View source for Smartphone

{{Short description|Handheld mobile device}}
{{About||}}
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{{Use mdy dates|date=August 2017}}
[[File:Wikipedia homepage on a large Android phone, 2015-04-16.jpg|thumb|A [[Nexus 6]], an [[Android (operating system)|Android]] smartphone, displaying the [[Main Page]] of the [[English Wikipedia]]]]

{{Being split|History of smartphones}}A '''smartphone''' is a [[mobile device]] that combines the functionality of a traditional [[mobile phone]] with advanced [[computing]] capabilities. It typically has a [[touchscreen]] interface, allowing users to access a wide range of applications and services, such as [[web browsing]], [[email]], and [[social media]], as well as [[multimedia]] playback and [[Streaming media|streaming]]. Smartphones have built-in [[camera]]s, [[GPS navigation]], and support for various communication methods, including voice calls, [[text messaging]], and internet-based messaging apps. Smartphones are distinguished from older-design [[feature phone]]s by their more advanced hardware capabilities and extensive [[mobile operating system]]s, access to the [[internet]], business applications, [[mobile payment]]s, and multimedia functionality, including music, video, [[mobile gaming|gaming]], [[Internet radio|radio]], and [[Mobile television|television]].

Smartphones typically feature [[MOSFET|metal–oxide–semiconductor]] (MOS) [[integrated circuit]] (IC) chips, various sensors, and support for multiple [[wireless]] communication protocols. Examples of smartphone sensors include [[accelerometer]]s, [[barometer]]s, [[gyroscope]]s, and [[magnetometer]]s; they can be used by both pre-installed and third-party software to enhance functionality. Wireless communication standards supported by smartphones include [[LTE (telecommunication)|LTE]], [[5G NR]], [[Wi-Fi]], [[Bluetooth]], and [[satellite navigation]]. By the mid-2020s, manufacturers began integrating [[Satellite phone#Integration into conventional mobile phones|satellite messaging]] and emergency services, expanding their utility in remote areas without reliable [[cellular coverage]]. Smartphones have largely replaced [[personal digital assistant]] (PDA) devices, [[handheld PC|handheld/palm-sized PCs]], [[portable media player]]s (PMP),<ref name="Tom's Hardware">{{cite web |last=Islam |first=Zak |date=30 December 2012 |title=Smartphones Heavily Decrease Sales of iPod, MP3 Players |url=http://www.tomshardware.com/news/Smartphones-iPod-MP3-Players-Sales,20062.html |access-date=3 May 2013 |work=Tom's Hardware |language=en-US}}</ref> [[point-and-shoot camera]]s, [[camcorder]]s, and, to a lesser extent, [[handheld game console|handheld video game consoles]], [[e-reader]] devices, [[pocket calculator]]s, and [[GPS tracking unit]]s.

Following the rising popularity of the [[iPhone]] in the late 2000s, the majority of smartphones have featured thin, slate-like [[Form factor (mobile phones)|form factors]] with large, [[capacitive sensing|capacitive]] touch screens with support for [[multi-touch]] gestures rather than physical keyboards. Most modern smartphones have the ability for users to download or purchase additional [[mobile app|applications]] from a centralized [[app store]]. They often have support for [[Mobile cloud storage|cloud storage]] and cloud synchronization, and [[virtual assistant]]s. Since the early 2010s, improved hardware and faster wireless communication have [[Post-PC era|bolstered the growth of the smartphone industry]]. {{As of|2014}}, over a billion smartphones are sold globally every year. In 2019 alone, 1.54 billion smartphone units were shipped worldwide.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Smartphone sales worldwide 2007-2022 |url=https://www.statista.com/statistics/263437/global-smartphone-sales-to-end-users-since-2007/ |access-date=2024-01-24 |website=Statista |language=en}}</ref> {{As of|2020}}, 75.05 percent of the world population were smartphone users.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.statista.com/topics/840/smartphones/#topicOverview | title=Topic: Smartphones }}</ref> 

==History==
{{main|History of the smartphone}}

{{cleanup section |reason=Needs summary of main article |date=November 2025}}

==Hardware==
[[File:Samsung Galaxy S6 edge (17448278539).jpg|thumb|Smartphone with infrared transmitter on top for use as remote control]]<!--Please replace with more close-up picture when found.-->
{{Main|Mobile phone feature}}

A typical smartphone contains a number of [[metal–oxide–semiconductor]] (MOS) [[integrated circuit]] (IC) chips,<ref name="Kim">{{cite book |last1=Kim |first1=Woonyun |chapter=CMOS power amplifier design for cellular applications: an EDGE/GSM dual-mode quad-band PA in 0.18 μm CMOS |editor-last1=Wang |editor-first1=Hua |editor-last2=Sengupta |editor-first2=Kaushik |title=RF and mm-Wave Power Generation in Silicon |date=2015 |publisher=[[Academic Press]] |isbn=978-0-12-409522-9 |pages=89–90 |chapter-url=https://books.google.com/books?id=PzzLAwAAQBAJ&pg=PA89}}</ref> which in turn contain billions of tiny [[MOSFET|MOS field-effect transistors]] (MOSFETs).<ref name="uspto">{{cite web |date=June 10, 2019 |title=Remarks by Director Iancu at the 2019 International Intellectual Property Conference |url=https://www.uspto.gov/about-us/news-updates/remarks-director-iancu-2019-international-intellectual-property-conference |access-date=20 July 2019 |website=[[United States Patent and Trademark Office]] |archive-date=December 17, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191217200937/https://www.uspto.gov/about-us/news-updates/remarks-director-iancu-2019-international-intellectual-property-conference |url-status=dead }}</ref> A typical smartphone contains the following MOS IC chips:<ref name="Kim"/>

* [[Microprocessor|Application processor]] ([[CMOS]] [[system-on-a-chip]])
* [[Flash memory]] ([[floating-gate]] [[MOS memory]])
* [[Cellular modem]] ([[baseband]] [[RF CMOS]])
* [[RF transceiver]] ([[RF CMOS]])
* [[Phone camera]] [[image sensor]] ([[CMOS image sensor]])
* [[Power management integrated circuit]] ([[power MOSFET]]s)
* [[Display driver]] ([[LCD]] or [[LED driver]])
* [[Wireless communication]] chips ([[Wi-Fi]], [[Bluetooth]], [[GPS receiver]])
* [[Sound chip]] ([[audio codec]] and [[power amplifier]])
* [[Gyroscope]]
* [[Capacitive sensing|Capacitive]] [[touchscreen]] controller ([[ASIC]] and [[Digital signal processor|DSP]])<ref name="Kim"/><ref>{{cite book |last1=Kent |first1=Joel |chapter=Touchscreen technology basics & a new development |title=2010 CMOS Emerging Technologies Conference Presentation Slides |date=May 2010 |volume=6 |publisher=CMOS Emerging Technologies |chapter-url=https://books.google.com/books?id=ekdkWGqw29EC&pg=PA34 |isbn=9781927500057 }}</ref><ref>{{cite magazine |last1=Ganapati |first1=Priya |title=Finger Fail: Why Most Touchscreens Miss the Point |url=https://www.wired.com/2010/03/touchscreens-smartphones/ |access-date=9 November 2019 |magazine=[[Wired (magazine)|Wired]] |date=5 March 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140511114207/http://www.wired.com/2010/03/touchscreens-smartphones/ |archive-date=2014-05-11 |url-status=live}}</ref>
* [[RF power amplifier]] ([[LDMOS]])<ref name="Baliga2005">{{cite book |last1=Baliga |first1=B. Jayant |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=StJpDQAAQBAJ |title=Silicon RF Power MOSFETS |date=2005 |publisher=[[World Scientific]] |isbn=9789812561213 |author1-link=B. Jayant Baliga}}</ref><ref name="Asif">{{cite book |last1=Asif |first1=Saad |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=yg1mDwAAQBAJ&pg=PT128 |title=5G Mobile Communications: Concepts and Technologies |date=2018 |publisher=[[CRC Press]] |isbn=9780429881343 |pages=128–134}}</ref><ref name="NXP-LDMOS">{{cite web |title=LDMOS Products and Solutions |url=https://www.nxp.com/products/rf/rf-power/ldmos-products-and-solutions:RF-LDMOS-Products-Sol |website=[[NXP Semiconductors]] |access-date=4 December 2019}}</ref>

Some are also equipped with an [[FM radio]] receiver, a hardware [[notification LED]], and an infrared transmitter for use as [[remote control]]. A few models have additional [[#Sensors|sensors]] such as [[thermometer]] for measuring ambient temperature, [[hygrometer]] for humidity, and a sensor for [[ultraviolet ray]] measurement.

A few smartphones designed around specific purposes are equipped with uncommon hardware such as a projector ([[Samsung Beam i8520]] and [[Samsung Galaxy Beam i8530]]), [[optical zoom lenses]] ([[Samsung Galaxy S4 Zoom]] and [[Samsung Galaxy K Zoom]]), [[thermal camera]], and even [[PMR446]] ([[walkie-talkie]] radio) [[transceiver]].<ref>{{cite web |title=Camera and thermal imaging Review |url=https://www.trustedreviews.com/reviews/cat-s60-camera-and-thermal-imaging-page-3 |website=Trusted Reviews |language=en |date=11 November 2016 |access-date=19 April 2021}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last1=Chopra |first1=Purvi |title=Ulefone Armor 3T Review: A Digital Walkie-Talkie Smartphone |url=https://veditto.com/ulefone-armor-3t-review |website=Veditto |access-date=19 April 2021 |date=19 November 2018 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210419231512/https://veditto.com/ulefone-armor-3t-review |archive-date=2021-04-19}}</ref>

===Central processing unit===
Smartphones have [[central processing unit]]s (CPUs), similar to those in computers, but optimised to operate in low power environments. In smartphones, the CPU is typically integrated in a [[CMOS]] (complementary [[metal–oxide–semiconductor]]) [[system-on-a-chip]] (SoC) [[microprocessor|application processor]].<ref name="Kim"/>

The performance of mobile CPU depends not only on the clock rate (generally given in multiples of [[hertz]])<ref>{{cite web
 | title = CPU Frequency
 | work = CPU World Glossary
 | publisher = CPU World
 | date = 25 March 2008
 | url = http://www.cpu-world.com/Glossary/C/CPU_Frequency.html
 | access-date =1 January 2010 }}</ref> but also on the [[memory hierarchy]]. Because of these challenges, the performance of mobile phone CPUs is often more appropriately given by scores derived from various standardized tests to measure the real effective performance in commonly used applications.

