Foldables and AI Struggle as Drivers for the Next Smartphone Upgrade
Phone makers are betting heavily on the foldable phone upgrade and AI phone features, but most owners remain unconvinced. CNET’s latest survey shows that only 12% of smartphone users say AI integrations would motivate them to consider a new device, and just 13% are tempted by new phone concepts such as flip or foldable designs. That is a stark contrast with the main smartphone upgrade reasons cited by respondents: price (55%), longer battery life (52%) and more storage (38%) still dominate. Despite aggressive marketing around features like object-removal in photos, custom emoji and live translation, these capabilities are not yet seen as must‑have. Instead, consumers appear to treat them as nice extras layered on top of basics that still matter more. The result is a widening gap between what brands highlight in their launches and what actually nudges buyers toward the checkout.
Why Foldable Designs Aren’t Winning Over Mainstream Buyers
Foldable phones are marketed as the future of mobile computing, promising big‑screen productivity in a pocketable form factor. Rumors of a book‑style iPhone and clamshell designs, alongside devices like Samsung’s Galaxy Z Fold line and a new Motorola Razr, show how seriously manufacturers take this category. Yet only a small slice of consumers see a foldable phone upgrade as compelling. While the survey does not list every concern explicitly, three barriers stand out in today’s consumer tech trends: perceived fragility, high prices and a lack of clear everyday advantages over standard slabs. Without obvious, unique experiences—beyond a larger screen—that solve real problems, foldables risk being viewed as experimental luxuries rather than essential upgrades. Until brands can prove durability over years of use and deliver must‑have software experiences tailored to folding designs, most people are likely to stick with conventional phones they trust.
AI Phone Features Are Extra, Not Essential
AI is everywhere in phone marketing, from branded experiences like Apple Intelligence to AI call screening and auto‑drafted messages. However, in real‑world upgrade decisions, AI phone features remain a secondary factor. According to CNET’s survey, only 12% of smartphone owners identify AI integrations as a reason to consider a new device, even after years of hype. Interest in AI as an upgrade trigger actually dropped sharply between 2024 and 2025 before edging up slightly in 2026. That suggests that many users view AI tools as incremental enhancements that improve tasks they already perform—editing photos, replying to texts—rather than transformative capabilities that justify a costly new phone. As long as AI remains framed as convenience rather than necessity, it will likely lag behind fundamentals like price, battery life and storage when people weigh whether to replace a working handset.
Battery, Camera and Value Still Define Smartphone Upgrade Reasons
Despite constant innovation, the core smartphone upgrade reasons look remarkably stable. The CNET survey shows that, for several years running, price, longer battery life and more storage have been the top three motivators. Over half of current owners are frustrated with their phone’s battery, and nearly one‑third say it no longer holds a charge like it did when new. That puts endurance at the heart of many buying decisions, ahead of flashy design tweaks. Camera features (27%) and display or screen size (22%) also rank higher than AI integrations or novel form factors, underscoring how people prioritize daily utility—better photos, easier viewing and fewer charging breaks. Even at the high end, long‑lasting devices like the iPhone 17 Pro Max and OnePlus 15, which pair large batteries with efficient hardware, illustrate how performance gains that users feel every day can justify premium positioning far more than experimental features.
Slower Innovation and Market Saturation Reduce Upgrade Urgency
The smartphone market is mature, and that maturity is reshaping consumer behavior. Many people already own capable devices, and year‑over‑year improvements feel incremental rather than revolutionary. CNET’s multiyear survey trend—where the same practical motivators keep topping the list—suggests a slowing innovation cycle in the eyes of buyers. New designs and AI capabilities may be technically impressive, but they don’t always translate into real‑world gains large enough to warrant an immediate switch. At the same time, rising base prices for flagship models, such as the iPhone 17 at USD 800 (approx. RM3,680) and Samsung Galaxy S26 at USD 900 (approx. RM4,140), increase the threshold for what counts as a meaningful upgrade. In this environment, consumers are more likely to hold onto phones longer, replacing them only when battery wear, storage limits or clear value improvements make the trade‑off impossible to ignore.