With the deep penetration of 5G networks and the accelerated development of 6G, mobile phone antenna technology is undergoing a new wave of upgrades. Recently, several leading smartphone manufacturers and supply chain companies revealed that next-generation smartphone antennas will evolve toward "invisibility, intelligence, and multifunctionality," with satellite communication and AI tuning technologies expected to become standard features in flagship models.
From "Exposed" to "Invisible": A Revolution in Antenna Design
In the feature phone era, mobile antennas were often protruding metal rods. With the advent of smartphones, antennas gradually became hidden inside the device. The latest industry trends indicate that antenna design is now advancing toward a more sophisticated "unnoticeable" phase.
Screen Antenna Technology: BOE recently disclosed a patent for a "transparent film antenna" that can be embedded beneath OLED screens, enhancing signal reception without affecting display quality.
Bezel Integration Solution: Apple is testing a "metal frame antenna integration" design in iPhone 16 prototypes, incorporating 5G mmWave antennas into stainless steel bezels using nano-scale cutting technology.
Ceramic Replacement for Metal: Xiaomi Labs is trialing ceramic material antenna modules, which reduce signal interference compared to traditional metal while improving structural durability.
Satellite Communication Gains Momentum, Antenna Technology Becomes Key
Huawei's Mate 60 series and Apple's iPhone 14/15 series already support satellite communication, but current capabilities are limited to short messaging due to antenna constraints. Supply chain sources indicate that 2024 flagship models will upgrade to "two-way satellite calling," with breakthroughs including:
Helical Foldable Antennas: Utilizing 3D stacking technology to extend signal reception paths within compact spaces.
Adaptive Beamforming: Dynamically adjusting antenna radiation direction based on satellite positioning to minimize signal disruption from hand positioning.
Industry experts predict global shipments of satellite-capable smartphones may exceed 200 million units by 2025.
AI-Powered Smart Tuning Solves "Death Grip" Challenge
Signal attenuation caused by hand grip ("death grip") has long plagued the industry. Recently, Qualcomm and MediaTek unveiled AI-driven antenna tuning solutions:
Qualcomm's 4th-gen 5G modem integrates an AI engine to monitor grip posture in real time, switching to optimal antenna configurations within 0.1 seconds.
MediaTek's Dimensity 9400 introduces an "environment-aware algorithm" to identify weak-signal scenarios like subways or elevators, pre-activating backup antenna arrays.
Industry Challenge: Balancing Performance and Space
Despite technological advances, antenna design faces critical challenges. A Vivo antenna engineer (pseudonym: Li Ming) noted: "5G mmWave antennas require larger clearance zones, but consumer demand for slim designs persists. Fitting 20 antennas into a 7mm-thick body is a monumental task." Additionally, varying global 5G frequency bands force manufacturers to develop multiple antenna variants, increasing R&D costs.
Expert Perspective
"In three years, antennas will no longer be standalone components but part of a deeply integrated 'communication neural network' with chips, screens, and batteries," said Wang Zhiqin, Director of the China Academy of Information and Communications Technology Terminal Lab. "The advent of 6G terahertz frequencies may spawn entirely disruptive antenna forms."
Counterpoint Research forecasts the global mobile antenna market will reach $8.6 billion by 2024, with a 12.3% CAGR. In this invisible technology race, whoever first overcomes physical limits will dominate next-gen communication devices.
