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The days of cell phones may be numbered! Elon Musk, Bill Gates and Zuckerberg are betting on the end of smartphones, investing in smart glasses, brain chips and electronic tattoos. Meanwhile, Tim Cook and Google disagree and defend the longevity of cell phones.
Smartphones have dominated technology in recent years, but that could soon change.
Influential figures such as Elon musk, Bill Gates and Mark Zuckerberg claim that the cell phone, as we know it, has its days numbered.
While some are betting on brain implants, others see wearables as the new trend. But not everyone agrees with this future.
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Apple CEO Tim Cook believes that cell phones still have a long way to go.
Alternatives to cell phones are already on the market
The search for devices to replace smartphones is not new. In recent years, several innovations have emerged, such as artificial intelligence (AI)-enabled gadgets and advanced wearables.
The Rabbit R1 and the Humane AI Pin, for example, are already trying to reduce dependence on cell phones by offering interactive digital assistants.
Additionally, Ray-Ban Meta smart glasses and electronic rings, such as the Samsung Galaxy Ring, are options that promise to integrate smartphone functions in a more natural and intuitive way.
So far, these devices still work as complements to cell phones, but the idea of a world without smartphones is increasingly present among the big names in technology.
Elon Musk and the future of Neuralinks
Elon Musk has no doubts: “In the future, there will be no smartphones, only Neuralinks,” the billionaire said on his X/Twitter profile.
Neuralink is a brain implant that could revolutionize the way we interact with technology.
The device promises to allow users to browse the internet, write messages and perform tasks using just their thoughts.
So far, two volunteers have received the implant. The second of them, named Alex, surprised everyone by learn how to use the device in just five minutes.
He can now operate complex programs, such as 3D design software, and even play Counter-Strike 2 without touching a keyboard or mouse.
For Musk, this technology represents a definitive step towards a world without cell phones.
Bill Gates bets on electronic tattoos
Unlike Musk, Bill Gates believes cell phones will be replaced by electronic tattoos.
Since 2022, he has invested in research at Chaotic Moon, a company specializing in biotechnology.
Electronic tattoos use a special ink with nanotrackers, capable of monitoring health, transmitting information and even replacing passwords and documents.
Initially, the technology was designed for monitoring vital signs, but its application can expand to geolocation and even exchanging messages without a physical device.
Zuckerberg and smart glasses
The creator of Facebook also believes in the end of cell phones, but his bet is different.
Mark Zuckerberg predicts that by 2030, smartphones will be replaced by smart glasses. For him, this will be the next great technological revolution.
Meta’s augmented reality glasses already demonstrate this potential.
The idea is for people to make calls, send messages and consume content without needing a cell phone.
As AI evolves, devices will be able to understand and anticipate user needs.
Sam Altman and the Future of AI on Devices
Another big name in the sector that sees a future beyond cell phones is Sam Altman, CEO of OpenAI.
He is developing a new AI-based device with former Apple designer Jony Ive.
Altman states that Your project could represent “the biggest revolution since the iPhone”.
The proposal is to create a device that replaces the traditional screen with an interaction system based on virtual assistants, eliminating the need for a conventional cell phone.
Apple and Google disagree on this future
While many influential figures believe that cell phones' days are numbered, some technology giants disagree.
Tim Cook, CEO of Apple, believes that smartphones still have a long way to go.
During the 2025 financial results presentation, Cook said: “I believe there is still a lot of innovation to be explored in smartphones.”
Meanwhile, Apple continues to invest in new products, such as the Apple Vision Pro and Project Atlas, a direct competitor to the Ray-Ban Meta.
Google also shares this view.
Sundar Pichai, the company's CEO, stated that despite advances in AI, a main device will still be needed to centralize digital functions. According to him, smartphones will continue to fulfill this role for a long time.
The future: with or without cell phones?
The discussion about the future of cell phones is still open.
While Musk, Gates and Zuckerberg are betting on new technologies to replace smartphones, Apple and Google remain confident in the evolution of phones.
Regardless of which direction technology takes, one thing is certain: the way we interact with the digital world will continue to evolve rapidly.
