Flagship smartphones often advertise themselves as the best mobile experience, but this is debunked by their surging prices and narrower differentiation from mid-range counterparts. The following are the four changes that should be made for a real redefinition of flagship experiences.
- Stop Using Flagships For Experimental Changes
Flagships should prioritize their users’ requirements over commercial motives. Some brands have in the recent past done away with features such as microSD card slots and headphone jacks on grounds of improvements. For instance, the elimination of microSD slots was explained away as addressing problems like data corruption and performance. However, these moves often increase the cost for consumers, pushing them toward pricier storage upgrades or cloud services.
This trend also applies to other controversial actions including removal of chargers to minimize e-waste- an alteration that started with high-end models before becoming common across all price categories. Although some consumers can adapt to this situation, true user benefits rather than profit motives should inform these adjustments.
- Hardware-Based Privacy Controls to Improve Privacy
More than just software updates are required for privacy features in flagship devices. For instance, other types of hardware solutions like a camera with a cover or specific button to turn off the mic would provide assurance against potential abuse.
In the past, pop-up cameras such as those used on OnePlus 7 Pro were good examples of hardwarebased privacy but they had to be abandoned for weighing heavily and being unreliable. Consideration could be given to alternatives such as switch off buttons for cameras or mics-off buttons positioned at device edges without compromising on designs much. Those features would ensure that even if malware infects a device, users still have control over their data.
- Simplify Software by Reducing Bloatware
Smartphones with latest technologies should not be burdened with complex software systems. Nevertheless, many high-end phones come loaded with unnecessary applications and bloatware from third parties. For instance, Samsung includes two sets of apps such as Samsung Internet and Samsung Notes while Google has its own versions whereas One Plus has been introducing tools recently which are less useful like Membership app.
Unnecessary bloatware not only ruins user experience but also slows down performance level. Manufacturers should allow users to easily uninstall preloaded apps or ship flagships with minimal bloatware in order to improve performance and usability.
- Rapid and Inclusive Software Updates
Older models are unable to quickly update software on flagship phones, which is a disadvantage for long-term users. A two-year-old flagship still has competitive hardware, but outdated software can render it unusable.
All flagship models of phones should have their update rollouts streamlined so that there are no major delays between new and older devices. This will increase the lifespan of quality smartphones and match the expectation buyers put in them.
What Comes Next? Stick with the Basics
To really enhance the flagship experience, businesses need to stop focusing on gimmicks and start concentrating on useful improvements. Improving privacy controls, reducing unnecessary software, delivering updates when they’re due, avoiding controversial changes – these makes flagships more attractive. Sometimes innovation does not have to be transformative because merely getting the basics right is good enough.