===Buttons===
[[File:TouchWiz 2013 device options.png|thumb|upright|"Device options" menu of Samsung Mobile's [[TouchWiz]] user interface as of 2013, accessed by holding the power button for a second]]
[[File:HTC_Desire_-_optic_navigation.jpeg|thumb|The [[HTC Desire]], a 2010 smartphone with [[optical trackpad]] and search button]]

Smartphones are typically equipped with a power button and volume buttons. Some pairs of volume buttons are unified. Some are equipped with a dedicated camera shutter button. Units for outdoor use may be equipped with an "SOS" emergency call and "PTT" ([[push-to-talk]] button). The presence of physical front-side buttons such as the [[home button|home]] and navigation buttons has decreased throughout the 2010s, increasingly becoming replaced by capacitive touch sensors and simulated (on-screen) buttons.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Athow |first1=Desire |title=Best rugged smartphones of 2021: waterproof, shockproof and IP68 mobiles |url=https://www.techradar.com/best/best-rugged-smartphones |website=TechRadar |access-date=18 June 2021 |language=en |date=2021-03-09}}</ref>

As with classic mobile phones, early smartphones such as the [[Samsung Omnia II]] were equipped with buttons for accepting and declining phone calls. Due to the advancements of functionality besides phone calls, these have increasingly been replaced by navigation buttons such as "menu" (also known as "options"), "back", and "tasks". Some early 2010s smartphones such as the [[HTC Desire]] were additionally equipped with a "Search" button (🔍) for quick access to a web search engine or apps' internal search feature.<ref>{{Cite web|date=2019-11-13 |url=https://www.androidpolice.com/2019/11/13/the-menu-navigation-button-has-finally-been-retired-in-android-10/ |language=en |title=The menu navigation button has finally been retired in Android 10 |author=Corbin Davenport |access-date=2021-06-20}}</ref>

Since 2013, smartphones' home buttons started integrating [[fingerprint scanner]]s, starting with the [[iPhone 5s]] and [[Samsung Galaxy S5]].

Functions may be assigned to button combinations. For example, [[screenshot]]s can usually be taken using the home and power buttons, with a short press on iOS and one-second holding Android OS, the two most popular mobile operating systems. On smartphones with no physical home button, usually the volume-down button is instead pressed with the power button. Some smartphones have a screenshot and possibly [[screencast]] shortcuts in the navigation button bar or the power button menu.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Krasnoff |first1=Barbara |title=How to take screenshots on your iPhone |url=https://www.theverge.com/21340137/apple-iphone-screenshots-ios-how-to-take |website=The Verge |access-date=21 June 2021 |language=en |date=2020-07-27}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=How to Take Screenshot on LG G3 (3 Methods) |url=https://www.droidviews.com/how-to-take-screenshot-on-lg-g3/ |website=DroidViews |access-date=21 June 2021 |date=2014-08-14}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=4 Ways To Take a Screenshot on the Samsung Galaxy Note 20 and Note 20 Ultra - NaldoTech |url=https://www.naldotech.com/screenshot-samsung-galaxy-note-20-ultra/ |access-date=21 June 2021 |date=2020-08-20 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210624204222/https://www.naldotech.com/screenshot-samsung-galaxy-note-20-ultra/ |archive-date=2021-06-24}}</ref>

===Display===
{{main|Display device}}

[[File:Livraria do Senado (22622160063).jpg|thumb|A smartphone touchscreen]]
One of the main characteristics of smartphones is the [[Display device|screen]]. Depending on the device's design, the screen fills most or nearly all of the space on a device's front surface. Many smartphone displays have an [[Display aspect ratio|aspect ratio]] of [[16:9]], but taller aspect ratios became more common in 2017, as well as the aim to eliminate bezels by extending the display surface to as close to the edges as possible.

====Screen sizes====
[[File:Blackview A60 Smartphone Android mobile phone front face logged in screen.jpg|thumb|Blackview A60 Andoid Go mobile phone smartphone cell phone showing the front-facing camera is put in notch display]]
Screen sizes are measured in diagonal [[inch]]es. Phones with screens larger than 5.2 inches are often called "[[phablet]]s". Smartphones with screens over 4.5 inches in size are commonly difficult to use with only a single hand, since most thumbs cannot reach the entire screen surface; they may need to be shifted around in the hand, held in one hand and manipulated by the other, or used in place with both hands. Due to design advances, some modern smartphones with large screen sizes and "edge-to-edge" designs have compact builds that improve their ergonomics, while the shift to taller aspect ratios have resulted in phones that have larger screen sizes whilst maintaining the ergonomics associated with smaller 16:9 displays.<ref name="phonearena-s7edgenotphablet">{{cite web|title=Don't call it a phablet: the 5.5" Samsung Galaxy S7 Edge is narrower than many 5.2" devices|url=http://www.phonearena.com/news/Dont-call-it-a-phablet-the-5.5-Samsung-Galaxy-S7-Edge-is-narrower-than-many-5.2-devices_id79482|website=PhoneArena|date=March 21, 2016 |access-date=3 April 2017}}</ref><ref name="verge-phabletpytha">{{cite web|title=We're gonna need Pythagoras' help to compare screen sizes in 2017|url=https://www.theverge.com/tldr/2017/3/30/15120824/screen-aspect-ratio-mathematics-galaxy-s8-lg-g6|website=The Verge|date=March 30, 2017|access-date=3 April 2017}}</ref><ref name="verge-s8aspectratio">{{cite web|title=The Samsung Galaxy S8 will change the way we think about display sizes|url=https://www.theverge.com/circuitbreaker/2017/3/30/15121526/samsung-galaxy-s8-vs-google-pixel-iphone-7-screen-size-comparison|website=The Verge|date=March 30, 2017|publisher=Vox Media|access-date=3 April 2017|archive-date=July 25, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180725110244/https://www.theverge.com/circuitbreaker/2017/3/30/15121526/samsung-galaxy-s8-vs-google-pixel-iphone-7-screen-size-comparison|url-status=dead}}</ref>

====Panel types====
[[Liquid-crystal display]]s (LCDs) and [[organic light-emitting diode]] (OLED) displays are the most common. Some displays are integrated with pressure-sensitive digitizers, such as those developed by [[Wacom (company)|Wacom]] and [[Samsung]],<ref>{{Cite journal|last1=Ward|first1=J. R.|last2=Phillips|first2=M. J.|date=1987-04-01|title=Digitizer Technology: Performance Characteristics and the Effects on the User Interface|journal=IEEE Computer Graphics and Applications|volume=7|issue=4|pages=31–44|doi=10.1109/MCG.1987.276869|s2cid=16707568|issn=0272-1716}}</ref> and Apple's [[Force Touch]] system. A few phones, such as the [[YotaPhone]] prototype, are equipped with a low-power [[electronic paper]] rear display, as used in [[e-book reader]]s.

====Alternative input methods====
[[File:Mobile_URL_tooltip.png|thumb|Tooltip in Kiwi Browser, a [[Google Chromium]] derivative, reveals the full URL by hovering over the [[tabbed browsing|tab]] list using the stylus on a [[Samsung Galaxy Note 4]].]]
[[File:HTC Legend - optic sensor.jpeg|thumb|Optical track pad sensor of an [[HTC Legend]], 2010.]]

Some devices are equipped with additional input methods such as a [[stylus]] for higher precision input and hovering detection or a [[Touchscreen#Self-capacitance|self-capacitive touch screen]]s layer for floating finger detection. The latter has been implemented on few phones such as the [[Samsung Galaxy S4]], [[Samsung Galaxy Note 3|Note 3]], [[Samsung Galaxy S5|S5]], [[Samsung Galaxy Alpha|Alpha]], and [[Sony Xperia Sola]], making the Galaxy Note 3 the only smartphone with both so far.

Hovering can enable preview [[tooltip]]s such as on the [[video player]]'s seek bar, in text messages, and quick contacts on the [[dial pad]], as well as [[lock screen]] animations, and the simulation of a [[mouseover|hover]]ing [[mouse cursor]] on web sites.<ref>{{cite web |title=How does Air view work? |url=https://www.samsung.com/global/galaxy/what-is/air-view/ |website=Samsung Galaxy site |language=en |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161028203958/https://www.samsung.com/global/galaxy/what-is/air-view/ |archive-date=2016-10-28}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Floating touch™ – Developer World |url=http://developer.sonymobile.com/knowledge-base/technologies/floating-touch |date=17 September 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120917003815/http://developer.sonymobile.com/knowledge-base/technologies/floating-touch |archive-date=September 17, 2012 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=How to Change Unlock Effect on Galaxy S4 Lock Screen |url=https://androidwidgetcenter.com/android-tips/how-to-change-unlock-effect-on-galaxy-s4-lock-screen/ |website=Android Widget Center |language=en |date=13 May 2013 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130609051907/https://androidwidgetcenter.com/android-tips/how-to-change-unlock-effect-on-galaxy-s4-lock-screen/ |archive-date=2013-06-09}}</ref>

Some styluses support hovering as well and are equipped with a button for quick access to relevant tools such as digital [[post-it note]]s and highlighting of text and elements when dragging while pressed, resembling drag selection using a [[computer mouse]]. Some series such as the [[Samsung Galaxy Note series]] and [[LG G Stylus]] series have an integrated tray to store the stylus in.<ref>{{cite web |title=S Pen on the Note 4 is better than ever: Feature Focus |url=https://www.androidauthority.com/note-4-s-pen-feature-532978/ |website=Android Authority |date=2 October 2014 |access-date=April 9, 2021 |archive-date=January 19, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220119012837/https://www.androidauthority.com/note-4-s-pen-feature-532978/ |url-status=dead }}</ref>

