The 6G, modular, robot phones of the future

Summary of The 6G, modular, robot phones of the future

by The Verge

1h 13m•March 3, 2026
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Overview of The 6G, modular, robot phones of the future

This VergeCast episode (host David Pierce) is a phone- and gadget-focused dispatch from Mobile World Congress and related events. Guests Allison Johnson (senior reviewer, on the ground at MWC), Jess Weatherbed (reporter covering accessories), and Jay Peters (metaverse/VR correspondent) discuss emerging phone trends (6G, modular hardware, foldables, privacy displays, new battery tech), a deep dive on the growing market for “gadget straps” (crossbody/lanyard/wrist straps), and a listener hotline about whether Roblox/Roblox-like platforms will become the place “people live” (the metaverse). The conversation mixes hands-on impressions from MWC with cultural context and practical takeaways.

Guests and context

  • Host: David Pierce (The Verge)
  • Guests:
    • Allison Johnson — The Verge senior reviewer, reporting from MWC in Barcelona
    • Jess Weatherbed — The Verge reporter, covering accessory trends (gadget straps)
    • Jay Peters — The Verge reporter, covering VR/metaverse topics
  • Setting: Coverage of MWC, recent Samsung event, Apple product timing, and broader industry news.

Key topics discussed

6G

  • Consensus: 6G is "definitely happening" (Allison rated it a 5 on likelihood) but at least five years out.
  • Current framing: Industry is pitching 6G largely as facilitating faster, lower-latency AI workloads (satellite links, edge AI in base stations).
  • Takeaway: Work is underway on standards and groundwork, but practical consumer benefits remain speculative for now.

Modular phones and camera modules

  • Trend: Demos and concepts (Honor “robot” camera/gimbal, Vivo professional camera rig, Lenovo modular laptops/techno concepts).
  • Allison’s view: Modular phones are appealing but still mixed — emotionally a “5” (she wants them), realistically about a “3.” The ecosystem and sustained support from major players (Apple/Samsung) would be needed to make modulars mainstream.

Pixel Flex / privacy display

  • Samsung’s Pixel Flex privacy display (shipping on Galaxy S26 Ultra) hides the screen from side angles.
  • Allison’s hands-on: Works well; slight initial change in contrast/dimness but largely unobtrusive. She gave adoption odds a 4 (likely to spread because Samsung provides displays to many OEMs).

Foldables and the Razer Fold

  • Trend: Foldables are maturing — improvements in durability (IP ratings), battery capacity, and components mean foldables are more recommendable.
  • Allison’s view: Foldables are getting close to being confidently recommendable (she suggested a 4, maybe never a perfect 5 because of price), and availability/variety outside the U.S. is ahead of U.S. selection.
  • Razer Fold (Motorola/Lenovo-backed): notable for silicon-carbon (“silicon carbon” / silicon-carbon composite) batteries delivering very high capacity in thinner packages (6,000–7,000 mAh). Allison is cautiously optimistic: could be a breakthrough or an expensive early experiment.

Miniaturization / thinner devices

  • Several thin tablets and power banks were showcased. The trend toward smaller, lighter devices is real (Allison rated this a 4). The limiting factor often is battery tech; silicon-carbon batteries could enable thinner products.

E-ink back panels

  • Booth demos (Tecno, others) show E‑ink back panels (some color), but practical use-cases are unclear beyond style/customization. Allison rated likely adoption lower (around a 2).

Robots and device movement

  • MWC and CES tendencies: lots of AI messaging and many moving gadgets/robot demos. Movement/robotics is a persistent gimmick — interesting but often overhyped.

Gadget straps — history, why they matter, and how to use one

What a “gadget strap” is

  • An umbrella term for phone lanyards, wrist straps, crossbody straps (and hybrid accessories with card pockets or charging cables integrated).
  • Combines utility, security, and fashion — often used to keep the phone accessible, prevent losses, and as a personal accessory.

Why they’re popular in Asia/Europe (and less so historically in the U.S.)

  • Cultural roots: phone charms and hanging trinkets have long been popular in Japan; straps evolved from older clothing/utility practices.
  • Practical drivers: walkable cities, heavy phone usage for transit/tickets/payments, smaller/no pockets in women’s clothing.
  • Fashion + function: straps are both jewelry and a practical solution; they let users access phones quickly without a bag.

