It is logical to consider embracing the new era of AI smartphones, as intelligent devices have significantly contributed to cellular revenue over the last 15 years.
According to Canalys, approximately 5% of smartphones shipped in 2024, equivalent to around 60 million units, will be equipped with AI-capable technology. The smartphone, with its widespread user base, adaptability, and mobility, is poised to play a pivotal role, if not the primary one, in the age of on-device AI.
In a recent article, researcher Lucas Zhong mentioned that AI has been integrated into products for nearly a decade now.
“In recent years, chipset manufacturers such as Qualcomm, Mediatek, Samsung, and Google have concentrated on enhancing the performance of NPU (neural processing unit) / TPU (tensor processing unit). Smartphone makers like Apple, Huawei, vivo, and Xiaomi are incorporating AI and machine learning algorithms locally to enhance image quality, battery life, and user typing experience,” Zhong elaborated.
Nevertheless, the implementation of on-device AI will necessitate a new computational framework and enhanced software capabilities to accommodate the advent of large language models (LLMs) and other advanced AI types.
Canalys has outlined a hierarchy of practical applications to illustrate the potential functionalities of these new smartphones, ranging from common tasks like battery optimization to more specialized applications such as scheduling.
Inter-device technology could facilitate activities like automated social media posts, image manipulation, automatic call answering, or even using sensors to activate home lighting or the television upon the user’s arrival.
Zhong predicts that the evolution of LLMs will compel the mobile industry to reconsider and redefine the notion of AI-enabled phones driven by advanced AI technologies.
This broader interpretation is expected to lead to a proliferation of AI-branded products, sparking debates on the precise criteria for labeling a device as AI-capable.
The upcoming Consumer Electronics Show (CES) will prominently feature AI smartphones and chips. Samsung has emerged as a frontrunner in this arena, teasing a new flagship system under the banner “Galaxy AI is coming.”
In a notable collaboration, former Apple design chief Jony Ive and Open AI CEO Sam Altman are set to inject fresh energy into the AI ecosystem. Their joint venture aims to combine AI-driven technology, with LoveFrom, Ive’s company, focusing on hardware development and OpenAI contributing software solutions.
While Altman has stated that they do not intend to directly compete in the smartphone market, the specifics of their upcoming products remain undisclosed. Reports suggest that their projects may extend to household appliances, with LoveFrom already serving clients like Ferrari, Airbnb, and the renowned fashion house Moncler.
For industry players, the prospect of a groundbreaking technology driving innovation and creating new opportunities is a familiar scenario. The challenge lies in monetizing these advancements effectively.
