5 lost smartphone features that need to make a comeback in 2026

Smartphones have undoubtedly improved over the last decade, with more powerful chipsets, robust software support, and better battery life. However, just because the trend moved in the right direction doesn’t mean some valuable features weren’t left behind. More than just nostalgia, legacy features we’ve lost made past smartphones more versatile than their modern equivalents.

It may be easy to dismiss many of the items I’m going to list, but 2026 has been a different year. We’ve seen numerous phones with physical keyboards, and the Pebble Time 2 proves purpose-built tech still has a place, and that not every device has to be for everyone.

Here are five features we’ve lost on smartphones that absolutely need to make a comeback.

I understand that all devices (and even vehicles) come with Bluetooth functionality in 2026. However, that doesn’t completely eliminate the need for a 3.5mm headphone jack on a phone. Legacy stereo systems and older cars still use AUX ports, and I love having the option to plug in physically without issues. Headphone jacks also allow companies to include high-quality DACs. I still enjoy listening to music on my LG V20 with its Quad DAC. It’s a fantastic listening experience, and we’ve lost that on modern phones.

Analog audio isn’t the only reason headphone jacks are useful in 2026. Not everyone wants to carry around wireless headphones or earbuds. They can be a constant pain. I need to keep track of what is charged up enough to take with me, and then there is always the threat of losing them. Yes, wired headphones can also be annoying, getting caught or tangled, but I’ll take the compromise, especially if it means I get a low-latency, high-quality listening experience. I get that USB-C dongles are a solution, but no one wants to deal with that constantly.

I hated when smartphones started getting taller. I loved phones like the LG V20 and Nexus 6 for their wider 16:9 aspect ratios. The displays were excellent for watching video and social media, and games looked great. It’s the more natural aspect ratio for the content we watch. Taller aspect ratios are ideal for some users, but I’d appreciate seeing a little more variety in the marketplace.

The new Galaxy Z Fold 8 is turning people back on to the idea of wider displays, and I think you’ll see more manufacturers take note. I doubt every device will return to 16:9 anytime soon, but I expect wider-aspect-ratio phones to start popping up in companies’ lineups. Being able to view an entire document or email without scrolling side to side is an amazing experience, and more users will want to try it.

Thankfully, microSD cards are still found on a few midrange and budget phones in 2026, but they are largely absent from flagship devices. Paying up for internal storage can get expensive in a hurry. I appreciate that base storage for most expensive phones is now 256GB, but if you keep your phone for years, that will fill up. 512GB and 1TB variants are often prohibitively expensive, so a microSD card is an ideal solution.

Yes, cloud storage is readily available and won’t cost you as much, but many buyers don’t want all their data in the cloud. You might not always have reliable access to mobile data or Wi-Fi, meaning you’re cut off from the information you need. You could also have data limits, and a microSD card helps you save on monthly bandwidth.

Whether manufacturers like it or not, microSD cards are a convenient way to carry your photos, movies, and music on your mobile device, and they should return to flagship phones in 2026.

I mentioned my LG V20 earlier, and it’s been an excellent experience popping off the back of the device and swapping batteries as needed. I understand removable backs and replaceable batteries are a mixed bag, as you do have to sacrifice water resistance. Batteries are also larger, and chipsets are more efficient, meaning running low on power isn’t quite the problem it used to be.

More than removable batteries, I would like to see batteries that are easier for users to replace. If you keep your phone for five or six years, that’s a lot of cycles on that cell. Performance will dip over time, and I love the idea of easily swapping in a fresh battery so I can keep enjoying my phone without being tethered to a wall outlet.

Unlike a few of the other things I mention on the list, you may see more companies make it easier for people to replace aging batteries. The EU has gotten stricter with regulations, and even Apple has had to comply. The days of carrying around 3 batteries in your pocket may be gone, but phones with more accessible cells are a possibility.

I know every manufacturer seems to be in a race to reduce bezels as much as possible, but I wouldn’t be against building them back up. Additional space on smartphones opens up exciting possibilities. Companies would have more space to put better speakers back into their phones. Some phones manage to produce decent sound with limited space, but I’d enjoy seeing what they could do if bezels weren’t a focus.

I will forever argue that notification LEDs are more useful and versatile than an always-on display. Even the best AODs are worthless from more than a foot or two away on my desk, while a solid notification LED can give me information from across the room. I’m looking forward to Google’s upcoming HiLight tech on the Pixel 11 series, but it’s on the back of the phone. More space on the front would open up lighting options again.

Any Galaxy Note 9 lover will tell you how much they miss the iris scanner. More secure biometrics would also be appreciated, beyond just a fingerprint sensor.

Phones like the upcoming Clicks Communicator give me some hope. The device features a useful notification LED, headphone jack, and expandable storage. Not every device has to be for everyone, and it would be welcome to see some variety in the marketplace, with legacy features that are still useful in 2026.

Sure, companies benefit if you have to pay more for things like expanded storage, but I can dream.