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Foldable phones are making a comeback, but most U.S. adults aren’t convinced enough to upgrade.
Smartphone brands are trying out new phone concepts, such as flip and foldable phones, To give us a bigger screen when we want it, while maintaining the same smartphone functions we are used to. there Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 7for example, and there is also a rumor that Apple is planning to release it The first foldable phone.
And if you remember the popular Motorola Razr phone from the 2000s, there are now rumors about it Motorola Razr 2026 -Reminds me of my old pink phone. But gone are the days of a basic keyboard and some ringtones. Smartphone brands are adding AI features, such as creating custom emojis, removing background objects from photos, and live translation.
However, a recent CNET survey suggests that smartphone users aren’t impressed enough with new features and concepts to consider upgrading their phones. Only 12% are motivated AI integrations And 13% with new phone designs. Alternatively, the price (55%) and longer Battery life (52%) are the biggest driving factors in their decision to get a new phone.
If most US adults aren’t sold, why are tech brands so stubborn? Let’s dive into CNET’s findings and what they mean for the future of smartphones.
- The top three drivers of U.S. adult smartphone owners considering upgrading their devices are price (55%), longer battery life (52%), and increased storage space (38%). This is the same top three as last year: In 2025, price was the main motivator (62%), followed by longer battery life (54%) and storage capacity (39%).
- Despite the growing presence of AI, only 12% of smartphone owners say AI integration would motivate them to consider upgrading.
- Only 13% of smartphone owners would be excited to consider upgrading to a new phone concept, such as a flip phone or rollable phone.
- More than half of smartphone owners (58%) are frustrated with their phone’s battery life, and 31% say their phone’s battery doesn’t hold as much charge as it did when it was new.
Most adults in the United States are not motivated by new smartphone features and designs
Smartphone brands, e.g Samsung and appleare integrated in convenient features, such as a tool to remove unwanted objects from photos, AI call screening, and the ability to craft a message through a prompt. However, CNET found that US adults may consider upgrading for more practical reasons. More than half (55%) of US smartphone users are motivated by price, including 53% of Apple users and 56% of Samsung users.
However, brands are still exploring new concepts and features, e.g Apple intelligencewhich is a built-in artificial intelligence feature. Then there is Rumor A An iPhone in the shape of a bookIt will likely be followed by a foldable clamshell design. But this is not what most smartphone owners strive for.
Smartphone owners are more convinced by design factors and other features when deciding on a new phone, e.g Camera features (27%) and phone screen or screen size (22%). Here are the top motivators that prompt all smartphone users to consider upgrading.
You may have noticed that the price of a basic smartphone has risen significantly over the years. Take the iPhone for example. It was originally $600 for 4GB. But advanced features, RAM shortages, inflation, and tariffs are pushing prices up. Now, the baseline iPhone 17 (256 GB) at $800 Samsung Galaxy S26 (256 GB) starts at $900.
There’s no way to know for sure, but these may be the lowest prices we’ll see on new models for a while, especially as features advance and designs become more complex. So, if you’re already in the market for a new phone, you might want to seriously consider pulling the trigger now if you find a good deal.
The top motivators for promotion haven’t changed much over the years
If we look at CNET survey data for 2024, 2025, and now, people’s motivations for upgrading their phones haven’t changed much. Price, longer battery life, and more storage have been big drivers in the past, and despite small drops this year, they’re still major upgrade factors.
Despite design upgrades and new features, smartphone owners are still focused on how much they pay and how long they can use their devices without needing a charger. Consumer sentiment about AI integrations fell sharply from 2024 to 2025, but rose slightly in 2026. Smartphone owners can’t be so easily convinced Phone color or The phone has become thinneralso.
Even with these amazing capabilities, smartphone owners are looking at the basics. This includes practical features like battery life and more storage space to keep many important files, photos, and apps.
Most smartphone owners want better battery life
When taking a closer look at smartphone users hoping for longer battery life in a new phone, more than half (58%) are frustrated with the battery life of their current phone. Nearly one in three (31%) say their phone doesn’t have a charge.
The truth is that battery life will decrease the longer you have the phone, so you may find that your phone’s battery charge no longer lasts as long as it used to. Although you can Replace yours Phone batteryMost phone batteries have a lifespan of two to three years before they start to deteriorate.
CNET Editorial Content Director Patrick Holland Check battery life tests On more than 35 smartphones currently. And it’s not just iPhones that have great batteries.
Based on lab tests conducted by CNET, that’s $1,200 iPhone 17 Pro Max It had the best overall battery life with a capacity of 5088 mAh. Another best performer was $900 OnePlus 15With a battery capacity of 7300 mAh.
If you’re looking for a phone with better battery life, consider a phone with a carbon silicon battery for increased capacity without needing a larger phone. oneplus 15, Poco F7 Ultra, OnePlus 13R and OnePlus 15 R They all feature silicon-carbon batteries with large capacities, and they all performed well in Netherlands tests. Keep in mind that there are other factors that can affect battery life, such as your carrier signal and software and processor efficiency.
methodology
CNET commissioned the poll from YouGov Plc. All figures, unless otherwise stated, are from YouGov Plc. The total sample included 2,486 adults, of whom 2,407 owned a smartphone. Fieldwork was conducted from April 29 to May 1, 2026. The survey was conducted online. Figures have been weighted and represent all US adults (age 18+).