It seems longer than 10 years since Apple’s first iPhone ushered in the smartphone era, and now that market is at a crossroads again as it approaches saturation and margins are squeezed. Artificial intelligence and machine learning now figure increasingly in the strategies of all the smartphone players to avoid that downward curve – especially the big three, Apple, Samsung and Huawei, which have all announced major investments and commitments recently. Each faces different challenges, with Apple seeking to maintain its phenomenal record for profitability at a time when the others are squabbling at the lower end of the market, as reflected in smaller margins. Depending on who is counting, Samsung has held onto number one position measured by volumes…