the days of mobile phones are numbered. Tim Cook doesn’t quite agree.

The tech industry is buzzing with speculation about the future of smartphones. Iconic figures like Elon Musk, Bill Gates, Mark Zuckerberg, and Sam Altman are envisioning a world where these devices could be replaced by emerging technologies. However, Apple CEO Tim Cook is taking a different stance, expressing strong belief in the longevity of smartphones.

Futuristic Visions to Replace the Smartphone

Elon Musk, founder of Neuralink, foresees a future where smartphones become obsolete, replaced by brain-computer interfaces. These devices would allow users to control electronic systems with their thoughts, eliminating the need for physical interfaces altogether. Two individuals have already received these implants, showcasing the technology’s feasibility.

Bill Gates, meanwhile, has invested in electronic tattoos developed by Chaotic Moon. These tattoos, embedded with nanosensors, can collect, transmit, and receive data — with potential applications in health monitoring, geolocation, and communication.

Elon Musk
Elon Musk laid off hundreds of employees and now has to rehire them, they were nuclear weapons experts.

Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg predicts that augmented reality glasses will become the next major computing platform, taking over from smartphones. He envisions that by 2030, these AR glasses will handle most tasks currently performed on phones, greatly reducing our reliance on traditional devices.

Apple’s Take: Renewed Confidence in the Smartphone

In contrast to these futuristic perspectives, Tim Cook remains confident in the durability of smartphones. Under his leadership, Apple continues to innovate in this space — most recently with the release of the iPhone 16, which features advanced AI capabilities. These upgrades aim to enhance the user experience while keeping smartphones central to daily life.

Cook emphasizes Apple’s commitment to continuously improving its flagship products, focusing on quality and usability. He believes smartphones will continue to play a central role in consumers’ lives, even as technologies like augmented reality and artificial intelligence become more prominent.