Smartphones have change into a bit predictable. With each flagship cellphone launch, I discover myself craving for one thing extra or lacking one thing that used to genuinely excite me about utilizing a smartphone. So, what would it not take for me to really feel that spark as soon as extra? Properly, I’ve bought a number of concepts…

8

A High-Finish Chipset

Solely three chips would make the minimize for my splendid cellphone: the Snapdragon 8 Elite (Gen 4), the Apple A18 Professional, and the MediaTek Dimensity 9400. But when I had to decide on, I’d go along with the Snapdragon. This chip runs quicker and makes use of much less energy than the earlier iteration (Gen 3). It delivers a forty five% increase in efficiency and 44% higher energy effectivity than the final model, principally due to its new Oryon CPU design.

The Adreno 830 GPU additionally deserves a shoutout. It makes use of a sliced structure, which quickens graphics rendering by 40% with out draining extra battery. The Hexagon NPU cranks up AI efficiency by 45%. This improve isn’t only for present—it powers options like AI-driven images tweaks that make pictures look higher with out a lot effort.

7

At Least 10 Years of Safety Updates

The trade normal proper now could be about three to 5 years of safety updates. That sounds first rate till you understand it’s nonetheless far lower than the lifespan of the {hardware}. Most telephones can simply chug alongside for seven to 10 years, particularly as processors and RAM have change into absurdly highly effective. Nonetheless, the dearth of safety updates forces individuals to improve. It’s planned obsolescence disguised as “innovation.”

And no, earlier than you say it, this isn’t an unimaginable ask. Google already gives seven years on its Pixels 8 and 8 Pro and newer fashions. Apple routinely helps iPhones for six to eight years, and Samsung has stretched its updates to seven years as nicely. So why cease in need of 10? If a fridge, a laptop computer, or perhaps a fundamental dwelling router can final that lengthy, why ought to a smartphone—probably the most superior items of client tech—be any completely different?

6

A Battery That Lasts 24 Hours on a Single Cost

My previous Nokia from 2005 (Nokia 3310) may run on a full cost for per week, but an virtually $1,500 Samsung S25 Extremely can barely make it by way of one busy day with out gasping for electrons. Producers like to brag about quicker charging speeds, however I’d slightly not should cost my cellphone so usually within the first place.

Solid-state batteries may change that. These use a stable electrolyte as an alternative of the liquid one present in lithium-ion batteries. They’re safer, extra environment friendly, and might pack extra power right into a smaller house. In different phrases, they might simply energy a cellphone for twenty-four hours or extra. However they’re costly to provide, and producers would slightly keep on with what’s low cost and acquainted.

5

A Modding and Root-Pleasant Smartphone

I miss when telephones had been enjoyable. When you might tinker with them, make them your individual, and push them past what the producer meant. It appears like ages in the past. Nowadays, most smartphones are locked down tight, making it virtually unimaginable to customise something past wallpapers and widgets.

I desire a cellphone that doesn’t simply tolerate modding however encourages it. I desire a cellphone that ships with an unlocked bootloader by default and no warranty-voiding nonsense. A cellphone that gives detailed documentation for builders and tinkerers, laying out each nook and cranny of its {hardware} and software program.

The {hardware} must also be designed to be fastened, upgraded, and experimented on. Which means normal screws as an alternative of glue, replaceable batteries, and storage that isn’t soldered in. A cellphone that permits you to swap out modules—like completely different digicam sensors, customized DACs for audiophiles, or perhaps a extra highly effective cooling system for cellular gaming.

That sort of cellphone would thrive on group innovation. Official boards the place builders and customers can collaborate, a firmware repository with easy accessibility to previous variations, and even producer assist for third-party ROMs. Possibly even an in-device toggle to modify between inventory and community-built software program with out wiping every part.

4

The Return of the three.5mm Headphone Jack

The headphone jack was by no means outdated. It didn’t instantly cease working. It wasn’t holding again innovation. Actually, it was probably the most sensible encompasses a smartphone ever had. Excessive-quality wired audio? Examine. No latency? Examine. Common compatibility? Examine.

So why did cellphone makers kill the jack within the first place? The official excuse was “house financial savings” and “higher water resistance.” However I do not suppose that basically holds up. Loads of telephones nonetheless had room for styluses, periscope cameras, and a number of lenses. And waterproof telephones with headphone jacks existed (and fared nicely) lengthy earlier than the trade determined to ax them.

I assume the true motive is cash. By forcing individuals into the wi-fi ecosystem, producers may promote extra earbuds, extra dongles, and extra proprietary equipment. Some issues had been already excellent, and the three.5mm jack was one in all them.

3

FM Radio

I am in my late 20s, and I bear in mind a time when each cellphone available in the market had an in-built FM radio. You didn’t want an information plan. You didn’t want Wi-Fi. You simply plugged in your headphones (some telephones did not even want you to), and bought free music, information, and emergency broadcasts, straight from the airwaves. It was easy and dependable. After which, slowly, producers began ripping it away.

I can’t assist however really feel like we have been robbed of one thing so easy but so worthwhile. Bringing again FM radio on smartphones wouldn’t value producers a dime, but it surely may imply every part to me, who needs a little bit extra independence from the web.

2

An IR Blaster for Common Distant Management Performance

I used to personal a Xiaomi Redmi Notice 9 Professional about 5 years in the past, and I’d argue that the IR blaster was probably the most underrated options ever to grace a cellphone. In the course of the time I had it, I hardly used the distant controls for any of my home equipment at dwelling, and I’m not simply speaking about TVs—I am speaking about air conditioners, projectors, sound programs—mainly, something that makes use of an infrared distant.

That’s a degree of comfort that no good dwelling app can match. Should you ask me why, it is as a result of it doesn’t depend upon Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, and even an web connection. And it really works quick. I miss that simplicity, and for those who’ve ever used a cellphone with one, I wager you do, too.

1

A Nice Digital camera With Solely One Lens

I take into account the iPhone XR digicam fairly good. It had only one digicam on the again, and it took nice pictures while not having a bunch of additional lenses. However immediately, each new flagship cellphone boasts three, 4 and even 5 cameras, every claiming to do one thing particular.

I’d slightly have one wonderful digicam sensor that does all of it. A single, high-quality sensor with one of the best picture processing software program may probably outperform this multi-lens craze. Fewer lenses would additionally imply a slimmer cellphone design—no extra digicam bumps large enough to make your cellphone wobble on a desk. With only one lens to concentrate on, producers may pour all their sources into perfecting that one sensor—higher {hardware}, smarter software program, and fewer gimmicks.