Eddy Cue, senior vice president of services at Apple, has noted that in 10 years the iPhone may no longer be a necessary device due to significant technological advancements.
During his testimony in a U.S. court case against Alphabet, Google’s parent company, Cue mentioned that artificial intelligence (AI) could displace current products, such as the iPhone, and transform the way searches are conducted in Safari, which could negatively impact Google’s search business.
iPhone sales continue to be a crucial part of Apple’s economy, representing approximately 51% of its revenue in fiscal year 2024, although this percentage has begun to decline as the services segment becomes more relevant.
“In 10 years, the iPhone will not exist”
In the last announced quarter, this percentage decreased to 49%, reflecting a shift towards more diversified services.
Questioning the permanence of smartphones, Cue echoed the story of the iPod, which at its peak accounted for 40% of Apple’s revenue before being eclipsed by the iPhone. This history highlights how technological advancements can transform the industry, allowing new opportunities for new entrants to the market.
In this regard, voices like that of Mark Zuckerberg from Meta have also been heard, suggesting that smart glasses could become a viable alternative to the current phone.
With the upcoming WWDC 2025 conference just around the corner, it is anticipated that Apple could make significant announcements regarding visionOS and new AI applications. While it remains to be seen how this transition will unfold, Cue’s comments provide a provocative insight into the future of mobile devices and what might come after the iPhone.