4 pointless smartphone options I am glad disappeared

It is no secret that the design and features of smartphones have undergone important adjustments over the previous twenty years. Evaluating early fashions, such because the original iPhone, Pixel, or Galaxy, to their newest variations clearly demonstrates this. Whereas processing energy, shows, storage, and battery life have all improved, some options have been phased out over time, typically for good causes.

Though it is comprehensible that some individuals may miss sure old smartphone features, I imagine many are simply remnants of their time. To succeed in the standard we now count on from smartphones, these options needed to develop into out of date. Listed below are 4 smartphone options which have come and gone — which I do not miss in any respect, and also you won’t both.

1

Bodily keyboards

They took up an excessive amount of house

Sorry, BlackBerry fans, however the first smartphone characteristic I not miss is the bodily QWERTY keyboard. Whereas the primary iPhone in 2007 marked the start of the tip for bodily keyboards, the final BlackBerry-branded keyboard cellphone was the BlackBerry Key2 LE, launched in 2018 and made by TCL. Earlier than I bought my first iPhone, I recall utilizing a BlackBerry with a bodily keyboard again in 2010, in addition to an LG Rumor 2, and I by no means loved the typing expertise on both machine. I all the time felt the keys have been too small, and to me, it felt uncomfortable to kind on them.

One of many largest compromises that comes with a bodily keyboard is the lack of display screen actual property. Since they have been largely phased out, our cellphone screens have develop into bigger, and the touchscreen typing expertise has improved drastically, with higher haptic suggestions and, after all, autocorrect and on-screen typing help. Plus, on Android, you may customise your on-screen keyboard precisely to your liking, with apps like Gboard. I will take an on-screen keyboard with a bigger show any day over a bodily one with a smaller show. Nevertheless, for those who actually need a bodily keyboard, you will get cellphone equipment like a Clicks Keyboard case.

2

Detachable batteries

It isn’t sensible these days

Again within the day, I actually appreciated with the ability to take away the battery from my Galaxy S4 and exchange it simply. Though the iPhone has all the time had a non-removable battery, many Android telephones from that period, like these from Samsung and HTC, had detachable batteries. It was thought-about a handy and easy method to shortly swap out a lifeless battery.

Nevertheless, since batteries have principally develop into non-removable and extra built-in into gadgets, I have never thought of detachable batteries a lot. Battery expertise has improved drastically over the previous decade, because of advances in each software program and {hardware}, no matter whether or not you utilize iOS or Android, and I have never skilled my cellphone’s battery well being decline to the purpose the place a full alternative is required.

One other issue to think about is the design trade-off with detachable batteries, because you’d want the again of the cellphone to have the ability to pop off. Most flagship telephones now have steel frames and glass backs as a substitute of plastic, and a detachable battery merely would not be potential whereas sustaining the excessive design requirements and water and dirt resistance scores that folks count on at the moment. Detachable batteries have been handy again within the day, however at the moment’s premium designs and sturdiness requirements make detachable batteries much less sensible, and I do not miss them in any respect.

3

The three.5mm headphone jack

Sorry audiophiles, however wi-fi earbuds are too handy

I really feel like I will take some flak for this one, however I am simply being trustworthy. I do not miss the three.5mm headphone jack that was as soon as on nearly each smartphone. Apple eliminated it with the iPhone 7 in 2016, and Samsung stopped together with it with the Galaxy Be aware 10 and Galaxy S20 collection in 2019 and 2020, respectively. With the rise in recognition of wi-fi headphones and earbuds, reminiscent of Apple’s AirPods, I hardly ever take into consideration the headphone jack. Sure, it was an important characteristic in 2015, however a decade later, in 2025, I not even personal wired earbuds.

Audiophiles may disagree with me, as some wired headphones help lossless audio, which Bluetooth headphones do not supply. Nevertheless, whereas I hearken to music on my cellphone throughout a jog or my commute, it is merely not one thing I take into consideration. If you really want a headphone jack, you may all the time use an adapter. I imagine some great benefits of eradicating the headphone jack outweigh the disadvantages.

With out it, telephones have improved water and dirt resistance, in addition to extra inside house for higher {hardware}, reminiscent of bigger batteries. It additionally lets gadgets be slimmer, which I favor. There is no denying the headphone jack is fondly remembered. Nevertheless, given the recognition of wi-fi audio and the will for sleeker designs, in at the moment’s world, it is not important, and I do not discover myself lacking it.

4

Proprietary charging ports

That is principally Apple’s fault

I imagine most individuals share my view that having totally different proprietary charging ports on telephones is a characteristic of the previous that isn’t missed. Admittedly, Apple is generally chargeable for this. Whereas most Android telephones initially used micro-USB and later shifted to USB-C, Apple maintained its 30-pin connector, which was cumbersome and fewer than preferrred, earlier than adopting the Lightning port again in 2012. This port was phased out in 2023 with the introduction of USB-C on the iPhone 15 collection.

At this time, whether or not you’ve gotten an Android or an iPhone, each use USB-C, permitting you to make use of the identical charger and cables throughout all of your gadgets — be it a cellphone, pill, laptop computer, or headphones. The common adoption of USB-C advantages the atmosphere by decreasing the necessity to buy new cables, chargers, or equipment when upgrading gadgets, thereby reducing e-waste and making life simpler.

I do not even keep in mind the final time I purchased or bought a brand new charging brick for a cellphone, whereas prior to now, I used to get a brand new brick with each machine. Additionally, now when somebody asks for a charger at my home or within the automobile, I needn’t ask what kind of cellphone they’ve, as there is a good probability it is a USB-C machine. Whereas USB-C isn’t perfect, it is considerably higher than what got here earlier than it, and I do not miss all the time having to attempt to discover the suitable cable to cost my cellphone or anyone else’s.