The integration of AI into smartphones has been a major talking point in the tech world. However, a recent survey reveals that artificial intelligence isn’t a significant factor when consumers decide to purchase a new phone. The study, conducted by SellCell, a website specializing in pricing used technology, surveyed over 2,000 smartphone users, with more than half owning an AI-capable iPhone. Their findings shed light on the current state of AI in smartphones and what users truly value.
AI Features: Practicality Over Novelty
The survey highlights a clear preference for practical AI features that streamline daily tasks. Generative writing tools, notification summaries, and prioritized messaging ranked among the most popular AI capabilities for iPhone users with Apple Intelligence (available on iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 16 models). On the Android side, Samsung users, who have had access to Galaxy AI since its debut on the Galaxy S24 earlier this year, favored features like Circle to Search and the AI-powered Photo Assist editing within the Samsung Gallery app.
Brand Loyalty and Subscription Fatigue
Interestingly, the survey revealed a greater interest in AI-driven interfaces among iPhone users compared to their Android counterparts. While nearly 17% of iPhone users expressed potential interest in switching to Samsung if Galaxy AI were to significantly improve, Apple Intelligence users also demonstrated a higher willingness to pay for AI feature subscriptions. Despite this, the vast majority of users on both platforms (around 90%) firmly rejected the idea of paying for AI features.
Room for Improvement: User Satisfaction Remains Low
A key takeaway from the SellCell survey is the overall dissatisfaction with current AI implementations. A surprising 73% of Apple Intelligence users indicated they wouldn’t mind going without AI features for the time being, and an even higher percentage (87%) of Galaxy AI users didn’t find the features “very valuable.”
The Future of AI in Smartphones: Focus on Productivity
These findings suggest that the true potential of AI in smartphones lies in its ability to enhance productivity and information management. Features that simplify note-taking, information retrieval, and other daily tasks are what users truly desire. As AI continues to evolve, its success in the smartphone market will depend on its ability to demonstrably improve user workflows and make our lives easier. The more AI can prove its value in these areas, the closer we’ll get to a true AI revolution in mobile technology.
