5 lost smartphone features that need to make a comeback in 2026

Smartphones have undoubtedly improved during the last decade, with extra highly effective chipsets, strong software program help, and higher battery life. Nonetheless, simply because the development moved in the correct path doesn’t imply some invaluable options weren’t left behind. Extra than simply nostalgia, legacy options we’ve misplaced made previous smartphones extra versatile than their trendy equivalents.

It could be simple to dismiss most of the gadgets I’m going to listing, however 2026 has been a distinct yr. We’ve seen quite a few telephones with bodily keyboards, and the Pebble Time 2 proves purpose-built tech nonetheless has a spot, and that not each system must be for everybody.

Listed below are 5 options we’ve misplaced on smartphones that completely have to make a comeback.

I perceive that each one gadgets (and even autos) include Bluetooth performance in 2026. Nonetheless, that doesn’t fully get rid of the necessity for a 3.5mm headphone jack on a cellphone. Legacy stereo methods and older automobiles nonetheless use AUX ports, and I really like having the choice to plug in bodily with out points. Headphone jacks additionally enable firms to incorporate high-quality DACs. I nonetheless take pleasure in listening to music on my LG V20 with its Quad DAC. It’s a incredible listening expertise, and we’ve misplaced that on trendy telephones.

Analog audio isn’t the one purpose headphone jacks are helpful in 2026. Not everybody needs to hold round wi-fi headphones or earbuds. They could be a fixed ache. I have to maintain observe of what’s charged up sufficient to take with me, after which there may be all the time the specter of dropping them. Sure, wired headphones will also be annoying, getting caught or tangled, however I’ll take the compromise, particularly if it means I get a low-latency, high-quality listening expertise. I get that USB-C dongles are an answer, however nobody needs to take care of that continually.

I hated when smartphones began getting taller. I liked telephones just like the LG V20 and Nexus 6 for his or her wider 16:9 side ratios. The shows have been glorious for watching video and social media, and video games appeared nice. It’s the extra pure side ratio for the content material we watch. Taller side ratios are perfect for some customers, however I’d recognize seeing a bit of extra selection within the market.

The brand new Galaxy Z Fold 8 is popping individuals again on to the thought of wider shows, and I feel you’ll see extra producers take observe. I doubt each system will return to 16:9 anytime quickly, however I count on wider-aspect-ratio telephones to start out popping up in firms’ lineups. Having the ability to view a whole doc or e-mail with out scrolling aspect to aspect is an incredible expertise, and extra customers will wish to strive it.

Fortunately, microSD cards are nonetheless discovered on just a few midrange and price range telephones in 2026, however they’re largely absent from flagship gadgets. Paying up for inner storage can get costly in a rush. I recognize that base storage for most costly telephones is now 256GB, however should you maintain your cellphone for years, that can refill. 512GB and 1TB variants are sometimes prohibitively costly, so a microSD card is a perfect resolution.

Sure, cloud storage is available and received’t value you as a lot, however many consumers don’t need all their information within the cloud. You won’t all the time have dependable entry to cellular information or Wi-Fi, which means you’re lower off from the knowledge you want. You can even have information limits, and a microSD card helps you save on month-to-month bandwidth.

Whether or not producers prefer it or not, microSD playing cards are a handy option to carry your pictures, motion pictures, and music in your cellular system, and they need to return to flagship telephones in 2026.

I discussed my LG V20 earlier, and it’s been a wonderful expertise popping off the again of the system and swapping batteries as wanted. I perceive detachable backs and replaceable batteries are a blended bag, as you do need to sacrifice water resistance. Batteries are additionally bigger, and chipsets are extra environment friendly, which means operating low on energy isn’t fairly the issue it was once.

Greater than detachable batteries, I want to see batteries which might be simpler for customers to switch. In case you maintain your cellphone for 5 – 6 years, that’s loads of cycles on that cell. Efficiency will dip over time, and I really like the thought of simply swapping in a recent battery so I can maintain having fun with my cellphone with out being tethered to a wall outlet.

Not like just a few of the opposite issues I point out on the listing, you might even see extra firms make it simpler for individuals to switch growing older batteries. The EU has gotten stricter with rules, and even Apple has needed to comply. The times of carrying round 3 batteries in your pocket could also be gone, however telephones with extra accessible cells are a chance.

I do know each producer appears to be in a race to scale back bezels as a lot as doable, however I wouldn’t be towards constructing them again up. Further house on smartphones opens up thrilling potentialities. Corporations would have more room to place higher audio system again into their telephones. Some telephones handle to supply first rate sound with restricted house, however I’d take pleasure in seeing what they may do if bezels weren’t a spotlight.

I’ll perpetually argue that notification LEDs are extra helpful and versatile than an always-on show. Even the perfect AODs are nugatory from greater than a foot or two away on my desk, whereas a stable notification LED may give me data from throughout the room. I’m wanting ahead to Google’s upcoming HiLight tech on the Pixel 11 sequence, however it’s on the again of the cellphone. Extra space on the entrance would open up lighting choices once more.

Any Galaxy Observe 9 lover will let you know how a lot they miss the iris scanner. Safer biometrics would even be appreciated, past only a fingerprint sensor.

Telephones just like the upcoming Clicks Communicator give me some hope. The system incorporates a helpful notification LED, headphone jack, and expandable storage. Not each system must be for everybody, and it might be welcome to see some selection within the market, with legacy options which might be nonetheless helpful in 2026.

Positive, firms profit if it’s important to pay extra for issues like expanded storage, however I can dream.