The two companies confirmed that future Specs devices will run on Qualcomm’s Snapdragon XR platform, extending a partnership that already spans several generations of Snap’s earlier Spectacles hardware.

Those earlier devices mainly targeted developers and never reached wide consumer distribution in their AR form.

Snap has been building smart glasses for years. It first entered the category in 2016 with camera-equipped Spectacles.

Since then, it has moved towards more advanced augmented reality designs that place digital elements into the real world through see-through lenses. Those newer versions stayed within limited releases, largely focused on developers and testing.

Now the company is preparing a wider consumer rollout under its Specs unit, which it formally separated earlier this year to focus entirely on wearable computing.

The upcoming glasses will run standalone and are designed to overlay digital content onto physical surroundings, with built-in audio, visuals and interaction features.

The companies say the new hardware will rely on edge computing and on-device processing. This allows data to be handled directly on the device instead of relying heavily on cloud systems.

The approach is important to Snap’s vision for faster responses and more private interactions in everyday use.

Snap’s leadership sees the project as a step towards a more integrated form of computing.

“We believe the future of computing will be more human and grounded in the real world,” said Evan Spiegel, co-founder and chief executive of Snap Inc.

Qualcomm also described the partnership around more responsive and context-aware devices.

“The next era of computing will be defined by devices that understand what you see, hear and say,” said Cristiano Amon, president and chief executive of Qualcomm Incorporated.

The collaboration builds on more than five years of joint work between both firms. Qualcomm chips have powered earlier Snap Spectacles, particularly models aimed at developers experimenting with augmented reality tools.

This time, both companies say they want to scale that work for consumers. The agreement covers long-term roadmap planning, shared technical development, and support for developers building applications for the Specs platform.

Snap says this should help create a more stable environment for software creators working on AR experiences.

Competition in the smart glasses space is also intensifying. Meta Platforms has already gained early traction with its Ray-Ban smart glasses built with EssilorLuxottica.

Other major players, including Google, Samsung and Apple, are also developing their own versions of AR eyewear, with launches expected over the next few years.

This development comes at a sensitive time for Snap as it tries to expand beyond social media into hardware and immersive computing.

The Specs unit now sits at the centre of that strategy, with plans to attract external investment and build a long-term product line.

The agreement gives the unit a clearer technical base as it prepares for its first consumer product launch.

Companies and researchers are developing new applications and improving existing systems for enhancing connectivity and functionality across various sectors.

Rapid advancements in sensor technology are driving this progress for providing more accurate data collection and enabling smarter decision-making.

Rising efforts for integrating more advanced sensors will further expand the capabilities of IoT systems. For instance, in April 2024, Qualcomm launched new IoT and Wi-Fi technology for industrial applications.

The new Wi-Fi solution and platform upgrades are enabling on-device AI and enhancing IoT connectivity for advancing performance and integration in industrial environments.

By component, the hardware segment is estimated to rise at a significant rate from 2024 to 2032. Of late, manufacturers are developing and deploying innovative sensors, processors, and connectivity modules to enhance the capabilities and performance of IoT devices.

These components are enabling smarter, more efficient systems to collect and process data in real-time. Subsequently, the ongoing evolution is driving the expansion of IoT applications across various sectors including smart homes, industrial automation, and healthcare for offering enhanced functionality and greater connectivity.

IoT technology industry from the wi-fi connectivity segment is expected to expand from 2024 to 2032 owing to its ability of transforming the ways devices are interacting within this field.

Smart devices are communicating via Wi-Fi for enabling seamless integration and control of home automation systems, wearable technology, and connected appliances. As this connectivity is improving, more sophisticated IoT solutions are emerging with innovations for expanding smart cities and automated transportation.

Regionally, the Europe IoT technology industry size is projected to depict robust growth between 2024 and 2032, propelled by the increasing consumer electronics demand and advancements in security solutions.

Companies are enhancing their offerings to meet this rising demand for incorporating advanced features and improving connectivity.