Few devices such as the [[iPhone 6s]] until [[iPhone Xs]] and [[Huawei Mate S]] are equipped with a [[Force Touch|pressure-sensitive touch screen]], where the pressure may be used to simulate a gas pedal in video games, access to preview windows and shortcut menus, controlling the typing cursor, and a weight scale, the latest of which has been rejected by Apple from the [[App Store (iOS/iPadOS)|App Store]].<ref>{{Cite web|first=Lance |last=Whitney |date=2019-07-08|title=How to Use and Control 3D Touch on Your iPhone|url=https://uk.pcmag.com/gallery/121589/how-to-use-and-control-3d-touch-on-your-iphone|access-date=2021-04-02|website=PCMag UK|language=en-gb}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|last=Zibreg|first=Christian|date=2015-10-28|title=Apple rejects Gravity, a 3D Touch-based iPhone 6s digital scale app|url=https://www.idownloadblog.com/2015/10/28/apple-pulls-gravity-app/|access-date=2021-04-02|website=iDownloadBlog.com|language=en-US}}</ref>

Some early 2010s HTC smartphones such as the [[HTC Desire|HTC Desire (Bravo)]] and [[HTC Legend]] are equipped with an optical track pad for scrolling and selection.<ref>{{cite web |title=HTC Bravo: TMO UK Nexus One Plus Optical Trackpad – Phandroid |url=https://phandroid.com/2010/01/21/htc-bravo-tmo-uk-nexus-one-plus-optical-trackpad/ |website=phandroid.com |access-date=20 July 2021 |date=21 January 2010}}</ref>

====Notification light====
[[File:Notification_LED.webm|thumb|right]]
{{Main article|Notification LED}}

Many smartphones except Apple iPhones are equipped with low-power [[light-emitting diode]]s besides the screen that are able to notify the user about incoming messages, missed calls, low battery levels, and facilitate locating the mobile phone in darkness, with marginial power consumption.

To distinguish between the sources of notifications, the colour combination and blinking pattern can vary. Usually three diodes in red, green, and blue ([[RGB]]) are able to create a multitude of colour combinations.

===Sensors===
Smartphones are equipped with a multitude of sensors to enable system features and third-party applications.

====Common sensors====
[[Accelerometer]]s and [[gyroscope]]s enable automatic control of screen rotation. Uses by third-party software include [[bubble level]] simulation. An [[ambient light sensor]] allows for automatic screen brightness and contrast adjustment, and an [[RGB sensor]] enables the adaption of screen colour.

Many mobile phones are also equipped with a [[barometer]] sensor to measure air pressure, such as Samsung since 2012 with the [[Galaxy S3]], and Apple since 2014 with the [[iPhone 6]]. It allows estimating and detecting changes in altitude.

A [[magnetometer]] can act as a [[digital magnetic compass|digital compass]] by measuring [[Earth's magnetic field]].

====Rare sensors====
Samsung equips their flagship smartphones since the 2014 [[Galaxy S5]] and [[Galaxy Note 4]] with a [[heart rate]] sensor to assist in fitness-related uses and act as a shutter key for the front-facing camera.<ref>{{Cite web|date=2014-12-25|title=How to Use Heart Rate Sensor on Note 4 as a Shutter Button|url=https://androidwidgetcenter.com/android-tips/use-heart-rate-sensor-note-4-shutter-button/|access-date=2021-04-02|website=Android Widget Center|language=en |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210615163525/https://androidwidgetcenter.com/android-tips/use-heart-rate-sensor-note-4-shutter-button/ |archive-date=2021-06-15 |url-status=dead}}</ref>

So far, only the 2013 [[Samsung Galaxy S4]] and [[Samsung Galaxy Note 3|Note 3]] are equipped with an [[thermometer|ambient temperature sensor]] and a [[hygrometer|humidity sensor]], and only the [[Samsung Galaxy Note 4|Note 4]] with an [[ultraviolet]] radiation sensor which could warn the user about excessive exposure.<ref>{{Cite web|last=|date=2013-04-10|title=Hidden innovation in the Galaxy S4|url=https://www.sammobile.com/2013/04/10/hidden-innovation-in-the-galaxy-s4/|access-date=|website=SamMobile|language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|last=S|first=Ray|title=Playing with the Note 4's UV and SpO2 sensors|url=https://www.phonearena.com/news/Playing-with-the-Note-4s-UV-and-SpO2-sensors_id60358|access-date=2021-04-02|website=Phone Arena|date=September 6, 2014 |language=en-US}}</ref>

A rear infrared [[laser]] beam for distance measurement can enable [[time-of-flight camera]] functionality with accelerated [[autofocus]], as implemented on select LG mobile phones starting with [[LG G3]] and [[LG V10]].

Due to their currently rare occurrence among smartphones, not much software to utilize these sensors has been developed yet.

===Storage===
While [[eMMC]] (''embedded multi media card'') [[flash storage]] was most commonly used in mobile phones, its successor, [[Universal Flash Storage|UFS]] (''Universal Flash Storage'') with higher transfer rates emerged throughout the 2010s for upper-class devices.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Ezekiel |first1=Odunayo |title=eMMC or UFS: Understanding new generation of mobile phone storage |url=https://www.dignited.com/23879/emmc-or-ufs-mobile-phone-storage/ |website=Dignited |date=18 November 2019}}</ref>

;Capacity
While the internal storage capacity of mobile phones has been near-stagnant during the first half of the 2010s, it has increased steeper during its second half, with [[Samsung Telecommunications|Samsung]] for example increasing the available internal storage options of their flagship class units from 32 GB to 512 GB within only 2{{1/2}} years between 2016 and 2018.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Ware |first1=Russell |title=Understanding Smartphone Storage – How much storage does your phone need? |url=https://www.lifewire.com/smartphone-buying-guides-577502 |website=Lifewire |date=2019-11-13}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Samsung Starts Producing First 512-Gigabyte Universal Flash Storage for Next-Generation Mobile Devices |url=http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20171204006182/en/Samsung-Starts-Producing-512-Gigabyte-Universal-Flash-Storage |website=www.businesswire.com |language=en |date=5 December 2017}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last1=Gottsegen |first1=Gordon |title=Samsung is bringing a huge 512GB memory chip to its phones |url=https://www.cnet.com/news/samsung-512gb-memory-chip-announcement/ |website=CNET |language=en |date=2017-12-05}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=US will only receive 32GB Galaxy S7 and Galaxy S7 edge |url=https://www.androidauthority.com/us-getting-32gb-galaxy-s7-s7-edge-675313/ |website=Android Authority |date=21 February 2016}}</ref>

====Memory cards====
[[File:Huawei_U8950D_no_cover.JPG|thumb|Inserted memory and SIM cards]]
{{main article|MicroSD#Mobile phones}}

The space for data storage of some mobile phones can be expanded using [[MicroSD#Mobile phones|MicroSD]] [[memory card]]s, whose capacity has multiplied throughout the 2010s (→ {{section link|SD_card|2009–2019: SDXC}}). Benefits over [[USB on the go]] storage and [[cloud storage]] include [[offline]] availability and [[privacy]], not reserving and protruding from the [[charging port]], no connection instability or [[latency (engineering)|latency]], no dependence on voluminous [[data plan]]s, and preservation of the limited rewriting cycles of the device's permanent internal storage. Large amounts of data can be moved immediately between devices by changing memory cards, large-scale [[data backup]]s can be created offline, and data can be read externally should the smartphone be inoperable.<ref>{{cite web |language=en-us |title=MicroSD vs. cloud storage: Which do you prefer? |url=https://news.wirefly.com/2013/05/31/microsd-vs-cloud-storage-which-do-you-prefer |website=phonedog.com |date=31 May 2013}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |language=en-nz |title=Understanding Life Expectancy of Flash Storage |url=https://www.ni.com/en-nz/support/documentation/supplemental/12/understanding-life-expectancy-of-flash-storage.html |website=www.ni.com |date=2020-07-23}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2022-12-09 |title=How to back up your Android phone |url=https://www.androidauthority.com/backup-android-phone-708622/ |access-date=2023-02-13 |website=Android Authority |language=en}}</ref>

In case of technical [[brick (electronics)|defects]] which make the device unusable or un[[boot (computing)|boot]]able as a result of liquid damage, fall damage, screen damage, [[bendgate|bending damage]], [[malware]], or bogus [[software update|system update]]s,<ref>{{cite web |last1=Popa |first1=Bogdan |title=Xiaomi Ships Android 11 Update, Completely Bricks Devices |url=https://news.softpedia.com/news/xiaomi-ships-android-11-update-completely-bricks-devices-531859.shtml |website=softpedia |language=english |date=2019-12-31}}</ref> etc., data stored on the memory card is likely [[data recovery|rescueable]] externally, while data on the inaccessible internal storage would be [[data loss|lost]]. A memory card can usually{{efn|Presuming common [[file system]] support, which is usually given. Some software-specific data left over from a previous device might not be relevant on the new device.}} immediately be re-used in a different memory-card-enabled device with no necessity for prior [[file transfer]]s.

Some [[dual-SIM]] mobile phones are equipped with a hybrid slot, where one of the two slots can be occupied by either a [[SIM card]] or a memory card. Some models, typically of higher end, are equipped with three slots including one dedicated memory card slot, for simultaneous dual-SIM and memory card usage.<ref>{{cite web |title=Kaufberatung: Smartphones mit Dual-SIM und Micro-SD |url=https://www.techstage.de/ratgeber/kaufberatung-smartphones-mit-dual-sim-und-micro-sd/3t4xzm3 |website=TechStage |access-date=13 June 2021 |language=de |date=2019-01-29}}</ref>

;Physical location
The location of both SIM and memory card slots vary among devices, where they might be located accessibly behind the back cover or else behind the battery, the latter of which denies [[hot swapping]].<ref>{{cite web |title=How to increase internal memory on the Galaxy Note 4 |url=https://www.nextpit.com/how-to-increase-internal-memory-on-galaxy-note-4 |website=NextPit |date=July 5, 2015 |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last1=Thorn |first1=Thomas |title=Samsung Galaxy S4 Mini review |url=https://www.techradar.com/reviews/phones/mobile-phones/samsung-galaxy-s4-mini-1137603/review |website=TechRadar |language=en |date=2013-08-09}}</ref>

Mobile phones with non-removable rear cover typically house SIM and memory cards in a small tray on the handset's frame, ejected by inserting a needle tool into a pinhole.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Hidalgo |first1=Jason |title=Replace the SIM & Memory Card in a Samsung Galaxy S7 or S7 Edge |url=https://www.lifewire.com/install-sim-memory-galaxy-s7-4023729 |website=Lifewire |language=en}}</ref>

Some earlier mid-range phones such as the 2011 [[Samsung Galaxy Fit (smartphone)|Samsung Galaxy Fit]] and [[Samsung Galaxy Ace|Ace]] have a sideways memory card slot on the frame covered by a cap that can be opened without tool.<ref>{{cite web |title=Samsung Galaxy Ace S5830 review: Ace in the hole |url=https://www.gsmarena.com/samsung_galaxy_ace_s5830-review-573.php |website=GSMArena.com |page=1 |date=2011-02-23}}</ref>

====File transfer====
Originally, [[mass storage]] access was commonly enabled to computers through USB. Over time, mass storage access was removed, leaving the [[Media Transfer Protocol]] as protocol for USB file transfer, due to its non-exclusive access ability where the computer is able to access the storage without it being locked away from the mobile phone's software for the duration of the connection, and no necessity for common [[file system]] support, as communication is done through an [[abstraction layer]].

