You probably know that “smartphone” is translated from English as “smart phone”. And you are not the first one to think about the question: what is so smart about this phone? And how is it different from a regular mobile phone?

In a nutshell, “buying a smartphone” means purchasing not only a phone, but also a small personal computer, two in one. These devices (formerly called communicators or PDAs) became popular because they allowed email and browsing. text files.

According to recent foreign studies, the use of a communicator as a telephone by the average owner is only in fifth place. On the first - browsing web pages, then - social media, music and games. The smartphone is also often used to work with email, send SMS, watch videos online, take photos and videos.

And this is not all the capabilities of the communicator. After all, the original purpose of a PDA is a portable organizer. And it can literally be yours personal assistant, because he has such useful features, such as systematizing contacts, creating a task sheet and synchronizing with a computer. But that's not all.

Learn about the five main features of a smartphone that distinguish it from a regular cell phone.

Five main differences between a smartphone and a regular cell phone

01. Powerful operating system. A smartphone, unlike a regular mobile phone, is based on an OS that allows you to launch and download any application. The most famous operating systems for smartphones are iOS (Apple), Windows Phone(Microsoft) and Android OS (Google).

02. High-speed Internet. All smartphones provide the ability to access the Internet. At the same time, more powerful devices allow you to get this access to high speeds by connecting to data networks or Wi-Fi.

03. Applications. Even the most inexpensive mobile phones are now equipped with some kind of software, such as an address book. But the capabilities of the PDA are incomparably wider. It allows - at a minimum - to create and edit text documents, images, and also create music playlists.

04. Mail, chats. Unlike a regular phone, a smart phone can sync your personal and work email accounts. Which means, with smart phone you can “be at your work computer” almost any time and anywhere in space! Many smartphones also include access to popular instant messaging services and allow you to chat.

05. Virtual keyboard. The smartphone includes features such as touch keyboard or a QWERTY keyboard, where the keys are arranged exactly like on a computer. This is convenient, for example, when entering Internet passwords, which are often set taking into account the computer layout.

These are just some of the features of the smart girl! Innovations appear almost every day. We do not yet know the capabilities that a smartphone will have next month or next year. Find out, study and use!

Technologies are advancing by leaps and bounds. The powerful impulse of technological progress at the beginning of the twentieth century did not subside completely.

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

None modern man can't do without computing technologies. And so much so that he constantly carries a small pocket computer with him.

This is it smartphone , 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 a developed operating system that allows the installation of third-party applications (open OS) and a large computing power.

The difference between a smartphone and a telephone

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

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

1. Availability of a developed, functional full-fledged operating system. They allow the creation, installation and use of applications by third party developers. The most common operating systems are from Microsoft (Windows Phone), Apple (iOS) and Google (Android).
   
2. Full access to high-speed connection.
   If the mobile phone can provide access to mobile versions sites via wireless connection V mobile network, then the smartphone allows you to fully use the Internet when connected via WiFi or mobile networks.
   
3. Large quantity existing applications. You can only install a conditional application based on Java technologies. And on smartphones the application is compiled into binary code, like on computers.
   It could be office programs, editors, games and more.
   
4. Sync data between devices using account in one of the search services - the same characteristic feature of a smartphone as the presence of an OS.
   With it you can use free instant messaging services(if there is a network connection).
   
5. On-screen keyboard in the QWERTY/QWERTY layout is necessary to work with accounts and the Internet browser. Mobile phones use a stripped down or modified version.
   

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

With each new model modern devices everyone is supplied a large number all kinds of functions and technological innovations.

It is unknown what these devices will turn into next year.

Basic functions of a smartphone

The first and main function of any smartphone is. In this case, the device must support modern cellular communication standards.

On at the moment such a standard is LTE (cellular networks fourth generation).

This should also include functional address book With ability to synchronize with accounts on popular services.

The second main function is messages. At the same time, not only standard SMS is supported, but also many various 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 pedometer and levels up to a variety of online games. Latest models support mobile ports computer games.

If you have the desire and some persistence, you can even develop applications yourself. This possibility is ensured by the presence of an open operating system.

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

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

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

Simple surfing, various types Internet browsing and many connected applications make up only a small part of the possibilities handheld devices.

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

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

For a number of reasons, not a single modern smartphone is produced without a camera, or rather, two. The rear allows you to take high-quality pictures.

The front one, however, too, but more low quality. It is also used for making video calls.

