IDC FutureScape: Worldwide Connected Devices 2025 Predictions
This IDC study provides IDC's top 10 predictions for connected devices for 2025."The ascent of artificial intelligence and generative AI (GenAI) will have a meaningful impact on the connected devices that companies will deploy in the coming years," said Tom Mainelli, GVP of Devices and Consumer Research at IDC. "In addition to seeing more products get on-device AI capabilities, AI will have a notable impact on how companies buy and deploy devices, the financial instruments they use, and the services they connect to said devices."
IDC FutureScape Figure
Executive Summary
IDC FutureScape Predictions
Summary of External Drivers
Predictions: Impact on Technology Buyers
Prediction 1: Nearly 90% of New Commercially Deployed Smartphones in 2026 Will Use On-Device AI Security Features to Analyze Telemetry Data in Real Time to Verify User Identity Proactively and Continuously
Associated Drivers
IT Impact
Guidance
Prediction 2: As More Industry Verticals Digitize Existing Frontline Paper-Based Processes, One in Three Organizations Will Deploy More Rugged Devices, Accelerating Shipment Volumes in 2026
Associated Drivers
IT Impact
Guidance
Prediction 3: In 2027, One in 10 Commercial Notebook Shipments Will Use ARM-Based Chips as Companies Look to Offer Employees Systems with Multiday Battery Life While Achieving Corporate ESG Goals
Associated Drivers
IT Impact
Guidance
Prediction 4: By 2027, Two-Thirds of the Top 100 Enterprise Apps Running on PCs Will Have Generative AI Features That Leverage the CPU, GPU, or NPU to Run Workloads Locally Instead of in the Cloud
Associated Drivers
IT Impact
Guidance
Prediction 5: By 2027, 80% of Companies Using Stress-Monitoring Wearables Will See a 25% Reduction in Absenteeism and a Measurable Increase in Employee Job Satisfaction
Associated Drivers
IT Impact
Guidance
Prediction 6: Seeking Greater Flexibility and Affordability, 30% of Fortune 2000 Companies Will Pilot or Deploy Mobile Device–as-a-Service Offerings Focused on Corporate-Liable Smartphones by 2028
Associated Drivers
IT Impact
Guidance
Prediction 7: By 2029, Most Knowledge Workers at Large Enterprises Will Leverage VDI-Based Apps to Complete Some of Their Day-to-Day Work
Associated Drivers
IT Impact
Guidance
Prediction 8: By 2028, 50% of Global 500 Companies That Deploy Extended Reality Technology Solutions Strategically Will See a Greater than 100% ROI in Terms of Time Saved, Efficiencies Gained, and Employee Satisfaction
Associated Drivers
IT Impact
Guidance
Prediction 9: By 2029, an On-Device AI Agent Will Initiate About 10% of Workloads on Smartphones, Tablets, and PCs as Operating Systems Anticipate Employees' Needs, Increasing Productivity and User Satisfaction
Associated Drivers
IT Impact
Guidance
Prediction 10: One in 10 Commercial PCs Shipped into the Enterprise by 2030 Will Be a Workstation as More Organizations Recognize Their Value for Mission-Critical Workloads
Associated Drivers
IT Impact
Guidance
Advice for Technology Buyers
External Drivers: Detail
AI-Driven Business Models — Moving from AI Experimentation to Monetization
The Drive to Automate — Toward a Data-Driven Future
Future Proofing Against Environmental Risks — ESG Operationalization and Risk Management
AI-Driven Workplace Transformation — Building Tomorrow's Workforce Today
Responsible and Human-Centric Technology — Ethics in the Enterprise
Battling Against Technical Debt — Overcoming Hurdles to IT Modernization
Customer Experience Squared — Consumer and Citizen Expectations for Digital Services
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