However, unlike mass storage, Media Transfer Protocol lacks parallelism, meaning that only a single transfer can run at a time, for which other transfer requests need to wait to finish. This, for example, denies browsing photos and playing back videos from the device during an active file transfer. Some programs and devices lack support for MTP. In addition, the direct access and [[random access]] of files through MTP is not supported. Any file is wholly downloaded from the device before opened.<ref>{{cite web |title=What Happened To Mass Storage & File Management? [Updated] - Mobility Arena - Mobile Phone, Smartphone, Cell Phone Reviews |url=https://mobilityarena.com/what-happened-to-mass-storage-and-file-management/ |website=mobilityarena.com |date=2011-11-18 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210128100252/https://mobilityarena.com/what-happened-to-mass-storage-and-file-management/ |archive-date=2021-01-28}}</ref>

===Sound===
Some audio quality enhancing features, such as [[Voice over LTE]] and [[HD Voice]] have appeared and are often available on newer smartphones. Sound quality can remain a problem due to the design of the phone, the quality of the cellular network and compression algorithms used in [[long-distance call]]s.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://spectrum.ieee.org/why-mobile-voice-quality-still-stinksand-how-to-fix-it|title=Why Mobile Voice Quality Still Stinks—and How to Fix It|first=Jeff|last=Hecht|work=[[IEEE]]|date=September 30, 2014}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.scientificamerican.com/article/why-is-cell-phone-call-quality-so-terrible|title=Why Is Cell Phone Call Quality So Terrible?|first=Elena|last=Malykhina|work=Scientific American}}</ref> Audio quality can be improved using a [[VoIP]] application over [[Wi-Fi]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://lifehacker.com/whats-the-best-mobile-voip-app-1579791681|title=What's the Best Mobile VoIP App?|first=Alan|last=Henry|publisher=Gawker Media|work=Lifehacker|date=May 22, 2014 }}</ref> Cellphones have small speakers so that the user can use a [[speakerphone]] feature and talk to a person on the phone without holding it to their ear. The small speakers can also be used to listen to digital audio files of music or speech or watch videos with an audio component, without holding the phone close to the ear. However, integrated speakers may be small and of restricted sound quality to conserve space.

Some mobile phones such as the [[HTC One M8]] and the [[Sony Xperia Z2]] are equipped with [[stereophonic sound|stereophonic]] speakers to create spacial sound when in horizontal orientation.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Hoyle |first1=Andrew |title=HTC One M8 BoomSound speakers are loud and proud |url=https://www.cnet.com/news/htc-one-m8-speaker-comparison/ |website=CNET |language=en |date=2014-03-25}}</ref>

====Audio connector====
The [[Phone connector (audio)#Miniature size|3.5mm headphone receptible]] ([[colloquialism|coll.]] "''headphone jack''") allows the immediate operation of passive [[headphone]]s, as well as connection to other external auxiliary audio appliances. Among devices equipped with the connector, it is more commonly located at the bottom (charging port side) than on the top of the device.

The decline of the connector's availability among newly released mobile phones among all major vendors commenced in 2016 with its lack on the Apple [[iPhone 7]]. An [[adapter]] reserving the charging port can retrofit the plug.

Battery-powered, wireless Bluetooth headphones are an alternative. Those tend to be costlier however due to their need for internal hardware such as a Bluetooth [[transceiver]] and a battery with a charging controller, and a Bluetooth coupling is required ahead of each operation.<ref>{{cite web |title=Was ditching the headphone jack a good idea? |url=https://www.soundguys.com/was-ditching-the-headphone-jack-a-good-idea-13825/ |website=SoundGuys |date=9 August 2019}}</ref>

===Battery===
Smartphones typically feature [[lithium-ion battery|lithium-ion]] or [[lithium-polymer battery|lithium-polymer batteries]] due to their high [[energy density|energy densities]].

Batteries chemically wear down as a result of repeated charging and discharging throughout ordinary usage, losing both energy capacity and output power, which results in loss of processing speeds followed by system outages.<ref>{{cite web |title=Causes and Fixes of Unexpected Phone Shutoffs - RTCL ... rtcl.eecs.umich.edu › assets › 2020 |url=https://rtcl.eecs.umich.edu/rtclweb/assets/publications/2020/youngmoon-mobisys20.pdf |date=2020-06-15}}</ref> Battery capacity may be reduced to 80% after few hundred recharges, and the drop in performance accelerates with time.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Jasieniak |first1=Jacek |title=Explainer: how to extend your phone's battery life |url=https://theconversation.com/explainer-how-to-extend-your-phones-battery-life-80958 |website=The Conversation |date=July 31, 2017 |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{cite journal |url=https://www.ukm.my/jqma/v10_1/jqma-10-1-paper4.pdf |title=Modelling of Charge/Discharge Cycle of Lithium Ion Battery System |first1=Ho Kar |last1=Yee |first2=Sivakumar |last2=Ramakrishnan |first3=Ahmad Azmin |last3=Mohamad |journal=Journal of Quality Measurement and Analysis |volume=10 |issue=1 |date=2014 |pages=39–47}}</ref>
Some mobile phones are designed with batteries that can be interchanged upon expiration by the end user, usually by opening the back cover. While such a design had initially been used in most mobile phones, including those with touch screen that were not Apple iPhones, it has largely been usurped throughout the 2010s by permanently built-in, non-replaceable batteries; a design practice criticized for [[Planned obsolescence#Batteries|planned obsolescence]].<ref>{{cite web |title=Planned obsolescence: the outrage of our electronic waste mountain |url=https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2020/apr/15/the-right-to-repair-planned-obsolescence-electronic-waste-mountain |website=the Guardian |language=en |date=15 April 2020}}</ref>

====Charging====
[[File:USB battery charger.jpg|thumb|A high-capacity portable [[battery charger]] ([[Battery charger#Power bank|''power bank'']])]]

Due to limitations of [[electrical current]]s that existing USB cables' copper wires could handle, charging protocols which make use of elevated [[voltages]] such as [[Qualcomm Quick Charge]] and [[MediaTek Pump Express]] have been developed to increase the power throughput for faster charging, to maximize the usage time without restricted ergonomy and to minimize the time a device needs to be attached to a power source.

The smartphone's integrated [[charge controller]] (IC) requests the elevated voltage from a supported [[mobile phone charger|charger]]. "[[VOOC]]" by Oppo, also marketed as "dash charge", took the counter approach and increased current to cut out some heat produced from internally regulating the arriving voltage in the end device down to the battery's charging terminal voltage, but is incompatible with existing USB cables, as it requires the thicker copper wires of high-current USB cables. Later, [[USB Power Delivery]] (''USB-PD'') was developed with the aim to standardize the negotiation of charging parameters across devices of up to 100 Watts, but is only supported on cables with USB-C on both endings due to the connector's dedicated PD channels.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Rao |first1=Sumukh |title=Qualcomm Quick Charge vs OnePlus Warp Charge vs Oppo VOOC vs USB-PD - TechPP |url=https://techpp.com/2020/04/09/qualcomm-quick-charge-vs-oneplus-warp-charge-vs-oppo-vooc-vs-usb-pd/ |website=techpp.com |access-date=9 December 2021 |date=2020-04-09}}</ref>

While charging rates have been increasing, with 15 [[watt]]s in 2014,<ref>{{cite web |last1=Ho |first1=Joshua |title=The Samsung Galaxy Note 4 Review |url=https://www.anandtech.com/show/8613/the-samsung-galaxy-note-4-review/3 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141017222405/http://www.anandtech.com/show/8613/the-samsung-galaxy-note-4-review/3 |url-status=dead |archive-date=October 17, 2014 |website=www.anandtech.com |date=2014}}</ref> 20 Watts in 2016,<ref>{{cite web |last1=T |first1=Nick |title=How it works: Dash Charge fast charging on the OnePlus 3 |url=https://www.phonearena.com/news/How-it-works-Dash-Charge-fast-charging-on-the-OnePlus-3_id82646 |website=Phone Arena |date=2016-06-30}}</ref> and 45 watts in 2018,<ref>{{cite web |last1=Byford |first1=Sam |title=Oppo has the fastest fast charging we've ever seen |url=https://www.theverge.com/circuitbreaker/2018/10/10/17958648/oppo-super-vooc-fast-charging-find-x-lamborghini-edition |website=The Verge |language=en |date=10 October 2018}}</ref> the power throughput may be throttled down significantly during operation of the device.<ref>{{cite web |title=PSA: The Galaxy S8 and S8+ doesn't actually Fast Charge while you're using it – Phandroid |url=https://phandroid.com/2017/05/11/samsung-galaxy-s8-plus-wont-fast-charge-problems/ |website=phandroid.com |date=11 May 2017}}</ref>{{efn|I.e. while the device is not in stand-by mode or charging while the main operating system is powered off.}}

[[Wireless charging]] has been widely adapted, allowing for intermittent recharging without wearing down the charging port through frequent reconnection, with [[Qi (standard)|''Qi'']] being the most common standard, followed by [[Powermat]]. Due to the lower efficiency of wireless power transmission, charging rates are below that of wired charging, and more heat is produced at similar charging rates.

