• Long battery life is the feature UK smartphone owners claim to find most impressive (57%)
• Survey reveals dream smartphone tech including hover feature (37%) and holographic display (24%)
• Mobiles.co.uk creates a visual representation of what the ultimate smartphone features of tomorrow may look like

There’s no denying that smartphones are impressive, but how many times have you seen a friend’s fancy new handset features and said, “I wish mine could do that”?

A new survey* conducted by online smartphone retailer, Mobiles.co.uk has revealed a run-down of favourite smartphone features, as well as the dream features that participants would most like to see in the handsets of tomorrow.

With the study figures revealing iPhone and Samsung handsets make up 66% of all owned devices, it’s undeniable that many of us would struggle to live without our high-specification smartphones. But, what came up as the most-favoured smartphone features?

The top five smartphone features which were listed as most impressive are:

1. Long battery (57%)
2. High-megapixel camera (42%)
3. Fast charging (34%)
4. High-speed processor (31%)
5. Waterproof (28%)

According to the research, men are more interested in ‘high tech’ elements such as a quicker processor (37%) and HD display (17%).  Women, on the other hand, prefer more practical features such as waterproofing (33%) and fast charging (42%).

Across the board, the balance was tipped in favour of practical features over high-specification capability, suggesting that manufacturers may want to ensure that the day-to-day functionality of a handset is a focus in the design, but complemented by new technology that wows.

So, with technology continuously evolving, what do the smartphone users of today really want to see come into play, tomorrow?

The five sought-after features for smartphones of the future are:

1. The ability to hover above ground when dropped (37%)
2. One-way glass for screen privacy (26%)
3. Holographic projections from the screen (24%)
4. Flexible screens (23%) and Modular capability (23%)
5. Weather sensors (22%)

In light of the research, the online smartphone retailer has created a visual representation of what some of the most popular ultimate smartphone features may look like.

Holographic projections from the screen

The ability to hover above ground when dropped

Andrew Cartledge, Mobile Expert at Mobiles.co.uk, said: “While stylish and advanced features such as HD displays and ultra-slow-motion video capability did feature in the top ten list of features that people find most impressive, it’s the practical options – long battery life, fast-charging, waterproofing, quick processor – that seem to be valued most in day-to-day life.

“That said, with the pace of smartphone evolution moving so fast, there’s always new featured in production, and demand for the latest handsets and high-end features is absolutely evident. While the practical features are useful on a day-to-day basis, it’s still the innovations that supply the ‘wow’ factor.

“It was therefore intriguing to see what British smartphone users say they really want to see come into play in tomorrow’s handset designs.  Having a handset that hovers may feel like science fiction right now – but a generation ago, a computer that fits in your pocket seemed far-fetched – so who knows?”

Mobiles has also looked into the most weird and wonderful phone features from around the world. For more information, visit: www.mobiles.co.uk/blog/ultimate-smartphone-features/