Not so long ago, our best phone guide had models of all shapes and sizes, from the Samsung Galaxy note in the shaped tablet to the iPhone 5C in bright colors.
These days, however, the flat metal sides, the rounded corners and the mute industrial colors are on the agenda, with a apparently priority practice and a discreet style on “Look at my new phone!” personality.
But is this homogeneity a bad thing? Despite their clarity, the best phones today (and the best -selling) are objectively higher aircraft to their most characteristic predecessors, and the best foldable phones (think of the Galaxy Z Flip 6) are ready and await those whose favor is fun with compliance.
To find out how you, our readers, think of the modern design of smartphones, we published an article in February encouraging you to have your say.
We led a survey in the Techradar Whatsapp channel next to this article, and 1,483 of you answered the question “What do you think of the flagship design of smartphones in 2025?”. Here are the results:
As you can see, an overwhelming majority of respondents – 915 (62%) – responded with the answer “The conceptions of modern smartphones are boring – I miss the variety!”. 235 Others (16%) have selected the third option – “Modern smartphones conceptions are boring, but I understand the need for conformity” – which means that 78% of respondents feel negatively about the state of the design of smartphones in 2025.
Only 204 respondents (14%) think that the design of smartphones is better than ever, while a still lower 129 (8%) thinks that there is still enough variety on the smartphones market. Just say that this will not provide a happy reading to manufacturers like Apple, Samsung and Google.
For almost all major brands, smartphones sales decrease regularly since 2021 (via ICIS), and it is clear that the innovative features of AI have not yet proven the development of industry, it was clearly hoped that they would be.
That said, it is difficult to point your finger on the boring smartphones conceptions like the only one – or even the main – reason for this downward trend.
Consumer purchase models have changed; It is no longer possible, or even advised, to replace your smartphone every two years, most consumers now choosing to do so after four or five.
Even the best inexpensive phones will now be supported with software updates up to seven years, and their chipsets and batteries are advanced enough to see this period with ease. Of course, modern smartphones are boring, but they are extremely practical and adapted to a goal – is it really important that they all look like?
This is a question that will undoubtedly play in the minds of business leaders through industry. Apple, for example, was criticized to stick to the same “boring” iPhone formula for too long, but will she risk playing with her golden goose for the good of variety? The latest rumors of the iPhone 17 suggest that this will be the case, although it is difficult to believe that a slightly more adventurous camera design will arouse a tidal wave of iPhone improvements.
As our survey shows, consumers are demanding something new – but an element of nostalgia is undoubtedly at stake here.
What do you think that smartphones manufacturers should do to spice up the stagnant smartphones market? Let us know in the comments.