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

Modern mobile phones and smartphones provide voice communication via cellular network, reception and transmission text messages, perform a number of other, structurally provided functions: notifications of calls and messages, alarm clock, calendar with notes, simple games, MMS, FM radio, Internet browser. It has become difficult for citizens to understand the difference between a smartphone and a telephone. Meanwhile, these devices, consonant in name and similar in function, are completely different. The main criteria by which it is customary to distinguish these mobile devices are as follows:

• presence/absence of an operating system;
• opportunity self-installation applications;
• design features of the hardware;
• Internet opportunities.

Control of smartphone functions is based on a special software, called the operating system (hereinafter referred to as OS). This fact allows us to consider a smartphone How laptop . A smart mobile device can work with various applications, allow you to create and edit documents and images, as well as connect with people via email and through social networks. The above functionality is not available to the simple Java firmware of a cell phone. Therefore, for dummies important criterion The choice of a mobile device is the presence/absence of an operating system in the device description.

Important! Lack of OS name in specifications mobile device communications - fundamental difference phone from a smartphone.

There are several operating software options for smartphones, and the most popular of them are this is IOS, Android, Windows Phone. Depending on the OS used on board the smartphone, smart devices are divided into iPhones, Windows phones, Android smartphones and devices running other less common OS (BlackBerry OS, Tizen).

operating room Windows system Phone

Android operating system

Operating system IOS

The capabilities of smart gadgets thanks to operating software

The presence of an operating system significantly expands the functionality of a mobile device, and this is the main difference between a “smart” device and a cell phone. The mobile OS, like the operating “brain” of a computer, supports the work various programs: Internet browsers, instant messengers, reading programs, listening to music, viewing photos and videos, various text and graphic editors, applied applications.

As a rule, manufacturers provide smartphones with a number of proprietary applications that provide the following functions:

• Internet access to search for any necessary information;
• playing audio and video recordings;

• creating playlists;
• correspondence by email;
• communication on social networks;
• photo and video shooting;

• creating notes, memos, contact books;
• creating and editing texts, graphs, tables, presentations and other office information;
• GPS navigation, working with maps, fitness capabilities;
• search and installation third party applications(app store);

• programs for reading books in electronic format;
• games and other entertainment;
• payment functions.

Important! The set of standard functions of a smartphone depends on the level of equipment of the hardware platform and the version of the operating system.

In addition to the programs provided by the manufacturer, the owner of the smartphone can install and use applications from third party developers, search and It is recommended to install them through the application store.

The difference between a phone and a smartphone is hardware

Firmware regular phone ensures the interconnection of the component elements of the device. This is a cellular communication module, display, keypad, speaker, microphone, battery, and other additional modules.

Smartphone, unlike mobile phone, is much more complex. Like a computer, it is built on the basis central processor , which, together with RAM and a graphics controller, forms the productive basis that generates commands for built-in modules. In addition to the basic architecture, including the chipset, RAM and ROM, the main modules modern smartphones are:

• touch display;
• module cellular connection with 2G/3G/LTE modem;
• internal and external speakers and microphones, voice recorder;
• Wi-Fi, Bluetooth adapters;
• module GPS navigation and a set of sensors;
• main and front cameras;
• battery.

Depending on the status of the model and manufacturer, mobile smart devices can be equipped with the following functional elements:

• photo flash;
• NFC - chip;
• FM - radio receiver;
• fingerprint sensor;
• iris scanner.

The task of the operating system is management potentially possible functions smartphone, the provision of which is entrusted to the generating team computing unit and built-in modules. Control is carried out using 2-3 physical buttons (power/lock, volume control, for example), touch buttons, virtual keyboard and voice commands.

Access to the World Wide Web

Operators mobile communications provide users with a variety of tariff plans, most of them provide Internet traffic packages in networks different generations(EDGE, 2G, 3G or 4G). All smartphones and most regular models cell phones are equipped with support for networks of one level or another.

Advice! You can determine whether a device supports access to the World Wide Web by the presence of an installed browser.

Special device settings after purchasing a SIM card with optimal tariff The user will not be required to do so upon first launch. Providers provide semi-automatic installation of cellular network parameters with minimal subscriber participation.

What is better to choose

What is better to choose, a telephone or a smartphone with Internet access? Much depends on the owner himself, his preferences and skills in using mobile devices. Both devices have their advantages and disadvantages.

