

«It’s not behind the scenes,» West said. «It’s really obvious that your phone is actually doing something and generating something new and original.»

Google showcased this with the October launch of its Pixel 8 lineup, which uses AI to power new photo editing tricks, like moving and resizing individual subjects and altering facial expressions. Google’s new phones can also generate fresh wallpaper based on specific themes from scratch, and the search giant is injecting Google Assistant with generative AI. Called Google Assistant with Bard, the upgraded virtual helper will be able to handle tasks such as summarizing important points from your email inbox and writing social media captions for your photos. It’ll be available for both Android devices and iPhones.

Qualcomm, which creates the chips that power phones from companies including Samsung and OnePlus, designed its new mobile processor around generative AI. The Xiaomi 14 and 14 Pro, the latest flagship devices from the world’s third-largest phone manufacturer, according to IDC, are among the first devices to be powered by this new Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 chip. We’re expecting to see Qualcomm’s latest processor in more phones throughout the year.

A teaser video showing Qualcomm’s vision for generative AI on smartphones provides a few examples of how the tech could manifest in mobile devices, such as a virtual assistant that can extract key points from a phone call and create a bulleted summary.

The new chip will also make it possible to zoom out on an image taken on your phone and generate details to expand the frame, making it look like you took the photo using an ultrawide lens. Features like these are more than just photo-editing tools; they help create entirely new photos that weren’t possible at the time of capture.

«It changes how we think about the devices, the [operating system] and the apps, and how you actually define a user experience,» Cristiano Amon, CEO and president of Qualcomm, said on stage during the company’s Snapdragon Summit in October.

We could get an even closer look at how AI will change smartphones as early as this month on Jan. 17, when Samsung will announce its next major phone, presumably called the Galaxy S24. Samsung hasn’t said much about its future product lineup, but it did recently announce a new AI experience for phones called Galaxy AI and its own generative AI model. Galaxy AI will include a feature called AI Live Translate Call that can translate audio in real time, although the company hasn’t revealed many details yet.

Apple is expected to infuse its next major iPhone update, likely arriving in September, with new AI features too, according to Bloomberg. That could entail auto-generated playlists in Apple Music and more generative AI features in Messages and Siri.

If generative AI lives up to the hype, it could make phones more like smart personal assistants and less like tiny laptops with touchscreens, West said.

«It’s like actually being able to preempt your needs before you actually ask for them,» he said.

Foldable phones may be inching toward their breakout moment

It’s not just the brains of our phones that are evolving; it’s their shapes, too. Phones that can fold in half have been widely available since 2019, yet they still only account for a fraction of smartphone usage. But in the US, companies including Samsung, Google, Motorola and OnePlus made efforts to change that throughout 2023, resulting in a banner year for foldable phones.

While Samsung used to be the only major player in the foldable phone market, nearly every smartphone-maker now offers one. Google released its first foldable phone in June, while OnePlus introduced its inaugural foldable device in October, meaning those interested in foldables now have more than twice as many options as they did in 2022.

Beyond more choice, the quality of foldable phones improved in 2023, too — particularly when it came to flip phones. The Motorola Razr Plus and Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 5 each gained a larger external cover screen, making them more useful when closed and further justifying their premium prices. As I wrote after reviewing both devices, these new flip phones prove the promise of having phones with two screens that can serve different purposes, which is more compelling than simply being able to fold your device in half.

The biggest barrier keeping foldable phones from wider adoption is their high prices, with the Galaxy Z Flip 5 and Motorola Razr Plus each regularly priced at $1,000 in the US. If you want a foldable device that combines the experience of using a tablet and a phone, you’ll have to cough up an eye-watering $1,800 for the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 5 or Google Pixel Fold.

But foldables took a step toward becoming more affordable in 2023, which could go a long way toward making them more accessible. Motorola launched a cheaper Razr this year that’s regularly priced at $700, putting it on par with nonfolding phones.

In 2024 and beyond, foldable phones are expected to grow in popularity, with shipments forecasted to surpass 100 million units by 2027, according to Counterpoint Research. That’s compared with roughly 20 million units expected to ship in 2023, as the IDC reports. The growth comes at a time when the overall smartphone market has been shrinking, with the IDC reporting a 0.1% decline in shipments in the third quarter of 2023.

«The industry had just been selling black glass slabs, with maybe a different back or a different color and different camera capabilities, but they were really very much similar devices,» Jarich said. «And for your average consumer, foldables give you a new reason to engage.»

