My Big Tech Wish for 2026: I Just Want a Phone that Excites Me
In 2025, the tech landscape was a bit of a mixed bag for me as a tech enthusiast in both my personal and professional life. While I made some exciting personal purchases like a Hario coffee decanter and delved into the world of audiophile stereo systems, the tech I typically write about left me feeling a bit underwhelmed.
The release of the Nintendo Switch 2 and the iPad Pro M4 with an OLED display didn’t quite meet my expectations. Even the iPhone 17 Pro, which I purchased for daily use and as a benchmark for flagship phone reviews, while impressive with its orange color and selfie camera, still felt like just another iPhone.
2025 seemed to be a rather dull year for smartphones overall. Major players like Samsung and Google seemed to be treading water with their 2025 line-ups, offering incremental updates rather than groundbreaking innovations. The Google Pixel 10 series, for example, added Qi2 support and a dedicated telephoto camera but saw a decline in the quality of its main sensor.
Other manufacturers, like OnePlus and Nothing, also failed to impress with their offerings. The design of smartphones in general seemed to be stagnating, with most devices adopting a similar aesthetic to the iPhone. Even the Xiaomi 17, with its secondary display, didn’t stray far from the familiar smartphone design.
Looking ahead to 2026, there are some reasons for optimism in the world of smartphones. One area that saw significant improvement in 2025 was battery life. Despite some setbacks in other aspects, the OnePlus 15 showcased impressive battery life that could potentially last for days on a single charge. This advancement is a welcome change considering the diminishing battery life of modern smartphones.
Foldable phones also showed promise in 2025, with devices like the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 7 and Google Pixel 10 Pro Fold offering innovative designs and features. The emergence of the Samsung Galaxy Z TriFold hinted at the potential for foldables to become more mainstream in 2026, especially with rumors of Apple launching its own foldable iPhone.
While 2025 may have been a lackluster year for smartphones, the anticipation for 2026 is high. With the potential for improved battery life, innovative foldable designs, and hopefully more substantial advancements, the coming year holds promise for more exciting developments in the world of consumer technology.
