What's next in mobile telephony: trends that will shape 2026
What's next in mobile telephony: trends that will shape 2026
The mobile phone market is entering a curious phase in 2026: on the one hand, smartphones have been very mature products for years; on the other, several innovations are coming together (generative AI, satellite connectivity, 5G-Advanced, new-generation batteries, real sustainability, etc.) that are ushering in a new wave of renewal.
For the professional channel — shops, distributors, local operators, technical services — this is not just a question of ‘new models’, but of understanding which sales arguments will make the difference in the next 12-24 months.
At CelularB2B, as a wholesaler focused on professionals, we are already seeing many of these trends in the catalogues of major manufacturers. In this article, we review the key factors that are likely to shape mobile telephony in 2026 and how those who make a living from selling, integrating or servicing mobile devices can take advantage of them.
Generative AI in smartphones
1. Generative AI ‘on-device’: the big argument for renewal
The first wave of AI on mobile devices took place in the cloud (voice assistants, photo processing, etc.). The next wave is already underway: generative AI running directly on the smartphone itself, thanks to more powerful SoCs with NPUs and models optimised for local execution.
What does this mean in practice for 2026?
- Automatic summaries of emails, documents or chats directly on your phone.
- Real-time translation and automatic subtitling in calls or video calls.
- AI-assisted photo and video editing without relying on the cloud.
- Personal assistants capable of taking action (scheduling appointments, replying to standard messages, preparing drafts, etc.).
Analysts such as Gartner estimate that ‘GenAI smartphones’ will already account for a significant portion of global spending on terminals by the end of 2025, driving a new wave of device upgrades.
What this means for professionals
- Specific ‘AI-centric’ or ‘AI-ready’ ranges will appear, with differentiated prices and margins.
- It will be key to explain use cases, not just specifications: ‘this mobile phone writes an email for you’, ‘translates on the fly’, ‘summarises a report in two sentences’.
- Minimum training for the sales team to give quick demonstrations at the counter.
2. 5G-Advanced and satellite connectivity: the mobile phone as a ‘lifeline’
While 5G was becoming established, the sector has been preparing the next step: 5G-Advanced (5G-A), defined in the 3GPP Release 18 standard, which improves speed, energy efficiency and latency, and is designed for advanced applications such as XR, massive IoT and critical communications.</ p>
At the same time, major manufacturers have begun to integrate satellite connectivity: Apple led the way with satellite SOS, followed by Google (Pixel 9) and Samsung (Galaxy S25), which allow emergency messages or even SMS to be sent when there is no mobile coverage, in collaboration with operators and providers such as Skylo and Garmin.
Everything points to the following in 2026:
- Satellite connectivity will be standard in the high-end range and will gradually filter down to the mid-range.
- 5G-A will begin to be rolled out in more markets, with real improvements in speed and stability in dense areas.
What this means for professionals
- New selling points in sectors such as transport, logistics, mountaineering, sailing and industry.
- Opportunity to stand out with ‘total security and connectivity’ packs (smartphone + specific accessories).
- Importance of knowing the limitations by country, operator and tariffs in order to provide the right advice.
3. Batteries above 8,000 mAh and smarter charging
One of the classic bottlenecks has been battery life. According to specialised media, several manufacturers are already working on devices that will exceed 8,000 mAh of battery life by 2026, thanks to new materials such as silicon-based anodes or more efficient cell architectures, allowing for more capacity without increasing size.
In addition, we will see:
- Adaptive charging algorithms, which learn usage patterns to reduce degradation.
- Mobile phones capable of lasting two or three real days of moderate use.
What this means for professionals
- Ideal for mobile workers: delivery drivers, sales representatives, field technicians, transport workers, etc.
- New product segments with a very clear message: ‘forget about chargers during the day’.
- Cross-selling opportunity with power banks and certified chargers.
Smartphone batteries
4. Foldable, rollable and the return of “different” formats
Foldable phones are no longer a novelty. Models such as the Galaxy Z series have refined their design, hinge, durability and battery life, and in 2025 the Galaxy Z Flip 7 was unveiled with highly consolidated hardware, seven years of updates and all the AI features of Samsung's high-end range.
By 2026, we can expect:
- More mid-range/high-end flip models.
- New attempts at rollable or extendable screens for productivity and content.
