Passwords, plastic cards and SIM cards: what could vanish by 2035

According to technology enthusiasts, several familiar technologies may no longer be the norm for most users within the next decade, by 2035–2036. However, technologies rarely disappear completely — they tend to evolve, much like film photography or feature phones did.

One of the leading candidates for gradual obsolescence is the password. In a report published this April, the UK's National Cyber Security Centre stated that passwords "no longer provide sufficient resilience against modern cyber threats." As an alternative, the agency recommends passkeys — a method of authentication that eliminates the need to enter text-based combinations. Passkeys rely on cryptographic key pairs stored on devices and verified through biometrics or PINs, offering stronger protection against phishing and credential theft.

Plastic bank cards are also expected to decline in everyday use. Digital payments via smartphones, wearables, and biometric authentication are already widespread in many countries. Contactless payments, facial recognition, and tokenization are making the physical card redundant for a growing number of transactions. Some banks have already begun issuing cards without embossed numbers, and fully digital-only accounts are becoming more common.

Physical SIM cards are likely to be fully replaced by eSIM technology. Embedded SIM modules are now supported by most modern smartphones, and manufacturers are gradually removing physical SIM slots. eSIM allows users to switch carriers remotely, store multiple profiles, and simplifies device design. This shift is already being mandated in some markets, with major smartphone makers like Apple eliminating SIM trays in certain regions.

Traditional cellular standards, such as 3G and eventually 4G LTE, may also face phase-out in favor of faster 5G and future 6G networks. Mobile operators have already begun shutting down 3G networks in several countries, reallocating spectrum for more efficient technologies. While 4G remains widely used, its long-term relevance is uncertain as 5G coverage expands and new applications demand higher bandwidth and lower latency.

The authors note that complete disappearance of any technology is unlikely — it will likely persist in niche applications, as fax machines or feature phones do today. However, for the average consumer, these solutions will cease to be the default choice.