Artificial intelligence boosts smartphones globally, but Africa faces challenges.



AI on smartphones is redefining how we interact with technology, from quicker search with voice to smarter photo edits and predicting daily needs before we realize them; plus, with AI’s pattern-learning, a more personalized user experience.



Samsung first introduced AI to the smartphone with the S24 line-up early in 2024, followed by its Z Foldable range mid-year. Subsequently, brands like Apple, Honor, Oppo and Xiaomi have all introduced some level of AI on its devices.



Androids share similar features, powered by Google AI, such as Gemini – a rival to ChatGPT; Circle to Search; Magic Eraser; Photomojis; and protection against spam and scam calls.



Other features per manufacturer include the ability to summarize notes, create bullet points, transcribe audio and turn it into notes, translate text into multiple languages, summarize web articles to bullet points, etc.



Some devices can compose emails, messages, and social media posts using generative AI, all natively. You just explain the message you want to convey and select different tones, such as professional, casual, friendly, and so on, to get the desired results.



A feature worth noting is Circle to Search, an intuitive way to search for anything you see online, even by pausing a video. You simply long-press the home button, circle what’s on your screen, and receive immediate Google results, with follow-up queries.



Apple also offers AI features, but was late to the party when Apple Intelligence rolled out to more English-speaking markets in December 2024, including South Africa, after its U.S. launch at the end of October. It helps you write; generate images by description with Image Playground or custom emojis; clean up photos by removing unwanted objects; and search intuitively with Siri, which uses ChatGPT when it can’t answer, but asks first if you want ChatGPT to fulfil the request.



You can already use the ChatGPT standalone app, but Apple gives you another layer of privacy when using it through Private Cloud Compute, which deletes your data after the request, whereas ChatGPT uses all your inputs to further train its AI.



AI’s global growth, but Africa’s smartphone decline



AI is revolutionizing industries, with companies and investors pouring billions into research and development across industries like healthcare, finance, entertainment, and consumer technology.



According to a TechCrunch article, the generative AI bubble did not burst in 2024. It reports that investments in generative AI worldwide raised $56 billion from VCs in 2024, from 885 deals. The data was compiled by financial tracker PitchBook for TechCrunch.



That figure is a new record for the segment, when compared to 2023’s total investment of $29.1 billion from 691 deals, it says.



According to the International Data Corporation (IDC)’s five-year forecast for GenAI-capable smartphones, it predicted shipments to reach 234.2 million for 2024, up 363.6% from 50.5 million in 2023, and projects 912 million in 2028.



The IDC predicted total smartphone shipments to grow 5.8% to 1.23 billion units in 2024, up from its previous forecast of 4% growth to 1.21 billion units.



While total and GenAI shipments for the year 2024 is yet to be released, data from research firm Canalys reveals that Africa’s smartphone market grew by 3% year-on-year in Q3 for 2024, reaching 18.4 million units, which it says reflects resilience amid a complex economic landscape.



“South Africa, after six quarters of double-digit growth, saw a sharp 10% decline in shipments as economic uncertainties dampened consumer spending, despite easing inflation and interest rate cuts,” it said.



In the same quarter, Kenya’s shipments also dropped by 10%, whereas Nigeria experienced a 1% growth. North African countries like Egypt saw a 34% growth, but Morocco experienced a 24% decline.



Manish Pravinkumar, Senior Analyst at Canalys for the Middle East and Africa, says the future of Africa’s smartphone market holds immense potential, but significant hurdles remain.



“Feature phones maintained a 55% share of total shipments as of Q3 2024, limiting smartphone expansion. High device taxes continue to hinder growth, posing a dilemma for policymakers between immediate revenue needs and the long-term benefits of broader smartphone adoption,” says Pravinkumar.



“Enhanced smartphone accessibility could drive the development of a robust digital economy, generating sustainable tax revenues over time. Despite these barriers, growing demand for affordable devices, expanding 4G network coverage and innovative financing models, are expected to sustain growth.”



Canalys forecasts a 1% compound annual growth rate for Africa from 2024 to 2028, with 4G remaining the primary driver of new mobile subscriptions over the next five years. The global race for AI may have started, but Africa is lagging behind.

