The smartphone market in 2024 is structured around three technical axes: the integration of artificial intelligence models directly on mobile chips, a European regulatory framework redefining device repairability, and a market polarization towards the premium segment. These developments are changing the design of phones, their lifecycle, and purchasing criteria.
On-device AI processing: what it concretely changes
The term on-device AI refers to the execution of artificial intelligence models directly on the smartphone’s processor, without reliance on a remote server. Samsung kicked things off with the Galaxy S24, which includes a live translation feature powered by a local model. Google and Apple followed suit with similar features in their respective ranges.
This local architecture presents a concrete advantage: latency decreases and personal data does not pass through third-party servers. For users, this translates into contextual suggestions in messaging apps, automatic photo sorting, or assisted editing, all without an active web connection.
Analysts covering news on Mobiles Infos are closely monitoring this shift towards local processing, as it reshapes the hierarchy among ranges: only high-end processors include a sufficiently powerful NPU to run these models smoothly. Entry-level chips remain dependent on the cloud, widening the functional gap between price segments.
Smartphone repairability: the new European regulatory framework
The European Union has adopted the Directive (EU) 2024/1799, known as the “Right to Repair,” coupled with the Ecodesign Regulation (EU) 2023/1670 specific to smartphones and tablets. These texts require manufacturers to provide spare parts (batteries, screens, cameras, charging ports) at what are termed “non-discriminatory” prices.
Supply timelines are regulated: between five and ten working days depending on the component. Software or hardware locks aimed at preventing independent repairs are prohibited, except for legitimate security or intellectual property reasons.
Impact on the refurbished market
This regulation acts as a catalyst for the European refurbished smartphone market. The guaranteed availability of parts reduces the risk for professional refurbishers, who can now plan their component stocks. The refurbished market is polarizing towards newer 5G models, indicating that second-hand buyers are upgrading.
For companies managing a fleet of mobiles, this directive also changes lifecycle management: extending a device’s life by two years becomes economically rational when the replacement battery is available at a regulated price.
Long-term software updates: a structuring purchasing criterion
Apple has long offered iOS updates across five to six generations of iPhones. Samsung has aligned by promising seven years of system and security updates on its Galaxy S24 models. Google offers a similar guarantee for the Pixel range.
This change has direct consequences on mobile application development. Developers can target newer OS versions without excluding a massive share of users, simplifying compatibility management. For enterprise IT solutions, a smartphone maintained for seven years reduces the total cost of ownership and facilitates budget planning.
- Samsung Galaxy S24: seven years of system and security updates, aligning with Apple’s policy
- Google Pixel: equivalent guarantee, with monthly security patches from launch
- Third-party manufacturers (OnePlus, Nothing): variable promises, generally three to four years of major updates
Foldable smartphones: price drops and format maturity
The foldable smartphone segment continues to grow, with an annual growth rate exceeding twenty percent according to market projections. Samsung remains the main player in the “book-style” format (screen that opens like a book), holding the second position globally in this niche.
The gradual decrease in prices makes these devices accessible beyond the ultra-premium segment. Flip models find a different audience than large-screen formats, often oriented towards compactness rather than productivity.
Persistent technical limitations
The central crease of the screen remains visible on most models. The durability of the hinge determines the actual longevity of the device, and user feedback after two years of intensive use remains poorly documented. The weight, which is higher than that of a standard smartphone, is a barrier for some users.
- Book-style format: productivity and multitasking, but increased thickness and weight
- Flip format: compactness for daily use, limited functionality on the exterior screen
- Repairability: foldable screens cost significantly more to replace than standard panels, a point that the European directive has not yet fully resolved
Market polarization towards the premium segment
Data from the Indian market illustrates a global trend: the overall market value is increasing even as sales volumes decline. The super-premium segment (beyond a certain price threshold) has seen a significant rise, while the entry-level segment is contracting.
This polarization is explained by the convergence of several factors: renewal cycles are lengthening due to long-term updates, consumers changing phones are opting for more expensive models, and on-device AI functions are only available on higher-end ranges. The entry-level smartphone is losing functional attractiveness compared to a premium model kept for a longer time.
The tablet market is following a parallel trajectory, with services and mobile applications requiring recent processors to function properly. The boundary between high-end smartphones and compact tablets continues to blur, especially with large-screen foldable formats.
The combination of the European regulatory framework, the lengthening of software support cycles, and the rise of local AI processing is redefining choice criteria. A smartphone purchased in 2024 with seven years of updates and parts available throughout that duration represents a different kind of investment than what the market offered three years ago.
