Smartphone Buyers Care Even Less About AI Than They Did Last Year, CNET Survey Finds
AI has become a must of almost all new phones, but that does not mean that it is a centerpiece of most people’s life.
A CNET survey reveals that only 11% of American smartphones owners choose to upgrade their devices due to AI’s features, a drop of 7% compared to a similar survey last year. In addition, around 3 in 10 people do not find any useful mobile AI and do not want to see more added features.
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This occurs while technology giants continue to deploy new AI capabilities. Google has loaded its new Pixel 10 series with new AI features, as is Samsung when it has unveiled both the Galaxy S25 range and the Z Fold 7 and Flip 7. Apple also made its debut to a handful of Apple intelligence updates playing catching up with IA leaders like Google’s Gemini and the chatgpt from Openai. And with its next iPhone revelation scheduled for September 9, it is possible that we can know more about its next AI efforts.
Look at this: The phones are loaded with AI, so why don’t we care?
These results of the survey highlight the inadequacy between the optimistic approach to the manufacturers of telephones in terms of AI and the general apprehension of consumers towards rapid progress technology. Despite business thrusts like Apple, Samsung and Google to add an increasing list of AI features to their mobile devices, most people continue to worry about three main areas when buying a new phone: price (62%), longer battery life (54%) and more storage (39%). Another higher consideration is the camera, 30% of respondents citing this as an top priority.
Last year’s survey echoed these same main concerns. In 2024, the greatest motivation for owners of American smartphones to upgrade their devices was the longer battery life (61%), followed by more storage (46%) and better camera features (38%). Only 18% said their main motivation factor was AI integrations. This year, it seems that the number is even lower, even if the capabilities of the AI become more omnipresent.
AI is not the only marketing tactic that consumers do not accept. Despite recent versions of thin phones such as the Samsung Galaxy S25 Edge and rumors on a lean “iPhone 17 air”, only 7% of respondents said that a thinner phone would motivate them to upgrade.
However, companies are likely to use the fresh form factor to try to rake more dollars. At this year’s Mobile World Congress, thin phones like the S25 EDGE and the TECNO Slim Slim phone concept stole the spotlight. Oppo’s Find N5, Samsung’s Galaxy Z Fold 7 and Magic V5 Flex and foldable of Honor’s Magic V5 who can please someone who wants a larger device without most. CNET’s survey suggests that most consumers are not influenced by these catchy conceptions, but that could change as more people get their hands on devices and if a lean iPhone is materializing.
A (i) Sell hard
AI has become the fashionable word of almost all technological product launches and opening in recent years. The capabilities fueled by AI such as writing tools, edition of images and smarter vocal assistants have accumulated mobile devices in even more powerful machines. In turn, this increased the already agitated competition between the main mobile players. Google has woven Gemini in its pixel devices, as well as other Android phones from companies like Samsung and Motorola. Apple presented its Apple Intelligence Service Following Officers with the iPhone 15 Pro and Pro Max, although its greatest ambitions of AI were blocked and that it is lagging behind its competitors.
It is not only the premium flagship devices that accumulate on the functionalities generating AI. Intermediate and budgetary phones also jump on the walking train. For example, the iPhone 16th of $ 600, $ 500 Pixel 9A and $ 650 Galaxy S24 FE pack their fair share of AI features that echo what you will find on their more expensive brothers and sisters. All this proves that no matter how ready you are ready to spend, you cannot escape the beaten of the AI.
Based on the CNET survey, “media threshing” can actually be the word that many people attribute to the recent deluge of AI generating features. Only 13% of people say they use AI on their phone to summarize or write text, 8% say they draw from AI image creation tools and 7% use AI on their phone for photo modification. In addition, 20% admit that they do not know how to use AI features on their handset.
Mobile AI features are generally not expensive for users, but it could soon change. Samsung, for its part, indicates on its website that the Galaxy AI features “will be provided for free until the end of 2025 on supported Samsung Galaxy devices”. Apple should also start loading for some of its iPhone features powered by AI. You will also have to pay to unlock Gemini’s full power on Google’s applications. In the middle of the subscription fatigue, it could be a difficult sale. Half of the respondents say they are not willing to pay additional money to access the AI features on their phone. It is up 5% compared to last year.
Confidentiality is an increasing concern because AI expands its scope on our devices. Just over 40% of smartphones users are concerned about confidentiality when it comes to using AI on their smartphone, up 7% compared to last year. And it is largely regardless of age; Baby-boomers are the most concerned (45%), but the concern of generation Z (41%) and generation X (41%) is also high.
This does not mean that everyone is disdainful of AI on their handset. Fourteen percent of people say they find useful AI features and are delighted to draw from more of these capacities on their phone. Generation Z (25%) and millennials (16%) express the most interest in using AI on their smartphone.
Intelligent assistants get IA aid, but it’s not enough
Intelligent assistants are one -way of technological companies hope to make AI your everyday companion. Gemini on Android phones are more and more capable of managing more tasks, from brainstorming to the execution of functions in applications. Apple also plans to use AI to overcome Siri, but this deployment has been delayed indefinitely.
According to the CNET survey, 61% of iPhone owners use Siri, while 41% of pixel owners use the Gemini assistant. Only 10% and 9% of Siri and Gemini users say that they use smart assistants every day. As AI becomes more capable and companies still promote these capacities, it will be interesting to see if these interactions increase.
Methodology
CNET ordered Yougov PLC. To conduct the investigation. All figures, unless otherwise indicated, come from Yougov Plc. The total size of the sample was 2201 adults, including 2,129 with a smartphone. The field work was undertaken from May 13 to 15, 2025. The survey was carried out online. The figures have been weighted and are representative of all American adults (aged 18 and over).
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