What is the difference between a cell phone and a mobile phone? What is the difference between a smartphone and a mobile phone What is the difference between a smartphone and a mobile phone

Even using mobile communications for a long time and confidently, not everyone can correctly and clearly say what are the differences between a phone and a smartphone and which mobile device is more convenient and attractive to use.

While the differences for 2017 are already minimal, we still see simple, push-button phones on the market without an embedded processor.

Let's try to figure out what is the difference between a mobile phone and a smartphone.

The fact that both of these devices can fit in the palm of your hand is a known truth, but otherwise there is a slight difference between them.

1. Smartphone or communicator

The communicator has been known for many years. This is a personal computer that can be freely placed in your pocket. It is supplemented with mobile phone functionality.

A smartphone is a mobile phone that is supplemented with functionality typical of a pocket computer.

And although there were almost always additional functions in mobile phones (calendar, calculator), over time, models began to be produced with more and more intelligence.

Then, to emphasize the increased functionality and computing power, the term smartphone was introduced.

Over time, a significant difference between communicators and smartphones no longer exists, since both terms, in fact, mean the same thing.

Figure: # 1. Mobile phone evolution

2. The difference in the availability of the operating system

Unlike the usual mobile phones for many, smartphones have a fairly developed operating system, which is open for software development by other developers.

Regular mobile phones have a closed operating system for third-party developers.

Those. for a mobile phone to be called a smartphone, it must be running an OS (operating system). In this case, third-party programs may be loaded into it.

The operating system provides the smartphone with many additional features. For example, install programs such as Word, Adobe Reader, Exel and many others. And even the user himself can try to create a program for his device.

With the help of a smartphone, it is possible to view pictures and video files. Including pictures in MP2, AVI, 3GP format.

In everyday life, the majority of people using a computer know the MS Windows operating system quite well. Undoubtedly, it will be much easier for them to get used to the communicator, which is controlled by Windows Mobile OS.

Those who are able to easily master the management of their mobile device controlled by any other OS can choose Symbian OS. There is also a Linux operating system, but it is not an alternative to Symbian and Windows Mobile.

3. Differences in functionality

The functionality of smartphones in comparison with mobile phones (which have become familiar to us) is significantly improved after additional applications are installed in them. Communicators (smartphones) are often equipped with a touch screen.

They are controlled with a stylus. A stylus is a small pointer that has a soft and unsteady tip.

The screen acts as a keyboard, but it is still desirable to protect it from possible damage. For this purpose, a special protective film is glued to it. There are also devices equipped with a keyboard.

They are convenient for people with thin, dexterous fingers. HTC TyTN communicator can be presented as an example.

Recently, the line between smartphones and "regular" phones is increasingly blurred. New phones have long ago acquired functionality that was once inherent in smartphones (for example, email). The only exceptions are the cheapest models.

4. Differences in external characteristics

The purpose of this article is to distinguish the line that separates the world of smartphones and the world of mobile phones. First of all, they differ in their external characteristics.

Typically, a mobile phone is smaller than a smartphone. But microelectronics is constantly developing, and this increasingly affects the blurring of these differences.

If we compare a mobile phone and a smartphone that were released at the same time, then the screen size of the latter was always larger. These means of communication differ in the number of their functions.

Compared to a mobile phone, a smartphone has always had an order of magnitude more. After all, the tasks facing a smartphone and a mobile phone are fundamentally different.

A mobile phone is a classic portable communication device. It provides call transfer from subscriber and subscriber. With the help of a mobile phone it is possible to send SMS and MMS messages. It can provide Internet access and is equipped with games.

A smartphone is a “smart phone”. This is how the name is translated from English. "High IQ" for such a mobile device provides the role of a mobile communication means between the mobile phone and the computer.

The similarity to a PC provides the ability to install an operating system, which significantly increases the functionality. It is more convenient to buy a smartphone due to the combination of high functionality and attractive cost.

For some people, the broad functions of smartphones may seem overwhelming. But even in a number of smartphones there are representatives of the series with a simplified set of functions.

5. Differences when installing programs

It is convenient to buy a mobile phone for those who prefer to limit themselves to downloading pictures, ringtones, games, music. This limits the capabilities of the mobile phone.

