Learn about the potential return of teardrop notches, microSD slots, and other features in smartphones by 2026, driven by cost pressures and consumer demand.
© A. Krivonosov
An unexpected shift is emerging in the smartphone industry: manufacturers might bring back features that were recently considered outdated. According to insider Digital Chat Station, devices with teardrop-shaped screen notches, microSD slots, and several other "forgotten" characteristics could reappear on the market as early as 2026.
The leak suggests some upcoming models will feature configurations with 8GB of RAM and up to 512GB of storage, 90Hz displays, and the classic teardrop notch for the front camera. The return of SIM card support alongside microSD, plastic bodies, and short-focus optical fingerprint scanners is also mentioned.
At first glance, these changes appear to be a step backward, given that the market has been moving toward more premium solutions in recent years: notchless screens, higher refresh rates, glass and metal bodies, and the abandonment of expandable memory. However, the reasons for this reversal could be quite pragmatic.
Rising component costs, especially for memory and storage, have already led to price increases for brands like OnePlus, OPPO, vivo, iQOO, and Samsung in some markets. Meanwhile, buyers are not always willing to pay more, so manufacturers are seeking ways to keep prices in check by returning to more affordable and proven solutions. In practice, this means the market might see an unexpected compromise between modern technology and the practicality of past years.