Okay, so 2025 was quite the year for mobile tech, wasn't it? Looking back, it's easy to see some clear trends that really took hold. One of the most noticeable? The rise of **foldable phones**. We went from Samsung and a few others experimenting with the form factor to seeing more and more companies jump on board.

It wasn't just about more foldables, it was about better foldables. Manufacturers were really pushing the boundaries of design, trying to create devices that were both functional and stylish. The idea of a phone that could transform into a tablet? Still feels pretty futuristic, even now.

However, it wasn't just about screens that bent. There was also a huge push towards slimmer, more lightweight phones. It felt like every other week, a new phone was being released that was somehow thinner than the last. You almost wondered how they managed to cram all the necessary components inside! For example, some brands bet everything in curved screens to achieve that effect. Also, it felt like 2025 was the year when everyone started talking about **AI** all the time.

And speaking of AI, that became *the* buzzword. It wasn't just about virtual assistants anymore (though those got smarter, too). AI was being integrated into every aspect of the phone experience, from photography to battery management. It's like our phones were starting to anticipate our needs before we even realized them. This is great because it empowers the technology and our capability to get things done. And I think this trend will continue in the future.

Now, let's talk about something a little less exciting: price. Unfortunately, phone prices continued their upward climb. I believe that the tariffs that were imposed on imported components drove the prices up. It's a shame, because it meant that some of the most innovative tech was becoming less accessible to the average consumer. And that's always disappointing. It made you question what you really needed in a phone, versus what you just wanted.

It was a year of innovation, for sure, but also a year where the industry had to grapple with some real-world challenges. From amazing **design breakthroughs** to the continued rise of AI and the economic factors impacting prices, 2025 really set the stage for where mobile tech is headed now. I'm excited to see what the future holds, even if my wallet is a little nervous.