Is Smartphone 'Style' About to Surpass 'Functionality' Among Consumer Preferences?

Smartphones have become status symbols and statement makers -- much like luxury cars. The new Samsung Galaxy S7 Edge is a good example of this idea. With a price tag of almost $800, customers are paying an ultra premium. And while the phone has tons of features that cater to nearly every whimsical need, many just seem superfluous. After using the S7 Edge for about a week, I've come to love the way it looks and feels in my hands. I also love how the phone performs. Everything feels instantaneous. Apps load incredibly fast. The fingerprint reader works with the slightest touch. The always-on display is really helpful. And the phone charges in less than 80 minutes. On the flip side, the S7 Edge is a bit high maintenance. Compared to an iPhone 6 Plus, the phone I've been using for over a year, the S7 Edge seems more complicated than it should be without equally rewarding me for my extra effort. Case in point: the unique curved edges of the screen. Aside from making the phone feel great, they don't make the phone that much easier or better to use. In fact, it sometimes feels like Samsung had to add features to justify the design. In other cases, the curved edge limits the usefulness of the phone. Most would agree that the market leading smartphones from Apple and Samsung are status symbols in addition to providing bona fide functionality that we have grown to expect. But does that mean that smartphone ‘style’ may surpass ‘functionality’ anytime soon? Share your comments with the Smartphone and Tablet Zone: http://smartphoneandtabletzone.blogspot.com/