Have we reached the peak of the smartphone?
Phones were pretty boring for a long time. Don’t get us wrong – phones are still amazing little devices! It feels like we haven’t seen a truly innovative phone design or outstanding new features in a long time. This year’s phone looks and functions just like last year’s phone. Your phone looks and works just like my phone. Have the phones really stopped, leveled off, or calmed down? Is their transition from fetish object to product complete?
The beautiful dullness of phones draws attention every time a new phone comes out in the world. This week we saw the debut of the latest Samsung Galaxy devices. WIRED staff writer (and our podcast producer) Boone Ashworth joins us to talk about these new phones and phones in general, and how exciting and gaudy they are at the same time.
Show notes
Read our roundup of everything Samsung announced at Galaxy Unpacked 2023, including three new Galaxy phones and five new laptops. If you want to pre-order your Galaxy device, we have some buying tips for you. Last year’s model is also just great. Read Lauren’s story about buying a used phone safely.
Recommendations
Boone recommends Barbarian, which you can watch on HBO Max or rent elsewhere. Mike recommends Sichuan gold hot sauce from Fly By Jing. Lauren Recommends HBO Documentary Navalny.
Boone Ashworth can be found on Twitter @BunAshworth. Lauren Goode @LaurenGood. Michael Kalore @snack. Bling main hotline at @GadgetLab. Our theme music is written solar keys.
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