Buy a smartphone is for those who prefer:

• use a specialized file manager to manage files;
• use satellite navigation using a GPS module;
• use an organizer and archiver;
• read and use text documents and materials in PDB-Isilo, PRC format in everyday work;
• use on-line translators from several languages;
• provide high-quality video and photography.

6. Differences with the simultaneous use of programs

The mobile phone performs all actions one at a time. The smartphone is ready to provide high-quality simultaneous execution of several programs at once.

It is a smartphone that is used by those who try to simultaneously listen to music, watch a movie, talk on the phone, and count on a calculator.

The mobile phone only transmits SMS and MMS. The smartphone guarantees easy file sharing.

7. Differences in operation

This is probably the only difference that can make the purchase of a mobile phone a more successful decision than the decision to buy a smartphone.

Modern mobile phones are highly reliable. They can be dropped.

After being dropped in water, most mobile phones can simply be dried well. You can do this yourself or contact a workshop. Mobile phones will be ready for use again.

Mobile phone repair is affordable.

Smartphones are gentle to use. Even a minor fall can lead to a critical breakdown.

If even the smallest amount of water gets on the smartphone, its contacts oxidize and it completely breaks down.

Fixing a smartphone is time consuming and costly.

Comparative table of cell phone and smartphone capabilities

Also read: What is the difference between a smartphone and an iPad?

Everyone in our time is perfectly familiar with mobile, or cell phones, but few people know exactly how a smartphone differs from a mobile phone. We will try to answer this question, look into the history of the formation of these concepts and understand for whom a smartphone is more than the evolution of a telephone, and who may prefer a simple and reliable “dialer” to an advanced “pocket computer”.

Despite the absence of an industry standard and formal criteria for defining both categories of these portable devices, the most important and fundamental difference between a smartphone and a mobile phone is the mobile operating system. Thanks to her, a smartphone can be viewed as a miniature computer, capable of saving and launching all kinds of applications, editing documents, digital content and communicating with people in ways that are not available on a regular phone. As with a large full-size computer, smartphones are equipped with different operating systems:

• Windows Mobile
• Google android
• Symbian OS
• RIM BlackBerry
• Palm webOS
• and even Linux

Phones and smartphones also have different ways of interacting with the owner. While a cell phone usually has a hardware numeric keypad, a smartphone either has a full-size QWERTY-panel, which makes it easier for the user to enter a large amount of text, or a touch panel, which at different times performs the functions of a keyboard, mouse, digitizer and is used to display information. Like PDAs (personal digital assistants, PDAs) smartphones sometimes come with stylus for precise input and drawing, but in recent years, fewer devices have a stylus-oriented interface and can be easily operated with your fingers.

Different functional, software and hardware products lead to different operational characteristics. For example, due to a smaller screen and a less efficient processor, conventional phones have a significantly longer battery life. The simplicity of the interface and the limited set of functions simplify the use of the gadget for people who do not want to understand the numerous settings and submenus.

In turn, smartphones offer the ability to launch an application for any occasion: from a timer for cooking spaghetti and a Twitter client to sophisticated navigation mapping software for professionals, athletes and tourists. Built-in gyroscopes, compasses and sensors, fingerprint sensors and other technical innovations are also the prerogative of modern smartphones.

But, there is something in common between smartphones and mobile phones. Both categories of communication devices have a key feature in the name - phone. Both a cell phone and a smartphone allow their wearer to make calls, send and receive messages and mail. Like smart phones, ordinary mobile phones can have an organizer, a contact book, a player, a camera and a set of simple games in their arsenal.

Technology is striding by leaps and bounds. The powerful impulse of technological progress at the beginning of the twentieth century did not subside to the end.

At the beginning of this century, a technological breakthrough gave birth to a whole field of information technology. Over time, they became closely intertwined with everyday life.

No modern man can do without computing technology. And so much so that he constantly carries a small pocket computer with him.

That's what it is smartphone , an evolutionary successor to the first brick-shaped tubes and three-room tube computers.

What is a Smartphone? A smartphone is in the current sense of the word "smart" cell phones.

There are several key differences from simple phones: the presence of an advanced operating system that allows the installation of third-party applications (open source OS) and more processing power.

