“Smartphones are doomed”: Tech leaders warn you’re not ready for what’s next

Imagine this: the device that’s rarely out of reach—your smartphone—someday gathering dust next to your old flip phone. It may sound unlikely, but some of the tech industry’s top voices have suggested that the days of the smartphone could be numbered.

The Post-Smartphone Era: Is It Coming?

It’s rare to see Elon Musk, Bill Gates, Mark Zuckerberg, and Sam Altman align on a major trend, but they’ve all expressed the belief that the smartphone’s reign could wind down in the not-too-distant future. Meanwhile, Apple CEO Tim Cook has doubled down on his belief that smartphones will remain central to our lives for years to come, signaling a stark divide among tech’s most influential leaders.

Rethinking the Device: What Comes After the Smartphone?

These leaders see the next big thing in tech taking very different forms:

Elon Musk, known for pushing boundaries at companies like Neuralink, has suggested that brain-computer interfaces could one day render smartphones obsolete. Through implants that let users control devices with their thoughts, Musk believes we may soon move past screens and touch altogether. As of now, two individuals have reportedly received such implants, showcasing early progress on this ambitious vision.

Bill Gates has put his support behind electronic tattoos, developed by Chaotic Moon. These tattoos feature nanocensors that collect, transmit, and receive data. Gates believes such technology could transform healthcare, tracking, and communication, reducing our reliance on traditional handheld devices.

Mark Zuckerberg, CEO of Meta, has forecasted that by 2030, augmented reality glasses could take over as the dominant computing platform. Zuckerberg says these glasses would enable hands-free interaction, handling tasks now done on smartphones—from communication to entertainment—more seamlessly.

The Apple Strategy: Betting on Smartphones to Endure

In contrast, Tim Cook has stayed focused on evolving the smartphone itself. Under his leadership, Apple has continued to innovate, as seen with the launch of the iPhone 16, featuring advanced artificial intelligence designed to enhance everyday use. Cook says Apple is committed to ensuring their devices stay not only relevant but essential, with smartphones working alongside new technologies like AR and AI instead of being replaced by them.

Cook has emphasized Apple’s focus on quality and usefulness, confident that smartphones will continue to complement future tech and remain a key part of daily life.

A Turning Point or Coexistence?

Will these experimental technologies push smartphones into the past, or will familiar devices adapt and thrive alongside new innovations? Musk, Gates, Zuckerberg, and Altman are looking to radically reshape how we interact with technology, while Cook and Apple are betting on the lasting appeal of a well-known device, even as the digital world changes. The only certainty is that change is constant—and surprises are always just around the corner in this industry.

Stay tuned: The next chapter for technology could involve mind interfaces, digital tattoos, or smart glasses—or maybe all three, working alongside the smartphone you rely on today.

For ongoing coverage of AR, innovation, and the latest in tech, Glass Almanac will keep you updated on what’s next—and what might just become history.