Lastly, the demand for advanced consumer electronics will propel the market growth on account of the increasingly connected and secure technological landscape across Europe.

[Source]

The new Surface Laptop (13-inch) and Surface Pro (12-inch) will go on sale from May 20, priced at $899 and $799 respectively.

Both devices are built with Qualcomm’s Snapdragon X Plus processor and are part of Microsoft’s move to expand access to its AI-powered tools without the high cost that typically comes with performance-grade laptops. Until now, most machines capable of running Microsoft’s Copilot+ features were priced over $1,000.

The Copilot+ tag means Microsoft built these PCs to handle tasks like drafting documents using natural prompts or changing system settings by asking a simple question. 

These features run directly on the device and don’t require an internet connection, which reduces dependence on cloud services and boosts privacy and speed.

Compared to last year’s models, Microsoft has cut prices and reduced screen sizes. The Surface Laptop now has a 13-inch display instead of 13.8 inches, and the Surface Pro has dropped from 13 to 12 inches. 

Despite the smaller form factor, battery life has improved. The Surface Laptop can now manage up to 16 hours of web browsing. That’s a three-hour increase over the 2024 version.

These changes, however, haven’t guaranteed demand. According to Raymond James analyst Andrew Marok, “Checks suggest limited appetite for investing in AI PCs given the lack of clarity on the value-added proposition and as new business cases and tools develop.”

Still, Microsoft is betting on utility and timing. With support for Windows 10 ending in October and a wave of users expected to upgrade, the company is positioning these new devices as the right alternative.

Surface devices are not dominant in the PC market, but they serve as showcases for Microsoft’s software and hardware initiatives. The new models maintain the familiar Surface designs—minimal bezels, sleek bodies, and detachable keyboards—while pushing AI capability further into everyday computing.

Each machine features a dedicated Copilot key on the keyboard for quick access to AI tools. Wi-Fi 7 support, upgraded cameras, improved microphones, and the ability to connect two 4K displays make them versatile for both remote work and entertainment.

Pavan Davuluri, Microsoft’s Corporate vice president for Windows and Devices, summed up the aim during a press briefing: “We think these new Surface Pro and laptops are for a set of customers for whom affordability is going to be important.”

Microsoft is also using this launch to promote its “Recall” feature, which remembers what has been displayed on screen and helps users search by simply describing past activities. Another update, “Click to Do,” gives actionable suggestions when users select screen content.

Both models are available for preorder now and will come in three colours: platinum, ocean, and violet.

Experts at Canalys said that the Korean phone maker – Samsung – has set a new direction for itself even as it leads the global generative artificial intelligence (GenAI) adoptions on mobile phones.

AI and software capabilities take front and center stage

Sheng Win, an analyst based in Canalys’ Singapore office, said that at its first Galaxy Unpacked event 2025, Samsung sent a clear message – it should no longer be viewed solely as a consumer hardware company.

In contrast to last year’s event unveiling the S24, TM Roh, Samsung’s president and Demis Hassabis, Google DeepMind CEO, kicked off this year’s Samsung Galaxy Unpacked by highlighting a deeper Samsung-Google partnership on AI capabilities for devices.

Samsung executives gave a 30-minute demonstration of new AI features powered by Google’s Gemini, promising intuitive and personalized actions.

The highlight was the Personal Data Engine developed by Samsung, which analyzes on-device data to adapt features to individual preferences and usage patterns.

This enables contextual app suggestions, actionable searches and seamless app transitions for greater usability and efficiency.

Win writes:

“The emphasis on integrating AI into systems, UI and software signals Samsung’s future direction. It realizes that a challenging yet critical shift is coming – reducing hardware dependency and building more software and services capabilities. Samsung leads in hardware user base but must expand software innovation. The AI capabilities may not yet be monetizable or be a key sales driver. However, Samsung is laying the foundations for a software-driven future.

Samsung and Google synergy

“Many of Google Gemini’s latest features, such as Gemini Advanced and Gemini Live, will debut on the Galaxy S25 rather than Google’s own Pixel devices. Samsung and Google have natural synergies between hardware and software competencies, so it makes sense for them to continue building a strong long-term partnership.