The difference between a smartphone and a phone

Despite the apparent similarities, mobile phones and smartphones are fundamentally different from each other. The latter have much broader functionality.

In general, there are five main differences (although there are actually many more):

1. The presence of a developed, functional full-fledged operating system. They allow third party developers to create, install and use applications. The most common operating systems are from Microsoft (Windows Phone), Apple (iOS) and Google (Android).
   
2. Full access to high-speed connection.
   If a mobile phone can provide access to mobile versions of sites via a wireless connection in a mobile network, then a smartphone allows you to fully use the Internet when connected via Wi-Fi or mobile networks.
   
3. A large number of existing applications. Only a Java technology-based conditional application can be installed on a mobile phone. And on smartphones, applications are compiled into a binary code, just like on computers.
   These can be office programs, editors, games, and more.
   
4. Synchronizing data between devices using an account in one of the search services is the same characteristic of a smartphone as the presence of an OS.
   You can use it free instant messaging services (if connected to the network).
   
5. The on-screen keyboard in QWERTY / QWERTY layout is required to work with accounts and the Internet browser. The mobile phone uses a stripped-down or modified version.
   

Moreover, such a list can continue for a long time.

With each new model, modern devices are equipped with an increasing number of various functions and technological innovations.

It is not known what these devices will turn into next year.

Basic smartphone functions

The first and foremost function of any smartphone is. At the same time, the device must support modern cellular communication standards.

At the moment, such a standard is LTE (fourth generation cellular networks).

This should include a functional address book with the ability to sync with accounts in popular services.

The second main function is messages. At the same time, not only standard SMS are supported, but also many different services - Skype , Whatsapp, Viber and many others.

When connected to the Internet, these services allow you to exchange instant free messages, send photos, documents, and other files.

The defining function of this type of device is the ability to install applications.

Applications can be very diverse - from pedometerand level to a variety of online games. Recent models support mobile ports of computer games.

With the desire and some tenacity, you can even develop applications yourself. This opportunity is provided by the presence of an open operating system.

It is thanks to this and more powerful computing abilities that smartphones got their name.

A significant part of the functionality of smartphones is based on the Internet connection.

A fully functional browser has become a necessary attribute for the phone. At the same time, both Wi-Fi and wireless cellular networks are supported.

Simple surfing, various types of Internet browsing, and many connected applications are just a few of the capabilities of handheld devices.

Working with multimedia files is also one of the essential aspects of the functionality of any smartphone.

Listening to music, watching video clips (music videos, films, etc.), in some cases, the presence of a television and radio receiver provide the user with a small multimedia center that fits in a pocket.

For a number of reasons, no modern smartphone is produced without a camera, or, more precisely, two. The back provides the ability to take high-quality pictures.

The front, however, is also, but of a lower quality. It is also used to make video calls.

Important! Along with functionality, smartphones are defined by more powerful technical equipment. Their architecture is close to that of laptops: a compact processor and RAM, as well as an additional graphics processor.

Smartphone operating systems

The first and main difference between smartphones and ordinary mobile phones is the presence of an operating system.

It is noteworthy that adapted operating systems for desktop and laptop computers are in the lead here:

• iOS evolved as a completely closed system. The ability to add third-party software was implemented in 2013.

• Windows Phone is the mobile version of the well-known OS. It appeared in 2010, becoming the successor to Windows Mobile. The functionality is close to Windows 8 on a PC.

• Android is an open source Linux-based mobile OS. Many versions and assemblies have been created since 2007. Allows the user to take full control of their device.

What is a smartphone and communicator

What is a Smartphone? The main differences from a mobile phone

Often, users who are planning to buy a new phone or are switching from a push-button to a touch-based model ask how the smartphone differs from Android? If you dig deeper, then the question may seem incorrect, since Android is the operating system on which many phone models work today, and the smartphone itself is a gadget that runs under the operating system. In addition to calls and SMS, it is capable of performing the functions of a pocket computer, so in the article we will consider how smartphones under other operating systems differ from android devices.

Advantages of Android over other smartphones

Now you know what an Android phone is, since we have already figured it out. This is a device that runs under the OS of the same name. But how does it stand out in front of other operating systems and why exactly android gadgets are so popular today?

