Smartphone

A smartphone is a mobile device that works like a mobile phone but also has powerful computing abilities. It usually has a touchscreen that lets you tap and swipe to do many things. You can use it for web browsing, email, social media, watching multimedia, and streaming. Smartphones have cameras, GPS navigation, and can make voice calls, send text messaging, and use internet messaging apps.

Smartphones are more advanced than older feature phones. They have better parts inside and run on mobile operating systems. They can go online, help with work, and do things like mobile payments, play music and videos, gaming, radio, and television. By the mid-2020s, many smartphones could send messages and reach help using satellite messaging when there is no good cellular coverage.

The iPhone became very popular in the late 2000s. This helped make most smartphones look like thin, flat devices with big touch screens that work with multi-touch gestures. People can get more applications from an app store. Many smartphones keep information safe in cloud storage and use virtual assistants.

History

Main article: History of smartphones

Smartphones began as simple mobile phones. Over time, they have added many new features. Now they have touchscreens, internet access, and many apps. They have changed how people talk and spend their time. Today, smartphones are like small computers that fit in your pocket. They can help with taking photos and finding your way with maps.

Hardware

Smartphone with infrared transmitter on top for use as remote control

A smartphone has many small parts that help it work. These parts include a main chip that controls the phone and memory to store information. Smartphones also have cameras, GPS to find places, and ways to connect, like Wi-Fi and Bluetooth.

Smartphones usually have a button to turn them on and off and buttons to change the volume. Some phones have special buttons for taking pictures or calling for help. The screen is a big part of a smartphone, and most phones have screens that cover most of the front. Screens can be different sizes, and some phones can be controlled with a special pen called a stylus.

Software

Main article: Mobile operating system

A mobile operating system is a special kind of software that works on phones, tablets, and other small devices. Today, the two most popular ones are Android and iOS. These systems help your device do many things, like connecting to the internet, taking pictures, and using apps.

The Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra has an artificial intelligence-powered feature.

Main article: Mobile app

Mobile apps are programs you can download to your phone to help with many things, like playing games or checking the weather.

Main article: List of mobile app distribution platforms

When Apple started the App Store in 2008, it changed how people get apps for their phones. Now, most phones have their own stores where you can find and download apps made by different developers.

List of current smartphone brands

This is a list of smartphone brands that are selling today. You can help by adding missing items with references to reliable sources.

Sales

Smartphones became popular in 1996. By 2013, more people bought smartphones than regular mobile phones, with over 1 billion sold that year. Sales sometimes dropped because prices were high and new features came slowly. Companies like Huawei, Oppo, and Xiaomi offered cheaper phones, which changed the market.

Samsung and Apple have been the top sellers for many years. In early 2024, Samsung became the leading smartphone maker again, while Apple's sales fell. Other brands like Xiaomi are also growing, especially in China.

Use

Smartphones have changed the way we use many everyday tools. Devices like portable music players, small digital cameras, and GPS navigation systems are often not needed because smartphones can do these jobs and more. With a smartphone, people can take photos and videos, get directions, play games, and even check the time without needing other gadgets.

Smartphones have also changed how people handle money and talk to each other. Many people use their phones to do banking, pay for things, and send money to others. In some places, smartphones are the main way people get online, find information, or even take pictures of documents to share. This makes life easier and more connected for many people around the world.

Main articles: Mobile banking and Mobile payment

Criticism and issues

Social impacts

Smartphones have changed how we live and interact. Using them at night can disrupt sleep because of the bright screen and blue light. This can affect sleep cycles and melatonin levels.

Some people can become very attached to their smartphones, feeling anxious when they are apart from them. There are also concerns about distracted walking, where people focus so much on their phones that they might not pay attention to where they are going.

While driving

Using a smartphone while driving is very dangerous and is banned in many places. This includes talking, texting, or even using apps while driving. Distracted driving can lead to serious accidents. Many countries have strict laws against using phones while driving.

Legal

The smartphone industry has seen many legal battles over patents. Companies like Apple and Samsung have fought in court over who created certain features first.

Medical

Using smartphones too much can sometimes cause health problems, such as headaches or trouble sleeping. There are also concerns about the safety of medical apps on smartphones.

Impacts on cognition and mental health

There is ongoing discussion about how smartphones affect our thinking and mental well-being. Some believe they help, while others worry they might cause problems.

Security

Smartphones can be targets for malware and theft. Bad actors sometimes hide harmful software in fake app versions or updates. There have also been reports of spyware that can secretly monitor users. To protect devices, many now include features to locate, lock, or wipe stolen phones.

Sleep

Using smartphones late at night can hurt sleep because of the blue light from screens. Many phones now have "Night Mode" or similar features that change the screen color to reduce blue light, helping users sleep better. However, using phones right before bed can still affect sleep quality for some people.

Restrictions and bans

Further information: Digital detox

Some countries have made rules to help students spend less time on their smartphones. For example, South Korea has a new law that will stop students from using phones in classrooms starting in March 2026, with some exceptions for students with disabilities or special needs. France and Finland have also made rules, mostly for younger students, to limit phone use in schools.

Other countries like Italy, the Netherlands, and China have put in place even stronger restrictions, which have helped improve school environments. In Australia, different states have their own rules—Victoria and New South Wales are now banning phone use during school hours. Some students have mixed feelings about these changes.

Replacement of dedicated digital cameras

In the early 2010s, more people began using the cameras in their smartphones instead of buying small, separate cameras. This change happened because phone cameras improved and could take clear videos and pictures.

However, smartphones still lack some special features found in small cameras, such as extra space for memory cards or very bright lights for photos. Small cameras can also hold larger parts that help them take better pictures. To address these differences, phone makers added more cameras to phones to improve their abilities.

Lifespan

Further information: Lithium-ion battery § Lifespan, and Planned obsolescence § Batteries

Smartphones made after the mid-2010s often have batteries that you cannot change. These batteries wear out faster if you use your phone a lot or do things that need a lot of power.

Lithium-ion and lithium-polymer batteries, which power most portable devices, also get worse at holding a charge over time. This can happen if the battery is charged too fully or used until it is almost empty. Some phones may not work right if you change parts like the battery without the maker’s okay. This was first seen in 2015 with the iPhone 6.