Smiling boy using system AI Chatbot on mobile application. Chatbot conversation, Ai Artificial Intelligence technology. Futuristic technology. Virtual assistant on internet.

Call Into Question: AI On Smartphones

FORBES AFRICA was at MWC Barcelona looking into Agentic AI and a raft of new gadgets coming up.



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Making its global debut at MWC, Xiaomi also showed off its SU7 Ultra EV, which goes from 0- 100km/h in a ridiculous 1.98 seconds. It recently went on sale in China and sold over 10,000 units within two hours, reaching its annual sales target.
</blockquote>



Artificial Intelligence (AI) and agentic AI seemed to be the central theme at Mobile World Congress (MWC) Barcelona, with most companies showcasing some form of AI.&nbsp;



Agentic AI refers to AI systems that can operate autonomously, i.e., make decisions or take action without human intervention.&nbsp;



An example on Android is to ask Google’s Gemini to find flight options and send the results in an email to a colleague, or find a specific recipe and share it directly to a contact.&nbsp;



The introduction of these features means users will rely less on an app-based interface to give rise to ‘AI as the new UI’.&nbsp;



Google provided us with a sneak peek to its conversational AI, Gemini Live, that requires an advanced subscription: Gemini Live with video and Gemini Live with screenshare features.



Most smartphone companies at MWC had similar demos as they are powered by Google’s Gemini.



Meanwhile, technology brand Honor unveiled its $10-billion ‘Alpha Plan’; a change in its corporate strategy: to move from a smartphone maker to an AI device ecosystem company.&nbsp;



It shared a three-step plan to create an ‘intelligent world’ and called on the tech industry to join forces to “‘maximise human potential, ultimately benefiting all mankind”.



Honor CEO James Li said: “I am calling on all of us to unite together to address the challenges, as well as the many opportunities, of AI technology. I also call on the industry to be truly open so that we can fully embrace this exciting AI future.”



Honor said it will leverage Gemini 2.0 to create its first intelligent phone with partners Google and Qualcomm that will “revolutionize human-to-device interaction”.&nbsp;



Part of its plan is to make devices on its ecosystem work seamlessly with others, including iOS, which it demoed through file sharing to multiple devices on Android and iPhone.



Proving to be a major player in the Android space since splitting from Huawei in 2020, Honor also announced seven years of Android OS and security updates, joining the ranks of Google and Samsung.&nbsp;&nbsp;



The best of the rest



AI aside, here are some gadgets that caught our eye this year, which felt somewhat underwhelming compared to our visits in <a href="https://forbesafrica.com/technology/2023/05/17/the-metaverse-in-your-pocket-nifty-tech-and-trends-that-africa-will/">2023</a> and <a href="https://forbesafrica.com/current-affairs/2024/02/28/driving-a-car-using-your-eyes-a-good-look-at-the-ai-eye-tracking-feature-at-global-mobile-tech-show/">2024</a>.



Lenovo showed off its Yoga Solar PC proof-of-concept laptop, with a lid covered in solar panels that claims an over 24% conversion rate, which it says is one of the highest in the industry.&nbsp;



A 20-minute direct sunlight charge yields enough power for up to one hour of video playback, it said.



Realme showed off an interchangeable lens concept smartphone that lets you swap out DSLR lenses with your device. It used an older device with a Sony one-inch sensor to show its capabilities.



While Xiaomi showed something similar a few years back, this year revealed a magnetic modular lens prototype smartphone that lets you easily swap out lenses using its proprietary lens mount.



Making its global debut at MWC, Xiaomi also showed off its SU7 Ultra EV, which goes from 0-100km/h in a ridiculous 1.98 seconds.&nbsp;



It recently went on sale in China and sold over 10,000 units within two hours, reaching its annual sales target. The company announced it will sell its cars outside of China within the next few years.



On the topic of cars, the Catalonian police showed off a hyperconnected police car with a drone on its roof to help patrol and catch criminals, including a smart police management system featuring a 24 hour in-person and virtual police force. The concept is yet to receive backing and funding to become a reality.



