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Definition: smartphone


A combination cellphone and handheld computer that created the greatest tech revolution since the Internet. The two smartphone platforms are iPhone and Android. Each year since 2014, more than a billion smartphones have been sold. See how to select a mobile device.

Most Versatile Device Ever
A smartphone does everything a personal computer can do, and because of its mobility, a whole lot more. Although screen size is a limitation, increasingly higher resolutions and pixel density make text quite readable. Although typing is more cumbersome than with a desktop keyboard, voice recognition continues to eliminate much of the tedium. See phablet.

A smartphone combines a cellphone with email and Web, music and movie player, camera, camcorder, GPS navigation, alarm clock, flashlight, photo album, address book and more. It is also a personal assistant (see virtual assistant). Because a smartphone is generally within reach 24/7, it is a lot more personal than a personal computer, and much more versatile. For the first time in history, systems can be designed that allow people to control anything in the world no matter where they are.

Apps, Apps and More Apps
Like any computer, what gives life to the hardware is the software, and there are hundreds of thousands of mobile applications, both free and paid (see online app store). Most apps are created for both iPhones (iOS) and Androids. However, there are far too many in the same category, most of which offer very similar functions. For example, in 2020, there were more than 200 voice recorder apps in the iOS and Android app stores. See smartphone features, smartphone operating system and cellphone vs. smartphone.

A Dumb Phone and Smart Everything Else
Ironically, the least spectacular thing about a smartphone is the phone. A smartphone can cut out and drop calls like any cellphone, and the more users within a cell tower's reach at a given moment, the more likely the interruptions.

History
In 1994, IBM and BellSouth introduced the heavy and pricey Simon Personal Communicator, a phone/PDA touted as the first smartphone (see personal communicator). In the 2000s, BlackBerry was the corporate smartphone; however, in 2007, the iPhone changed the industry forever. See iPhone, Android, BlackBerry, Windows Phone, Symbian, feature phone and smartphone keyboard. See also smart TV.




The First Smartphone Platforms
These models were the first smartphone platforms on the market. Windows phones were discontinued, and BlackBerry phones ran Android until 2022. In its heyday, the BlackBerry's physical keyboard was its trademark.





Smartphones Grew Up
When contrasted with smartphones today, it may be hard to remember how incredibly impressive the iPhone was when it debuted in 2007. See iPhone and Galaxy S.






A Double Touchscreen
In 2012, the Russian YotaPhone had an LCD screen in front and an E Ink screen in back. YotaPhones were the only smartphones visible in bright sunlight. See E Ink.






Moto Z Modular Smartphones
In 2016, Motorola introduced its Moto Z phones with snap-ons that add functions such as hi-fi speakers, a projector and, as in this example, a professional Hasselblad camera. See Moto Z. (Image courtesy of Motorola Mobility LLC.)






Ahead of Its Time
In 2002, this Palm Treo ran the popular Palm PDA application along with email and Web browsing. See Palm. (Image courtesy of Palm, Inc.)








What's Inside
Split open a smartphone and you find the battery takes up most of the room. The system-on-chip (SoC) is the brains of the device, and it uses very little space. See SoC.