Commentary on the smartphone's eventual demise resurfaced, pointing to a broader industry shift rather than an overnight collapse. The core idea suggests the traditional smartphone will evolve from the central computing hub into one of many interconnected devices, as technology giants pivot towards new paradigms.
Microsoft, throughout 2025, has aggressively pushed its vision for an "agentic AI" future, embedding artificial intelligence deeply into the Windows operating system. The company's strategy focuses on Copilot+ PCs with powerful Neural Processing Units (NPUs) to handle AI tasks locally, creating a more proactive and collaborative relationship between users and their computers.
Meanwhile, Apple is reportedly preparing a diverse product roadmap for 2026 and beyond, exploring devices like foldable iPhones and smart home hubs. This strategy suggests a future where user interaction is distributed across a wider ecosystem of specialized hardware, lessening the singular dominance of the iPhone.