It’s hard to imagine a world withoutsmartphonesnow. Since their inception, they have become astaple of our daily lives, helping us stay in touch with friends and family, and keeping usconstantly connectedto the world around us. But is a future without smartphones possible? An Apple executive seems to think so.
While giving testimony as part ofGoogle’s antitrust caserelated to search, Apple executive Eddy Cue said that people “may not need an iPhone 10 years from now” (via9to5Mac). Cue attributed this possibility to the rise of AI technology and how quickly the technological landscape is shifting.
“You may not need an iPhone 10 years from now as crazy as it sounds,” he said. “The only way you truly have true competition is when you have technology shifts. Technology shifts create these opportunities. AI is a new technology shift, and it’s creating new opportunities for new entrants.”
Ten years from now is 2035, and by then, the iPhone will be 28 years old. However, I find it hard to imagine that the next big thing, whatever AI monstrosity it could be, will fully replace our smartphones, or the iPhone, by then.
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The iPhone isn’t going anywhere
Could it evolve? Absolutely, but the smartphone will remain in our pockets for decades to come
First and foremost, the main reason I believe the iPhone will persist for much longer than another 10 years is that it serves as Apple’s number one driver of profit. In the first quarter of 2025, Apple generated approximately $69 billion in revenue from iPhone sales worldwide, accounting for about 55 percent of the company’s total revenue (viaStatista).
While AI technology has already started to impact the iPhone, I don’t envision an AI product completely replacing it, like a pin or augmented reality smart glasses.
$69 billion is definitely a figure Apple doesn’t want to see evaporate in the next decade. While AI technology has already started to impact the iPhone, I don’t envision an AI product completely replacing it, like a pin or augmented reality smart glasses. It’s crucial to emphasize that in Cue’s comments, he did say “may,” so he isn’t entirely dismissing the iPhone’s existence in 10 years, but rather framing it, at least from my perspective, as anything could happen.
Another reason I don’t believe the iPhone is going anywhere anytime soon is that it’s rumored to be evolving over the next couple of years, finally. For the past few years, we’ve witnessed iPhone refresh after refresh that essentially maintained the same design while iterating on the hardware. However, if the leaks and rumors are to be trusted, the next couple of years for Apple’s iPhone are poised to be transformative.
Apple is rumored to be releasing its first foldable iPhone, which could forever change how people perceive and experience its smartphones.
In 2026, Apple is rumored to be releasing its first foldable iPhone, which could forever change how people perceive and experience its smartphones. While foldable devices have been around for a while, this will be Apple’s first foray into the category, and I’m willing to bet it will attract many who haven’t been interested in foldable technology before. If the rumors are accurate, the foldable iPhone will be a “top-tier iPhone” and cost between $2000 and $2500 (viaMing-Chi Kuo).
Then in 2027, Apple is rumored to release a special 20th anniversary iPhone, whichBloomberg’s Mark Gurmanreported as being a “bold new Pro model that makes more extensive use of glass.”
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The iPhone will evolve, not disappear
Just like the desktop computer and laptop have
Both of the rumored devices I highlighted, the foldable iPhone and the 20th anniversary iPhone, indicate that Apple is finally working on evolving the iPhone into something new and different, moving away from the somewhat stale updates we’ve seen in recent years. I strongly believe that in 10 years, the iPhone will be just as popular as it is now, but much more evolved, thanks to various hardware changes and software changes focused on AI. Apple Intelligence may be useless right now, but 10 years from now, it won’t be.
I think people are simply too attached to their smartphones now to simply move on to another device.
I also find it hard to believe that in 10 years, people will suddenly want to drop their smartphones for the next big thing, such as AI wearables likesmart glasses. I think people are simply too attached to their smartphones now to simply move on to another device.
Though reportedly, Apple CEO Tim Cook’s “grand vision” is to one day release “true augmented reality glasses.” However, I can see AR glasses replacing a device like the Apple Watch, but not the iPhone.
…just like the desktop computer and laptop, which have survived the past 40 years of technological advancements, the iPhone will do the same.
Apple is smart to consider a future without the iPhone, which Cue’s comments seem to suggest. It’s the backbone of its business, and if technology reaches a point someday where it is no longer relevant because of AI advancements, it will need to be ready to adapt. However, just like the desktop computer and laptop, which have survived the past 40 years of technological advancements, the iPhone will do the same. I can’t wait to get my hands on the iPhone 26 in 2035.
As for what’s in store for 2025, Apple is expected to release theiPhone 17 seriesin the fall, with a bold new ultra-slim “iPhone 17 Air” rumored to be making its debut.
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