Smartphone Trends We Hope Die in 2026

Table of Contents

Smartphone Trends We Hope Die in 2026
- What smartphone trend would you like to die in 2026?
Realme GT7 Pro: Everything we certainly know about the upcoming flagship
Motorola is falling into the smartphone trap: gimmicks over greatness

7 Android Trends We’re Tired of (And What We Want Instead)

On the whole, 2025 was a pretty good year for Android phones. Some brands stepped up with more respectable update policies, a variety of manufacturers now offer phones with absolutely gigantic batteries, and top-end devices have a crazy amount of horsepower.

It’s not all sunshine and roses, though, as we also saw a number of disappointing practices across the industry in 2025. So hear are the smartphone trends that I don’t wont to see return in 2026.

What smartphone trend would you like to die in 2026?

poll Results:

* Proprietary chargers for maximum speeds: 16%
* Ultra-thin phones: 16%
* Peak speeds over sustained performance: 5%
* Cosmetic… (incomplete)

## 2. Ultra-thin phones

Android Authority

I was amazed by 40W wired charging back in 2018 when I bought my HUAWEI Mate 20 Pro, and I initially dismissed criticism that the phone charged extremely slowly via USB-PD. Fast-forward to 2025, though, and I’m downright annoyed when any phone doesn’t support super-fast charging via the user-amiable USB-PPS protocol. So I really hope we don’t see crappy speeds via this protocol in 2026.

The good news is that more brands have recently joined Google and Samsung in embracing fast charging via PPS. Phones like the Xiaomi 17 series and POCO F8 Ultra actually offer 100W speeds via PPS. Even devices like the OPPO Find X9 Pro and realme GT8 Pro offer up to 55W speeds via these plugs. unfortunately,the OnePlus 15 reportedly tops out at 36W via PPS, but 80 or 120W via the SuperVOOC adapter. Nevertheless, things are definitely moving in the right direction, but it’s time for a few stragglers to catch up.

Realme GT7 Pro: Everything we certainly know about the upcoming flagship

The Realme GT7 Pro is shaping up to be one of the most fascinating Android phones of early 2024. While details are still emerging, here’s a comprehensive look at everything we certainly know so far, combining official announcements with credible leaks.

Design and Display:

The Realme GT7 Pro is expected to feature a striking design, continuing Realme’s trend of bold aesthetics. leaks suggest a glass back with a unique camera module design, potentially inspired by luxury watches. It’s rumored to come in Silver and Green color options.

The display is tipped to be a 6.82-inch 1.5K (2780 x 1260) AMOLED panel with a 144Hz refresh rate. This promises vibrant colors, deep blacks, and smooth scrolling for an immersive viewing experience. The display is also expected to boast a peak brightness of 4,500 nits, ensuring excellent visibility even in direct sunlight.

Performance:

This is where the GT7 Pro gets really interesting. It will be one of the first phones powered by the new Snapdragon 8 Elite processor. This chip is Qualcomm’s answer to the Apple A17 Bionic, focusing on raw performance. However, early reports on phones with this chip suggest a potential trade-off: peak performance is remarkable, but sustained performance under heavy load can be limited by thermal throttling. Realme seems to be aware of this, and is reportedly implementing advanced cooling solutions (more on that below) to mitigate this issue.

The phone will likely be paired with up to 16GB of LPDDR5X RAM and up to 1TB of UFS 4.0 storage, ensuring lightning-fast app loading and multitasking.

Cameras:

Realme is positioning the GT7 Pro as a photography powerhouse. The camera system is expected to be headlined by a Sony LYT-900 50MP primary sensor, a 1-inch type sensor that should capture incredible detail and dynamic range.

The camera setup is also rumored to include:

* 50MP Ultrawide lens: For expansive landscape shots and group photos.
* 50MP Periscope Telephoto lens: Offering important optical zoom capabilities.

The front-facing camera is expected to be a 32MP sensor for high-quality selfies. Realme is also expected to incorporate advanced image processing algorithms to enhance photo and video quality.

Battery and Charging:

The Realme GT7 Pro is expected to pack a 5,000mAh battery, providing all-day battery life for most users. Though, the real star here is the charging speed. It’s rumored to support 120W wired charging, allowing you to fully charge the phone in under 30 minutes. 50W wireless charging is also expected.

Cooling System:

Addressing the potential thermal throttling issues with the Snapdragon 8 Elite, Realme is reportedly implementing a sophisticated cooling system. This includes a large vapor chamber, graphite sheets, and potentially even other advanced materials to dissipate heat effectively. Realme is claiming this cooling system will allow the GT7 Pro to maintain peak performance for longer periods.

Software:

The Realme GT7 Pro will likely run on realme UI 7, based on Android 14. Realme UI is known for its customization options and feature-rich experience.

Release Date and Price:

The Realme GT7 pro is expected to launch in early 2024, potentially as early as January.Pricing is still unknown, but given the high-end specs, it’s likely to be positioned as a premium flagship, potentially starting around $700-$800.

here’s a quick specs summary:

* display: 6.82-inch 1.5K AMOLED,144Hz refresh rate,4,500 nits peak brightness
* Processor: Snapdragon 8 Elite
* RAM: Up to 16GB LPDDR5X
* Storage: Up to 1TB UFS 4.0
* Rear Cameras: 50MP (LYT-900, 1-inch) + 50MP Ultrawide + 50MP periscope Telephoto
* Front Camera: 32MP
* battery: 5,000mAh
* Charging: 120W wired, 50W wireless
* Software: Realme UI 7 (Android 14)

Keep checking back as we learn more about the Realme

Motorola is falling into the smartphone trap: gimmicks over greatness

Motorola used to be a beacon of innovation, a company that understood what consumers really wanted from their phones. Now, it feels like they’re chasing trends and relying on gimmicks instead of building genuinely grate devices. The upcoming Moto G Stylus 2025 is a prime example of this worrying trend.

