Rumors of Tesla entering the smartphone market have been circulating for some time, with speculation increasing after Elon Musk hinted that Tesla might create a phone if Twitter (now X) were banned from major app stores like Google Play and Apple’s App Store. However, in a recent episode of the Joe Rogan Experience podcast, Elon Musk clarified Tesla’s stance on the issue, dismissing the idea of releasing a smartphone to compete with established players like Apple and Samsung.

Musk firmly stated, "No, Tesla is not making a phone," and elaborated on why he believes there’s no room for innovation in the saturated smartphone market. According to him, the space is already dominated by giants like Apple and Samsung, making it hard for new entrants to differentiate themselves. Tesla, known for its electric vehicles and cutting-edge technology, would struggle to introduce something truly groundbreaking in a market that has seen little fundamental change in recent years.

While Musk acknowledged that Tesla is in a unique position, with its software expertise from Tesla vehicles, he clarified that the company would only enter the smartphone business if forced to do so. Musk mentioned, "If Apple and Google/Android start doing very bad things, like censoring apps or becoming monopolistic in a very harmful way, then I think we’ll make a phone."

Currently, Tesla's vehicles already feature advanced entertainment systems with access to apps and games, giving the company a potential foundation for a non-Android, non-iOS smartphone. Musk hinted that Tesla could leverage SpaceX's Starlink satellite network for connectivity, providing an alternative to traditional mobile carriers. However, developing a smartphone that operates without Android or iOS would be an incredibly difficult task, considering the challenges faced by previous companies that have tried similar ventures.

Musk’s comments bring to light the difficulty of creating a new mobile platform. Microsoft’s failure with Windows Phone serves as a cautionary tale. The company struggled to attract developers, and ultimately, the platform didn’t gain enough traction to compete with iOS and Android. Tesla would face similar hurdles in attracting app developers to create a robust ecosystem for a new smartphone.

While Musk's comments have settled the ongoing rumors for now, the door remains slightly ajar for Tesla to enter the smartphone space—only if circumstances force the company into it. The idea of a Tesla smartphone, though intriguing, seems unlikely unless the major players in the smartphone industry start making moves that Musk deems unacceptable.

DETIKINET