Smartphone trends in 2026: Five factors to keep an eye on this year

Lots of people keep in touch with the latest trends, whether it’s the latest style of jeans, the latest hairstyle or the latest trinket to collect. But many don’t think of the trends our phones follow, even though we carry around and interact with them every day. So let’s dive in and see what 2026 holds for phone trends. 

1. Using AI as a personal assistant

You don’t need ChatGPT to tell you that AI is everywhere, from commercials to a simple Google search. Many of the latest phone models feature AI in some capacity, whether it’s Apple Intelligence on iPhone 17 or Google’s Gemini on the Google Pixel Pro 10. AI in phones can be used to edit photos, predict your next text or give you the CliffsNotes on what you search. It’s basically a little assistant right in your pocket. One especially cool feature popping up in new phones like the Pixel and Galaxy S26 series is the ability to translate in real time, which means calls can be translated as you’re taking them.

2. Longer-lasting battery life

Despite getting thinner (and making phones thinner, too), today’s phone batteries are more powerful than ever, like those featured in iPhone Air. Batteries in the latest phone models can now remain charged up to days thanks to silicon-carbon batteries, which are made of silicon anodes. Manufacturers can pack higher energy density into smaller footprints. These batteries can hold more lithium ions than their predecessors, which enables even the thinnest models to last past the 48-hour mark on one charge. We love science.

3. Enhanced built-in security features

Phones have only become more and more important to our day-to-day lives, so it makes sense that security would be beefed up, too. Today’s phones offer features like theft detection, which will lock your phone when it rapidly moves away from you after being stolen, and features like Memory Integrity Enforcement on iPhone 17 Pro Max that protects against memory-based spyware (spyware that goes after your phone’s memory) by creating a “physical wall” around your RAM. This prevents “zero click” spyware from hiding in your phone’s memory. It’s a security structural change, not just a software update. Fancy, huh?

4. The use of dumb phones

On the flip side of all these technological advancements, many Gen Zers (and phone users of other generations) are embracing dumb phones, whether it’s to digitally detox, stop doomscrolling or just throw it back to the days when phones could only call or text. Luckily, you don’t have to buy a special phone to have a dumb phone. You can turn any iPhone or Android phone into a dumb phone, like Samsung Galaxy A36, with just a few tweaks to their settings. 

5. Popularity of foldable phones

People are yearning for the flip phones of old (and dramatically flipping them shut). Foldable phones like Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 7 are all the rage, and phone manufacturers are working on all sorts of new flexible screens and better hinges and connectors to deliver the ultimate hybrid experience: a big, tablet-sized display that folds into a compact, pocket-friendly phone. These foldable phones are popular for their novelty, nostalgia and built-in stand functionality. 

Which phone trend fits your lifestyle?

Whether you love the idea of an AI assistant in your pocket or want the complete opposite in a minimalist dumb phone, one of these 2026 trends is sure to have the perfect fit for you. You can find many of the latest smartphone trends within the various models we sell in our phone store.

But you know what we’ve never considered a trend? Affordable wireless. Tap the button below to learn more about our plans and why you should consider Mint Mobile.