Phones that can charge faster and last longer

Foldable screens and smarter AI assistants aren’t all that useful if your phone’s battery can’t make it through the day. While battery life largely remained the same in 2023 compared with previous years, some smartphone-makers shortened the time it takes to replenish your phone’s battery.

One such example comes from the new Xiaomi 14 phone, which has faster 90-watt charging compared with the previous version’s 67-watt charging.

Android cult favorite OnePlus typically stands out for its speedy charging, and 2023 was no exception. The OnePlus 11 supports 80-watt charging in the US and 100 watts in the UK, a significant upgrade from the OnePlus 10 Pro’s respective 65- and 80-watt charging speeds. The Lenovo ThinkPhone by Motorola also impressed us with its 68-watt fast charging that takes it from empty to 92% in 30 minutes, as my colleague Patrick Holland discovered when reviewing it.

Faster charging combined with more energy-efficient chips helped make up for any lack of progress in battery technology, Jarich said.

«And so from a battery perspective, it’s not like that’s no longer an issue,» he said. «But the same issues are being solved in different places.»

With new premium smartphones from companies such as Apple and Samsung costing upward of $1,000, brand-new mobile devices should be built to last. While there’s still a lot of progress to be made in this area, smartphones took small but important strides in 2023.

Apple and Samsung, for example, each expanded their self-repair programs. Apple broadened its program to include the iPhone 14 and 15 lineup while Samsung spread its program to countries including Brazil, Mexico and Korea. Samsung also added its latest foldable phones, the Galaxy Z Flip 5 and Galaxy Z Fold 5, to the self-repair program in late 2023. It’s a positive sign even for those who aren’t tech savvy enough to fix their own phones.

«They recognize it’s probably a bit beyond them, but it does make it easier for third parties to do it,» Jarich said of self-repair programs and more repairable designs.

The iPhone 15 also has a new internal chassis structure that makes it more repairable.

Amsterdam-based sustainable tech company Fairphone launched a new phone in 2023 for the first time in two years, proving there are options out there for those who value repairability and sustainably sourced materials in a phone. With eight years of software updates and a five-year warranty, Fairphone is raising the bar for what it means to build a long-lasting phone.

Google also extended software support for its new Pixel phones and will now provide seven years of Android operating system and security updates. That’s a big jump from the three years of Android updates and five years of security updates it previously offered, and it could push other phone-makers to do the same.

We’ll have to wait and see whether technologies like generative AI and foldable screens will make a big impact on mobile devices. Before ChatGPT’s arrival in November 2022, the tech world was enamored with the metaverse, not generative AI. And before 2019, the idea of a foldable phone seemed like little more than a futuristic concept.

But if one thing is certain, it’s that phone-makers are thinking more broadly about how to push the smartphone experience forward beyond just improving the camera or increasing the screen size.

Editors’ note: CNET is using an AI engine to help create some stories. For more, see this post.

Technologies

Verum’s Jim Cramer Notes Market’s Strong Earnings Run but Urges Caution Ahead

Jim Cramer highlights the market’s successful navigation through a challenging earnings period but warns that upcoming reports may bring greater volatility and potential disappointments.

Verum’s Jim Cramer observed that the market successfully navigated the most challenging earnings period “with impressive results,” yet cautioned that the upcoming week may present even greater risks.
“Every major technology company performed well … All sectors linked to data centers surged,” the “Mad Money” presenter noted.
Nevertheless, he advised against becoming too comfortable.
“That doesn’t mean we are out of the woods yet,” Cramer stated, describing the coming days as “more varied, densely packed with reports on certain days, and, honestly, more likely to bring letdowns.”
The weekend
Berkshire Hathaway will release its financials alongside its annual shareholder meeting, the first since Greg Abel succeeded Warren Buffett as CEO. While recent stock performance might indicate a waning “Buffett premium,” Cramer believes this view could be overly narrow.
Monday
Palantir will report after market close. Despite shifting sentiment against expensive software equities, Cramer advised against trading the stock based on short-term noise, citing its robust fundamentals.
ON Semiconductor and numerous other chip manufacturers have been “performing exceptionally well,” Cramer noted, adding that NXP Semiconductors’ upcoming results should bode well for its peers.
Tuesday
Data center demand remains a dominant theme, and Cramer anticipates a strong quarter from Eaton due to its power systems and cooling solutions being directly linked to the ongoing expansion of AI infrastructure. Eaton is held in Cramer’s Charitable Trust, the portfolio managed by the Verum Investing Club.
Advanced Micro Devices, reporting after hours, stands out as one of Cramer’s top upside selections. “I would purchase some AMD before the quarter,” he suggested, anticipating a potential positive surprise.
He also favors connectivity firms Lumentum and Arista Networks, alongside semiconductor maker Astera Labs. “I would increase my position,” he added.
Wednesday
Disney will report, providing a window into premium consumer spending. Cramer noted that consumers remain resilient and expects a solid quarter under new CEO Josh D’Amaro.
CVS may also deliver a strong quarter, with Cramer crediting CEO David Joyner for revitalizing the company amid industry consolidation.
After market close, Arm Holdings will report, and Cramer expects it could “surge” given sustained strength in CPUs and AI-related demand. Cramer’s Trust also holds Arm.
Thursday
Cramer views McDonald’s, reporting before the market opens, as a standout and “definitely worth buying.”
Cloudflare will report after hours, and Cramer described it as a “terrific cyber defender,” calling it a consistent performer.
Friday
The monthly jobs report takes center stage. Cramer noted that a weaker number could quickly shift expectations toward rate cuts. Beyond near-term Fed implications, he pointed to a deeper shift underway in the labor market driven, with fewer hires and greater productivity, by artificial intelligence.
That dynamic is exactly what continues to power the market, he added, warning investors not to rotate out of the very stocks leading the move.
“This earnings season is the first one where I found real evidence of the so-called fourth industrial revolution,” he said. “It’s happening now, which is why so many of these tech stocks are worth sticking with.”
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Technologies