Unveiled at CES but showcased at MWC, TCL showed off the TCL 60 XE Nxtpaper 5G smartphone, which makes the display look like paper for eye comfort, using its proprietary technology.&nbsp;



The phone features various ink paper modes for reading and limited app functionality and a black and white or colour paper mode.&nbsp;



Lastly, Samsung’s Project Moohan mixed reality headset was showcased at its booth, the first Android XR headset, however, no hardware specifications were shared. A rival to the Apple Vision Pro, it’s set to launch later this year.

Xiaomi SU7 Ultra_ image supplied

Hyperconnected Police Cars And More: Sneak Peak Into ‘An Intelligent World’ At GlobalMobile Tech Show

There’s a new compact electric vehicle that holds the title of “cheapest EV” in South Africa, or “least expensive”, whichever way you look at it.



The Dayun S5 Mini SUV EV became available in January for R399,900 ($21,668), dethroning the BYD Dolphin at R539,900 ($29,254). It was announced in July 2024 as the Dayun Yuehu S5 but has since been renamed.



The Dayun S5 Mini SUV is a Chinese import, sold by Enviro Automotive, a Pretoria-based importer and distributor of EVs, and heavy-duty electric trucks and bakkies.



Despite its positioning, it still incurs a higher import duty of 25% when compared to the 18% on internal combustion engine vehicles.



The S5 Mini SUV has a closed-off front grille, LED lights, a 7-inch infotainment screen next to an 8-inch instrument cluster, climate control, Bluetooth and a USB-A port.



Other standard features include driver and passenger airbags, ABS brakes, traction control, hill start assist and cruise control.



The S5 Mini also comes in a “VIP” option for R449,900 ($24,375), which includes a SmartLink app access with additional remote features, larger wheels, and ultrasonic radars for its parking cameras.



The company provided FORBES AFRICA with a loan unit of the VIP model for a weekend in a pale green shade.



The small five-seater EV has a modest 35kW of power and 105Nm of torque and a tiny 31.7kWh battery. It yields a driving range of about 330km, according to WLTP ratings. Top speed is 110km/h.



We tested the vehicle over a rainy weekend in Gauteng, by splitting it between highway driving and urban roads.



The car’s limited 35kW of power was felt on the highway stretch, with vehicles behind flashing us because of our slow speed, which at the time was around 80km/h, yet three lanes away from the fast lane.



The highest speed achieved on the drive to Menlyn near Johannesburg was 107km/h, while going flat out, which felt like it was eating into the range unnecessarily.



While I used 36km of range for the 40km trip one way, on the previous week I netted 8km of range on the electric Mini on the same route.



There was a huge downpour on the return trip and due to a fogged-up windscreen and limited visibility, the aircon had to be used at full speed with the demister to clear the windows.



I felt the car had unintentionally gone through a worst-case scenario, so I was looking forward to city driving the following day. I completed a 25km trip using 18km of range, which was better than the highway stretch.



The speed on urban roads with frequent traffic lights meant I didn’t need to go beyond 80km/h. I found it better suited to urban roads.



When it came to recharging the S5 Mini, it struggled on certain DC fast chargers. It eventually cut off after a short while, but I had better luck with my home AC charger. Enviro Automotive is looking into the charging fault.



The S5 Mini can charge at a 6kW speed on an AC charger and maximum 30kW on a DC charger.



I charged about 16.78kWh of the battery on my home charger, which took about 2.5 hours and cost me less than R45 ($2.43) at a figure of roughly R2.45 per kWh. However, the vehicle comes with a 3-pin plug charger.



A full charge at home costs around R76 on Eskom rates. Comparatively, a public AC charger costs roughly R182 ($9.86) based at a rate of R5.88 per kWh and around R228 ($12.35) on a DC charger at R7.35 per kWh. Eskom charges per kWh while public EV chargers are based on speed.



The Dayun S5 Mini SUV is cheap to run but due to its output, is better suited for short urban commutes, school rounds or as a small business vehicle, including ones that deliver within its vicinity.

Image supplied

For Car And Tech Geeks Only: What It’s Like Driving South Africa’s Most Affordable EV

AI on smartphones is redefining how we interact with technology, from quicker search with voice to smarter photo edits and predicting daily needs before we realize them. Plus, with AI’s pattern-learning, a more personalized user experience.



Samsung first introduced AI to the smartphone with the S24 line-up early in 2024, followed by its Z Foldable range mid-year. Subsequently, brands like Apple, Honor, Oppo and Xiaomi have all introduced some level of AI on its devices.



