The thing is, the difference between the newest phones and those from the recent past don\u2019t have dramatically different functionalities.<\/p>\n
Why don’t new smartphones blow our minds anymore?<\/h2>\n
![\"phones\"](\"https:\/\/articles-img.sftcdn.net\/sft\/articles\/auto-mapping-folder\/sites\/3\/2021\/05\/phones_700.jpg\")
<\/p>\n
Fast rise and subsequent plateau<\/h3>\n
Blame the fast rise from the initial iPhone to where we are today. Smartphones have only been around for a decade, and they\u2019ve gone through several changes.<\/p>\n
Today\u2019s phones have powerful processing capabilities, GPS, they work as sophisticated cameras, and music players, and house all of our favorite apps.<\/p>\n
The thing is,\u00a0higher-end phones have been able to do everything we want them to for the past few years<\/strong>. Upgrading now means you might get a bigger screen or more memory, but the ability to use Spotify<\/a> or capture the perfect selfie doesn\u2019t require the latest and greatest anymore.<\/p>\n As such, smartphones don\u2019t have anywhere to go in a big way. So, we\u2019re kind of just bored. Your next phone is going to basically be a prettier version of your current one.<\/p>\n We\u2019ve been led to believe that we need to upgrade our phones about every other year. In part, that\u2019s due to the way phone contracts worked in the past. Now, phones often top $1,000 and customers don\u2019t get the free upgrade that once was par for the course.<\/p>\n Carriers offer minimal subsidies. Where the norm used to be a free upgrade every two years, carriers now use monthly payment plans as a way to offset the sticker shock.<\/p>\n Bottom line, it\u2019s worse for the consumer. The monthly payment might alleviate the pain, but shoppers no longer have access to the markdowns that made a difference.<\/p>\n Here’s an interesting point\u2014maybe we should consider our smartphones like we do our cars<\/a>. <\/span><\/p>\n We should repair them when they become damaged.<\/strong> And, when it is no longer worth repairing, then look into a new one. Like cars, smartphones saw a lot of dramatic improvements in a short period. But now, features tend to offer a marginally better experience year to year.<\/p>\n Just look at a 2014 car vs. a 2019 model \u2014 there\u2019s not a huge difference if you\u2019re looking at similar models.<\/p>\n While Apple phones are failing to drive as much excitement as they have in the past, Androids are getting more experimental.<\/p>\nPlans don’t provide good deals anymore<\/h3>\n
![\"iphone\"](\"https:\/\/articles-img.sftcdn.net\/sft\/articles\/auto-mapping-folder\/sites\/3\/2021\/05\/iphone_700.jpg\")
<\/p>\nMore like a car?<\/h3>\n
Innovations in the Android space<\/h3>\n