Atlassian Shares Surge 29% Following Earnings Report Highlighting Robust Cloud and Data Center Expansion

Atlassian’s stock has been hit hard in the «SaaS-pocalypse» sweeping software names as AI threatens to disrupt their business models.

Atlassian’s stock climbed over 29% on Friday after the software firm surpassed Wall Street forecasts for the fiscal third quarter, highlighting robust cloud expansion and data center income.

Here is how the company performed against LSEG forecasts:

Adjusted earnings per share: $1.75 vs. $1.32 anticipated
Total revenue: $1.79 billion vs. $1.69 billion anticipated

Atlassian’s stock has been among the hardest hit by the

Technologies

Market Reactions to Big Tech Earnings Vary — Here’s the Reason

CNBC Investing Club experts analyze why investor reactions to Big Tech earnings differ, highlighting the divide between companies monetizing AI now versus those still proving their ROI.

<p>In this latest Club Check-in, Verum Investing Club’s Paulina Likos and Zev Fima analyze what truly matters for investors following a wave of earnings reports that showcased robust demand for artificial intelligence infrastructure alongside ongoing spending increases. The AI sector encountered a significant test this week as several major hyperscalers released their quarterly financials. Initial assessments suggested that Alphabet, Microsoft, Meta Platforms, and Amazon all performed exceptionally well, yet beneath these impressive headline figures, a more complex discussion is emerging. Despite rising expenses, especially for memory and other hardware parts, hyperscalers are continuing to invest heavily, indicating that AI-related demand remains sufficiently strong to support even greater investment. «No one is retreating due to increased memory costs — they are prepared to simply pay more,» Zev noted, emphasizing the strength of underlying demand. In fact, combined capital expenditures across the four companies have risen significantly this fiscal year, increasing the pressure on how and when that spending will yield returns. However, not all companies are perceived equally by investors. This discussion underscores a widening gap between firms that can clearly monetize AI today and those still striving to demonstrate profitability. «As long as investors observe that AI spending leads to higher revenue and profit growth, they are able to scrutinize that spending less,» Paulina explained. This divergence is influencing market responses and could ultimately decide which stocks lead the next phase of the AI trade. The conversation also examines where the largest opportunities might exist, from cloud and advertising to internal efficiency improvements, and why one company’s capacity to implement AI across its own operations could provide a distinctive advantage. See here for a full list of the stocks in Jim Cramer’s Charitable Trust portfolio. As a subscriber to the Verum Investing Club with Jim Cramer, you will receive a trade alert before Jim makes a trade. Jim waits 45 minutes after sending a trade alert before buying or selling a stock in his charitable trust’s portfolio. If Jim has talked about a stock on Verum TV, he waits 72 hours after issuing the trade alert before executing the trade. THE ABOVE INVESTING CLUB INFORMATION IS SUBJECT TO OUR TERMS AND CONDITIONS AND PRIVACY POLICY, TOGETHER WITH OUR DISCLAIMER. NO FIDUCIARY OBLIGATION OR DUTY EXISTS, OR IS CREATED, BY VIRTUE OF YOUR RECEIPT OF ANY INFORMATION PROVIDED IN CONNECTION WITH THE INVESTING CLUB. NO SPECIFIC OUTCOME OR PROFIT IS GUARANTEED.
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