Let’s break down what’s happening and why it’s concerning.

1.The stylus… again?

The Moto G Stylus has always been a bit of an oddity. A stylus on a budget-to-midrange phone? It feels like a solution looking for a problem. While some might find it useful for quick notes or sketching, the vast majority of users will likely ignore it.Motorola continues to lean into this feature, seemingly believing it’s a major selling point. It’s not. It’s a niche feature that distracts from the core experience.

2. A 50MP camera isn’t enough anymore

A 50MP main camera is… fine. It’s expected in this price range.But Motorola is touting it as a major upgrade. It’s not. Everyone is putting 50MP cameras on their phones. What matters is the sensor size, image processing, and overall software optimization. Simply throwing a high megapixel count at the problem doesn’t magically make a phone a photography powerhouse.

3. Focusing on pointless features

Motorola is highlighting features like “Action Cam” and “Slow motion” video recording. These are nice-to-haves, but they’re not what people are clamoring for. Consumers want reliable performance, long battery life, a smooth user experience, and timely software updates. Motorola seems to be prioritizing flashy features over fundamental improvements. They’re trying to create viral moments instead of a consistently excellent product.

4. Cosmetic camera lenses

The camera bump on the Moto G Stylus 2025 is… large. and it doesn’t seem to serve any practical purpose. It’s purely aesthetic, a design choice that prioritizes looks over functionality. It’s a clear indication that Motorola is more concerned with how the phone appears to be capable than actually being capable. This is a frustrating trend in the industry, and Motorola is unfortunately participating.

Motorola needs to stop trying to compete on gimmicks and focus on building well-rounded,reliable smartphones. They need to prioritize software optimization, performance, and battery life. They need to offer a compelling user experience that goes beyond superficial features. Rather of chasing the latest trends, Motorola should focus on what made them great in the first place: delivering value and innovation. They need to build a cool device instead of trying to beat the iPhone for a cheap PR win.

## 6.AI as a smokescreen for no hardware upgrades

7 Smartphone Trends I Wish Would Die in 2026

Ryan Haines / Android Authority

AI is the buzzword of 2024 and 2025, and it’s already making its way into smartphones. Though, I’m worried that AI features will be used as a way to justify a lack of meaningful hardware upgrades. We’re already seeing this with some phones that boast impressive AI capabilities but offer the same processor and camera sensors as their predecessors.

I’m not saying AI isn’t valuable. On the contrary, I think it has the potential to significantly improve the smartphone experience. But it shouldn’t come at the expense of tangible improvements in other areas. I want to see phones with faster processors, better cameras, and longer battery life, *in addition* to AI features, not *instead* of them.

It’s a slippery slope. If manufacturers can convince consumers that AI is all that matters, they may be less inclined to invest in other areas of progress. And that would be a disservice to us all.

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7 Android Trends We’re Tired Of (And What We Want Instead)

7 Android Trends We’re Tired of (And What We Want Instead)

Android is a fantastic operating system, but it’s not without its quirks. Some trends have overstayed their welcome, and we’re ready for something new.Here are seven Android trends we’re tired of, and what we’d like to see rather.

1. The Megapixel race

For years, manufacturers have been obsessed with cramming more and more megapixels into smartphone cameras. While a higher megapixel count can result in more detailed photos,it’s not the be-all and end-all. Larger sensors and better image processing are far more important. We’re tired of seeing 200MP cameras that don’t actually take significantly better photos than 50MP or 108MP sensors.

What we want: Focus on sensor size, lens quality, and computational photography. Give us cameras that excel in low light and dynamic range, not just on a spec sheet.

2.Bloatware, Still!

Pre-installed apps, often called bloatware, continue to plague Android phones. While some are useful, manny are redundant or simply unwanted. they take up storage space and can even impact performance. It’s frustrating to pay for a phone and then have to spend time uninstalling apps you never asked for.

What we want: Phones with minimal pre-installed apps. Let us choose what we want to install, and give us the option to fully remove unwanted apps, not just disable them.

3. The Notch/Hole-Punch Obsession

We’ve gone from massive notches to smaller hole-punch cutouts, but neither is ideal. They interrupt the viewing experience and detract from the overall aesthetic. Under-display camera technology is improving, and it’s time to fully embrace it.

What we want: Truly bezel-less displays with under-display cameras that offer acceptable image quality. We’re willing to accept some compromises, but a clean, uninterrupted screen is worth it.

4. Incremental Updates

Each year, we see a slew of new Android phones that offer only minor improvements over their predecessors. A slightly faster processor, a marginally better camera, a tweaked design – it’s often not enough to justify an upgrade. We’re craving genuine innovation.

What we want: phones that push the boundaries of what’s possible. Bold new features, groundbreaking technologies, and significant performance gains. Surprise us!

5. The Folding Phone Price Tag

Folding phones are cool, but they’re still prohibitively expensive for most people.The high price tag limits their appeal and prevents them from becoming mainstream. While the technology is complex, prices need to come down significantly.

What we want: More affordable folding phones.As the technology matures, we expect prices to drop, making these innovative devices accessible to a wider audience.

6. Slow Software Updates

Android fragmentation remains a major issue.Many phones don’t receive timely software updates,leaving users vulnerable to security threats and missing out on new features. Google has made progress with Project Treble and Mainline,but more work needs to be done.

What we want: Faster and more consistent software updates. Manufacturers need to prioritize software support and ensure that their phones receive updates for at least five years.

Smartphones

7 Smartphone Trends I Wish Would Die in 2026