“One example where this synergy materialized with the Galaxy S25 is with Gemini Advanced. Costing around US$20 per month, Galaxy S25 users will get Gemini Advanced free for six months. This is a win-win for both companies – it provides an extra US$120 in perceived value for Galaxy S25 users and gives Google the potential to turn 40 million Galaxy S25 users into Gemini Advanced subscribers.

“However, this arrangement has drawbacks. Providing Gemini Advanced free to so many users could devalue it for some people. For Samsung, tying its AI features so closely to Google may hinder its ability to create its own proprietary AI software suite.

Deepened partnership with Qualcomm for flagship silicon needs

“Qualcomm, as the exclusive silicon partner for Samsung’s premium S25 range, is also in the news. Samsung emphasized its deep partnership with Qualcomm, allowing a range of customization of the Snapdragon 8 Elite for the Galaxy chipset.

“This is critical for enabling many new software solutions on the Galaxy S25. For example, the chipset is optimized for the Galaxy display, enhancing image quality and power efficiency, including sharper low-light video capture.

“However, excluding Exynos from the Galaxy S25 (which was in the S24) raises concerns about Samsung’s decades of in-house SoC investments. Samsung hopes to strategically leverage its ability to vertically integrate the Exynos SoC with its own hardware ecosystem (displays, memory, cameras and others). But Samsung’s in-house semiconductor strategy remains an Achilles heel. The most powerful consumer electronics company still has limited control over its AI hardware roadmap, relying on external parties for its most cutting-edge devices.

Leveraging the device ecosystem is increasingly important

“Samsung’s past investments in businesses such as Knox, Smart Things and Samsung Health are starting to come together as one holistic solution. One practical example is how Samsung Health can adjust the air-conditioner temperature based on your sleep pattern or switch off the television when you fall asleep.

“This integration across multiple devices is made possible through Smart Things. With the infusion of AI, we can expect more companies this year, not just Samsung, to invest more in smart home areas, providing more intuitive solutions across all IoT products.

GenAI – Samsung Outlook and forecast

“Canalys and Omdia forecasts predict shipments of less than 40 million units for the S25, similar to last year’s Galaxy S24. While the hardware-improved standard S25 model is expected to see a mild shipment increase over the previous version, the Plus model shipments are expected to remain flat or decline slightly due to reduced distinction from the standard model compared with previous generations.

“The Ultra model is forecast to account for 47% of total S25 series shipments, a slightly lower share than its predecessor.

“Samsung’s ability to expand its premium user base through the Galaxy S series is of vital strategic importance for long-term leadership. Premium device users have a higher propensity to spend and are highly valued by online marketers and internet service providers.

“Capturing more of this premium segment allows Samsung to better position itself to generate lucrative high-margin revenue from Internet services,” according to Win.

• The Qualcomm Make in Africa 2024 program supported ten startups from six African nations, addressing challenges in healthcare, agriculture, AI, and industrial sectors.
• Nigerian startup, Kitovu, was among this year’s finalists. Founded by Nwachinemera Emeka, Kitovu is revolutionizing agriculture with its WareGuard smart warehouse management solution, designed to reduce post-harvest losses and enhance food security for millions of farmers.
• Aurora Health Systems of Kenya was announced as the winner of the 2024 Wireless Reach Social Impact Fund.
• Applications for Qualcomm Make in Africa 2025 are now open.

Qualcomm Incorporated Tuesday announced the successful completion of the second year of its Make in Africa Startup Mentorship Program, culminating in the Make in Africa Finale 2024.

This platform continues to showcase the energy and innovation emerging from the African technology scene, demonstrating Qualcomm’s commitment to supporting startups as part of the broader Qualcomm Africa Innovation Platform.

Now in its second year, this program has successfully guided early-stage technology startups by providing mentorship, business coaching, engineering consultation, and IP protection advice.

This year’s Make in Africa finalists, from six African nations, are tackling real-world challenges across healthcare, agriculture, cutting-edge AI and industrial sectors.

