The AI Smartphones That Didn't Launch in 2024: A Review

The Future of AI Smartphones: A Year of Promises and Disappointments

Over the past year, I have closely monitored every major smartphone launch in the US. Time and again, manufacturers have boldly announced that "AI is here!" and that their devices are the AI smartphones we have all been waiting for. This barrage of claims was often accompanied by applause and a subsequent boost in stock prices. Yet, upon getting my hands on these devices, the reality was much less impressive.

Understanding AI Smartphones

The underlying theory suggests that smartphones will soon transform into something entirely new: AI smartphones. These devices would not merely require users to engage with a grid of applications but rather allow for seamless interaction through voice commands.

• Order pizza with a simple voice prompt.
• Point your camera at a concert flyer, and the AI checks your availability and adds the event to your calendar.
• Ask your phone about a friend's comment in any text or email, and it will retrieve the necessary information for you.

While the concept is certainly appealing, the current execution of AI on smartphones has been less than satisfactory. What we have experienced feels more like a mishmash of tech demos rather than a cohesive platform shift.

Current AI Capabilities

As of today, AI functionalities on smartphones include:

• Assisting in writing or rewriting emails to enhance professionalism.
• Reacting to texts with amusing emoji options.
• Translating phone calls, albeit imperfectly.
• Generating bizarre edits of your food photos, often unintended.

These examples are mostly quirky or mildly amusing; however, they do not represent the groundbreaking transformation we were promised.

The AI Smartphones of 2024: A Closer Look

In 2024, major smartphone brands unveiled new devices claiming to feature advanced AI functionalities.

Samsung's Galaxy S24

Samsung kicked off the year with the launch of its Galaxy S24 series, declaring grandly that "Galaxy AI is here." While these smartphones boast a combination of Samsung's and Google’s Gemini Nano AI models, they fall short of being true AI smartphones. Key features include:

• Picture cleanup that can misfire and leave you with even more distracting images.
• A live language interpreter that can translate calls but may generate hilarious errors.

Google's Pixel 9 Series

As the fall of 2024 approached, Google emphasized AI across its Pixel 9 series. Here, Gemini AI pervaded:

• An AI-generated weather summary.
• An AI app that saves and tags screenshots.
• Various AI image generation tools.

While convenient, the features appear disjointed, offering little interconnectivity, and users may question whether they truly enhance the smartphone experience.

Apple's iPhone 16 and Apple Intelligence

In September, Apple launched its iPhone 16, boasting "built for Apple Intelligence" capabilities. However, the initial offering was underwhelming, featuring:

• Notification and email summaries.
• Writing style alterations.
• A cosmetic upgrade to Siri, without substantial functional changes.

Although updates are set to come, what exists currently does not equate to an AI smartphone experience.

The Overall AI Landscape

The current state of AI technology is tumultuous. Opinions range from viewing AI as a looming bubble set to burst to seeing imminent revolutionary advancements. From search engines to social media platforms, AI is everywhere, generating more confusion than clarity.

Future Prospects

Looking ahead, there is potential for more substantial integration of AI on smartphones:

• Siri may become more responsive through updates allowing app interactions.
• Google appears to be exploring similar strategies in Android 16, potentially enhancing Gemini's app connectivity.

If the stakes are high, smartphone makers must act soon. With mounting frustration among consumers regarding unfulfilled AI promises, the pressure to deliver meaningful AI smartphone experiences is rising.

Conclusion

As we observe the beginning of 2024, it is clear that while the vision of AI smartphones is compelling, the reality has yet to materialize. Major brands must address user expectations and concerns before trust erodes further. Users are eagerly awaiting the dawn of true AI-powered smartphones that can genuinely enhance daily interactions.