In today’s world, it’s nearly impossible for most people to imagine life without a smartphone. Yet, according to recent remarks by Google and Alphabet CEO Sundar Pichai, the smartphone era may soon be approaching its end — and faster than many expect.

AI Devices on the Rise

Speaking during Alphabet’s quarterly earnings report, Sundar Pichai highlighted the growing demand for AI-powered devices, especially smart wearables like smart glasses, as a major factor driving this shift.

He stated that while smartphones are still expected to remain central to users’ lives for at least the next 2 to 3 years, the increasing adoption of AI-based wearables will gradually reduce the reliance on traditional smartphones.

Pichai particularly emphasized the success of Gemini 2.5 Pro, an advanced AI model developed by Google, stating:

“It’s performing remarkably well — and we haven’t even fully rolled it out yet.”

Smartphones May Soon Be Replaced by AI Hardware

This isn’t the first time a leading tech executive has predicted the decline of smartphones. Earlier in 2025, OpenAI CEO Sam Altman also suggested that the smartphone era could end in the near future.

In an interview, Altman revealed that OpenAI is working on AI hardware as a potential alternative to smartphones, aiming to develop a device that leverages the power of ChatGPT in a more intuitive and wearable form.

Although details are scarce, the vision suggests a shift away from touchscreens toward voice-based and AI-driven interaction.

Apple Also Eyeing the Post-Smartphone Future

OpenAI isn’t alone in this vision. Apple is reportedly making major strides in developing augmented reality (AR) glasses designed to replace the iPhone altogether.

While Apple is investing in visual interfaces and AR ecosystems, OpenAI’s approach is likely to revolve around natural language, AI assistants, and seamless real-world integration.

What Does the Future Look Like?

Though we’re still in the early stages of this transition, industry analysts believe:

• Smart glasses and wearable AI assistants will slowly replace smartphones for tasks like communication, navigation, and content consumption.
• Touchscreen-based interactions may be phased out in favor of voice, gestures, or neural input systems.
• Devices will become less visible but more intelligent — blending into everyday life.

Until then, smartphones remain dominant — but the race toward a post-smartphone era has clearly begun.