What is the difference between a smartphone and a phone?

Now almost every person has a mobile phone. Time does not stand still, and this means of communication is constantly being improved and modified, acquiring more and more diverse functions. It got to the point that a normal mobile phone also had a "colleague" - a smartphone that is gaining popularity among cellular users. And if you want to update your "handset" and think about what to buy - a smartphone or phone, you will certainly be offered a huge assortment in the store, among which there will be both kinds. However, unfortunately, not every salesperson can intelligently explain the difference between a smartphone and a phone. Our article is for help.

Phone and smartphone: who is who?

Despite the external similarity between the two devices, they actually have many differences. The phone can be defined as a portable means of communication for voice communication, which allows you to make and receive calls, send and receive SMS and MMS. In addition, the mobile phone has additional functions, for example, access to the Internet, the ability to take photos and videos, play games (true, primitive), and use as an alarm clock, notebook, etc.

The difference between a smartphone and a mobile phone is primarily the name itself. It comes from an English smartphone, which translates as "smart phone". And this is really so. The fact is that a smartphone is a kind of hybrid of a phone and a laptop computer, because it also installs an operating system (OS). Here lies the difference between a smartphone and a phone: thanks to the OS, the owner of the smartphone has significantly increased capabilities compared to the user "mobile". The most popular operating systems are Windows Phone from Microsoft, iOS from Apple and Android OS from Google.

What else is the difference between a smartphone and a phone?

As mentioned above, the phone can not boast of a variety of functions. What can not be said about the smartphone, after all - this is a two-in-one device: a phone and a minicomputer. This means that the smartphone can install various programs and applications that you usually use on your PC. These are, first of all, standard Word, Adobe Reader, Excel, e-book reader, online translators, archivers. You can watch videos in high quality. And on the phone only there are primitive functions of Java-games and viewing pictures, photos and videos in low quality.

The difference between a smartphone and a regular phone is a faster Internet. In addition to the usual output to the browser, the smartphone owner can use the programs for free communication, which provide voice communication and video communication (Skype), correspond in e-mail and even send various files (text documents, programs). In the phone you can send only SMS and MMS, as well as download music, ringtones and games.

The difference between a smartphone and a phone can be called simultaneous use of several programs on the first device. That is, on a smartphone you can listen to music and send a letter in e-mail. For most phones, as a rule, only one function is performed alternately.

If we talk about how to distinguish a smartphone from a phone, sometimes it is enough to compare them in appearance. A smartphone usually outperforms phones in size, which is explained by the need set of microprocessors. In addition, the "smart phone" and the screen is more.

Thinking about the fact that the best phone or smartphone, consider some of the disadvantages of the latter. In addition to the high price, they are very fragile: from blows to the floor or into the water they can quickly fail. And the repair of a smartphone can fly into a pretty penny. The phone, on the contrary, is a more reliable and sturdy device: after repeated drops and even moisture, it can continue to work. In addition, the smartphone is vulnerable to viruses and malware, which can not be said about the phone.

Knowing the main differences between these two devices, it will be easier for you to navigate, thinking about what to choose: a phone or a smartphone.

Also at us you can learn, what differs the tablet from the laptop or netbook from a tablet.