New research reveals that only a small fraction of smartphone users are motivated to upgrade for foldable designs or AI-driven features, with over half citing price and longer battery life as their main reasons.
- 55% of users prioritize price when upgrading
- Only 12-13% are motivated by AI features or new designs
- Longer battery life is a crucial upgrade driver for 52% of users
What happened
Smartphone makers like Samsung and Apple continue to innovate, introducing foldable devices and incorporating AI-powered functions such as background removal from photos and AI-assisted communication tools. Rumors about Apple's potential foldable phone and Motorola’s upcoming Razr 2026 model reflect ongoing efforts to refresh designs and add new capabilities.
However, a recent survey by CNET found that most U.S. smartphone users are not compelled by these new features. Only a small minority—around 12% to 13%—consider AI integrations or foldable designs important enough to motivate an upgrade. Instead, cost and battery life remain the dominant concerns influencing consumer decisions.
Why it matters
The findings highlight a disconnect between manufacturer innovation priorities and consumer preferences. Despite advancements and unique form factors, practical concerns such as price and device endurance have consistently topped smartphone upgrade motivators. For example, more than half of users surveyed cited price as a key factor, with similar emphasis on improved battery life.
Price inflation from technological advancements, supply constraints, tariffs, and RAM shortages has pushed new phone prices higher, with entry-level flagship models now starting around $800 to $900. This trend further complicates consumers’ willingness to upgrade, especially when new features do not align with their core needs.
What to watch next
Consumers will likely continue prioritizing practical improvements over flashy new designs or AI gimmicks in the near term. Manufacturers may need to balance their innovation agendas with affordability and battery life enhancements to better meet market demands. Tracking how foldable phones and AI features perform in real-world adoption will be crucial for future product strategies.
Additionally, monitoring whether rising smartphone prices reach a plateau or continue to escalate will inform when consumers might become more receptive to upgrading for novel features. Meanwhile, incremental improvements in camera quality, storage capacity, and display size remain modest but meaningful incentives for some buyers.