7 Smartphone Features Trends In 2017-18

7 Smartphone Features Trends In 2017-18

Catching up with the rapid development of Smartphone technology is never easy as every new smartphone releases with features greater than previous ones. Not just hardware is improving; new functionalities are also being developed to address the demands and requirements of consumers. Hence, let us have a look at the possible advanced developments that are most likely to set the trends commanding the smartphone sales in 2018.

  1. Dual Camera:
    According to a survey, many smartphone users decide whether to buy a smartphone or not on the basis of camera module. The size and structure of smartphone leaves limited scope for changing the size of the aperture similar to professional camera lenses.

    However, a fixed aperture cannot achieve a certain change of the depth of field. This creates the need for the second camera lens which important for achieving the depth of field.

    The three types of dual camera solutions include:

    • Main camera lens is coupled with another lens just for recording the depth of field. Despite being the earliest developed solution, it is used by very few smartphones due to its limited capability.
    • Camera with traditional RGB color sensor coupled with a camera with a monochrome sensor.
    • Wide angle lens coupled with a telephoto lens.
  2. Larger screen-to-body ratio:
    Nowadays, various smartphone manufacturers are attempting to achieve large screen-to-body ratio and also smaller bezel. It is a reality today, with dual curve display phones being available. Today several smartphones with large screen-to-body ratio are releasing nowadays. People are responding positively to this change. It is set to trend next year.
  3. Fine-tuning of form factor:
    One may not expect any drastic changes to the current trends surrounding the body design of smartphones but there can be more fine-tuning of the form factor. Nowadays, glass bodies are replacing metal bodies. More curves are there on glass body design that makes it more comfortable for users to hold a smartphone. Some smartphones also have antenna lines moved towards the edges of the display.

    Contrary to online rumors, plastic is less likely to be used it can lose shape in extreme heat. Recently some phones had a ceramic body but it is unlikely to become a popular trend as ceramic is costly and its mass production is difficult. However, one can expect smartphone manufacturers to continue to strike a balance between corners and curves in the body design. Innovations like smaller second screen on the back of phones are also possible.

  4. Under-glass fingerprint sensor:
    Today, fingerprint recognition is one of the most popular ways to verify user identity for his/her smartphone. It is evolving every day. Most of the new smartphones in the market have a capacitive fingerprint scanner.

    Location and form factor of fingerprint sensor does change. Nowadays most of the smartphones have a fingerprint sensor on the front instead of the back. The technology of under-glass fingerprint sensor is also being used by many phones. With ultrasonic under-glass fingerprint sensor recognizing wet fingers too, they have an edge over capacitive scanner. Hence, they are likely to replace the capacitive scanner once the ultrasonic technology becomes more advanced.

  5. Iris scanner and face recognition:
    Apart from fingerprint recognition, smartphone companies are embarking on other ventures such as face recognition and iris scanners. Iris recognition is considered as one of the most accurate biometric modalities.

    Fingerprints can be faked but the same is not possible for a retina scan. Only living persons can use iris recognition because, after the death of a person, iris disappears after pupillary dilation. The elaborate “distinctive characteristics” of Iris recognition technology for detection are more accurate.

  6. Bluetooth earbuds and headphones:
    Listening to music on a smartphone is common. 3.5mm jack is necessary for connecting earphone. But they make the smartphone thick. Removing them can make phone thinner but create problems regarding sound quality, power efficiency and compatibility of headphones as well as earbuds.

    Another universal jack for audio output cannot be possible due to size constraints of the phone. That is why Bluetooth earbuds and headphones are necessary. Hence, it is natural for Smartphone companies to explore and encourage the Bluetooth technology (like high-resolution Bluetooth audio codec) for listening to music.

  7. Augmented Reality:
    Gradually, more and more smartphones featuring Augmented Reality (AR) are coming out. AR is heavily used in maps and games this trend is going to rise in the coming days. Arrows will guide users, the route via the camera on a map application. Recently, Google and Apple started their AR technology related ventures namely Project Tango and ARKit respectively. AR will appear in near future with new improvements and advanced features.

Which of these possible trends are you looking forward to witness? Which trend are you excited about? Post your comments.

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