2025 was a year of mixed emotions for me as a tech enthusiast, both personally and professionally. While I made some exciting personal tech purchases, such as a new coffee decanter and an audiophile stereo system, the tech industry itself left me feeling a bit underwhelmed.
The Nintendo Switch 2 and the iPad Pro M4 were both upgrades that didn’t quite meet my expectations. Even the iPhone 17 Pro, with its impressive selfie camera and vibrant orange color, felt like more of the same from Apple.
As I delved deeper into the tech world professionally, I found myself facing a year filled with uninspiring smartphone releases. Samsung and Google seemed to be treading water with their 2025 line-ups, offering little innovation or improvement over previous models.
While some manufacturers like OnePlus and Nothing attempted to introduce new features, they often fell short, leaving me longing for the days of more groundbreaking smartphone designs.
However, amidst the sea of mundane releases, there were glimmers of hope for the future of smartphones. Battery life saw significant improvements in 2025, hinting at a potential shift towards longer-lasting devices in the coming years.
Additionally, foldable phones began to gain traction, with Samsung’s Galaxy Z Fold 7 and Google’s Pixel 10 Pro Fold leading the charge. The emergence of the Samsung Galaxy Z TriFold and rumors of an Apple foldable iPhone hinted at a more exciting future for smartphone design.
While 2025 may have been a lackluster year in tech, there is optimism for the year ahead. With the promise of improved battery life, innovative foldable designs, and the potential for mainstream adoption, 2026 could bring about the much-needed shake-up the industry craves.
