In my personal and professional life, the year 2025 brought a mix of excitement and disappointment in the world of technology. From simple pleasures like my new Hario coffee decanter to indulging in high-end audiophile stereo equipment, my personal tech purchases were a highlight. However, when it came to the tech I write about professionally, the year left much to be desired.
The release of the Nintendo Switch 2 and the iPad Pro M4 with an OLED display did not quite meet my expectations. Even the iPhone 17 Pro, though impressive with its orange color and selfie camera, felt like more of the same from Apple.
The smartphone market in 2025 felt stagnant, with major players like Samsung and Google offering incremental updates to their existing line-ups. The Google Pixel 10 series, for example, introduced some new features but also saw a decline in camera quality. Similarly, the OnePlus 15 received praise but fell short in terms of camera and screen quality compared to its predecessors.
In a year where smartphone design seemed to lack innovation, the industry as a whole appeared to be moving towards a standardized look, heavily influenced by the iPhone design. The Xiaomi 17, while introducing a secondary display, still followed the trend of resembling the iPhone 17 Pro.
Looking ahead to 2026, there are reasons to be hopeful for the future of smartphones. One notable advancement in 2025 was the significant improvement in battery life, with phones like the OnePlus 15 offering extended usage without constant recharging. This progress in battery technology signals a positive shift towards longer-lasting devices.
Foldable smartphones also showed promise in 2025, with products like the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 7 and the Google Pixel 10 Pro Fold pushing the boundaries of design and functionality. The introduction of the Samsung Galaxy Z TriFold hinted at the potential for foldable devices to become mainstream, especially with rumors of Apple entering the foldable market in the near future.
While 2025 may have been a lackluster year in tech, the prospects for 2026 seem more promising. With advancements in battery life and the potential for foldable smartphones to go mainstream, there is hope for more significant innovations in the coming year.