By the end of 2017, smartphone battery life has become generally adequate;<ref>{{cite web|title=6 phones with the best battery life|url=https://www.cnet.com/news/smartphones-best-long-battery-life/|access-date=October 31, 2017}}</ref> however, earlier smartphone battery life was poor due to the weak batteries that could not handle the significant power requirements of the smartphones' computer systems and color screens.<ref>{{cite press release|title=J.D. Power and Associates Reports: Smartphone Battery Life has Become a Significant Drain on Customer Satisfaction and Loyalty|url=http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/jd-power-and-associates-reports-smartphone-battery-life-has-become-a-significant-drain-on-customer-satisfaction-and-loyalty-142765065.html|access-date=September 11, 2014}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |first=James |last=Kendrick |url=https://www.zdnet.com/article/the-secret-behind-poor-smartphone-battery-life/ |title=The secret behind poor smartphone battery life|work=ZDNet |date=August 4, 2014 |access-date=November 2, 2017}}</ref><ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://techland.time.com/2013/04/01/peak-battery-why-smartphone-battery-life-still-stinks-and-will-for-years/ |title=Peak Battery: Why Smartphone Battery Life Still Stinks, and Will for Years|magazine=[[Time (magazine)|Time]] | date=April 1, 2013}}</ref>

Smartphone users purchase additional chargers for use outside the home, at work, and in cars and by buying portable external "battery packs". External battery packs include generic models which are connected to the smartphone with a cable, and custom-made models that "piggyback" onto a smartphone's case. In 2016, Samsung had to recall millions of the [[Galaxy Note 7]] smartphones due to an explosive battery issue.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.digitaltrends.com/mobile/samsung-halts-galaxy-note-7-shipments-phones-catching-fire/|title=Refurbished version of ill-fated Galaxy Note 7 will soon be available overseas|date=May 5, 2017}}</ref> For consumer convenience, [[inductive charging|wireless charging]] stations have been introduced in some hotels, bars, and other public spaces.<ref>{{Cite magazine|url=https://www.wired.com/story/iphone-wireless-charging-qi/|title=The Most Impactful New iPhone Feature May Be the Most Boring|magazine=WIRED|access-date=2017-09-22|language=en-US}}</ref>

====Power management====
A technique to minimize power consumption is the panel self-refresh, whereby the image to be shown on the display is not sent at all times from the processor to the integrated controller (IC) of the display component, but only if the information on screen is changed. The display's integrated controller instead memorizes the last screen contents and refreshes the screen by itself. This technology was introduced around 2014 and has reduced power consumption by a few hundred milliwatts.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Frumusanu |first1=Andrei |title=Analysing AMOLED Power Efficiency Improvements |url=https://www.anandtech.com/show/9394/analysing-amoled-power-efficiency |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150623204043/http://anandtech.com/show/9394/analysing-amoled-power-efficiency |url-status=dead |archive-date=June 23, 2015 |website=www.anandtech.com |access-date=14 September 2023 |date=2015-06-23}}</ref>

===Cameras===
{{main|Camera phone|Digital camera|Videophone}}

Cameras have become standard features of smartphones. {{As of|2019}} phone cameras are now a highly competitive area of differentiation between models, with advertising campaigns commonly based on a focus on the quality or capabilities of a device's main cameras.

Images are usually saved in the [[JPEG]] file format; some high-end phones since the mid-2010s also have [[Raw image format|RAW]] imaging capability.<ref>{{cite web |title=How to Shoot Photos in DNG/RAW on Samsung Galaxy S7 |url=https://www.androidbeat.com/2016/04/how-to-shoot-photos-dng-raw-galaxy-s7/ |website=Android Beat {{!}} Android News, Hacks, Apps, Tips & Reviews Blog |access-date=19 August 2021 |language=en-us |date=24 April 2016 |archive-date=August 19, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210819213752/https://www.androidbeat.com/2016/04/how-to-shoot-photos-dng-raw-galaxy-s7/ |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last1=Nikam |first1=Sohil |title=Samsung Dropping RAW Image Support Into Galaxy S6 And S6 Edge Via Android 5.1.1 Update - TechShout |url=https://www.techshout.com/samsung-to-bless-galaxy-s6-and-s6-edge-with-raw-photo-support-via-android-5-1-1-update/ |website=www.techshout.com |access-date=19 August 2021 |date=2015-05-08}}</ref>

====Space constraints====
Typically smartphones have at least one main rear-facing camera and a lower-resolution front-facing camera for "[[selfie]]s" and [[video chat]]. Owing to the limited depth available in smartphones for [[image sensor]]s and [[Lens|optics]], rear-facing cameras are often housed in a "bump" that is thicker than the rest of the phone. Since increasingly thin mobile phones have more abundant horizontal space than the depth that is necessary and used in dedicated cameras for better lenses, there is additionally a trend for phone manufacturers to include multiple cameras, with each optimized for a different purpose ([[Telephoto lens|telephoto]], [[Wide-angle lens|wide angle]], etc.).

Viewed from back, rear cameras are commonly located at the top center or top left corner. A cornered location benefits by not requiring other hardware to be packed around the camera module while increasing [[ergonomy]], as the lens is less likely to be covered when held horizontally.

Modern advanced smartphones have cameras with [[Image stabilization#Optical image stabilization|optical image stabilisation]] (OIS), larger sensors, bright lenses, and even optical zoom plus [[Raw image format|RAW]] images. [[High-dynamic-range imaging|HDR]], "[[Bokeh]] mode" with multi lenses and multi-shot [[Night mode camera|night mode]]s are now also familiar.<ref>{{cite web |title=Top 16 Best Camera Phones For Photography 2019 |url=https://www.ephotozine.com/article/top-16-best-camera-phones-for-photography-2019-23050 |date=April 4, 2019 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190512034618/https://www.ephotozine.com/article/top-16-best-camera-phones-for-photography-2019-23050 |archive-date=May 12, 2019}}</ref> Many new smartphone camera features are being enabled via [[computational photography]] [[Digital image processing|image processing]] and multiple specialized lenses rather than larger sensors and lenses, due to the constrained space available inside phones that are being made as slim as possible.

====Dedicated camera button====
Some mobile phones such as the [[Samsung i8000 Omnia 2]], some [[Nokia Lumia]]s and some [[Sony Xperia]]s are equipped with a physical camera shutter button.

Those with two pressure levels resemble the [[point-and-shoot]] intuition of dedicated [[compact camera]]s. The camera button may be used as a [[shortcut (computing)|shortcut]] to quickly and [[ergonomy|ergonomically]] launch the camera software, as it is located more accessibly inside a pocket than the power button.

===Back cover materials===
Back covers of smartphones are typically made of [[polycarbonate]], aluminium, or glass. Polycarbonate back covers may be glossy or matte, and possibly textured, like dotted on the [[Galaxy S5]] or leathered on the [[Galaxy Note 3]] and [[Note 4]].

While polycarbonate back covers may be perceived as less "premium" among [[fashion]]- and [[fad|trend]]-oriented users, its utilitarian strengths and technical benefits include durability and shock absorption, greater [[elasticity (physics)|elasticity]] against permanent bending like metal, inability to shatter like glass, which facilitates designing it removable; better manufacturing cost efficiency, and no blockage of radio signals or wireless power like metal.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Ho |first1=Joshua |title=A Discussion on Material Choices in Mobile |url=https://www.anandtech.com/show/7984/discussion-on-material-choices-in-mobile |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140509031624/http://www.anandtech.com/show/7984/discussion-on-material-choices-in-mobile |url-status=dead |archive-date=May 9, 2014 |website=www.anandtech.com |access-date=11 April 2021 |date=2014-05-05}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Bring back plastic phones. |url=https://www.androidauthority.com/bring-back-plastic-phones-1004824/ |website=Android Authority |date=5 July 2019}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Benefits And Applications Of Polycarbonates |url=https://www.tuflite.com/blog/benefits-applications-polycarbonates |website=Tuflite |date=17 June 2020 |access-date=April 11, 2021 |archive-date=April 11, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210411235448/https://www.tuflite.com/blog/benefits-applications-polycarbonates |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Build materials: metal vs glass vs plastic |url=https://www.androidauthority.com/build-materials-metal-vs-glass-vs-plastic-617553/ |website=Android Authority |date=19 July 2018}}</ref>

===Accessories===
A wide range of accessories are sold for smartphones, including [[Mobile phone accessories#Cases|cases]], [[#Memory_cards|memory card]]s, [[screen protector]]s, [[Battery charger#Mobile phone charger|chargers]], [[wireless charging|wireless power]] stations, [[USB On-The-Go]] adapters (for connecting USB drives and or, in some cases, a HDMI cable to an external monitor), [[Mobile High-Definition Link|MHL]] adapters, add-on batteries, [[power bank]]s, [[headphones]], combined headphone-microphones (which, for example, allow a person to privately conduct [[Telephone call|call]]s on the device without holding it to the ear), and [[Bluetooth]]-enabled [[powered speaker]]s that enable users to listen to media from their smartphones wirelessly.

Cases range from relatively inexpensive rubber or soft plastic cases which provide moderate protection from bumps and good protection from scratches to more expensive, heavy-duty cases that combine a rubber padding with a hard outer shell. Some cases have a "book"-like form, with a cover that the user opens to use the device; when the cover is closed, it protects the screen. Some "book"-like cases have additional pockets for credit cards, thus enabling people to use them as [[wallet]]s.

Accessories include products sold by the manufacturer of the smartphone and compatible products made by other manufacturers.

However, some companies, like [[Apple Inc.|Apple]], stopped including chargers with smartphones in order to "reduce [[carbon footprint]]", etc., causing many customers to pay extra for charging adapters.

==Software==
===Mobile operating systems===
{{Main|Mobile operating system}}

A mobile operating system (or mobile OS) is an [[operating system]] for phones, [[tablet computer|tablet]]s, [[smartwatch]]es, or other [[mobile device]]s. Globally, Android and [[IOS]] are the two most used mobile operating systems based on [[Usage share of operating systems|usage share]], with the former having been the best selling OS globally on all devices since 2013.