Security and downsides

  • Pros: Reduces forgotten phones in taxis/left-in-seat moments; tethers the device to you (theft deterrent in many cases).
  • Cons: Always-visible phone (scratches, privacy concern), potential to make your device more conspicuous, and some risk if someone tried to yank it away.

Types and recommendation

  • Types: crossbody (best all-around), neck lanyard, wrist strap, hip/belt clip variants, multifunction (wallet pocket, charging cable integrated).
  • Jess’s pick: crossbody strap — the most flexible (can be worn tight/loose, hidden under clothing if desired) and best for city use and bike/transportation scenarios.

Hotline: Will Roblox/Roblox-like platforms become where people “live”?

  • Question from a 14-year-old listener (Crosby): will platforms like Roblox become full metaverse living spaces as wearables/VR improve?
  • Panel consensus (Jay + David):
    • Short answer: No — not in the dramatic “everyone lives there” sense within the near term.
    • Hardware limits: VR headsets remain uncomfortable for long sessions; battery, weight, and comfort are constraints.
    • Platform fragmentation: Big platforms (Fortnite, Roblox, Horizon) compete and don’t favor full interoperability; moving between walled gardens is a poor user experience.
    • Likely path: These platforms will continue succeeding as social gaming/entertainment spaces (mobile-first experiences). VR’s strongest role remains gaming; AR/wearables that overlay actionable info on the real world are the more plausible long-term evolution for everyday use.
    • Meta’s pivot: Horizon Worlds’ shift toward mobile-first underlines that scale likely comes via phones, not immersive headsets for everyday life.

Notable quotes and insights

  • “6G is definitely happening — but it’s at least five years out.” — Allison Johnson
  • Pixel Flex privacy display: “You don’t notice it’s there, but no one else can see your phone” — hands-on verdict.
  • On modular phones: emotionally a ‘5’, realistically a ‘3’ unless a major ecosystem player pushes it.
  • On straps: “It’s a feature, not a bug — people treat straps like jewelry that’s also highly functional.”
  • Hotline verdict: “By the time you’re 19, you’ll probably still not be living in the metaverse.” — practical take on metaverse timeline.

Main takeaways

  • 6G talk is serious but far off; current narrative leans on enabling edge/AI connectivity.
  • Foldables are materially better (durability, battery, IP), and models like Motorola’s Razer Fold are worth watching because of battery tech innovations.
  • Privacy displays (Pixel Flex) are shipping and likely to spread because Samsung supplies displays.
  • Modular phone ideas are alive, compelling, but need ecosystem buy-in to become mainstream.
  • Gadget straps are more than fashion nostalgia — they solve real utility problems in walkable, mobile-first markets; crossbody straps are the best first buy.
  • The “metaverse” as a universal, persistent virtual living space is unlikely to happen soon; mobile social/gaming platforms will remain the dominant form of social virtual spaces, VR remains best suited to gaming, and AR glasses are a more plausible augmentation of daily life.

Action items / recommendations

  • If you travel/city-commute often or find yourself constantly digging for your phone, try a crossbody gadget strap — Jess recommends starting there.
  • If you care about shoulder/shoulder-check privacy while traveling, look for phones with Pixel Flex / side-angle privacy displays (currently in Galaxy S26 Ultra).
  • Watch battery tech (silicon-carbon cells) — could be a major enabler for thinner devices and longer-lasting foldables; Motorola/Lenovo’s Razer Fold is an important early test.
  • Don’t expect 6G consumer benefits immediately; treat current 6G announcements as standards/roadmap work tied to future AI networking.
  • On the metaverse: treat Roblox/Fortnite/Horizon as social gaming and digital goods platforms, not as replacements for real-world life or universal interoperable virtual worlds.

Who should listen to this episode

  • Mobile device enthusiasts who want MWC hands-on impressions.
  • People curious about practical gadget trends (privacy displays, foldables, modular concepts).
  • Travelers, city commuters, or anyone frustrated by pockets — for the accessory strap deep dive.
  • Readers wondering about the realistic near-term future of the “metaverse” and VR/AR.

If you want the episode’s full color and live impressions, the hosts say they’ll be experimenting with more live, rapid podcasts after big events (Apple event coverage was mentioned), so keep an eye on The Verge feed for follow-ups.