The 2024 cohort includes the following startups (listed in alphabetical order):

• Aurora Health Systems from Kenya provides AI-based cardiovascular healthcare tools
• CropScan from Kenya uses solar-powered smart farming IoT devices
• Cure Bionics from Tunisia makes smart 3D printed prosthetic devices
• DevisionX from Egypt provides AI-based low-code computer vision tools
• Kalio from Cameroon is building AI tools for Agricultural IoT
• Kitovu from Nigeria provides tools and software for smart agricultural warehouse management
• NextAI Studios from Kenya builds AI-based emotion detection into toys for children’s mental healthcare
• RIM Nextgen from Kenya, uses smart tools for monitoring propane consumption
• Sparcx from South Africa uses AI for enhancing radar signal processing
• ViZmerald from Tunisia, is working on AI-based textile industry inspection

Wireless Reach Social Impact Fund Winner

Aurora Health Systems from Kenya was announced the winner of the 2024 Wireless Reach Social Impact Fund.

This fund, provided by Qualcomm through its Qualcomm Wireless Reach Initiative, aims to support startups in scaling their societal and market impact. Aurora Health Systems was selected for their innovative wireless, portable ECG device with LTE connectivity.

This device assists patients with cardiovascular disease by enabling remote data transmission of ECG data to healthcare providers, even in rural areas.

They are the first in East Africa to train ECG AI models on locally sourced data, resulting in more accurate algorithms and improved AI-powered diagnostics.

Additionally, all finalists will receive stipends to further fuel their growth and help protect their intellectual property.  

Highlighting the L2Pro Africa IP E-Learning Platform

In an effort to harness Africa’s vast potential for innovation and creativity, the L2Pro Africa IP e-learning Platform provides further support to startups across Africa.

This free online training program, developed in collaboration with Adams and Adams, Africa’s leading IP law firm, is designed to empower startups, SMEs, and researchers across the continent.

The platform provides essential knowledge and tools to protect and maximize innovations, addressing the pressing challenge of limited patent activity in Africa.

By equipping innovators with the skills needed to safeguard and commercialize their inventions, L2Pro Africa aims to unlock new economic opportunities and foster a thriving ecosystem of innovation. 

Launch of Qualcomm Make in Africa Startup Mentorship Program 2025

Building on the success of previous years, Qualcomm is excited to launch the Make in Africa 2025 program.

Applications are now open here.

“The Make in Africa startups are disrupting traditional industries and tackling socio-economic challenges, crafting innovative solutions with global market reach by using AI, advanced connectivity, and IoT,” said Wassim Chourbaji, SVP & president, Qualcomm MEA & SVP, Government Affairs EMEA. “This startup mentorship program reflects Qualcomm’s commitment to support promising early-stage deep tech startups, empowering local talents, creating jobs and driving economic growth.”

Video AI Agents help organizations instantly surface and resolve incidents across safety, security, and operations, delivering measurable ROI across manufacturing, education, retail, and auto services. 

In addition to the launch of its flagship product, Spot AI has secured $31 million in new equity funding, bringing the total raised to $93 million. 

The latest round saw new investor Qualcomm Ventures participate alongside existing investors Scale Venture Partners, StepStone Group, Redpoint Ventures, and Bessemer Venture Partners. The round also saw participation from GSBackers, MVP Ventures, and Cheyenne Ventures. 

Traditionally, video surveillance systems were limited to passive recording, basic search, and manual collaboration. Now Video AI Agents transform cameras from passive observers into proactive problem solvers that can autonomously identify issues and trigger responses without the need for human intervention. 

Examples include alerting key stakeholders, delivering analytics, activating lights and sounds, playing voice messages, triggering machine starts and stops if an incident or injury happens, or improving load and unload times in throughput-based businesses.

“Eighty percent of our understanding of the world happens through eyes. That’s why we’re dedicated to helping our customers turn their video cameras into additional teammates,” said Rish Gupta, CEO of Spot AI, who co-founded the company with Sud Bhatija and Tanuj Thapliyal. 

