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The smartphone world in 2026 is no longer just about bigger batteries or sharper cameras — it’s about how core technologies like AI, supply chains, and new form factors are redefining what a “smartphone experience" truly means.

Samsung Electronics recently announced a major push to expand AI features across its mobile device portfolio, with plans to boost the number of smartphones and tablets equipped with advanced AI capabilities from 400 million to 800 million units worldwide in 2026. These AI features — powered by Google’s Gemini model — span productivity tools, image editing, translation, and context-aware assistance. Such broad AI deployment suggests Samsung sees software-driven value as a strategic advantage in a competitive market.

This AI strategy responds directly to market pressures — including rising core component costs like memory chips — by creating stronger platform differentiation. Instead of competing on raw hardware specs alone, manufacturers are increasingly investing in AI-enhanced user experiences that can be improved over time through software updates.

2026 is also shaping up to be a major year for foldable smartphones and new form factors. Samsung has debuted ambitious designs such as the Galaxy Z TriFold, a triple-fold device that transforms from a phone into a tablet-like display, showcasing how innovation in hardware form factors continues to evolve.

These new designs come at a time when consumers are looking for devices that offer greater versatility and productivity, especially as smartphones expand into areas once dominated by tablets and laptops.

Behind the scenes, shifts in supply chain relationships also reflect industry adaptation. For example, Samsung is reportedly becoming the largest supplier of DRAM memory for Apple’s iPhone 17 series, accounting for as much as 60–70% of the total memory supply. This illustrates how strategic partnerships can influence both competition and cost structures in a tight memory market.

Meanwhile, the surge in memory prices driven by AI data center demand has broader implications: margins are under pressure, average selling prices may climb, and some manufacturers may see shipment volume slow down as cost pressures bite.

For smartphone buyers in 2026, this evolving landscape means:

• AI capabilities and ecosystem services are becoming essential purchase considerations.

• Innovative hardware designs like foldables are shifting the boundaries of what phones can do.

• Memory and storage priorities matter more than ever as component costs rise.

In essence, smartphones are becoming experience platforms — blending hardware performance, intelligent software, and form-factor innovation — rather than mere communication devices. This transition only accelerates as the industry navigates memory price pressures and invests in new areas like AI and multi-display formats.