Tech in 2025: What to Expect From the Year Ahead
After looking back at two decades of festive favourites in our 2000–2024 smartphone history guide, it’s time to switch gears and look forward. The tech world is moving faster than ever — and 2025 is shaping up to be one of the biggest years in mobile innovation.
From AI-powered phones to flexible screens and smarter accessories, here’s a look at what the next 12 months could bring.
AI Becomes the New Standard
If 2024 was the year AI arrived on smartphones, 2025 will be the year it becomes fully integrated. Apple Intelligence is rolling out across the iPhone range, and Samsung’s Galaxy AI is expanding at the same pace.
Here’s what we expect AI to handle in 2025:
- Context-aware assistants that understand tone and intention
- AI photo correction that fixes lighting, removes noise and enhances colours automatically
- Real-time guidance for travel, navigation and productivity
- Smart battery optimisation based on daily habits
This isn’t just about fancy features — AI is set to become the foundation of how smartphones work.
Foldable & Rollable Phones Go Mainstream
Foldables took major steps forward in 2023–2024, and 2025 is expected to be the year they finally move into the mainstream. Samsung’s Z-series remains the market leader, but more brands are preparing their own entries — including rumoured rollable and tri-fold designs.
We expect to see:
- More durable hinge systems
- Higher refresh-rate foldable displays
- Thinner designs that feel less bulky
- Lower starting prices thanks to maturing technology
If you’re curious about Samsung’s next foldable already, keep an eye on our Galaxy S25 rumours guide.
Battery Breakthroughs
Battery innovation has been slow over the years — but 2025 could finally shake things up. With demand for longer-lasting, more efficient phones increasing, brands are looking into:
- Graphene-enhanced batteries for rapid charging
- Smarter thermal management to prevent overheating
- Two-day battery life as a realistic benchmark
Pair these with AI-based energy management, and 2025 devices may finally deliver the endurance users have been asking for.
Camera Tech Gets Pro-Level Upgrades
Smartphone cameras get better every year — but 2025 could push mobile photography into true professional territory. Expect:
- Bigger sensors for improved low-light performance
- Smarter processing to reduce noise and improve skin tones
- AI-driven editing that rivals desktop tools
- Spatial video support on more devices for immersive capture
With Apple Vision Pro gaining popularity, spatial recording will likely become a major selling point this year.
USB-C Everywhere
2024 standardised USB-C across most major smartphone brands — and 2025 will complete that transition. Accessories, laptops, tablets and even wearables are expected to lean fully into one universal connector. No more hunting for the “right” cable.
We may also see faster charging speeds and cross-brand compatibility improving further.
Affordable Flagship Alternatives
With premium phones now crossing the £1,000 line consistently, 2025 is expected to bring a wave of “flagship-lite” devices — phones with high-end features but reduced prices.
Think:
- slightly slower chipsets
- single instead of dual telephoto cameras
- plastic frames instead of titanium
These budget-friendly flagships will offer excellent value — and many will appear in our refurbished phone range shortly after release.
Should You Upgrade in 2025?
If your current phone is slowing down, struggling with battery life or missing out on new AI features, 2025 could be the perfect time to upgrade. You can browse the latest models in our refurbished smartphone collection, all