“Our AI Agents see your physical space, use advanced AI to reason about what’s happening, and take actions in real-time. This funding allows us to push the boundaries of what’s possible and bring the power of AI from the screen to the physical spaces where we live and work.”

Spot AI today serves 1,000 customers across 17 industries, indexing more than twice the amount of video uploaded daily to YouTube, to make video data as accessible and actionable as any other type of data in industries facing safety risks, operational hurdles and productivity loss due to labour shortages and security breaches. 

Cornel Stewart, an engineer at industrial foam manufacturer Elite Comfort Solutions, shared his experience: “Spot AI led us from having a video surveillance system to fully leveraging video AI to drive business results. Not only have we seen a reduction in injuries and incidents, but the system’s ability to identify potential hazards has allowed us to address issues before they escalate. It’s like having an extra set of expert eyes monitoring our facility 24/7.”

Spot AI has processed billions of hours of video data to deliver outcomes as highlighted in the following industries:

• Manufacturing: Directors of Safety are reducing injuries by 40 percent by proactively identifying risks and improving safety procedures.
• Auto Services: Owners are quadrupling membership rates and increasing revenue by 10 percent–leading to an 8X return on investment–by detecting when customer kiosks aren’t staffed and driving real-time accountability. 
• Education: School principals reduce time spent on resolving incidents like fighting or theft by 80 percent–getting hours back to focus on student learning.

Highlights of the platform and Video AI Agents:

• As major players like Apple, Meta, and OpenAI race to develop solutions in video AI and physical world applications, Spot AI is at the intersection of these frontiers in building agentic workflows.
• Powering Video AI agents is a powerful edge processing approach with three times more computing power than traditional AI cameras in order to deploy the latest video foundational models and AI capabilities.
• With the cost of camera sensors decreasing, Spot AI is turning high-quality video into a more accessible and ubiquitous data source.
• Spot AI’s open system allows businesses to harness the power of their existing video footage regardless of their vendor, positioning Spot AI as the intelligence layer that turns any camera into a Video AI Agent. 
• The Video AI platform connects not only with industry-specific technologies but also sensors, hardware, and operating systems, allowing Spot AI to not only see and understand the physical world but also to automatically take action like a person would by communicating seamlessly across systems. 

“We’re excited to invest in Spot AI as they execute their mission to transform video signals into a powerful tool for industries around the globe,” said Tushar Gupta, Senior Director, Qualcomm Ventures at Qualcomm Technologies, Inc. 

“Spot AI’s solutions help businesses quickly generate insights from their customers’ video feeds, turning them into a valuable resource that improves safety, security, and day-to-day operations. This closely aligns with Qualcomm’s vision of implementing AI on edge to solve real-world challenges.”

The newly integrated technology aims to enhance the capabilities of mobile chips, particularly in managing complex tasks such as image and text generation. 

This is in line with Qualcomm’s deeper focus on expanding the use of artificial intelligence (AI) features in mobile devices.

In 2021, the company recruited a team of former Apple engineers to bolster its push into the laptop market, resulting in the development of the Oryon custom computing architecture. 

Initially intended for laptops, this technology is now being adapted for Qualcomm mobile processors, starting with the Snapdragon 8 Elite chip.

Qualcomm’s latest innovation is designed to boost the performance of smartphones in executing AI-related functions, providing tools for developers beyond what is available on Android.

Chris Patrick, senior vice president and general manager for Qualcomm’s mobile handset division, highlighted the company’s initiative to offer unique solutions for developers looking to tap into AI. 

He noted that while companies like Google are advancing quickly in this area, Qualcomm’s proprietary technology brings additional value to the market.

Major global brands such as Samsung, Asustek, and Xiaomi are expected to be among the first to adopt Qualcomm’s new mobile chip in their upcoming smartphone models.

But we all have differing needs, so, how best can we make a good choice among these three devices?

That’s why we are here to help you scale through that seamless selection process.

