With the launch of the new iPhone 18 models approaching, Dr Uwe König, Global Mining Segment Manager at Malvern Panalytical, explains how manufacturers can continue to deliver consistently high-quality mobile phone materials to keep up with demand/changing consumer expectations.
With the global smartphone market valued at more than $550 billion, Apple leads the worldwide mobile vendor market with roughly 31.6%, followed by Samsung at 19.1%.
Looking ahead to 2027, new devices are expected to bring improved cameras, advanced AI features, and more ways to stay connected. Apple is expected to launch its latest iPhone model in September, while Meta continues developing smart glasses. The popularity of these products highlights how much more consumers are now expecting beyond the functions of a traditional smartphone. New Deloitte research shows that smartphone use is ingrained in our daily lives. 34% of respondents would like passports, driving licences and other forms of ID integrated into their smartphones, meaning cell phones are integrated into our day-to-day lives.
As consumer expectations evolve beyond basic communication, manufacturers need to consider a new range of requirements when sourcing raw materials. With this in mind, Dr Uwe König, Global Mining Segment Manager at Malvern Panalytical, explains how 2026 is changing smartphone quality control, from raw materials to regulations manufacturers need to meet.
How is smartphone technology changing raw material requirements?
Mobile phones depend on a range of raw materials, primarily plastics, metals, and glass, and as technology evolves, so do the materials needed to make them. Behind every device is a combination of specialised materials selected for a specific purpose, from aluminosilicate glass used for the touchscreen to lithium, cobalt, and nickel in batteries.
As phones become thinner, faster, and more powerful, manufacturers are pushing these materials closer to their performance limits. If the raw material contains impurities or has inconsistent composition, it can affect the battery, screen, electronics, or the phone’s overall durability.
Nowadays, the main challenge is being unable to attain high-quality minerals. The quality of ore can vary from one location to another, and in many areas mineral grades are falling, making the materials harder and more expensive to extract. This is why checking quality early and keeping track of it throughout the supply chain is becoming increasingly important.
A multi-sensor approach is the only way to prevent process challenges
With so many factors affecting the quality of raw materials, relying on just one type of analysis is not always enough. Different technologies can provide different pieces of the picture, helping manufacturers understand both the chemical composition and physical structure of their materials.
1. XRF and XRD: fast elemental screening, deeper mineralogical detail
X-ray fluorescence (XRF) can quickly show which elements are present and help identify impurities, while X-ray diffraction (XRD) provides more detail about the minerals and structures within the material. Together, they give manufacturers a clearer picture of what they are working with.
2. Use online and in-line analysis to spot changes early
Testing materials while they are being processed can help operators see changes as they happen. This means they can make adjustments sooner, keep quality consistent and reduce waste.
3. Combine different types of data for better quality control
Bringing results from different testing methods together can make it easier to follow material quality from mining through to refining and manufacturing. This gives teams more confidence that the materials they use meet the right standards.
Dr Uwe König, Global Mining Segment Manager at Malvern Panalytical, says: “As smartphones evolve, the materials we use have to keep up, meeting much higher and more specific standards. This is why it’s so critical for manufacturers to establish material quality and composition right from the start. By pairing technologies like XRF and XRD with real-time online and in-line analysis, we can get a far more complete picture.
“This allows teams to spot changes early and make adjustments before they turn into costly issues. And, as AI becomes a bigger part of analytical workflows, we can unlock even deeper insights, leading to more precise decision-making and a new level of automated quality assurance.”
