Features We’d Love to See in a Smartphone
Smartphones have come a long way in the last decade. We’ve seen huge leaps in camera tech, battery life, charging speeds and display quality — but that doesn’t stop our imaginations from running wild. Whether you're an iPhone fan or a loyal Samsung user, there are always those “dream features” we wish manufacturers would finally introduce.
If you’re looking for phones that already tick a lot of boxes, take a look at our range of refurbished mobile phones, all fully tested before they reach you.
A Battery That Actually Lasts 2–3 Days
While modern smartphones boast impressive battery life, most still struggle to make it past a full day of heavy use. Imagine a phone designed to comfortably last two or even three days without needing a charge — even with 5G, gaming and constant scrolling.
With new advances in battery technology emerging, we hope brands will start prioritising multi-day endurance as standard.
Indestructible Screens
Ceramic Shield, Gorilla Glass, screen protectors… they all help, but one clumsy drop can still be game over. A truly crack-proof screen would be a dream feature for millions of users.
Whether it’s self-healing glass or a flexible impact-resistant layer, the first brand to nail this could change the industry forever.
Zero-Bezel Displays (With No Cut-Outs)
While punch-hole and notch designs have improved, they still interrupt the viewing experience. A screen with no bezels and no visible camera cut-outs would feel genuinely futuristic, especially for watching content or gaming.
Under-display cameras are improving, so we’re hopeful this one isn’t far off.
AI That Actually Helps — Not Just Hypes
AI features are becoming a huge part of new smartphones, but many users want something useful, not gimmicky. Imagine:
- AI that manages your battery intelligently
- AI that improves digital wellbeing by detecting burnout
- AI-powered camera tools that genuinely enhance photos — not over-edit them
- A personal assistant that sounds natural and understands context
With platforms like Apple Intelligence and Galaxy AI expanding fast, we might finally see practical everyday AI become the norm.
True Universal Compatibility
Most users dream of a world where all devices simply work together — no restrictions, no locked ecosystems. Features we’d love include:
- universal file sharing between all brands
- a global charging standard across every device
- cross-platform video calling without quality loss
USB-C was a great start, but there’s still a long way to go.
A Built-In Phone Finder Even When the Battery Is Dead
Plenty of platforms offer location services, but once your battery dies, finding your phone becomes tricky. A built-in, ultra-low-power chip that stays active for days — even when the phone is “off” — would be a lifesaver for forgetful users.
Some brands have experimented with this, but a universal dead-battery tracking solution would be a game changer.
Professional-Level Editing Tools
Smartphone cameras keep getting stronger, so why not match that with editing tools worthy of the shots they produce? We’d love to see:
- full desktop-level photo and video editors
- advanced masking and colour grading
- AI-assisted editing that enhances — not replaces — your creativity
Phones like the iPhone 13 Pro Max and Galaxy S22 Ultra already offer brilliant camera hardware, but the editing experience still has room to grow.
A Truly Affordable Flagship
Let’s be honest — flagship pricing is getting out of hand. A top-tier smartphone with flagship power, top cameras and long battery life for under £500 would make waves in the industry.
Budget-friendly phones like the Pixel 4a and iPhone SE paved the way, but a full flagship at an accessible price is still on our wish list.
Until then, refurbished flagship phones offer the next best thing — high-end specs at a far lower cost, all fully tested and backed by quality checks.
