Smartphone Déjà vu
More iteration, less innovation
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’s upcoming iPhone 15 isn’t expected to change up things majorly — except perhaps for the switch from the Lightning connector to a USB-C port. Now, given that smartphone shipments have been declining for a while, it’s understandable if smartphone makers aren’t investing as much on R&D.
In fact, with the right to repair movement gaining steam, along with concerns about sustainability, smartphone makers should focus on making phones that last longer, instead of incremental improvements. For starters, more brands can extend the software updates for their phones. While Apple offers at least five years of support, Samsung, Oppo, and OnePlus now offer four years of Android OS updates. Hopefully, more smartphone makers will follow suit.
This week, we reviewed the new Nothing Phone 2 with its flashy LED lights, Xiaomi’s latest affordable tablet, and a Bosch vacuum that’s great for those with pets.
The new Nothing Phone 2 is a huge upgrade over the previous model. Gone are the mid-range specs, replaced by near-flagship hardware. The Glyph LED light system has been improved, while the battery life is excellent. The price, however, has also gone up significantly to S$999.
Xiaomi’s latest tablet remains as affordable as ever, despite the incremental upgrades. Its display and quad speakers make it a good entertainment device, but the accessories (keyboard cover and stylus) and the tablet’s multitasking features transform it into a decent slate for productivity.
As its name may suggest, the Bosch Unlimited 7 ProAnimal is great at removing animal fur. But it doesn’t work as well on carpets because the floor nozzle can only be pulled backwards on carpeted floors. That said, it does come with LED illumination, while its removable battery also works with other Bosch devices.