New Delhi. The smartphone industry is rapidly entering a new era where artificial intelligence is going to become the foundation of the entire mobile experience and not just an added feature. According to new research, in the coming time, smartphones will not be limited to just obeying orders, but will be able to understand the needs of the user, take decisions and do many tasks automatically. This is the reason why Generative AI i.e. GenAI is now becoming the biggest technological direction of the mobile industry.

According to the latest report by market research firm Counterpoint Research, by the year 2027, 52 percent of smartphones sold worldwide will be equipped with GenAI features. According to the report, this share is estimated to be 36 percent in 2025, which will increase to 45 percent in 2026 and 52 percent in 2027. It is clear from this that in the coming time, AI will not be limited to premium smartphones but it will become an important part of almost every category of mobile.

According to the report, major smartphone manufacturing companies are now working on agentic AI technology beyond general AI tools. This technology will be able to work automatically by understanding the user’s behavior and needs. On the other hand, Apple is also preparing to introduce many new GenAI features in its next iPhone series, which will make using the smartphone easier and smarter than before.

However, amidst the expansion of AI technology, a big challenge is also facing the entire smartphone industry. Counterpoint Research estimates that global smartphone shipments may decline by about 13.9 percent in 2026. After this, total sales are likely to decline to around 1.08 billion units, which is considered to be the biggest decline in the last several years.

Experts say that the biggest reason for this decline is the increasing production cost and challenges to the availability of memory components. Its biggest impact can be on budget and entry level smartphones. Many low-cost models may also be out of the market because it will not be easy for companies to include expensive GenAI features in them.

On the other hand, companies making premium smartphones are likely to benefit from this change. Companies that already have a strong presence in the high-end segment are preparing to provide a more advanced experience to customers by rapidly adopting new AI technologies. Experts believe that as the memory supply situation improves and production costs reduce, GenAI features will start reaching common smartphones as well.

Technical experts believe that in the coming years, smartphones will not just be a means of calling and accessing the internet but will work as personal digital assistants. This change is being considered as the beginning of the next big phase of mobile technology where AI will make every user’s experience smarter, faster and more personalized than ever before.