The top 10 mobile technologies to look forward to in 2021

2021 has just begun, and Xiaomi and vivo have already released this year's flagship models equipped with Snapdragon 888. So, what other new technology trends are worth looking forward to in 2021?

1. Foldable screen mobile phone (flexible screen)

Last year, Samsung's foldable screen mobile phone was the leader. In fact, it's not that major manufacturers can't make foldable screen mobile phones, but they can't make foldable screens at a suitable price, or in other words, the cost can't be reduced. But this situation should be improved this year, because LG and Samsung have expanded the production capacity of flexible screens, and it is said that domestic BOE can also make flexible screens. The emergence of economies of scale will inevitably mean that prices will fall. This trend actually started in December last year. Xiaomi and Apple have related foldable products exposed, and VIVO has launched two concept products in succession. It can be predicted that this year, Samsung will not be the only company to produce foldable screen mobile phones.

2. Under-screen camera

Just like what was said in the previous video, water drop screens, notch screens, and pop-up cameras all have their problems, and under-screen cameras are the trend of the future. Last year, a truly commercial under-screen camera phone was launched, the ZTE Axon 20. This year, at least the Xiaomi 11 Ultra has been pre-ordered with an under-screen camera. Although I haven't heard any news about other brands, there is no doubt that similar products should be launched in the second half of the year at the latest.

3. Computational Photography

In terms of camera, in addition to the under-screen camera, the other is the rear camera. The current camera module is already large enough and very functional, whether it is ultra-high pixel imaging, night mode or a variety of "stable video", it is enough to meet daily needs. Therefore, it is unlikely to have more lenses or higher pixels. Manufacturers will do more research on digital optimization. That is what Apple has always emphasized, using optimization to fully unleash camera performance. For example, the optimization processing engine can perform exposure, HDR, white balance adjustment, noise reduction, etc. faster. In other words, the phone can perform optimization work with a higher amount of tasks in a shorter time. On the other hand, good optimization can also "understand" the content in the picture and improve its own optimization methods through machine learning, thereby achieving a more realistic shooting effect.

4. Small screen phone

Small-screen phones should be what many people are looking forward to, including myself, who has suffered from large screens for a long time. In fact, the manufacturers cannot be blamed for this. After all, we have been pursuing higher picture quality, refresh rate, gaming experience, etc. It’s not that small-screen phones cannot make these things, but the comprehensive cost of making large screens is lower. Of course, it’s not that the bigger the lower. It also has a degree. Whether it is OLED or LCD screen, it is probably best to make it around 6.5 inches. Any larger will affect image stability. But that was in the past. Screen technology is developing very fast now. After all, flexible screens can be mass-produced, so it is definitely possible to make small screens. The hot sales of iPhone 12 mini and SE are sending signals. I think there should be more small-screen phones released this year.

5. No Port

In fact, Apple proposed the portless mobile phone as early as 2017, but the progress was not fast. Until now, it has only cancelled the 3.5mm headphone jack. It’s not that it can’t be cancelled, but even Apple dare not rashly cancel the charging data interface, so it can only do it step by step. The Magsafe accessories were launched last year, which is actually to cultivate user habits. When everyone is used to wireless charging, it is said that Apple will launch a new connection chip in March, which can achieve faster transmission efficiency than the current way of sharing data. After completing this layout, the function of the interface can be smoothly transitioned, and the portless mobile phone can be launched. As early as September this year, the iPhone 13 Pro Max will be the first portless mobile phone, with better waterproof and dustproof, and a more complete body, which is worth looking forward to.

6. High refresh rate and flash charging large battery as standard

Last year, except for Apple, almost all major manufacturers used 120HZ refresh rate screens, which is good, but it consumes too much power, so Samsung uses adaptive refresh rate screens, and Apple simply uses 60HZ. In order to solve this problem, manufacturers are also showing their magical powers. Those with poor technology are researching fast charging technology, and those with better technology are researching batteries. These achievements will be applied to this year's mobile phones.

7. A more free mobile phone system

Last year, Xiaomi's MIUI12 was more user-friendly, EMUI11 was more intelligent, and even the unchanging iOS learned from Android to provide more user-friendly tools, not to mention the amazing Origin OS launched by VIVO, which brought a high degree of freedom with Huarong grid and atomic components, and received a very good response. All this shows that the mobile phone system is moving towards a more user-friendly and customized direction. This year will be a year of flourishing mobile phone systems.

8. Ecological competition

The competition in the ecosystem is highly dependent on the mobile phone system. Without a smooth and smart mobile phone system, there is no ecosystem to talk about. In the past, when it came to ecology, it was basically Samsung, Apple and other big players, and then Xiaomi created a seemingly plausible ecosystem. But in the past two years, due to the enhancement of the system, everyone is paying more and more attention to the ecosystem. If you pay attention, you can find that the closed loop of some big-name products is getting more and more serious. Now if you buy a Huawei electric toothbrush, some functions cannot be unlocked without the Hilink of a Huawei mobile phone. The situation is similar for other brands. In 2021, the competition in the ecosystem will be more serious.

9. Appearance upgrade

Appearance upgrades are essential for major mobile phone brands every year. This year, we can get a glimpse of it from the first released Xiaomi 11. Glass plus stainless steel frame will still be the biggest trend. The electrochromic technology used in the back shell of Reno 5Pro+ last year is also likely to be more popular.

10. Upgraded durability

In fact, last year many mobile phones already had very good drop and water resistance. Not to mention the quality bug of Xiaomi Mi 13, take the iPhone 12 for example. In terms of hardness and toughness, it is definitely not inferior to the tempered glass. I have never used a protective film on my iPhone 12 Pro, thanks to Gorilla Glass 7. Xiaomi Mi 11 also uses this one. I believe that flagships of other brands will be no exception.

These are the ten trends in mobile phones this year. There are definitely others. I have only compiled some of the more important ones here. I’m Lao Wang, see you later.