The Reign of the Smartphone: Will Wearables Ever Truly Take Over?

The Rise of Wearables and the Persistent Power of the Smartphone

Smartwatches, smart glasses, and other wearable gadgets are becoming increasingly sophisticated. Yet, despite a surge in wearable technology showcased at events like Mobile World Congress, experts predict smartphones will remain a central part of our lives for the foreseeable future. Artificial intelligence, ironically, plays a key role in this continued dominance.

While manufacturers are diversifying with wearables, smartphone makers are doubling down on AI integration, making handsets even more indispensable. As Cesar Corcoles, an IT and telecoms professor at the Open University of Catalonia, notes, these new product ranges offer alternative avenues for innovation, but the smartphone remains king.

Smart Glasses: A Glimpse into the Future?

Smart glasses have been tantalizingly close to mainstream adoption for years. From Google Glass to Meta's collaboration with Ray-Ban, we've seen glimpses of their potential. Meta's version, often sported by their star AI researcher Yann LeCun, offers features like a built-in camera, music playback, and AI-powered voice interactions.

While sales of smart glasses are skyrocketing (a 210% year-on-year increase in 2024 according to Counterpoint), the overall numbers are still dwarfed by smartphone sales. Two million pairs of smart glasses versus 1.2 billion smartphones paints a clear picture.

Challenges Facing Wearable Tech: Beyond the Hype

Not every wearable succeeds. The recent demise of the "AI Pin" by Humane, a voice-controlled, brooch-like device designed to replace smartphones, highlights the challenges. As Canalys expert Jack Leathem pointed out, it was "just not that useful yet."

Voice control, while intriguing, struggles to compete with the ingrained habit of touchscreen interaction. "The most challenging thing is getting people to change their behavior," agrees Shen Ye of HTC's Vive wearables arm. He draws a parallel to the enduring QWERTY keyboard: we stick with what we know, even if better alternatives exist.

Limitations in Size and Power: The Smartphone's Advantage

Beyond consumer habits, wearables face technological hurdles. Miniaturizing powerful technology while maintaining battery life remains a significant challenge. "There are limits around the computing power currently and battery performance," Leathem explains. "You can't make them that compact." This explains why smartwatches, even those capable of calls and messages, often function as smartphone accessories rather than replacements.

The Future: AI-Powered Smartphones and the Wearable Ecosystem

The future likely involves a symbiotic relationship between smartphones and wearables. While wearables gain functionality, smartphones, bolstered by AI, are becoming even more powerful. Companies like Apple, Samsung, and Xiaomi are heavily investing in AI assistants, transforming the smartphone into a central hub. "All the money is going into AI... their vision of the future is keeping the same smartphone form factor, but making it way more useful," observes Leathem. Canalys predicts that the share of AI-powered smartphones will jump from 16% to over 50% by 2028.