The operating system has a number of differences, the most notable of which are:

These are the main features that distinguish the Android phone. At the same time, the gadget offers more flexible settings, but some users note the difficulty in setting up the device. Basic functions are easy to work with in the Settings menu. The OS also differs in that it can scale pages on the Internet, play flash videos, etc.

Windows smartphones and gadgets for Android OS

How Android differs from Windows is a question that is no less popular today than the constant disputes about Android and iOS. Both the manufacturer offers both budget and expensive devices, and also brings to the market models with different functions and designs. What's the difference?

Almost all developers of other mobile operating systems (including Windows) do not allow editing in code. Users receive significant changes in the settings only after downloading the official updates.

In addition, very few applications have been developed for Windows, so users complain that the company store does not have enough software (readers, players), games, and Google services sometimes do not sync well or do not work. But in the latest models, both problems are practically solved.

Differences between iOS and Android

No less popular query - what is the difference between an iPhone and an Android smartphone? After all, a gadget that works under iOS, that is, a full-fledged operating system, can also be called a smartphone. Today, the word "iPhone" has almost become a household name, and the word "smartphone" is practically not used in relation to "Apple" devices.

In addition to the fact that it is fashionable to use an iPhone, you need to take into account the advantages of the OS on these devices, thanks to which some users love iOS so much. Before buying an iPhone or smartphone for Android, you need to understand the main differences, the main of which are considered:

Previously, another weighty argument in favor of Android was the price, but today, among the latest powerful models from Samsung, Sony and HTC, you can find many devices that are only slightly cheaper than an iPhone. On the other hand, in the budget and middle price segment, Android has firmly taken the leading position, it is Android phones that are bought by those who care about the quality of the camera, screen, and processor speed, but who are not ready or do not consider it necessary to pay $ 700-1000 for telephone.

Ordinary users choose their phone based on what is displayed in the shop window. Often, the study of a smartphone is limited to viewing the interface and a music player - buyers do not have a great knowledge of the technical characteristics of the purchased product. Let's raise the level of our own literacy and learn more about how Android differs from a smartphone and about the incorrectness of this question.

Great variety

A smartphone is a cross between a mobile phone and a personal computer. For each of these devices It can be:

• Open webOS;
• Windows Phone;
• Android;
• Apple IOS.

It is a determining factor when considering how Android differs from a smartphone. To understand how wrong the question is, consider the types of operating systems. They affect the functions that a smartphone is capable of supporting.

Open webOS

This operating system is the very first one used on smartphones. Now it is less and less common.

Windows Phone (WP)

This MOS was published in 2010 under the leadership of Microsoft. The system also works on the basis of the multi-touch function. Its distinctive feature is Hubs. These are sections that combine general topics (games, contacts, the Internet, and others). Static icons look like "live" tiles. They reflect information about the state of each section.

Apple IOS

This type of mobile OS can be installed exclusively on Apple technical products. The screen and the interface of the devices work on the basis of the "multitouch" function (simultaneous work with 1-3 points of contact). Applications can be installed on IOS in IPA format.

Android

Let's return to the question of how Android differs from a smartphone. Android and IOS systems are the most popular all over the world. The first version of this OS was launched in 2008. Subsequently, the developers only improved Android products. Now this system is installed on many digital technology products (game consoles, wrist watches, tablets and smartphones). Android smartphones have the following advantages:

• have open source software;
• support multitasking and multi-user mode;
• widely available and relatively cheap compared to Apple products;
• surprise with a bright and user-friendly interface;
• support Wi-Fi, Internet file transfer, USB, Bluetooth.

The main disadvantage of mobile devices running on the Android OS is the wasteful battery.

Android or Open webOS

Having dealt with the question of how Android differs from a smartphone, we will find out which OS is better: Android or Open webOS? Of course, give preference to the first option, because Google is one of the first in the world market. Its products meet absolutely all modern requirements for mobile devices. The most on Android - Pixi 4007D. Its price is only 1990 rubles.

Instead of a conclusion

It is generally accepted that Apple products are of higher quality and more prestigious. However, there has been a recent trend towards an increase in Android users.