Androids share similar features, powered by Google AI, such as Gemini – a rival to ChatGPT; Circle to Search; Magic Eraser; Photomojis; and protection against spam and scam calls.



Other features per manufacturer include the ability to summarize notes, create bullet points, transcribe audio and turn it into notes, translate text into multiple languages, summarize web articles to bullet points, etc.



Some devices can compose emails, messages, and social media posts using generative AI, all natively. You just explain the message you want to convey and select different tones, such as professional, casual, friendly, and so on, to get the desired results.



A feature worth noting is Circle to Search, an intuitive way to search for anything you see online, even by pausing a video. You simply long-press the home button, circle what’s on your screen, and receive immediate Google results, with follow-up queries.



Apple also offers AI features, but was late to the party when Apple Intelligence rolled out to more English-speaking markets in December 2024, including South Africa, after its U.S. launch at the end of October.



It helps you write; generate images by description with Image Playground or custom emojis; clean up photos by removing unwanted objects; and search intuitively with Siri, which uses ChatGPT when it can’t answer, but asks first if you want ChatGPT to fulfil the request.



You can already use the ChatGPT standalone app, but Apple gives you another layer of privacy when using it through Private Cloud Compute, which deletes your data after the request, whereas ChatGPT uses all your inputs to further train its AI.



AI’s global growth, but Africa’s smartphone decline



AI is revolutionizing industries, with companies and investors pouring billions into research and development across industries like healthcare, finance, entertainment, and consumer technology.



According to a TechCrunch article, the generative AI bubble did not burst in 2024. It reports that investments in generative AI worldwide raised $56 billion from VCs in 2024, from 885 deals. The data was compiled by financial tracker PitchBook for TechCrunch.



That figure is a new record for the segment, when compared to 2023’s total investment of $29.1 billion from 691 deals, it says.



According to the International Data Corporation (IDC)’s five-year forecast for GenAI-capable smartphones, it predicted shipments to reach 234.2 million for 2024, up 363.6% from 50.5 million in 2023, and projects 912 million in 2028.



The IDC predicted total smartphone shipments to grow 5.8% to 1.23 billion units in 2024, up from its previous forecast of 4% growth to 1.21 billion units.



While total and GenAI shipments for the year 2024 is yet to be released, data from research firm Canalys reveals that Africa’s smartphone market grew by 3% year-on-year in Q3 for 2024, reaching 18.4 million units, which it says reflects resilience amid a complex economic landscape.



“South Africa, after six quarters of double-digit growth, saw a sharp 10% decline in shipments as economic uncertainties dampened consumer spending, despite easing inflation and interest rate cuts,” it said.



In the same quarter, Kenya’s shipments also dropped by 10%, whereas Nigeria experienced a 1% growth. North African countries like Egypt saw a 34% growth, but Morocco experienced a 24% decline.



Manish Pravinkumar, Senior Analyst at Canalys for the Middle East and Africa, says the future of Africa’s smartphone market holds immense potential, but significant hurdles remain.



“Feature phones maintained a 55% share of total shipments as of Q3 2024, limiting smartphone expansion. High device taxes continue to hinder growth, posing a dilemma for policymakers between immediate revenue needs and the long-term benefits of broader smartphone adoption,” says Pravinkumar.



“Enhanced smartphone accessibility could drive the development of a robust digital economy, generating sustainable tax revenues over time. Despite these barriers, growing demand for affordable devices, expanding 4G network coverage and innovative financing models, are expected to sustain growth.”



Canalys forecasts a 1% compound annual growth rate for Africa from 2024 to 2028, with 4G remaining the primary driver of new mobile subscriptions over the next five years.



The global race for AI may have started, but Africa is lagging behind.

The Power of AI. Transforming Industries and Customer Service. A Look into the Future. Yellow AI icon processing texts and commands on smart phone. 3D render

AI Boosts Smartphones Globally, But Why Africa Faces Challenges

In August 2024, the United States (U.S.) hiked tariffs on Chinese electric vehicles (EVs) to 100% while the European Union (E.U.) increased tariffs by up to 45.3% in October 2024. The EU’s tariffs differ by manufacturer between 7.8% to 35.3%, over its standard 10% import duty.



