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Let’s talk about something that’s been bugging me for a while: The obsession with mobile-first design.
Look, I get it. Mobile dominates internet traffic, and for many businesses, optimizing for mobile is a no-brainer. But somewhere along the way, “mobile-first” turned into “desktop doesn’t matter”—and that’s where things start to fall apart.
The reality? Desktop is very much alive, and in many industries, it’s still the primary way people get things done.
Ask any SaaS company, financial institution, or enterprise software provider, and they’ll tell you the same thing: their users aren’t just casually scrolling on their phones—they’re working.
No one’s managing complex data analytics, handling intricate workflows, or designing in Figma from their iPhone. Mission-critical tools still rely on the precision, screen space, and power of desktop interfaces.
Yet, so many companies fall into the trap of designing their UX as if mobile is the only experience that matters—leading to stripped-down desktop experiences that feel like afterthoughts.
The industry’s obsession with mobile-first has created a dangerous pattern:
👉 Oversimplified UX – Critical features get removed because they "won't fit" on mobile, even though desktop users actually need them.
👉 Frustrating workflows – Try filling out a complex form, managing data, or toggling between multiple tools on mobile. It’s painful.
👉 Assumption that "responsive" = great UX – Just because a layout fits on mobile doesn't mean it works for users. UX isn't about screen size—it’s about the experience.
Good UX isn’t about prioritizing one screen over another—it’s about understanding how people actually use your product across devices.
Instead of treating mobile and desktop as competing priorities, we need to shift toward a multi-platform mindset.
✔️ Context matters – Mobile is great for quick interactions. Desktop is ideal for deep work. The experience should reflect that.
✔️ Platform-specific UX – Instead of forcing the same experience on every device, UX should adapt to each platform’s strengths.
✔️ Seamless cross-device experiences – Users switch between devices constantly. A solid UX strategy makes that transition smooth and intuitive.
The best UX isn’t mobile-first or desktop-first—it’s user-first.
So before we rush to strip down desktop interfaces in the name of mobile optimization, let’s ask ourselves: Are we actually improving the experience, or just following a trend?
What do you think? Are companies neglecting desktop UX in favor of mobile-first hype? Let’s talk. ⬇️
