Phone gimmicks have been a hot topic in the smartphone industry for years. These features often promise innovation but end up falling short in terms of practicality and value. Let’s dive into some of the top gimmicks that have graced phones over the last decade:

1. Air Gesture/Motion Sense: Samsung and Google both tried their hand at gesture controls with mixed results. While these features may seem futuristic, they often end up being clunky and underutilized. In reality, touching or using voice commands is still the most effective way to interact with your phone.

2. Heart Rate/Temperature Sensors: Phones like the Pixel 8 series have included sensors for measuring metrics like temperature. However, these niche features are often not FDA-approved and may not be reliable. Major manufacturers have started moving away from such features due to low usage rates.

3. The Glyph: Nothing Phone (1) tried to stand out with LED light strips on their device, but these flashy features often lack real utility. Using the screen for similar functions is usually more practical and user-friendly.

4. Curved Displays: Once a trendsetter, curved displays are now falling out of favor due to issues like distracting reflections and increased vulnerability to damage. Screen protectors for curved displays can also be more expensive and difficult to apply.

5. Under Display Cameras (UDCs): While UDCs have potential, current technology still struggles with visibility issues and poor image quality. Companies like Xiaomi and ZTE are making progress, but UDCs are not yet ready for mainstream adoption.

So, are phone gimmick features bad? It depends on how they enhance the user experience. As technology evolves, AI is opening up new possibilities for creative features that can truly elevate smartphone usage. While some gimmicks may start off as marketing ploys, they have the potential to become valuable tools that enhance our daily interactions with our devices.

In the end, embracing curiosity and innovation in smartphone design can lead to breakthroughs that push boundaries and enhance our digital experiences.

Aleksandar is a tech enthusiast with a passion for exploring new gadgets and technologies across different brands. His dynamic approach to life reflects in his love for outdoor activities like hiking, photography, martial arts, running, and snowboarding. With a background in digitizing artworks at Google Art Project, Aleksandar brings a unique perspective to his tech reviews and hands-on experiments with cutting-edge devices.