Futurist and business strategist Dr Craig Wing tells FORBES AFRICA that the decision by the U.S. and E.U. to impose tariffs on Chinese EVs is a complex issue with far-reaching implications, driven by protectionist policies and the desire to protect domestic markets from competition from Chinese EV manufacturers.



“While this may seem like a simple strategy to protect local economies, this move also creates new pathways and opportunities, and has several important implications for emerging markets like those in Africa,” says Wing.


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A new legislation in South Africa that introduces a 150% tax incentive for the production of electric and hydrogen vehicles was signed into law on January 3 2025.



The 150% tax deduction, effective March 2026, is for qualifying investments capped at R500 million ($26.6 million) for the 2026/27 tax year.



In the same month, Mikel Mabasa, CEO of Naamsa, the Automotive Business Council, said in an interview that at least three Chinese EVs have signed NDAs with them, adding, “With good government policies, we will attract new investment, we will increase and retain investment.”



Wing says this shift is critical: “It represents an opportunity to diversify the availability of EV models in South Africa, which will undoubtedly drive down the prices and make EVs more accessible, but also create a new ecosystem of jobs in both the automotive and associated industries.



“There is also a real risk of creating a dependency on a single source market for technology (China), and this should be balanced by fostering local innovation and skills development within the local workforce, and by focusing on building strong trade relationships with various other global players.”



South Africa’s EV landscape in 2025 and beyond will be shaped by multiple factors, not just technology, but social, cultural, ethical and political factors, says Wing.



It’s important to address the influence of Elon Musk, who is South African-born and the CEO of Tesla, as his political views in the U.S. are well documented, and can shape public perceptions of EVs, he says.



“It is extremely likely he will be acting as a key advisor on technology and business and should be closely watched, as it has the potential to further shape U.S. trade policy, and also the future of the EV market in Africa, as well as other emerging economies.”



“It is a clear reality that what happens in the U.S. has a ripple effect on the rest of the world, and so the role of Elon Musk cannot be ignored,” concludes Wing.

101st Brussels Motor Show 2025

‘Opportunity To Diversify’: A Futurist On The Implications Of The U.S.’s Tariffs On Chinese EVs In Emerging Markets Such As South Africa

Our tech writer got to experience the new electric Mini Cooper SE that’s coming your way.



The highly-anticipated next-generation electric Mini Cooper SE arrived in South Africa six months later than originally planned, and quietly went on sale without a national media launch.



As it stands, Mini will produce both internal combustion engine (ICE) models and three EVs: the Cooper, Countryman and Aceman.



I’ve been driving the Cooper SE for an extended period since November. The base model comes in at R802,000 ($42,350), however my press unit has been kitted out with extras to the value of R924,500 ($48,827).



It is powered by a 160kW motor with 330Nm of torque, equipped with a 49.2kWh nett battery that promises 400km of range (WLTP figures), and has a 95kW maximum DC charging speed. It goes from 0-100km/h in 6.7 seconds while top speed is capped at 170km/h.



The look of new SE is pared down, juxtaposed by modern LED head- and tail-lights that are customizable.



Despite a retro exterior, modern finishes include 12 ultrasonic sensors and four surround cameras; a 9.4-inch round OLED screen that supports apps and games through Mini Operating System 9; a digital voice assistant called Spike; and augmented reality navigation.



Previous models supported Digital Key with NFC, but the new SE has Digital Key Plus ultrawide-band (UWB) support, so I use my compatible iPhone and Apple Watch as fully functional keys; i.e. I don’t carry the physical key anymore.



It also has the Connected Package for navigation with additional info, games and video streaming when the vehicle is stationary, wireless charging, eSIM, etc; and Driving Assistant Plus for maintaining speed, keeping a distance from vehicles ahead, detecting road signs, etc.



The Mini app offers additional functionality that is convenient for the owner, like basic vehicle info, remote 3D view, trip statistics, monitoring charge status, efficiency stats, finding charging stations and more.



The ability to monitor my charge remotely has helped me several times where I could see the vehicle prematurely stopped charging.



While getting from 10%-80% takes about half an hour, its 95kW charging speed cap slows things down between 80%-100%, however the app estimate tends to be accurate, which helps with planning.



