With the launch of Apple's iPhone 16 series featuring AI capabilities, the AI smartphone market has reached a new milestone. Both major global mobile operating systems now offer AI-enabled smartphones, providing consumers with more choices. Market research firm Canalys, in its latest report, points out that the rapid development of AI technology heralds a new era for the mobile communications industry.
Canalys' predictions outline the trajectory of the AI smartphone market over the next few years:
By the end of 2024, approximately 16% of newly shipped smartphones will feature next-generation AI capabilities. This growth is primarily driven by rapid advancements in chip technology and increasing consumer demand.
By 2026, the cumulative shipments of AI smartphones will exceed 1 billion units. This growth is largely due to ongoing improvements in system-on-chip (SoC) technology, particularly on the Android platform. AI smartphones are expected to see significant growth in the mid-to-high-end market.
By 2028, AI smartphones will account for 54% of total smartphone shipments, meaning that one out of every two new phones will be an AI smartphone. The compound annual growth rate of the AI smartphone market is expected to be an astonishing 63% between 2023 and 2028. Canalys believes that this transformation will first appear in high-end models, then gradually expand to the mid-range smartphone market.
The report also highlights that major global smartphone manufacturers, including Apple, Google, and Samsung, as well as leading Chinese brands such as Honor, OPPO, Xiaomi, and vivo, are all actively integrating generative AI features into their devices, positioning themselves at the forefront of the industry.