Techeconomy has presented a comprehensive comparison of the Google Pixel 8 Pro, Samsung Galaxy Z Fold, and Asus Zenfone 10.  Read through to find out which is the most suitable for you.

Launched in October 2023, the Google Pixel 8 Pro, was manufactured by tech giant Google to provide a more helpful and personal experience to smartphone users.

The device is powered by the Google Tensor G3 processor, featuring a super sharp 6.7-inch OLED screen display, a 120Hz refresh rate and up to 2400 nits of brightness.

On the other hand, the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 5, announced on July 26, 2023, is an Android-based foldable device designed for productivity and business enthusiasts.

It is powered by Snapdragon 8 Gen 2, a 120Hz refresh rate, and HDR10+, 7.6-inch foldable dynamic AMOLED 2X display, and 1812 x 2176 pixel resolution that gives users an awesome visual experience.

Now to Asus Zenfone 10 which was announced on June 29, 2023. This phone makes use of Qualcomm SM8550-AB Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 processor, a 144Hz refresh rate, 5.9-inch super AMOLED screen size, 1080 x 2400 pixels resolution, and up to 1100 nits of brightness. It fits users’ lifestyles, holdable within the size of your hands.

Display Comparison

When it comes to display, the Google Pixel 8 Pro has a 6.7-inch size with 1344 x 2992 pixels resolution, a 120Hz refresh rate, HDR10+, and a maximum of 2400 nits of brightness.

The Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 5, has an edge over Google Pixel 8 Pro with its 7.6-inch dynamic AMOLED display, 1812 x 2176 pixel resolution that gives users a better visual experience.

Asus Zenfone 10, has a lesser size of 5.9-inch AMOLED display compared to Google Pixel 8 Pro and Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 5. It comes with a 144Hz refresh rate, 1080 x 2400 pixels resolution, and 1100 nits of brightness.

Comparing the three devices, Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 5 has the best display, giving users the best viewing and multitasking experience.

Memory Comparison

The three devices have large memory storage options, with 256GB, 512GB, and 1TB of internal storage available on both the Google Pixel 8 Pro and the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 5, with 12GB of RAM. The Google Pixel 8 Pro also has a 128GB option, with a pair of 12GB RAM.

The Asus Zenfone 10 has an option of 128GB and 256GB configuration that pairs with 8GB of RAM, and 256GB, 512GB configuration that pairs with 16GB of RAM.

Battery Capacity

Battery capacity is one highly important feature users look out for when purchasing a phone. The Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 5 and Asus Zenfone 10 draw their energy from Li-Po 4,400 mAh and 4,300 mAh respectively, while the Google Pixel 8 Pro has a higher capacity with Li-Ion 5,050 mAh.

In terms of charging speed, the Google Pixel 8 Pro and Asus Zenfone 10 have a 30W fast charging capability, while the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 5 comes with 25W fast charging capability.

However, both Google Pixel 8 Pro and Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 5 charge up to 50% in 30 minutes.

Camera

The three devices were all built on multi-camera features with 50-megapixel main sensor, each taking great and high-quality photos. However, the Google Pixel 8 Pro stands out for its clear performance in a low-light condition.

Software and Performance

Google Pixel 8 runs on Android 14 and receives 7 years of OS and security updates; that is to say, it will see Android 21 by 2030. Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 5 on the other hand, operates on Android 13 with One UI 5.1.1, although, the phone will receive One UI 6 and Android 14 soon. It will get 4 Android upgrades with a fifth year of security patches.

The Asus Zenfone 10 operates on Android 13 with a layer of in-house Zen UI, promising 2 OS upgrades and 4 years of security patches.

While the Google Pixel 8 Pro stands out for its AI features like call screening, the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 5 can open up to 3 apps at a time, giving users ample opportunity for multitasking and productivity.

In Asus Zenfone 10, switching from one app to another is much easier and faster than the other two devices.

Price Comparison

The one with the highest cost is the Google Pixel 8 Pro, ranging between N675,540 to N825,660, while the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 5 costs around N2,537,000 to N2,913,000 depending and lastly, the most affordable is the Asus Zenfone 10, priced at N169,999.

