11 everyday gadgets that the smartphone made obsolete

Devices made obsolete by these tech multi-taskers

A smartphone is a major investment. Higher-end Apple and Samsung models cost as much as a decent laptop and even much less premium options can be pricey. But this pocket-sized powerhouse is remarkable value for money when you consider all the things it can do.

Over the past two decades, the smartphone has absorbed the functions of countless gadgets. From compact digital cameras and MP3 players to sat navs, alarm clocks, and desktop scanners, one device now does the job of many.

Click or scroll on for a reminder of 11 once must-have gizmos the smartphone has cast aside.

All dollar values in US dollars

Landline phones

Once a staple in pretty much every home, landlines have been in steep decline since the smartphone came on the scene. In the US, only about 28% of households still have one. Usage has also dropped dramatically in other countries including Canada and the UK. And in 2025, just 12% of Australians used a landline phone.

With smartphones now universal and telecom networks phasing out old copper systems in favor of internet-based calling, the traditional landline has become largely redundant. A small Gen Z and Alpha-driven 'dumb tech' revival is providing something of a reprieve, but for most households the home phone is history.

Compact digital cameras

Topping many a birthday and Christmas wish list, compact digital cameras were everywhere in the pre-iPhone days. But as smartphone cameras became considerably more capable, their appeal swiftly faded. With the latest devices packed with advanced features, most people simply no longer need a separate point-and-shoot for day-to-day photography.

Global camera shipments have fallen sharply from their early 2010s peak, down over 90% from the start of that decade. These days, the market is largely limited to enthusiasts and professionals, a far cry from the situation 15 years ago.

Camcorders

Likewise, standalone camcorders have been pushed aside by the rise of the smartphone. In the noughties, people routinely splashed out on pricey models from brands like Sony and Panasonic to capture vacations, birthdays, and school plays.

But as smartphone cameras evolved from grainy clips to crisp HD and now 4K video with stabilization and cinematic modes, the need for a separate video camera evaporated. Add instant editing and one-tap sharing, and it's little wonder camcorders are now mostly confined to enthusiasts and professionals.

MP3 players

An MP3 player was the go-to gadget for music on the move before the smartphone took over. The Spotify effect, which began in the early 2010s, rewrote the rule book. Streaming meant you no longer had to download and store thousands of tracks on a separate device. Bigger phone storage, better batteries, and improved audio tech only accelerated the shift.

The transition was so complete that Apple discontinued the iPod in 2022. Audiophiles, digital detox fans, and gym-goers who don't want to lug around a phone to listen to music are fueling a modest revival. But, for most people, the smartphone has killed the MP3 star.

Sat navs

Back in the late noughties, motorists didn't think twice about dropping $800 on a standalone Garmin or Navigon sat nav. Even basic models were far from cheap, though they beat wrestling with a paper map in the passenger seat.

The tide turned in the early 2010s as smartphones arrived with built-in GPS and ever smarter mapping apps. Free navigation with live traffic and constant updates made dedicated devices seem redundant, while factory-fitted car navigation systems and later smartphone mirroring added further pressure. Today, standalone sat navs survive mainly in niche markets, with the lion's share of drivers relying on their phones or built-in GPS instead.

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Alarm clocks

The arrival of the smartphone in the late noughties was a harsh wake-up call for alarm clock makers. Basic mobile phones had already started replacing standalone alarms, but smartphones finished the job by combining alarms, timers, sleep tracking, and endless custom tones in one device.

During the 2010s, the bedside staple quietly became redundant for millions of households. Dedicated alarm clocks still exist, but for most people the smartphone now handles the morning call.

Calculators

Once a must-have for math students and professionals, standalone calculators have mostly been replaced by smartphones. Basic mobiles could handle simple sums, but modern smartphones put powerful scientific and even graphing tools in every pocket. Apps like Desmos and Calculator Plus, which launched in the early 2010s, turned phones into full-blown graphing calculators, removing the need for pricey dedicated devices that could cost well over $100.

While calculators are still required in some instances, for everyday math the standard practice today is to simply reach for your phone.

Pocket voice recorders

Not so long ago, pocket voice recorders were essential for many students, journalists, and business executives. Back in the noughties, a no-frills device could be picked up for around $25, but the sound quality was often patchy at best. Anyone serious about recording lectures, interviews, or voice notes typically had to spend out $150 or more for a reliable Olympus or Sony model with decent microphones and storage.

Then the smartphone hit record. Today's voice memo apps capture crisp audio, clean up background noise and store recordings in the cloud, effectively muting the market for dedicated devices.

PDAs

No, not public displays of affection. Before smartphones became constant companions, personal digital assistants (PDAs) were the ultimate pocket tech. From the early 1990s until the late 2000s, devices like the PalmPilot and HP iPaq let users manage calendars, contacts, notes, and basic apps on touchscreens operated with a stylus.

They were essentially early pocket computers, but most lacked built-in internet and required syncing with a PC. When the iPhone debuted in 2007, combining a phone, organizer, music player, and web browser in one sleek device, the standalone PDA was consigned to the tech graveyard.

Desktop scanners

Flatbed scanners were formerly a fixture in studies and home offices, used to digitize letters, photos, and paperwork. In the noughties, prices ranged from around $50 for a basic flatbed model to well over $1,000 for high-end machines with faster speeds and better resolution.

The decline began as scanning functions were integrated into printers. But smartphones have all but finished them off. With a decent camera and a free scanning app, you can scan, crop, straighten, and convert documents into polished PDFs in seconds. Or you can just snap a photo and hit send. For most people, that's more than good enough, and far easier than dusting off a clunky gadget that eats up desk space.

Handheld TVs

Dinky handheld TVs were a novelty in the pre-smartphone era, peaking in popularity in the 1980s and 1990s. Gadgets like the Sony Watchman and Casio TV-30S promised TV on the go, but they were often pricey, with tiny screens and patchy aerial reception making for an underwhelming experience.

Smartphones made them fully redundant. Rocking crisp displays and streaming apps that deliver live and on-demand TV anywhere, they achieve everything the analog handhelds were meant to, plus a whole lot more besides.

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