High-speed wireless connectivity and 5G cellular performance are the most difficult challenges to address, according to a survey of mobile device OEMs and suppliers. The global survey, commissioned by Molex, looks at the top trends and technologies in the mobile device industry five years out. The survey finds that form factors, disruptive features, and innovations will impact the future design of smartphones, smart wearables, and other mobile devices.
The report, The Future of Mobile Devices, conducted by Dimensional Research in July 2021, polled 207 qualified participants, including engineering, procurement, product, R&D, supply chain, innovation, or strategy roles. They were asked to identify features for future mobile devices and the barriers to their implementation.
Key findings include:
- 68% of respondents said consumers will have more smart devices by 2026
- 90% expect form factors to change as use cases evolve
- 77% of respondents believe the foldable phone will become the leading form factor of smartphones manufactured in 2026
- Innovations in data connectivity, wireless charging, and cameras will become prevalent
Click for a larger image. (Source: Molex)
When asked to name five of the most innovative or disruptive features most likely to be standard in a mobile device manufactured in 2026, self-charging (37%) and holographic or projection displays (36%) were the most anticipated features, followed by fully recyclable (32%), environment proof (31%), no-break displays (29%), and foldable devices (29%). Other notable features include pop-up cameras, health biosensors, rollable devices, and separation of device and display.
Click for a larger image. (Source: Molex)
The survey also finds that nearly two-thirds of respondents expect demand for novel wearables to grow, including smart clothing (40%), glasses (33%), earpieces (29%), and watches (29%). Typical consumers will likely have more specialized devices by 2026, according to 68% of respondents, while 64% believe smartphones with integrated capabilities will minimize or replace the need for tablets.
The top five features poised for the greatest amount of innovation in mobile devices manufactured in 2026, cited by respondents, are data connectivity (42%), wireless charging (36%), cameras (33%), Wi-Fi connectivity (28%). and built-in speakers (28%).
In addition, 82% of respondents expect consumers to reap significant benefits from 5G-enabled mobile devices by 2026. However, only 14% believe all smartphones will be 5G-enabled, and 64% believe more than three-fourths of smartphones will be.
The top enabling technologies that are expected to drive disruption in mobile device manufacturing include ultra-fast 5G or mmWave (42%), two-way wireless charging (30%), optical waveguides for smart glasses (30%), cameras with wafer-level optics (29%), nanoscale or micro-scale components (26%), and solid-state batteries (26%). Other technology disrupters cited include microLEDs and haptics (piezo actuators).
Click for a larger image. (Source: Molex)
Still, mobile device OEMs and their suppliers face several challenges. Ninety-six percent of respondents believe that technology challenges are slowing the delivery of smartphone and mobile device innovation.
According to the survey participants, the most difficult problems to address are performance of 5G cellular connectivity (37%), high-speed wireless charging (37%), battery life (36%), sustainability (35%) and inability to produce small components at the micro or nano scale (27%).
Click for a larger image. (Source: Molex)
Another challenge is form factors (screen size, shape, etc.), which are expected to evolve over the next five years. While 90% of respondents believe mobile devices will have different form factors, there isn’t a consensus on the changes. They are split between dramatically different user experience (glasses, watch or other wearables), different form factor but similar user experience, or slightly different (either larger or smaller).
When asked about the greatest barrier to innovation in smartphone technology, 93% of respondents report technology, customer, or pricing expectations are creating the barriers. According to 38% of respondents, consumer price expectations are preventing OEMs from adding more capabilities, while 32% believe that customers are currently satisfied and are not demanding innovation, and 23% said technology is not advanced enough to enable the features customers want.
Molex previously commissioned a survey on the future of cars. The global survey focused on top trends and technologies impacting “car of the future” strategies and business decisions.
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