Mobile operating systems combine features of a [[personal computer]] operating system with other features useful for mobile or handheld use; usually including, and most of the following considered essential in modern mobile systems; a [[touchscreen]], [[Cellular network|cellular]], Bluetooth, Wi-Fi Protected Access, Wi-Fi, [[Global Positioning System]] (GPS) mobile navigation, [[video camera|video-]] and [[digital camera|single-frame picture cameras]], [[speech recognition]], [[Sound recording and reproduction|voice recorder]], [[portable media player|music player]], [[near-field communication]], and [[infrared blaster]]. By Q1 2018, over 383 million smartphones were sold with 85.9 percent running Android, 14.1 percent running iOS and a negligible number of smartphones running other OSes.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.gartner.com/newsroom/id/3876865/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180613220451/https://www.gartner.com/newsroom/id/3876865 |url-status=dead |archive-date=June 13, 2018 |title=Gartner Says Worldwide Sales of Smartphones Returned to Growth in First Quarter of 2018 |date=May 29, 2018 |website=Gartner, Inc. |publisher=Gartner |access-date=August 25, 2018}}</ref> Android alone is more popular than the popular desktop operating system Windows, and in general, smartphone use (even without tablets) exceeds desktop use. Other well-known mobile operating systems are [[Flyme OS]] and [[Harmony OS]].
[[File:20240419 삼성 갤럭시 S24 울트라.jpg|thumb|right|The [[Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra]] has an [[artificial intelligence]]-powered feature]]
Mobile devices with mobile communications abilities (e.g., smartphones) contain two mobile operating systems{{Em dash}}the main user-facing software platform is supplemented by a second low-level proprietary [[real-time operating system]] which operates the radio and other hardware. Research has shown that these low-level systems may contain a range of security vulnerabilities permitting malicious [[base station]]s to gain high levels of control over the mobile device.<ref>{{cite web |author=Thom Holwerda |website=[[OSNews]] |date=November 12, 2013 |url=https://www.osnews.com/story/27416/the-second-operating-system-hiding-in-every-mobile-phone/ |title=The second operating system hiding in every mobile phone}}</ref>
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The below list and subsequent details in it are unwarranted for the scope of this article. It is better replaced by a link to corresponding main article (see above). Even if any reason the below needs to be retained, a single paragraph summarising entire contents, should be enough.

====Android====
{{Main article|Android (operating system)}}
[[File:Android OS.jpg|thumb|Several smartphones running Google's Android OS]]
[[Android (operating system)|Android]] (based on the modified [[Linux kernel]]) is a mobile operating system developed by [[Google Inc.]]<ref name="OS MS 3Q10">{{cite web |url=http://www.gartner.com/it/page.jsp?id=1466313 |title=Gartner Says Worldwide Mobile Phone Sales Grew 35 Percent in Third Quarter 2010; Smartphone Sales Increased 96 Percent |date=November 10, 2010 |publisher=Gartner, Inc |at=Table 2 |access-date=February 21, 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110113073826/http://www.gartner.com/it/page.jsp?id=1466313 |archive-date=January 13, 2011 |df=dmy-all }}</ref> Besides having the largest installed base worldwide on smartphones, it is also the most popular operating system for [[Turing machine|general purpose computers]] (a category that includes desktop computers and mobile devices), even though Android is not a popular operating system for regular (desktop) [[personal computer]]s (PCs). Although the Android operating system is [[free and open-source software]],<ref name="ICS is coming to AOSP">{{cite web |url=http://groups.google.com/group/android-building/msg/c0e01b4619a1455a |title=ICS is coming to AOSP}}</ref> in devices sold, much of the software [[Product bundling|bundled]] with it (including Google apps and vendor-installed software) is [[proprietary software]] and closed source.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://arstechnica.com/gadgets/2013/09/balky-carriers-and-slow-oems-step-aside-google-is-defragging-android/ |title=Balky carriers and slow OEMs step aside: Google is defragging Android |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130903011541/http://arstechnica.com/gadgets/2013/09/balky-carriers-and-slow-oems-step-aside-google-is-defragging-android/ |archive-date=September 3, 2013 |website=[[Ars Technica]] |access-date=December 24, 2013}}</ref>

Android's releases before 2.0 (1.0, 1.5, 1.6) were used exclusively on mobile phones. Android 2.x releases were mostly used for mobile phones but also some tablets, Android 3.0 was a tablet-oriented release and does not officially run on mobile phones, while both phone and tablet compatibility was merged since Android 4.0. The current Android version is [[Android Pie|9.0 Pie]].

Android's releases are named after sweets or dessert items, except for the first and second releases.

Development groups have used the Android source code to develop and distribute their own [[List_of_custom_Android_distributions|modified versions]] of the operating system.<ref name="guardianfrag">{{cite news|last=Arthur|first=Charles|title=Android fragmentation 'worse than ever' – but OpenSignal says that's good|url=https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2013/jul/30/android-fragmentation-visualised-opensignal|newspaper=The Guardian|access-date=August 1, 2013|date=July 30, 2013}}</ref>

====iOS====
{{Main article|iOS}}
[[iOS]] (formerly named iPhone OS) is a mobile operating system from [[Apple Inc.]] It has the second largest installed base worldwide on smartphones, but the largest profits, due to aggressive price competition between Android-based manufacturers.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://techcrunch.com/2015/02/26/apple-eating-all-the-profits/|title=Apple Took 89% Of Q4 Smartphone Profits With Android OEMs In A Race To The Bottom|first=Ingrid|last=Lunden|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170715110736/https://techcrunch.com/2015/02/26/apple-eating-all-the-profits/|archive-date=July 15, 2017|df=dmy-all}}</ref> It is closed source and proprietary, and is built on the open source [[Darwin (operating system)|Darwin]] operating system. The [[iPhone]], [[iPod Touch]], [[iPad]] and second or third-generation [[Apple TV]] all use [[iOS]], which is derived from [[macOS]].

Native third party applications were not officially supported until the release of iPhone OS 2.0 on July 11, 2008. Before this, "[[iOS jailbreaking|jailbreaking]]" allowed third party applications to be installed, and this method is still available.

Currently all iOS devices are developed by Apple and manufactured by [[Foxconn]] or another of Apple's partners.

====Sailfish OS====
{{main article|Sailfish OS}}

[[Sailfish OS]] is from [[Jolla]]. It is open source with [[GNU General Public License]] (GPL) for middleware stack core which comes from MER. Sailfish due to Jolla's business model and due to alliances with various partners and due to intentional design of OS internals, is capable to adopt in several layers third party software including Jolla software e.g. Jolla's UI is [[proprietary software]] (closed source), so such components can be proprietary with many different kinds of licences. However, user can replace them with open source components like e.g. NEMO UI instead Jolla's UI. Using third party software extends usability but does not make the OS code close, in the same way as preinstalled Microsoft Word (closed source) on a Linux device does not make Linux closed source.

After Nokia abandoned in 2011 the [[MeeGo]] project, most of the MeeGo team left Nokia, and established Jolla as a company to use MeeGo and [[Mer (software distribution)|Mer]] business opportunities. The MER standard allows it to be launched on any hardware with kernel compatible with MER. In 2012, Linux Sailfish OS based on MeeGo and using middleware of MER core stack distribution was launched for public use. The first device, the [[Jolla (mobile phone)|Jolla smartphone]], was unveiled on May 20, 2013. In 2015, [[Jolla Tablet]] was launched and the [[BRICS]] countries declared it an officially supported OS there. Jolla started licensing Sailfish OS 2.0 for third parties. Some devices sold are updateable to Sailfish 2.0 with no limits.

Each Sailfish OS version release is named after a Finnish lake.

====Tizen====
{{main article|Tizen}}

[[Tizen]] (based on the [[Linux kernel]]) is a mobile operating system hosted by [[Linux Foundation]], together with support from the Tizen Association, guided by a Technical Steering Group composed of [[Intel]] and [[Samsung]].

Tizen is an operating system for devices including smartphones, tablets, [[In-car entertainment|In-Vehicle Infotainment]] (IVI) devices, and smart TVs. It is an open source system (however the SDK was closed source and proprietary) that aims to offer a consistent user experience across devices. Tizen's main components are the Linux kernel and the [[WebKit]] runtime. According to Intel, Tizen "combines the best of LiMo and MeeGo." [[HTML5]] apps are emphasized, with MeeGo encouraging its members to transition to Tizen, stating that the "future belongs to HTML5-based applications, outside of a relatively small percentage of apps, and we are firmly convinced that our investment needs to shift toward HTML5." Tizen will be targeted at a variety of platforms such as handsets, touch pc, smart TVs and in-vehicle entertainment.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.tizen.org/blogs/dawnfoster/2011/welcome-tizen |title=Welcome to Tizen! |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111013071516/https://www.tizen.org/blogs/dawnfoster/2011/welcome-tizen |archive-date=October 13, 2011 |website=Tizen.org |date=September 27, 2011 |access-date=2012-07-03}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last=Ricker |first=Thomas |date=September 28, 2011 |url=http://thisismynext.com/2011/09/28/meego-dead-meet-tizen-open-source-os-based-linux/ |title=MeeGo is dead: Meet Tizen, another new open source OS based on Linux |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110930051802/http://thisismynext.com/2011/09/28/meego-dead-meet-tizen-open-source-os-based-linux/ |archive-date=September 30, 2011 |website=Thisismynext.com |access-date=2012-07-03}}</ref> On May 17, 2013, Tizen released version 2.1, code-named Nectarine.<ref name="tizen2_1">{{cite web|url=https://www.tizen.org/blogs/tsg/2013/tizen-2.1-sdk-and-source-code-release|title=Tizen 2.1 SDK and Source Code Release|publisher=Tizen.org|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130730123852/https://www.tizen.org/blogs/tsg/2013/tizen-2.1-sdk-and-source-code-release|archive-date=July 30, 2013|df=dmy-all}}</ref> While Tizen itself was open source, most of the UX and UI layer that developed by Samsung was mainly closed source and proprietary, such as the TouchWiz UI on the Samsung Z's series smartphone.