- And even the return of productivity-oriented formats with physical keyboards, such as the Zinwa Q27 planned for 2026, inspired by the spirit of BlackBerry but with Android 16 and modern hardware.
What this means for professionals
- Specific segments: users who work extensively with email, office automation, trading, social media, etc.
- Greater complexity of stock (more form factors, more specific accessories).
- Good opportunity to position yourself as a ‘folding expert’ shop/partner, where advice makes all the difference.
5. Sustainability, repairability, and service life of 7–8 years
Regulatory pressure in Europe, environmental awareness and market maturity are driving the move towards more sustainable, repairable and durable mobile phones.
A clear example is the Fairphone 6, launched in 2025 as a modular, easily repairable device with a five-year warranty and up to eight years of software updates promised.
This type of proposal fits in with:
- Responsible business models (CSR) and ESG policies.
- Customers seeking to reduce their carbon footprint by keeping their mobile phones for longer.
- Repurchase, refurbishment and second life services.
What this means for professionals
- Position yourself not only as a ‘mobile phone seller’, but as a advisor on the device's life cycle: purchase, use, repair, reuse, recycling.
- Include repairable models or models with extended support policies in the catalogue.
- Offer additional services: sale of spare parts, protectors, robust cases, etc.
eSIM, multi-SIM
6. eSIM, multi-SIM and remote line management
The transition to eSIM as the standard continues. Many 2025 models already incorporate eSIM alongside the physical SIM, and it is reasonable to expect that, from 2026 onwards, more and more mid-range and high-end models will completely dispense with the traditional tray in certain markets.
For B2B, this means:
- Devices with two or more lines (personal/business, data/voice, national/international) managed digitally.
- Facilitating the remote management of corporate mobile fleets (activation, deactivation, change of operator) without physically touching the devices.
- Greater importance of working with compatible operators and MDM solutions.
What this means for professionals
- Know the details of eSIMs by operator, country, and smartphone model.
- Offer complete packages including mobile + line(s) + initial configuration.
- Explain to customers that eSIMs are not a complication, but a tool for flexibility.
7. Mobile, wearables and IoT: an increasingly closed ecosystem
The smartphone is now the central control of an ecosystem that includes watches, bracelets, headphones, locators, IoT sensors, smart glasses, etc.
In 2026, we will see:
- Greater integration between mobile + smartwatch + headphones, with shared AI and health functions.
- More IoT devices that rely on mobile phones for configuration, updating and control.
- Continued growth in the market for connected accessories, which are key to channel margins.
What this means for professionals
- Sell the mobile phone as part of a bundle (not ‘just the handset’):
- Smartphone + health wearable or Smartphone + GPS tracker
- Smartphone + ecosystem of professional accessories
- Increase the average ticket price thanks to high-turnover connected accessories.
8. Security and privacy by design
As mobile phones store more and more sensitive data (banking, work, medical), manufacturers are forced to strengthen layers of hardware and software security. Some trends that will continue to gain momentum in 2026:
- Secure enclaves dedicated to biometric keys and encryption.
- Passwordless authentication (passkeys) integrated into systems and apps.
- End-to-end encryption extended to more services.
- First references to ‘post-quantum’ security in mobile communications and storage, at least at the marketing and roadmap level.
What this means for professionals
- Strong selling point to companies that manage sensitive data.
- Need to understand the security features of each brand in order to compare and recommend.
- Opportunity to offer secure implementation services (policies, backups, MDM, etc.).
What can the professional channel do today to prepare?
Looking ahead to 2026, here are some recommended steps for distributors and specialist shops:
Review catalogue to include at least:
- 1–2 ‘AI-centric’ models with outstanding local AI functions.
- 1 model with satellite connectivity for demanding profiles.
- 1–2 options with a focus on sustainability/long service life.
Train the sales team in:
- AI use cases, not just in technical specifications.
- Differences between 5G, 5G-Advanced and satellite.
- Practical advantages of eSIM and multi-line.
Promote cross-selling:
- Connected accessories (wearables, locators, audio, advanced chargers).
- Set-up services, data migration and initial support.
Communicate these trends on your website, social media and points of sale, positioning yourself as a leader in next-generation mobile technology.
At CelularB2B, we will continue to incorporate devices aligned with these trends so that you can offer your customers more than just a smartphone: complete solutions, ready for 2026, which is just around the corner.