For years, big tech leaders have teased the “death of the smartphone.” Elon Musk promotes Neuralink brain implants, Mark Zuckerberg pushes AR glasses, and even Bill Gates joins the chorus. But what’s really happening?
Keith Shaw from Today in Tech sat down with IDC analyst Ramon Llamas to unpack whether smart glasses, AI devices, or wearables are ready to dethrone the smartphone. Spoiler: not quite yet.
Tech visionaries have something to sell
What always jumps out at me when people declare ‘the smartphone is dead’ is — who’s saying it? Every single one of them has something else to sell.
It’s a fair point. The hype often comes from those launching the next big thing. That doesn’t mean innovation isn’t real—it just means we should be cautious of over-promises.
Smartphones are still selling in the billions
According to Llamas, despite all the chatter, the smartphone market continues to move over a billion units annually. While the growth has slowed, the volume remains massive.
“From my cold, dead hands will you get my smartphone.”
This quote captures how deeply entrenched phones are in our lives. Their flexibility—calls, texts, social, GPS, media, even health tracking—makes them indispensable.
No clear successor on the horizon
So what replaces smartphones? That’s still unclear. Is it glasses, earbuds, smart pins, or something else? Each has promise, but all currently depend on the smartphone for full functionality.
Llamas pointed out how these devices offer fragmented experiences. Earbuds give audio and maybe health data, but not visuals. Smart pins are emerging but need infrastructure. AR glasses? Not there yet.
The case of smart earbuds and “earware”
While wearables like AirPods Pro add value—especially with features like hearing aid support—they’re not independent. They still rely on phones for processing power and connectivity.
At best, these devices give you partial experiences. Earbuds can’t deliver the full visual component.
Social acceptance is rising, especially for earbuds and headphones, but we’re far from a standalone audio assistant replacing your phone.
Smart glasses are promising—but limited
Meta’s Ray-Ban smart glasses, with voice control and AI support, offer a glimpse of what’s to come. But with no screens, they’re more like advanced cameras than true AR devices.
Battery life remains a hurdle. Even the best AR glasses top out around 6–8 hours with moderate use. Headsets like Apple Vision Pro or Meta Quest last 2–3 hours and aren’t practical for daily use outside the home.
Smart glasses might stretch their runtime to 7–8 hours with limited use, but full-day functionality? Still not there.
Why smartphones still dominate
The general-purpose nature of smartphones is hard to beat. From alarms to maps, from social media to high-res video, they remain unmatched in versatility.
As Llamas notes, even the most advanced wearables still route key functionality through a phone. Until a new device offers the same convenience, mobility, and power, the smartphone isn’t going anywhere.
Conclusion: Not dead—just evolving
While the tech landscape is evolving fast, the smartphone remains at the center of it all. The future might include glasses, earbuds, and implants—but for now, they’re accessories, not replacements.
As much as Elon, Mark, or anyone else might say otherwise, your phone isn’t obsolete. It’s just evolving.