If you’re looking for a smartphone with some key features like the AI call screening feature, and a camera with great performance in a low-light condition, you may have to consider the Google Pixel 8 Pro.

Users who prefer larger screens and multitasking are to consider the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 5 and coming to Asus Zenfone 10, smartphone users who prefer portable and budget-friendly devices will have to consider it.

Which one best meets your needs and budget?

• The smartphone industry is set for a revolutionary change with the introduction of Generative AI-based devices. 
• The share of GenAI smartphones will be 4% of the market in 2023 and is likely to double next year.
• By 2027, we expect the GenAI smartphone share to reach 40% and surpass half a billion in shipments.
• Samsung will capture half of this market next year followed by key Chinese OEMs like Xiaomi, vivo, HONOR and OPPO.
• Qualcomm and Samsung are immediate leaders as current product offerings and capabilities position them as first movers.
• Qualcomm is likely to capture over 80% of the GenAI smartphone market for the next two years. MediaTek is likely to catch up with its

The coming year will be pivotal for Generative AI (GenAI) smartphones with preliminary data projecting their shipments to reach over 100 million units in 2024.

According to Counterpoint Research’s Smartphone 360 Service titled, “GenAI Smartphone Shipments and Insights”, by 2027, they expect GenAI smartphone shipments to reach 522 million units, growing at a CAGR of 83%.

Counterpoint Research defines GenAI smartphones as a subset of AI smartphones that uses Generative AI to create original content, rather than just providing pre-programmed responses or performing predefined tasks.

These devices will run size-optimized AI models natively and come with certain hardware specifications.

“Our short-term GenAI landscape sees OEM roadmaps touching on four main areas – info provisioning, image building, live translation, and personal assistant applications”, the report contains.

Samsung and Qualcomm are immediate leaders as current product offerings and capabilities position them as first movers.

Similar to what it did with foldables, Samsung is likely to capture almost 50% share for the next two years, followed by key Chinese OEMs like Xiaomi, vivo, HONOR and OPPO.

Samsung earlier highlighted the use case of its Galaxy AI on smartphones. This is one example of how OEMs are geared to differentiate their upcoming smartphones and GenAI will play a key role in that differentiation.

Qualcomm is likely to capture over 80% of the GenAI smartphone market for the next two years. MediaTek is likely to catch up with its Dimensity 9300-based devices.

Research Director Tarun Pathak said, “The share of GenAI smartphones in the overall smartphone market will be in single digits through next year. But those numbers will not accurately reflect the amount of excitement and marketing hyperbole we are expecting to see.”

Pathak added, “We are working to a standard definition developed with our clients and partners, reflecting inputs from across these key players. Next year is about learning and we expect GenAI smartphones to hit an inflection point in 2026 as the devices permeate through the broader price segments.”

VP & Research Director Peter Richardson said,

“AI has been a feature of smartphones for the last few years. We now expect to see the emergence of smartphones optimized to run GenAI models in addition to the normal use of AI in smartphones.

The likely use cases will include creating more personalized content, smarter digital assistants with unique personalities and conversation styles, content recommendations, and more. However, this will also require addressing issues like running into memory constraints and will likely lead to a hybrid approach in some cases. Nonetheless, one thing is for certain – we are entering an era where smartphone users no longer need to align to their devices; it will be the other way around with GenAI smartphones.”

[Featured Image Credit]

This report explores this new definition and why smartphones can be essential for vendors to implement on-device GenAI, as well as what on-device AI applications on smartphones will look like in the future.

What is the definition of an “AI-capable smartphone”?

Lucas Zhong, writes:

“Unlike PCs, smartphones have embraced AI technology for much longer, making ‘AI-capable smartphones’ a much broader concept to define.

Chipset vendors such as Qualcomm, Mediatek, Samsung and Google have focused on improving NPU/TPU performance for years.

