While artificial intelligence is a common feature of new smartphones, most buyers continue to focus on practical needs. A survey of more than 2,200 adults in the US found that only 11% of smartphone owners upgrade their devices due to AI capabilities. That figure has dropped by 7 points from last year. Also, about three in 10 people have said on the phone that AI is useless and prefers additional additions.
Companies push AI, buyers look elsewhere
The findings are as major manufacturers continue to expand their AI across their product lines. Samsung included the Galaxy AI in its S25 series and its latest folding device. Google has incorporated Gemini into the Pixel 10 range. Apple has introduced Apple Intelligence in its recent models, and is expected to reveal more updates during the launch of the iPhone 17. Despite these investments, research shows that AI is not driving most purchasing decisions.
What buyers want on the phone
When asked what was most important, 62% specified price as an important factor. Battery life was 54% and additional storage continued at 39%. Camera performance remains another concern, with three in 10 respondents mentioning. The same area tops the list in last year's survey, showing that battery life, storage and camera are the strongest reasons for upgrades.
Thin designs and other trends
This year's industry events focus on slimmer calls. Samsung unveiled the S25 Edge, while Oppo and Honor demonstrated the thinner folding concept. Only 7% of survey participants said that thinner designs encourage upgrades. The results suggest that the appeal of the new form factor is limited in external exhibitions and product launches.
Limited use of AI tools
Most smartphones now contain AI, but few owners use it regularly. Only 13% said they rely on AI for text summary or writing. 8% use image generation and 7% use AI for photo editing. 20% admit that they are unsure how to use AI tools built into their phones.
Privacy and cost concerns
Privacy is becoming increasingly concerned. Only 40% of respondents said they were worried about how AI will process the data, up 7 percentage points from the previous year. Cost is another barrier. Half of the sample states that even if companies are considering billing for access, they will not pay additional fees for AI features.
Interest varies by age
The young group showed great interest in mobile AI. One in four Gen Z respondents find the functionality useful. 16% of millennials agreed. Of iPhone owners, 61% use Siri, but they rely on one person every day. On Google's Pixel devices, 41% use Gemini, but daily use is once again limited.
Outlook
The findings show clear trends. While AI has become a standard feature across premium and mid-range devices, buyers continue to prioritize price, battery performance, storage and camera quality when deciding whether to upgrade. For now, businesses face the challenge of justifying large investments in AI, but most customers continue to focus on the basics.
H/T: CNET.
Note: This post was edited/created using Genai Tools.
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