What's the point of buying the latest smartphone?

Zoe Kleinman, the technology editor, recently reported on the exciting launch of new smartphones. Google has just revealed its latest Pixel 9 handsets, and it seems like the tech world is buzzing with anticipation for the new smartphone season. This time of year is when major tech companies pull out all the stops to convince consumers to upgrade their devices. Alongside Google, Apple has also unveiled the iPhone 16, and Samsung has introduced its new foldable phones, the Z Flip6 and Z Fold6. Huawei has joined the competition by showcasing a new device called the Mate XT in China, which features a unique design that allows the screen to fold into three sections. As smartphone sales have begun to slow down globally, the marketing strategies employed by these companies have become increasingly flashy and attention-grabbing. Apple’s CEO, Tim Cook, boldly claimed that the iPhone 16 would 'redefine what a smartphone would do,' leaving many to wonder what that actually entails. Meanwhile, Google’s Brian Rakowski praised the 'stunning' design of the Pixel 9, although some critics argue that it still resembles a standard black rectangle. Huawei has even gone so far as to create a catchy brand song that emphasizes the pursuit of dreams, which is quite a bold statement for a phone company. Both Apple and Google are heavily promoting their new smartphones' artificial intelligence features. Google’s Magic Editor allows users to enhance their photos by adding AI-generated content or removing unwanted elements, although the results can vary. On the other hand, Apple has integrated technology from OpenAI, the creators of ChatGPT, into its digital assistant, Siri, which many users believe has been in need of an upgrade for quite some time. However, the pressing question remains: do consumers actually desire all these new features? According to mobile phone expert Ben Wood from CCS Insight, camera quality is one of the primary factors that influence people's decisions when purchasing a new smartphone. He believes that most consumers have a clear idea of what they want, with a high-quality camera being a top priority. Phone manufacturers are well aware of this trend, and they typically make improvements to the camera specifications with each new model. However, even enhanced camera capabilities do not guarantee a surge in sales. Mr. Wood noted that consumers are increasingly holding onto their phones for longer periods. In 2013, approximately 30 million smartphones were sold annually, but this year, that figure is expected to drop to around 13. 5 million. The ongoing cost of living crisis is undoubtedly affecting consumers' spending habits, making them more cautious about purchasing new devices. Additionally, there is an environmental impact associated with smartphone production, as each device contains rare materials and precious metals. A growing number of parents and young people are also attempting to distance themselves from smartphones altogether. Several schools in the UK are reevaluating their smartphone policies, with some opting for outright bans. For instance, students entering the prestigious Eton school this term were provided with feature phones, which some people refer to as 'dumb phones. ' Other educational institutions, both private and public, are considering similar measures. The mobile phone network EE recommends that children under the age of 11 should not have smartphones. Nova East, who leads the Smartphone Free Childhood campaign in north and west London, advocates for collaboration between parents and schools to delay the age at which children receive smartphones. She stated, 'We are not anti-tech, we are just pro-childhood. ' Nova hopes that technology companies will develop child-friendly phones that offer only essential features such as calls, messaging, music, and maps, without any additional functionalities. Some advocacy groups are concerned that children are spending excessive amounts of time on their phones. Dr. Sasha Luccioni, a research scientist at Hugging Face, pointed out that while there is an increasing conversation about 'digital sobriety' and responsible technology use, smartphone designers seem to be moving in the opposite direction. I posed this question to representatives from Apple, Google, and Samsung. Samsung responded by stating that users have the flexibility to choose how they utilize their Galaxy phones, including the ability to set limits on screen time for specific applications. One company that is responding to the demand for simpler phones is HMD, which continues to manufacture basic Nokia handsets. Recently, they launched a Barbie-themed phone in collaboration with Mattel, and I had the opportunity to test it out. The two words I would use to describe it are functional and pink. Like most feature phones, it lacks apps, an app store, a selfie camera, and only includes one game. If you want to listen to music, there’s an FM radio. CCS Insight predicts that around 400,000 feature phones will be sold in the UK this year. While this number is not enough to dethrone the iPhone as the world’s most sold smartphone, it indicates that there is still a market for simpler devices. I recently checked my own screen time over the past week and discovered that I averaged about five hours a day on my phone. This was a sobering realization, but I assure you it wasn’t all mindless scrolling. My phone serves as a work tool, a means for banking, shopping, navigation, health tracking, and managing family schedules, in addition to gaming and social media. Pete Etchells, a professor of psychology and science communication, emphasized that we often overlook the numerous benefits of using smartphones. He remarked, 'We tend to focus a lot more on the negatives. It's always worth bearing in mind that these are technologies of convenience. They help us. There are some good aspects to them as well.