====Ubuntu Touch====
{{main article|Ubuntu Touch}}

[[Ubuntu Touch]] is from [[Canonical Ltd.]] It is open source and uses the [[GNU General Public License|GPL]] license.<ref name="tizen2_1"/> The OS is built on the Android Linux kernel, using Android drivers and services via an [[LXC]] container, but does not use any of the Java-like code of Android.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://wiki.ubuntu.com/Touch/ContainerArchitecture|title=ContainerArchitecture|access-date=October 30, 2016|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161031024511/https://wiki.ubuntu.com/Touch/ContainerArchitecture|archive-date=October 31, 2016|df=dmy-all}}</ref>

Though Canonical formally announced it was discontinuing the Ubuntu mobile OS with its integral component [[Unity (user interface)|Unity]]8<ref>{{cite web|url=https://blog.ubuntu.com/2017/04/05/growing-ubuntu-for-cloud-and-iot-rather-than-phone-and-convergence|title=Growing Ubuntu for cloud and IoT, rather than phone and convergence|access-date=27 September 2018|date=5 April 2017}}</ref>, the independent German non-profit UBPorts Community/("Foundation" paperwork pending in the local Berlin-government) decided to takeover the project.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://ubports.com/blog/ubports-blog-1/post/is-ubuntu-touch-dead-56|title=Is Ubuntu Touch Dead?|access-date=27 September 2018|date=5 January 2017}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://ubports.com/foundation/ubports-foundation|title=The UBports Foundation *: Details about the foundation|access-date=27 September 2018|date=19 June 2018}}</ref> Canonical started Ubuntu Touch based on [[Ubuntu]] [[Ubuntu_version_history#Ubuntu_15.04_(Vivid_Vervet)|15.04 (Vivid Vervet)]] and UBPorts upgraded the base to the nearest, current long-term support version Ubuntu [[Ubuntu_version_history#Ubuntu_16.04_LTS_(Xenial_Xerus)|16.04 LTS (Xenial Xerus)]].

====Discontinued operating systems====

=====Bada=====
{{main article|Bada}}

[[Bada (operating system)|Bada]] platform (stylized as bada; Korean: 바다) was an operating system for mobile devices such as smartphones and tablet computers. It was developed by Samsung Electronics. Its name is derived from "바다 (bada)", meaning "ocean" or "sea" in Korean. It ranges from mid- to high-end smartphones. To foster adoption of Bada OS, since 2011 Samsung reportedly has considered releasing the source code under an open-source license, and expanding device support to include Smart TVs. Samsung announced in June 2012 intentions to merge Bada into the Tizen project, but would meanwhile use its own Bada operating system, in parallel with Google Android OS and Microsoft Windows Phone, for its smartphones. All Bada-powered devices are branded under the Wave name, but not all of Samsung's Android-powered devices are branded under the name Galaxy.
On February 25, 2013, Samsung announced that it will stop developing Bada, moving development to [[Tizen]] instead. Bug reporting was finally terminated in April 2014.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.fiercemobilecontent.com/story/samsung-scraps-bada-os-folds-it-tizen/2013-02-25 |url-status=usurped |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130228062542/http://www.fiercemobilecontent.com/story/samsung-scraps-bada-os-folds-it-tizen/2013-02-25 |archive-date=2013-02-28 |title=Samsung scraps Bada OS, folds it into Tizen – FierceMobileIT |website=Fiercemobilecontent.com |date=February 25, 2013 |archive-date=2013-12-09}}</ref>

=====BlackBerry 10=====

[[BlackBerry 10]] (based on the [[QNX]] OS) is from [[BlackBerry Limited|BlackBerry]]. As a smartphone OS, it is closed source and proprietary, and runs only on phones and tablets manufactured by BlackBerry.

One of the dominant platforms in the world in the late 2000s, its global market share was reduced significantly by the mid-2010s. In late 2016, BlackBerry announced that it will continue support the OS, with a promise to release 10.3.3.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://mobilesyrup.com/2017/01/04/blackberry-has-no-plans-to-release-new-bb10-devices/|title=BlackBerry has no plans to release new BB10 devices [Update]|first=Patrick |last=O'Rourke |date=January 4, 2017|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170105175452/http://mobilesyrup.com/2017/01/04/blackberry-has-no-plans-to-release-new-bb10-devices/|archive-date=January 5, 2017|df=dmy-all}}</ref><ref name="IDC.com">{{cite web|url=http://www.idc.com/getdoc.jsp?containerId=prUS25450615|title=Android and iOS Squeeze the Competition, Swelling to 96.3% of the Smartphone Operating System Market for Both 4Q14 and CY14, According to IDC|date=February 24, 2015|work=IDC.com|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150225074430/http://www.idc.com/getdoc.jsp?containerId=prUS25450615|archive-date=February 25, 2015|df=dmy-all}}</ref> Therefore, BlackBerry 10 would not receive any major updates as BlackBerry and its partners would focus more on their Android base development.

=====Firefox OS=====
{{main article|Firefox OS}}

[[Firefox OS]]<ref>{{cite web |url=https://wiki.mozilla.org/B2G |title=B2G – MozillaWiki |publisher=mozilla.org |date=August 24, 2011 |access-date=September 7, 2011 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110807222134/https://wiki.mozilla.org/B2G |archive-date=August 7, 2011 |df=dmy-all }}</ref> (project name: Boot to Gecko, also known as B2G) is from [[Mozilla]]. It was an open source mobile operating system released under the [[Mozilla Public License]] built on the Android Linux kernel and used Android drivers, but did not use any Java-like code of Android.

According to [[Ars Technica]], "Mozilla says that B2G is motivated by a desire to demonstrate that the standards-based open Web has the potential to be a competitive alternative to the existing single-vendor application development stacks offered by the dominant mobile operating systems."<ref>{{cite web |first=Paul |last=Ryan |url=https://arstechnica.com/open-source/news/2011/07/mozilla-eyes-mobile-os-landscape-with-new-boot-to-gecko-project.ars |title=Mozilla eyes mobile OS landscape with new Boot to Gecko project |publisher=Arstechnica.com |date=July 25, 2011 |access-date=September 7, 2011 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110912005225/http://arstechnica.com/open-source/news/2011/07/mozilla-eyes-mobile-os-landscape-with-new-boot-to-gecko-project.ars |archive-date=September 12, 2011 |df=dmy-all }}</ref> In September 2016, Mozilla announced that work on Firefox OS has ceased, and all B2G-related code would be removed from mozilla-central.<ref>{{Cite web |title= B2G OS and Gecko Announcement from Ari Jaaksi & David Bryant |url= https://groups.google.com/forum/#!msg/mozilla.dev.fxos/FoAwifahNPY/Lppm0VHVBAAJ |access-date= September 27, 2016 |date= September 27, 2016 |url-status= live |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20110122130054/https://groups.google.com/forum/#!msg/mozilla.dev.fxos/FoAwifahNPY/Lppm0VHVBAAJ |archive-date= January 22, 2011 |df= dmy-all }}</ref>

=====MeeGo/Maemo/Moblin=====
{{main article|MeeGo|Maemo|Moblin}}

[[MeeGo (operating system)|MeeGo]] was from non-profit organization [[The Linux Foundation]]. It is open source and GPL. At the 2010 [[Mobile World Congress]] in Barcelona, [[Nokia]] and [[Intel]] both unveiled ''MeeGo'', a mobile operating system that combined [[Moblin]] and Maemo to create an open-sourced experience for users across all devices. In 2011 Nokia announced that it would no longer pursue MeeGo in favor of Windows Phone. Nokia announced the [[Nokia N9]] on June 21, 2011 at the Nokia Connection event<ref>{{cite web|url=http://conversations.nokia.com/2011/06/21/introducing-the-nokia-n9-all-it-takes-is-a-swipe/ |title=Introducing the Nokia N9: all it takes is a swipe! &#124; Nokia Conversations – The official Nokia Blog |publisher=Nokia |date=June 21, 2011 |access-date=September 7, 2011}}</ref> in Singapore. LG announced its support for the platform.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://gigaom.com/mobile/meego-not-dead-yet-as-lg-continues-the-charge/ |title=MeeGo Not Dead Yet as LG Continues the Charge — Mobile Technology News |publisher=Gigaom.com |date=April 29, 2011 |access-date=September 7, 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110829160853/http://gigaom.com/mobile/meego-not-dead-yet-as-lg-continues-the-charge/ |archive-date=August 29, 2011 |df=dmy-all }}</ref> [[Maemo]] was a platform developed by Nokia for smartphones and [[Internet tablet]]s. It is open source and GPL, based on [[Debian GNU/Linux]] and draws much of its [[graphical user interface]] (GUI), [[Software framework|frameworks]], and [[Library (computing)|libraries]] from the GNOME project. It uses the [[Matchbox (window manager)|Matchbox]] window manager and the [[GTK]]-based [[Hildon]] as its GUI and [[application framework]].

=====Palm OS=====
{{main article|Palm OS}}
[[File:Treo 300.jpg|thumb|A [[Palm, Inc.|Palm]] Treo 300 smartphone (2002)]]
[[Palm OS]]/Garnet OS was from [[Access Co.]] It is closed source and proprietary. [[webOS]] was introduced by Palm in January 2009, as the successor to Palm OS with Web 2.0 technologies, [[open architecture]] and multitasking abilities.

=====Symbian=====
{{Main article|Symbian}}
[[File:Nokia N70 (1).jpg|thumb|upright|A [[Nokia N70]] smartphone (2005) running [[Symbian]] OS, which was highly popular in Europe and Asia in the 2000s]]
The [[Symbian]] platform was developed by [[Nokia]] for some models of smartphones. It is proprietary software, it was however used by Ericsson (SonyEricsson), Sending and Benq. The operating system was discontinued in 2012, although a slimmed-down version for basic phones was still developed until July 2014. Microsoft officially shelved the platform in favor of Windows Phone after its acquisition of Nokia.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.theverge.com/2014/7/17/5912289/microsoft-kills-feature-phones-in-favor-of-windows-phone|title=Microsoft is killing off Nokia's feature phones in favor of Windows Phone|date=July 17, 2014|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170808154613/https://www.theverge.com/2014/7/17/5912289/microsoft-kills-feature-phones-in-favor-of-windows-phone|archive-date=August 8, 2017|df=dmy-all}}</ref>

=====webOS=====
{{main article|webOS}}

[[webOS]] was developed by [[Palm, Inc.|Palm]]. webOS is an open source mobile operating system running on the Linux kernel, initially developed by Palm, which launched with the [[Palm Pre]]. After being acquired by HP, two phones (the [[HP Veer|Veer]] and the [[HP Pre 3|Pre 3]]) and a tablet (the [[HP TouchPad|TouchPad]]) running webOS were introduced in 2011. On August 18, 2011, HP announced that webOS hardware would be discontinued,<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.hp.com/hpinfo/newsroom/press/2011/110818b.html?mtxs=rss-corp-news |title=HP Confirms Discussions with Autonomy Corporation plc Regarding Possible Business Combination; Makes Other Announcements |publisher=HP |date=August 18, 2010 |access-date=September 13, 2011 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111006182519/http://www.hp.com/hpinfo/newsroom/press/2011/110818b.html?mtxs=rss-corp-news |archive-date=October 6, 2011 |df=dmy-all }}</ref> but would continue to support and update webOS software and develop the webOS ecosystem.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://developer.palm.com/blog/2011/08/the-next-chapter-for-webos/ |title=The next chapter for webOS |publisher=HP webOS Developer Blog |date=August 19, 2010 |access-date=September 13, 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110924172749/http://developer.palm.com/blog/2011/08/the-next-chapter-for-webos/ |archive-date=September 24, 2011 |df=dmy-all }}</ref> HP released webOS as open source under the name Open webOS, and plans to update it with additional features.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.openwebosproject.org/discover/roadmap/#.UIgNYMXA-So |title=Open webOS::Roadmap |publisher=Open webOS Project |date=September 2012 |access-date=October 24, 2012 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121029145336/http://www.openwebosproject.org/discover/roadmap#.UIgNYMXA-So |archive-date=October 29, 2012 |df=dmy-all }}</ref> On February 25, 2013 HP announced the sale of WebOS to [[LG Electronics]], who used the operating system for its "smart" or Internet-connected TVs. However, HP retained patents underlying WebOS and cloud-based services such as the App Catalog.

