IR Blaster

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Template:Infobox

IR blaster removal refers to the elimination of infrared transmitters from smartphones that allowed them to function as universal remote controls.

Overview

IR blasters allowed phones to control TVs, air conditioners, stereos, and other devices. Despite minimal cost and space requirements, manufacturers removed them claiming "lack of use" while simultaneously investing in expensive smart home ecosystems.

Technical Specifications

Hardware Requirements

• IR LED: $0.15
• Driver circuit: $0.10
• Protective lens: $0.05
• Board space: 4mm²
• Power draw: 50-100mW when active
• Total cost: $0.30-0.50

Capabilities

• Range: 5-10 meters
• Frequency: 30-60kHz carrier
• Protocols: RC5, RC6, NEC, Sony SIRC
• Devices controlled: Thousands of models
• Learning function: Copy any remote

Timeline of Elimination

Rise (2012-2015)

• 2012: HTC One includes IR blaster
• 2013: Samsung Galaxy S4 adds "WatchON"
• 2014: LG G3, Note 4 standard feature
• 2015: Peak adoption - most flagships include

Fall (2016-2020)

• 2016: iPhone 7 never had it, Samsung keeps
• 2017: Galaxy S6 removes, S7 retains
• 2018: Samsung removes from S series permanently
• 2019: LG removes from all models
• 2020: Only Xiaomi, Huawei retain (some models)

Real Reasons for Removal

Smart Home Ecosystem Lock-in

• Samsung SmartThings: $50-300 per device
• Apple HomeKit: Premium-priced accessories
• Google Home: Subscription services
• IR blaster: Controls everything for free

Planned Obsolescence of Remotes

• Smart TV remote: $30-80 replacement
• Cable box remote: $20-40
• Universal remote: $50-200
• Phone with IR: $0 additional cost

Data Collection Prevention

• IR control: Completely offline
• Smart home: Tracks usage patterns
• Voice assistants: Record commands
• Apps: Collect behavioral data

Manufacturer Excuses Debunked

"Nobody used it"

• Reality: Peel Smart Remote - 100 million downloads
• AnyMote: 50 million users
• Mi Remote: 75 million active users
• Sure Universal: 30 million downloads

"Takes up space"

• Reality: Smaller than front camera
• Thickness impact: 0.5mm maximum
• Location: Top edge unused space
• Modern phones thicker anyway

"Confusing for consumers"

• Reality: One-button setup in most apps
• Easier than pairing Bluetooth
• Grandparents could use it
• Point and click interface

"Old technology"

• Reality: Every TV still uses IR (2024)
• Air conditioners: 95% IR controlled
• Set-top boxes: All use IR
• Will remain standard for decades

Use Cases Eliminated

Home Entertainment

• Control TV without finding remote
• Adjust soundbar from couch
• Navigate cable box menus
• Control DVD/Blu-ray players
• Manage projector presentations

Public Spaces

• Mute loud TVs in waiting rooms
• Adjust gym TV channels
• Control hotel room AC
• Change restaurant TV channels
• Conference room presentations

Accessibility

• Elderly: One device for everything
• Disabled: Always within reach
• Visually impaired: Familiar phone interface
• Lost remote replacement

Travel

• Hotel room control
• No learning curve for new devices
• International compatibility
• No need to pack remotes

Financial Impact on Consumers

Replacement Costs

• Lost TV remote: $30-80
• Universal remote: $50-200
• Smart home hub: $100-300
• Smart bulbs: $15-50 each
• Smart plugs: $20-40 each
• Total ecosystem: $500-2000

What IR Blaster Replaced

• All remotes: $0
• Setup time: Minutes
• Compatibility: Universal
• Maintenance: None
• Subscription: None

Market Manipulation

Coordinated Removal

• 2016-2018: All major brands remove
• No technical reason cited
• Smart home push simultaneous
• Consumer choice eliminated

Upselling Strategy

"Your phone can't control your TV anymore, but for $299 you can buy our smart home hub, plus $30 per smart plug, plus $50 per smart bulb..."

Environmental Impact

E-Waste from Remotes

• 5 remotes per household average
• 500 million remotes disposed annually
• Batteries: 2-4 AA per remote
• Plastic waste: Non-recyclable
• All preventable with IR phone

Resource Consumption

• Rare earth elements in remotes
• Shipping individual remotes
• Packaging waste
• Manufacturing energy
• Redundant production

Current Alternatives

Phones with IR (2024)

• Xiaomi Redmi series (some)
• POCO phones (some)
• Select Chinese brands
• No flagship phones
• No US carrier phones

Workarounds

• USB-C IR dongles ($10-20)
• Bluetooth-to-IR bridges ($30-50)
• WiFi universal remotes ($60-100)
• Smart home ecosystem ($500+)
• All inferior to built-in

Consumer Resistance

Petition Campaigns

• Change.org: "Bring back IR blasters" - 250,000 signatures
• Reddit r/Android: Regular request threads
• Samsung Members: Top requested feature
• OnePlus forums: Consistent demands

Market Response

• Chinese brands keeping IR = increased sales
• Xiaomi marketing IR as premium feature
• Consumer loyalty to IR-equipped brands
• Second-hand market for IR phones

Technical Innovation Stifled

Potential developments killed

• IR learning improvements
• Macro programming
• Gesture controls
• AI-powered setup
• Cross-device synchronization

Instead we got: Expensive proprietary ecosystems

See Also

• Universal Remote History
• Smart Home Lock-in
• Feature Removal Timeline
• Planned Obsolescence
• Consumer Choice Elimination

References

[1] Samsung Galaxy S4 WatchON marketing materials [2] Peel