Access this insight with a Standard plan. Contact our sales team to get started.
Report details
Future of devices
Smartphones, AI, immersion and beyond
Smartphones have reached saturation in all but the hardest to reach demographic groups in the US, Europe and advanced Asia. Apple’s recent revenue downgrade is, in part, a reflection of this reality. Ubiquity means it remains the focal point of the consumer internet economy – with no obvious end in sight. However, the range of connected devices is now greater than ever, which is reshaping how people interact with the digital world. The home has for several years been seen as the next frontier of device innovation, and survey numbers bear that out. We are now in the early stages of a 3rd wave, driven by AI and immersive entertainment in the form of VR, AR and eventually mixed reality. Smart speakers now, and the prospect of glasses in the next 5 years.
In this latest report from GSMA Intelligence, we present results from our global consumer survey covering 30+ countries and examine the competitive strategies of Amazon, Google and Apple, as well as a host of Chinese vendors. Indeed, a new form of platform war is emerging for new device categories. We explore how 5G presents a sea-change for device OEMs because of the speed upgrade and latency gains that bring AR and VR into play. Finally, we unearth a gap between consumer expectations of what 5G can do compared to what operators need it to do to drive a renewed growth story.
Report details
Future of devices
Related research
Consumer devices: what matters to consumers in 2026, and the trends set to shape purchases and usage
Consumer and smart home devices are on a continuous innovation curve. For companies operating in this sector, including operators, understanding shifts in consumer behaviour and emerging trends is crucial to formulate successful business strategies. This report draws on findings from the GSMA Intelligence consumer survey to uncover insights that can help players in these ecosystems sharpen their competitive strategies and refine their product offerings.
Industry Checkpoint: consumer devices, Q1 2026
This edition of the Industry Checkpoint series focuses on consumer devices, highlighting how the market has changed in the last six months and the implications. The report considers four major developments: innovation in smartphones spanning both emerging form factors and fundamental features; new advancements and innovations in XR hardware and OS; important developments in the handheld games console market; and major milestones in the smartphone eSIM market.
CES 2026: how advanced AI is shaping devices, smart home, digital entertainment and automotive
For industry players, the developments at CES have important implications for the road ahead. For operators, for example, this includes the area of network quality of service and the opening up of potential new revenue opportunities. To help navigate the key announcements, developments and implications from the show, this report focuses on four key areas of innovation: consumer devices, smart home, digital entertainment and automotive.
Authors
How to access this report
Annual subscription: Subscribe to our research modules for comprehensive access to more than 200 reports per year.
Enquire about subscriptionContact our research team
Get in touch with us to find out more about our research topics and analysis.
Contact our research teamMedia
To cite our research, please see our citation policy in our Terms of Use, or contact our Media team for more information.
Learn moreRelated research
Consumer devices: what matters to consumers in 2026, and the trends set to shape purchases and usage
Consumer and smart home devices are on a continuous innovation curve. For companies operating in this sector, including operators, understanding shifts in consumer behaviour and emerging trends is crucial to formulate successful business strategies. This report draws on findings from the GSMA Intelligence consumer survey to uncover insights that can help players in these ecosystems sharpen their competitive strategies and refine their product offerings.
Industry Checkpoint: consumer devices, Q1 2026
This edition of the Industry Checkpoint series focuses on consumer devices, highlighting how the market has changed in the last six months and the implications. The report considers four major developments: innovation in smartphones spanning both emerging form factors and fundamental features; new advancements and innovations in XR hardware and OS; important developments in the handheld games console market; and major milestones in the smartphone eSIM market.
CES 2026: how advanced AI is shaping devices, smart home, digital entertainment and automotive
For industry players, the developments at CES have important implications for the road ahead. For operators, for example, this includes the area of network quality of service and the opening up of potential new revenue opportunities. To help navigate the key announcements, developments and implications from the show, this report focuses on four key areas of innovation: consumer devices, smart home, digital entertainment and automotive.
- 200 reports a year
- 50 million data points
- Over 350 metrics