Published 19 June 2025

12 min read

From unassuming practicality and high-performing heritage materials to wellness-boosting sensory experiences and quirky, characterful designs, consumer electronics are increasingly human-centric and geared towards healthier, more harmonious interactions. We round up the key colour, material and finish (CMF) trends and innovations emerging across the sector.

Sensorial & Captivating

Elemental Luxury

Crafted Classics

Elevated Everyday

Cute & Quirky

Anti-Distraction & Focus-Enhancing

Resource-Conscious Developments

Innovative brands are bringing new sensory dimensions to tech in order to captivate and stir the senses. Alongside dynamic illusory surfaces, heat-reactive finishes and otherworldly luminescence, exciting inbuilt fragrance features transform devices into wellness-boosting transportive experiences.

Innovative brands are bringing new sensory dimensions to tech in order to captivate and stir the senses. Alongside dynamic illusory surfaces, heat-reactive finishes and otherworldly luminescence, exciting inbuilt fragrance features transform devices into wellness-boosting transportive experiences.

Summary

Sensorial & Captivating

Innovative brands are bringing new sensory dimensions to tech in order to captivate and stir the senses. Alongside dynamic illusory surfaces, heat-reactive finishes and otherworldly luminescence, exciting inbuilt fragrance features transform devices into wellness-boosting transportive experiences.

Elemental Luxury

In an evolution of the quiet luxury trend – and complementing an emerging aesthetic in luxury living spaces – natural materiality and biophilic design cues are elevated to foster a deeper connection with nature. Awe-inspiring landscapes and beautiful botanicals are translated into rich CMF, while striking applications of stone make products feel timeless and epic.

Crafted Classics

As consumption-conscious mindsets grow, product timelessness and longevity are increasingly valuable currency. Many devices are crafted as future classics – investment pieces to be cherished (and that will last) for years to come. Here, elegant aesthetics and craftmanship merge with high-performance heritage materials.

Elevated Everyday

Simple design interventions are helping to improve everyday tech experiences by ensuring devices align more seamlessly with personal lives. Curated palettes and stylised forms extend the appeal of gadgets, while unassuming but hard-working materials enhance performance and practicality.

Cute & Quirky

The demand for light-hearted escapism is more tangible than ever, and a highly playful direction is emerging across tech to provide such dopamine hits. Unusual materials and textures in bright, uplifting hues combine with expressive graphics and friendly, characterful motifs.

Anti-Distraction & Focus-Enhancing

Mindful design is evolving to promote healthier, more harmonious interactions with tech. Minimalist and clarifying aesthetics reduce distractions and intrusions, intentional textures seek to enhance focus and productivity, and beautiful materiality makes devices a pleasure to use.

Resource-Conscious Developments

Many brands are making a conscious effort to move away from finite, virgin resources towards abundant waste streams and bio-based alternatives with subsequently smaller carbon footprints. Recycled surface qualities emerge in response, helping to overturn the pristine ideals of new tech, while dissolvable innovations seek to alleviate e-waste.

CMF Industry View: Consumer Electronics 26/27

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Topics

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Offering access to over 350 consumer and cross-industry reports annually, Stylus Membership is your window to tomorrow’s most exciting opportunities.

We already arm more than 500 of the world’s most forward-thinking brands and agencies with the creative insights they need to make transformative business decisions.

We’d love to do the same for you.

Book a demo with us today to discover more.

CMF Industry View: Consumer Electronics 26/27

CMF Industry View: Consumer Electronic...

CMF Industry View: Consumer Electronics 26/27

CMF Industry View: Consumer Electronic...

CMF Industry View: Consumer Electronics 26/27

From unassuming practicality and high-performing heritage materials to wellness-boosting sensory experiences and quirky, characterful designs, consumer electronics are increasingly human-centric and geared towards healthier, more harmonious interactions. We round up the key colour, material and finish (CMF) trends and...

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