Smartphones are multifunctional and productive, are capable of replacing a whole series devices: from a voice communication device or Wi-Fi source to an audio and video player, camera or payment device (terminal). And this is the undoubted advantage of smart devices.

Vulnerability to malware and viruses, the energy consumption of smartphones on the one hand, as well as the ability of users to master a wide range of functionality and considerable monthly tariff payments, on the other hand, make one think about the advisability of purchasing smart device.

Advice! For older people and younger schoolchildren, a simple mobile phone is quite suitable, without unnecessary functionality that you still need to know how to use.

We live in an amazing time when, thanks to the rapid development of microelectronics, it is becoming increasingly difficult to determine what is the difference between a phone and a smartphone.

Just a dozen years ago this was obvious: a larger color screen indicated that the device belonged to a more advanced class. Accordingly, ordinary mobile phones made do with displays that display black and white picture in pseudographic mode. A lot has changed since then, and this difference smartphone from a mobile phone has lost its relevance. For example, now you can buy a mobile phone only with basic functions, but huge

Smart devices

To answer the question of what is the difference between a smartphone and a telephone, it is necessary to remember what functions were added by the developers to an ordinary mobile phone, which subsequently made it possible to call such an improved model a “smart phone” (from the English smart). At one time, the emergence of new modifications was restrained by the fact that everything existing devices even then they coped remarkably well with their main task - making calls like in networks mobile operators, and to stationary terminals.

Increasing the transmitter power to increase the “range” was impossible, since it was necessary to meet the requirements for the permissible level of radiation. Something fundamentally new was needed that could attract potential buyers, to interest them. So, first a calendar appeared in mobile phones, then a scheduler with a reminder mode, and a converter of the most popular currencies. Soon, in almost every communication device you could find a browser for viewing Internet resources, mail program, calculator, etc. In other words, the telephone began to turn from a device for making calls into a kind of pocket electronic assistant - a smartphone. This was the beginning.

So, in light of the above, we can formulate the first difference between a smartphone and a telephone - this is the presence in the device additional features, which are in no way related to the main purpose. Currently this direction is actively developing: smartphones allow you to work with office documents, tables, watch movies and play games.

Platform...core...brain

Of course, the difference between a smartphone and a telephone is not limited to the built-in additional programs. Since for ease of use of all features it is more advisable to use a large color display, this has become a standard in most modern mobile communication devices. The graphic component has also undergone a change, becoming much more perfect. To ensure acceptable speed of complex programs and graphics, it was necessary to install sufficiently powerful processors in the devices. Hence the following difference between a smartphone and a telephone - the former contains a high-speed computing unit, and the volume RAM amounts to hundreds of megabytes. To understand where a “smart” and where a “simple” phone is, it is enough to compare the power of their processors: for example, it can be 1 GHz and 200 MHz, respectively.

Applications

Finally, one of the key differences is the presence of an open operating system for which large selection programs from third-party developers that the user can install at his own discretion. It is worth noting that although most cell phones allow you to install programs for virtual machine Java, this does not classify them as smartphones. Also, if in a regular mobile phone the operating system is strictly protected and does not provide for updates to new versions, then in smartphones running on Android, Windows Phone, iOS, Belle, and others, the user can install an improved control program.

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

Great variety

A smartphone is something between mobile phone And 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 incorrectly the question is posed, consider the types of operating systems. They influence the functions that a smartphone can support.

Open webOS

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

Windows Phone (WP)

This MOS was released in 2010 under the leadership of Microsoft. The system also works based on the multi-touch function. Its distinctive property is Hubs. These are sections that unite a common topic (games, contacts, Internet and others). Static icons look like “live” tiles. They reflect information about the state of each partition.

Apple iOS

This type of mobile OS can be installed exclusively on technical products Apple. The screen and interface of the devices operate based on the multi-touch function ( simultaneous operation 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 systems and iOS 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 stands on many products digital technology (game consoles, wrist watch, 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 its bright and user-friendly interface;
• Support Wi-Fi, file transfer via Internet, USB, Bluetooth.

The main disadvantage of mobile devices running on Android OS is their 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 Corporation occupies one of the first positions in the world market. Its products meet absolutely all modern requirements for mobile devices. The most on Android is Pixi 4007D. Its price is only 1990 rubles.

Instead of a conclusion

It is common to think that Apple products are of higher quality and more prestigious. However, in lately There is a trend towards an increase in Android OS users.