If we had to describe this year’s smartphones with a single word, it would probably be “iterative”. Take the new Samsung foldable phones revealed at last week’s Galaxy Unpacked event. The Galaxy Z Fold 5 and Z Flip 5 more or less resemble previous models. Except for the larger Cover Screen on the Z Flip 5, the upgrades are incremental.
But it’s unrealistic to expect smartphones to maintain the same breakneck pace of innovation. Even in the relatively new foldables segment, manufacturers seem to have settled on the two form factors popularised by Samsung’s Fold and Flip series. The more unusual designs, like a trifold display or a rollable screen have remained interesting concepts.
As for standard smartphones, it’s more of the same. The phones get faster, last longer, and screens are brighter. But they feel largely the same to the average consumer. Even Apple’…