As a freelance writer working from home, the ~337km range I yield on a full charge is suited to my lifestyle. I don’t do long distance driving and can easily toggle between driving modes.



Based on access to mall and dealership chargers within my vicinity, it is the ideal runaround city EV. I find it a comfortable, pleasant drive.



I find it a premium overall experience when compared to the GWM Ora, which shares the same platform as the SE as it is currently exclusively built in the same factory in China by Great Wall Motor.



Incidentally, the launch of the Cooper and Aceman models in the United States have been pushed out indefinitely due to high tariffs on Chinese imports.



Mini says production of the two models will begin in Oxford, England in 2026.

OLED screen

A Mini Look At The Electric Ambitions On Course In South Africa

CES Las Vegas kicked off this week with a keynote from Nvidia, the second-most valuable company after Apple, with AI-powered innovations for gaming, robotics, autonomous vehicles, agentic AI, and its first desktop computer.



Nvidia CEO and founder Jensen Huang said AI is advancing at an incredible pace, which started with perception AI, then generative AI, and now, “physical AI, AI that can proceed, reason, plan and act”.



Its newly announced Nvidia Cosmos platform was described as a “ChatGPT moment” for robotics and autonomous vehicles by Huang intended to advance ‘physical AI’.



Its gen-AI capabilities will simulate and predict real-world outcomes by generating high-fidelity, physics-aware video from simple inputs, explains Nvidia.



Huang described agentic AI as the next big thing for the enterprise, designed to exhibit autonomy, decision-making capabilities, and perform tasks proactively, rather than reactive AI.



Apart from its Blackwell-based GeForce RTX 50 Series graphics cards for high performance applications for gaming, AI development, content creation, etc, it also announced a partnership with Toyota to power its next-generation of vehicles.



The DriveOS operating system focuses on safety, autonomous driving and AI-powered cockpit experiences.



Nvidia will also partner with Aurora Innovation, an autonomous trucking company, to power its next-generation self-driving trucks.



Other car news included Honda’s unveiling of two new EV prototype models, the Honda 0 Saloon and Honda 0 SUV. It is expected to go on sale in North America in 2026, as part of the company’s 0 Series lineup. No technical specifications were shared.



Sony and Honda announced pricing for its previously introduced electric Afeela, which starts at $89,900. The EV is powered by Sony software, which supports PS5 games through its infotainment system.



BMW unveiled a new iDrive version, featuring BMW Panoramic Vision, to be introduced first on all its Neue Klasse models at the end of 2025.



It’s a futuristic head-up display (HUD) that spans across the bottom of the windscreen, projecting driver information that is customisable.



Zeekr showed off an autonomous robotaxi (RT), with Nvidia’s Drive AGX Thor system-on-chip, making it the first automaker in the world to do so.



The company says the Zeekr RT will begin mass production this year, which will be used by Google’s Waymo for its next-gen self-driving taxis. Delivery is expected before the end of 2025.



And taking things a notch higher is Chinese EV maker XPeng who showed off a modular flying car called the AeroHT.



The ‘Land Aircraft Carrier’ is an electric van with six wheels, and at the back it houses an electric vehicle take-off and landing (eVTOL) aircraft for one passenger to fly in.



XPeng says its flying car takes “five minutes to learn and three hours to master”, featuring a joystick and large touchscreen. It is not made for commutes, but rather to explore remote areas like if you’re camping.



CES also showcased pet tech, such as GPS tracking, health monitoring and bark monitoring, by Tractive, which lets dog owners monitor things like health and happiness.



The company says its app will “alert pet owners when a concerning pattern is emerging, as dogs can’t speak and are often very good at hiding pain or discomfort”.



Speaking about wellbeing, the Nutrix coriSense is a small handheld gadget that tells you if you’re stressed by spitting into it. It recommends testing four times a day, and analyses cortisol levels from your saliva.



Other wacky gadgets showcased was the Kirin Electric Salt Spoon concept that enhances the perception of saltiness in your food using mild electric currents, and the Spicerr dispenser with touchscreen that measures out your spices from six spice capsules.



Only time will tell if these concepts make it to the real world.

Nafisa Akabor