For nearly three decades, smartphones have dominated modern life, evolving from simple communication tools to powerful devices that control everything from work to entertainment. But according to Mark Zuckerberg, this era may soon end.

He predicts that in less than a decade, smart glasses will replace smartphones as the primary way people access digital information. If he’s right, the way we interact with technology is about to change forever.

The Beginning of the End for Smartphones

Smartphones have been a staple of everyday life for years, but their dominance may be slipping. As screen fatigue, endless notifications, and reliance on handheld devices become increasingly frustrating, the idea of moving toward hands-free, augmented reality technology seems more appealing.

Tech insiders believe the next wave of innovation won’t be about improving the smartphone—it will be about replacing it altogether. Zuckerberg envisions a world where people interact with digital content without ever needing to pull a device out of their pocket. Instead, everything will be seamlessly displayed through smart glasses.

The Rise of Smart Glasses

This isn’t just a distant dream. Meta and Apple are already investing billions into AR wearables. Apple’s Vision Pro is a sign of the company’s commitment to a future beyond smartphones, while Meta is focused on making smart glasses mainstream. The idea is simple: instead of looking down at a phone screen, digital information will be overlaid onto the real world in real time.

Zuckerberg believes that within ten years, people will keep their smartphones tucked away more often than they use them, relying instead on lightweight smart glasses for everyday tasks. Texting, making calls, checking the news, and even navigating streets could all be done without ever pulling out a phone. This could eliminate the need for physical screens, freeing users from constantly looking down.

What Makes This Shift Possible?

The key to replacing smartphones lies in advancements in artificial intelligence and augmented reality. Smart glasses won’t just display information; they will act as intelligent personal assistants, capable of responding to voice commands, providing instant translations, and even enhancing real-world objects with digital overlays.

Imagine walking through a city and seeing navigation directions projected into your vision, or looking at a restaurant and instantly seeing its menu and reviews without needing to Google it. Instead of unlocking a phone to check notifications, messages could appear discreetly in your peripheral vision, keeping you connected without distraction.

Will Smartphones Really Disappear?

While Zuckerberg’s vision is bold, smartphones won’t vanish overnight. Current smart glasses still struggle with battery life, processing power, and privacy concerns, making them far from perfect replacements. The transition will take time, and some users may prefer sticking with their phones, just as some still use desktop computers instead of tablets or laptops.

Yet, history suggests that major shifts happen when a new technology offers a more convenient alternative. Landlines were once essential, but mobile phones made them obsolete. Flip phones were popular until smartphones took over. If smart glasses deliver on their promise, smartphones could follow the same path—not disappearing completely, but becoming secondary devices.

Whether this future excites or terrifies you, one thing is clear: the way we interact with technology is about to undergo its biggest transformation yet.