Compact lights will push out sustainable 2000+ lumens without getting warm due to super efficient LEDs and battery tech that keeps it going for hours.
We’ll have lights with adjustable color temp so you can set it to anything between 2700K-6500K. CRI will be 90+ at all temps.
Advanced optics will allow you to choose between flood or throw with no loss in lumens and still have a high IP rating.
Lights with internal selectable filters that can be changed instantly.
Wish list for future modern light:
1) USB-C socket. I know it’s more expensive than micro-USB. But I am very willing to pay the extra $0.50
2) Flashable firmware. This would allow the user to keep the light updated with better firmware without changing the hardware. Similar to flashing custom ROMs on an Android phone.
3) Configurable firmware via a computer. Kind of extension of item #2. If the firmware is user-flashable, why not make it configurable? Either via a config file or a more advanced UI with checkbox.
Another idea: Add more physical buttons for non-expert users:
Better yet. Make the firmware flashable through the USB-c port. So usb-c supports both charging and data. USB-c to USB-c support.
Some flashlights do have a dual switch design. Take the TN12 for example. Tail button for on/off and the side button for changing modes. Another flashlight that may appeal to you is the Nitecore MT10C.
[quote=YogibearAl]
Obviously, this has to be through USB-C. Otherwise this would not be user-friendly.
I’m betting on flashlights and weapons lights with built in face recognition tied to police or homeland databases.
https://www.schneier.com/blog/archives/2020/01/modern_mass_sur.html
I would think the next step is either better battery technology, or better LED efficiency so the high settings can run for much longer.
Control the personal preferences with an phone-app, then send this profile to the flashlight with Bluetooth.
Custom firmware PC program that has a GUI for those of us that need step by step. And a connection to the flashlight that is standardized and where you don't have to be a contortionist.
Amen to that! Love to have it run in a smartphone/tablet app.
Doubt this will ever happen but until LED tints in flashlights all become adjustable like Philips Hue bulbs, wish manufacturers would socket rather than solder the stars for easy swapping. 3V and 6V emitters could have different sized sockets to prevent muggles like me from blowing it.
Would like to see more modular design in other areas as well. Drop-in optics to replace reflectors, and a range of diffusing lenses to fit inside any bezel.
And of course, as an avid cyclist, would appreciate bicycle friendly accessories such as handlebar mounts available for every diameter of flashlight body (ones I cobbled together myself probably weigh as much as the whole flashlight, D’oh!) Slide-on aluminum reflectorized hoods that fit around the bezel another wish of mine, am sure the manufacturers could easily come up with sturdier and more attractive ones than the crap I devised. And yeah, I know some flashlight manufacturers already have self-contained bike friendly options but none have all that much battery capacity and adding external USB power banks kinda defeats their original intent.
Next big thing: a working neuralyzer. Break out the sunglasses… 
Next step into more added nonsense, making them toys rather than useful devices.
LEP
moar output
LEDs will further improve, but the mainstream is apparently still in love with cool white.
more efficient drivers.
So, overall improvement ahead, so upgrading older lights will probably never end.
Reliable efficiency.
3 way sw L.M.H. Or 2 way M.H only.
Screw base, On-Off control.
With switches that don’t give problems.
There are a lot (regardless of pricing) of torches out there.
With too complex switches. which usually end up with reliability problems.
I’ve thrown out a couple (frustration).
with another coupla three in drawer now with intermittent problems.
2 of my AO1’s for a start.
These later ones I’ve bought are not so good.
Sometimes yes. sometimes no.
Ah well. $11Aud a pop. Getting to be throw away items it seems.
As much as I like them.
Liquid cooling with glycol or ammonia where led heat moves refrigerant through tubing keeping head and handle cool.
Does anyone see magnetic charging supplanting micro usb to maintain high IPX water proofing?
Time ,temperature,weather ,internet, self connecting to the charger . You wake up just in time to see it crawling across the floor .past the cat ,up the side of the desk to the charging station..after a two minute wrestling match with the cell phone the flashlight eases back into it's charging cradle .
Pullout microwave antenna for harvesting energy and recharging from any ambient radio source.
See Heinlein’s Waldo.
Led heat control. I think there will be led developments that send more of the heat out the front instead of absorbing it into the body.
LED’s which produce much less heat per lumen would be an evolutionary change, active and passive cooling is just a Band-Aid fix.