The global smartphone market showed signs of recovery in 2024, after several quarters of decline. Major manufacturers, Samsung, Apple, Google, and Xiaomi, aligned their launches around a few recurring technical themes: embedded artificial intelligence, a universal connector mandated by European regulations, and the upgrading of camera sensors. The regulatory context also influenced industrial choices, with new obligations coming into effect in the European Union.
Mandatory USB-C connector: what the European directive changes for smartphones
Among the notable events of the year, USB-C became mandatory for new smartphones sold in the EU starting December 28, 2024. Apple had to abandon Lightning on its iPhones, a shift that has been anticipated for years by European consumers.
The directive is not limited to the shape of the connector. It also provides for the harmonization of fast charging and information for buyers, including the possibility of selling devices without a charger in the box to limit electronic waste. To keep up with the news of these technical developments over the months, analyses published on mobiles-infos.com allow for cross-referencing manufacturer announcements and regulatory obligations.
This regulatory framework has pushed several brands to rethink their accessory ranges. Third-party charger manufacturers have taken the opportunity to offer multi-device compatible blocks, enhancing interoperability between smartphones, tablets, and laptops.
Embedded AI on smartphones: beyond the announcement effect
Samsung kicked off in January with the Galaxy S24 Ultra, featuring live translation functions powered by a local AI model. Google followed with its Pixels, focusing on automated photo editing capabilities and text summarization directly on the device, without going through a remote server.
Apple integrated similar functions into iOS 18, grouped under the label “Apple Intelligence.” The approach differs: Apple emphasizes local processing of personal data, while Samsung and Google combine embedded computing with occasional cloud calls.
What local AI concretely changes
On-device processing reduces latency and limits exposure of personal data. Real-time translation during a phone call, offered by Samsung, works without an active internet connection. Google’s AI photo editing (object removal, light enhancement) executes in seconds on the Tensor chip.
However, limitations remain tangible. Embedded models are lighter than their cloud counterparts, which reduces their accuracy on complex tasks. Translation quality varies depending on language pairs, and summarization functions sometimes produce misleading shortcuts. No independent evaluations published in 2024 allow for an objective comparison of the AI performance of the three ecosystems on the same testing protocol.
Camera sensors and periscopic optics: the race for telephoto lenses
Mobile photography has reached a new level with the widespread adoption of periscopic lenses on high-end models. This type of optics, which uses a prism to bend light inside the chassis, allows for high focal lengths without increasing the thickness of the phone.
- The Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra features a periscopic telephoto lens that offers long-range optical zoom, whereas previous generations relied more on digital zoom.
- Google has integrated similar optics into its high-end Pixels, combining hardware zoom with AI software processing to enhance sharpness at long distances.
- Apple and Xiaomi have also strengthened their camera modules, with each brand adopting its own approach to computational image processing.
Periscopic optics remain confined to premium ranges. On models sold below the average price point, zoom still largely relies on digital cropping, with visible detail loss beyond moderate magnification.
Repairability and eco-design: the European rules coming in 2025
The directive (EU) 2024/1799 on the right to repair was adopted on June 13, 2024. It sets a framework to promote the repair of electronic devices, but its concrete application depends on the transposition by each member state, which will occur after 2024. Therefore, it would be inaccurate to present it as a fully applicable right starting this year.
Meanwhile, European regulations 2023/1670 and 2023/1669 on eco-design and energy labeling of smartphones and tablets will come into effect on June 20, 2025. These texts introduce requirements for sustainability, availability of spare parts, and information on repairability.
What this implies for manufacturers
Manufacturers must anticipate several simultaneous constraints:
- Ensure the availability of spare parts for a minimum period after market launch.
- Provide clear information on the product’s repairability at the time of purchase.
- Adapt the internal design of devices to facilitate disassembly without proprietary tools.
Samsung, Apple, and Fairphone have communicated about self-service repair programs, but the scope and actual cost of parts vary significantly from one brand to another. Whether these initiatives will be sufficient to meet future European requirements remains open: the precise criteria for evaluating repairability outlined in the 2025 regulations have not yet been tested on a large scale.
Foldable screens and Android pricing: two unresolved tensions
Foldable smartphones have gained mechanical reliability, with more robust hinges and less visible screen creases. Samsung dominates this segment with its Galaxy Z range, while brands like Xiaomi and Honor offer alternatives in the Asian and European markets.
Price remains the main barrier to foldable adoption. The most advanced models are positioned in the highest price tier of the market, limiting their distribution to a narrow audience. The price drop anticipated by analysts did not materialize significantly in 2024.
In the more traditional Android segment, Google has strengthened its Pixel lineup with models priced more accessibly, such as the Pixel 8a, which incorporates some AI functions from premium models. OnePlus and Nothing continued to target value for money, offering devices with high-end features at mid-range prices.
The year 2024 will thus be marked by the beginning of European regulations to have a concrete impact on smartphone design, while embedded AI transitioned from a marketing promise to a genuinely usable daily function. The price gaps between ranges did not narrow, and the question of the actual durability of devices will only be answered with the implementation of new European standards set for 2025.
