Upgrade to a New Smartphone in 2018 with a Personal Line of Credit from MoneyTap

Smartphones have become our life. Everyone from your local vegetable seller to a high-ranking executive is using one these days, especially since they have become so affordable and are available in a huge variety of price ranges for every budget.

However, it isn’t enough to just have a smartphone. You also need the best one that suits your needs. Higher performance and better features can make a huge difference to how much you enjoy using it, so upgrade your existing phone this year.

Top 5 Trends in Smartphones for 2018

Last year, we saw a number of smartphone models being released with features like full-view displays, face detection-based unlocking, higher RAM and internal storage, as well as better battery backup. And, dual cameras became pretty much a standard feature for the modern smartphone!

Here are 5 trends that have already started gaining ground in 2018, or are expected to become smartphone staples sometime this year:

1. Under-Display Fingerprint Sensors

Phone manufacturers have been working on in-screen or under-screen fingerprint detection technology for a while now. While Face Unlock and buttons for fingerprint-based unlocking have been around a while, they aren’t as convenient as fingerprint sensors integrated into a device’s touchscreen. This technology is still under development.

2. Bezel-Less and Folding Displays

Most new smartphones have thinner and narrower bezels, or outer frames for the screen, than their older counterparts. Some phones by brands like Xiomi have no bezel at all, and we hope to see more of this trend in new devices launched throughout the year. Another potential feature we’re excited about is folding displays on smartphones.

3. Better Mobile Platform Technology

In 2017, chipset manufactures released powerful and energy-efficient mid-range chipsets, such as Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 430 and Snapdragon 625. This year, we’re expecting more traction for mid-tier chipsets formed on the 14nm FinFET process for power efficiency, such as Snapdragon 630 and Snapdragon 660 from Qualcomm’s series-600.

4. Improved AR or Augmented Reality

Pokemon Go may have come and gone, so to speak, but augmented reality has definitely caught the attention of smartphone users. So far, Augmented Reality Stickers are the only application that have become commonplace, but giants like Google and Apple are working on ARKit and ARCore SDKs for future updates to the Pixel 2 and iPhone X.

5. Artificial Intelligence

Another trend that’s picking up in premium mobile devices is the use of machine learning and AI-based software for a variety of smartphone budgets. These refinements have already enhanced resource allocation and camera performance for models such as Google’s Pixel 2, and are expected to become more widespread in different devices this year.

With MoneyTap’s mobile loans, you can buy the phone of your choice now and pay for it over time in convenient instalments. Our flexible smartphone loans make it easier to get your hands on the model and features you need without worrying too much about cost. Download the app and explore our personal loan options today!