Smartphone vendors including Apple, Huawei, vivo, and Xiaomi are implementing AIML algorithms locally to improve imaging quality, battery life, and typing experience.

However, integrating LLM and other GenAI models on-device will require a different computing platform and software capabilities. Canalys believes an “AI-capable” smartphone should meet the following criteria:

Minimal requirements: A smartphone that meets all the following criteria can be defined as an “AI-capable smartphone”.

• The SoC should include a dedicated unit (eg, Qualcomm Hexagon, MediaTek APU, Google TPU) to accelerate AI-related tasks.
• The smartphone should be able to run LLMs (eg, Google Gemini, Samsung Gauss) and other generative AI models (eg, Stable Diffusion) on-device.
• LLM inference performance on-device should be faster than the average adult’s reading speed, equating to 10 tokens per second (based on LLaMA-2 7B, or equivalent).
• Image generation using on-device AI should be less than two seconds (Stable Diffusion v1.5, 20 steps, 512*512, or equivalent).

Optional requirements: An “AI-capable smartphone” may not necessarily meet all the following requirements. However, meeting the optional requirements can enhance the user experience.

• A LLM (eg, Google Gemini, Samsung Gauss) should be pre-installed out of the box.
• GenAI-related APIs and SDKs are available for third-party developers to integrate GenAI-powered features in the mobile applications that can be run on-device.
• First-party GenAI-powered features developed by the vendor are pre-installed on the device and can be run on-device efficiently.

Why smartphones are essential to on-device AI?

Prominent installed base: Smartphones have the most extensive installed base compared to edge computing devices such as PCs.

Canalys expects the total installed base of global smartphones to reach five billion in 2023, much larger than the 1.4 billion installed base for laptops and desktops combined.

The gap will become more prominent, especially in developing markets and among younger generations, who have jumped over the PC era and spend more time on content consumption and social media using mobile-native apps.

AI applications will, therefore, reach a larger audience when integrated into the smartphone form factor.

Portable form factor: Smartphones are portable and can accelerate the penetration of AI app usage.

A pocket-sized device enables use cases that more closely align with daily activities, ranging from communication to entertainment.

These use cases can complement the productivity use cases of PCs, thus widening the reach of AI in digital life.

The availability of different sensors in smartphones further enhances data collection for AI, paving the way for the development of highly personalized AI applications.

Robust app ecosystem: Smartphone’s robust app ecosystem will enable a thriving developer community for vendors.

Unlike smartwatches, which typically have fewer applications in the marketplace, and focus on specific use cases such as health and workout suggestions, smartphones offer a broader canvas for AI innovation..

The strength of the app ecosystem facilitates seamless AI integration across apps and fosters the creation of diverse third-party AI applications under a strong developer community.

Hub in the smart device ecosystem: A smartphone’s connectivity and versatility means it plays a more critical role than other edge devices.

Major players in the industry, such as Samsung with its Galaxy Ecosystem and Xiaomi with its smartphone x AIoT strategy, put smartphones at the center of their vast device ecosystems.

Integrating AI on-device will further enhance the interconnected experience, empowering smartphone AI to generate personalized actions to control other devices based on user behavior and contextual scenarios.

How will on-device AI revolutionize smartphones in the near future?

The following chart shows a smartphone’s major use cases including Entertainment, Communication, and Information in a pyramid view. We also list some (early) potential AI-powered features for each use case.

AI-powered features such as enhanced photo editing and auto-reply, are expected to be used by most users.

These high-frequency, AI-powered features will help vendors boost the usage of AI on smartphones and gain more mindshare among consumers.

Smartphones are also a light productivity device for most users compared to PCs. So vendors still need to develop meaningful features in the “productivity” area to attract prosumers in the premium segment.

It is worth noting that prosumers expect quality, accuracy, and reliability in Gen AI output. Therefore, establishing credibility and trust in the AI features and their on-device models is essential, providing opportunities for differentiation for vendors that can demonstrate their AI capabilities early on to capture the premium prosumer market.

Some examples of AI features we identified from early AI-capable smartphones which are on the horizon.