Samsung just had their unpacked event for 2022. They just released their newest line of smartphones, the S22 lineup. They have three models S22, S22 Plus, and S22 ultra (which is basically a note).

But I am not one of your favorite tech reviewers who got the phone early and tested it out. I am just a person who loves tech and has been following smartphones for a long time. I have seen smartphones grow throughout the years. I am always excited about the next new smartphone release.

But over the years my excitement has reduced. Although the fold devices reignited my excitement, the majority of the smartphones I think have peaked. You can’t make them any better. You can’t make them any bigger for sure, or else they become a tablet. That is why you see manufacturers making more compact phones along with big flagships. Just to give some variety.

In terms of cameras, you now see 2-3 cameras at the back of every new smartphone. I don’t think they will add any more. One thing they can do is improve the sensor size of the camera. In terms of display we have 120hz QuadHD or 4k, I don’t think smartphone displays need to get any better. Batteries have gotten bigger and charging has gotten faster. They have removed the headphone jack, which is a downgrade in my opinion but the speakers haven’t improved.

So what’s next for smartphones? I see the new S22 and they don’t seem any different than S21. Just a regular update. I am not blaming Samsung or any manufacturers. I just think unless fold devices start becoming mainstream, the flagships will start being uninteresting for the smartphone enthusiast. The only way fold becomes mainstream is when Apple releases a folding device. Remember the headphone jack controversy? Everyone criticized Apple and a few years later there’s no headphone jack on any phones. So Apple influences a lot of consumer behavior. So it’s up to Apple now.

As a smartphone enthusiast, I hope something new shakes up the market.