Mark Zuckerberg has made a bold prediction that could change everything. He believes that smartphones, the devices we rely on daily, may soon become obsolete. Instead, a new technology is emerging, promising to replace screens and revolutionize our interaction with the digital world.
For nearly three decades, smartphones have ruled our lives—until now. If Zuckerberg is right, their reign is coming to an end. He predicts that smart glasses will take over as our main connection to the digital world within a decade, making smartphones a thing of the past.
Tech giants like Meta, Apple, and others are pouring billions into augmented reality (AR) and artificial intelligence (AI) to make this future a reality. But are we really ready to ditch our phones forever? Smartphones have become a burden for many—endless notifications, screen fatigue, and the constant need to be “connected.” Tech insiders believe the next big innovation isn’t upgrading smartphones—it’s replacing them entirely.
Zuckerberg envisions a world where you never have to pull a device out of your pocket again. Instead, all your digital interactions—texts, calls, navigation, entertainment—will be seamlessly displayed in front of your eyes using smart glasses. At the Meta Connect 2024 event, Meta revealed Orion, described as the most advanced smart glasses ever built.
These futuristic glasses feature holographic displays that project virtual images into the real world, making it possible to text, call, or navigate without reaching for a phone. With eye-tracking, voice commands, and hand gestures, users can interact with digital content effortlessly. Meta has also partnered with Ray-Ban to bring smart glasses to the masses.
These glasses combine Ray-Ban’s signature design with Meta’s AI-driven technology, packing cameras, speakers, and voice control into a stylish frame. While not as advanced as Orion, these glasses represent a crucial step toward making AR wearables mainstream.
Smart glasses on the horizon
If people get comfortable using glasses for music, photos, and calls, the shift away from smartphones will feel more natural. Meta isn’t alone in this race. Apple’s Vision Pro headset, although bulkier and focused on mixed reality experiences, shows that Apple is also investing heavily in a future beyond smartphones.
Other companies, including Google and Samsung, are also working on their own AI-powered smart glasses, all aiming for the same goal: freeing users from their phones. Smart glasses won’t just be screens strapped to your face—they’ll be AI-powered personal assistants. Voice commands will replace touchscreen taps.
Instant translations will remove language barriers in real time. AI overlays will enhance the world around you, providing information before you even ask for it. Imagine walking down the street, and directions appear in your vision—no need to check Google Maps.
You glance at a restaurant, and its menu and reviews pop up instantly. A friend messages you, and the text appears in your peripheral vision, no phone required. However, right now, smart glasses face huge challenges—battery life, processing power, and major privacy concerns.
Would you be comfortable with always-on cameras and AI tracking everything you see? Plus, history shows that old tech doesn’t vanish overnight. Landlines survived for decades after mobile phones took over.
The smartphone might not disappear completely—but it could fade into the background as glasses take center stage. The race to replace smartphones has begun, and while challenges remain, the future of digital interaction promises to be more immersive and seamless than ever before. Whether or not we are ready to embrace it, the digital landscape is on the verge of a transformational change.
Photo by; Omar Prestwich on Unsplash