=====Windows 10 Mobile=====
[[Windows 10 Mobile]] (formerly called [[Windows Phone]]) rom [[Microsoft]], now discontinued. It is closed source and proprietary.

Unveiled on February 15, 2010, Windows Phone includes a user interface inspired by Microsoft's [[Metro Design Language]]. It is integrated with Microsoft services such as [[OneDrive]] and Office, [[Xbox Music]], [[Xbox Video]], [[Xbox Live]] games and [[Microsoft Bing|Bing]], but also integrates with many other non-Microsoft services such as [[Facebook]] and [[Google Account|Google accounts]]. Windows Phone devices were made primarily by [[Microsoft Mobile]]/[[Nokia]], and also by [[HTC]] and [[Samsung]].

On January 21, 2015, Microsoft announced that the Windows Phone brand will be phased out and replaced with [[Windows 10 Mobile]], bringing tighter integration and unification with its PC counterpart [[Windows 10]], and provide a platform for smartphones and tablets with screen sizes under 8 inches.

In October 2017, Microsoft officially announced that they would no longer push any major updates to Windows 10 Mobile, instead it would put it in maintenance mode, where Microsoft would push bug fixes and general improvements only, therefore Windows 10 Mobile would not receive any new feature updates.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.extremetech.com/mobile/257174-microsoft-admits-windows-10-mobile-finally-mercifully-dead|title=Microsoft Admits Windows 10 Mobile Is Finally, Mercifully Dead|first=Joel|last=Hruska|website=www.extremetech.com|date=9 October 2017|access-date=3 April 2018}}</ref>
-->

===Mobile apps===
{{Main|Mobile app}}

A mobile app is a computer program designed to run on a mobile device, such as a smartphone. The term "app" is a short-form of the term "software application".<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.businessinsider.com/what-the-heck-is-an-app-2011-3|title=What The Heck Is An "App"?|website=Business Insider}}</ref>

===Application stores===
{{Main|List of mobile app distribution platforms}}

The introduction of Apple's App Store for the iPhone and iPod Touch in July 2008 popularized manufacturer-hosted [[list of mobile app distribution platforms|online distribution]] for third-party applications ([[software]] and [[computer programs]]) focused on a single platform. There are a huge variety of apps, including [[video game]]s, music products and business tools. Up until that point, smartphone application distribution depended on [[List of mobile app distribution platforms#Third-party platforms|third-party sources]] providing applications for multiple platforms, such as [[GetJar]], [[Handango]], [[Handmark]], and [[PocketGear]]. Following the success of the App Store, other smartphone manufacturers launched application stores, such as Google's Android Market (later renamed to the Google Play Store) and RIM's [[BlackBerry App World]], Android-related app stores like [[Aptoide]], [[Cafe Bazaar]], [[F-Droid]], [[GetJar]], and [[Opera Mobile Store]]. In February 2014, 93% of [[mobile developers]] were targeting smartphones first for mobile app development.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.w3.org/blog/2014/02/w3c-interview-vision-mobile-on-the-app-developer-economy-with-matos-kapetanakis-and-dimitris-michalakos/ |title=W3C Interview: Vision Mobile on the App Developer Economy with Matos Kapetanakis and Dimitris Michalakos |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160629101713/http://www.w3.org/blog/2014/02/w3c-interview-vision-mobile-on-the-app-developer-economy-with-matos-kapetanakis-and-dimitris-michalakos/ |archive-date=June 29, 2016 |date=February 18, 2014 |access-date=February 24, 2015}}</ref>

==List of current smartphone brands==
{{Dynamic list}}
<div style="column-width:100px">
*[[Asus]]
*[[Gionee]]
*[[Google Pixel]]
*[[Hisense]]
*[[Honor (brand)|Honor]]
*[[HTC]]
*[[Huawei]]
*[[Infinix]]
*[[iPhone]]
*[[iQOO]]
*[[Itel Mobile|Itel]]
*[[Lava International|Lava]]
*[[Lenovo]]
*[[LG]]
*[[Meizu]]
*[[Motorola Mobility|Motorola]]
*[[Nokia]]
*[[Nothing (technology company)|Nothing]]
*[[Nubia Technology|Nubia]]
*[[OnePlus]]
*[[Oppo]]
*[[POCO (company)|POCO]]
*[[Realme]]
*[[Redmi]]
*[[Samsung Galaxy]]
*[[Sharp Corporation|Sharp]]
*[[Sony Xperia]]
*[[TCL Technology|TCL]]
*[[Tecno Mobile|Tecno]]
*[[Umidigi]]
*[[vivo (technology company)|Vivo]]
*[[Xiaomi]]
*[[ZTE]]
</div>

==Sales==

<div class="floatright">
<timeline>
ImageSize=width:270 height:400
PlotArea=left:60 bottom:45 top:10 right:16
AlignBars=justify
Period=from:0 till:1700
TimeAxis=orientation:horizontal

Colors=
 id:gray value:gray(0.5)
 id:line1 value:gray(0.9)
 id:line2 value:gray(0.7)

BarData=
 bar:2007 text:2007
 bar:2008 text:2008
 bar:2009 text:2009
 bar:2010 text:2010
 bar:2011 text:2011
 bar:2012 text:2012
 bar:2013 text:2013
 bar:2014 text:2014
 bar:2015 text:2015
 bar:2016 text:2016
 bar:2017 text:2017
 bar:2018 text:2018
 bar:2019 text:2019
 bar:2020 text:2020
 bar:2021 text:2021
 bar:2022 text:2022

PlotData=
 color:tan1 width:10

 bar:2007 from:start till:122 text:122
 bar:2008 from:start till:139 text:139
 bar:2009 from:start till:172 text:172
 bar:2010 from:start till:296 text:296
 bar:2011 from:start till:472 text:472
 bar:2012 from:start till:680 text:680
 bar:2013 from:start till:969 text:969
 bar:2014 from:start till:1244 text:1,244
 bar:2015 from:start till:1423 text:1,423
 bar:2016 from:start till:1495 text:1,495
 bar:2017 from:start till:1536 text:1,536
 bar:2018 from:start till:1556 text:1,556
 bar:2019 from:start till:1540 text:1,540
 bar:2020 from:start till:1351 text:1,351
 bar:2021 from:start till:1433 text:1,433
 bar:2022 from:start till:1395 text:1,395

TextData=
 pos:(40,20) textcolor:gray fontsize:M text: Worldwide smartphone sales (million)
TextData=
 pos:(40,5) textcolor:gray fontsize:M text:Source: gartner.com
</timeline></div>

Since 1996, smartphone shipments have had positive growth. In November 2011, 27% of all photographs created were taken with camera-equipped smartphones.<ref>{{cite web|title=Smartphones killing point-and-shoots, now take almost 1/3 of photos|url=http://gigaom.com/2011/12/22/smartphones-killing-point-and-shoots-now-take-almost-13-of-photos/|work=GIGAOM|access-date=June 27, 2013|first=Erica|last=Ogg|date=December 22, 2011|archive-date=July 23, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130723153620/http://gigaom.com/2011/12/22/smartphones-killing-point-and-shoots-now-take-almost-13-of-photos/|url-status=dead}}</ref> In September 2012, a study concluded that 4 out of 5 smartphone owners use the device to shop online.<ref>{{cite web|title=comScore: 4 Out Of 5 Smartphone Owners Use Device To Shop; Amazon Is The Most Popular Mobile Retailer|url=https://techcrunch.com/2012/09/19/comscore-4-out-of-5-smartphone-owners-use-device-to-shop-amazon-most-popular-mobile-retailer/|work=TechCrunch|publisher=AOL Inc|access-date=June 27, 2013|first=Leena|last=Rao|date=September 19, 2012}}</ref> Global smartphone sales surpassed the sales figures for feature phones in early 2013.<ref name="news1">{{cite news |url= http://www.3news.co.nz/Smartphones-now-outsell-dumb-phones/tabid/412/articleID/295878/Default.aspx | work= 3 News NZ | title= Smartphones now outsell 'dumb' phones | date= April 29, 2013 | access-date= April 29, 2013 | archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20130801114353/http://www.3news.co.nz/Smartphones-now-outsell-dumb-phones/tabid/412/articleID/295878/Default.aspx | archive-date= August 1, 2013 | url-status= dead}}</ref> Worldwide shipments of smartphones topped 1 billion units in 2013, up 38% from 2012's 725 million, while comprising a 55% share of the mobile phone market in 2013, up from 42% in 2012. In 2013, smartphone sales began to decline for the first time.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://nymag.com/intelligencer/2018/12/global-u-s-growth-in-smartphone-growth-starts-to-decline.html|title=We're No Longer in Smartphone Plateau. We're in the Smartphone Decline.|first=Jake|last=Swearingen|date=December 4, 2018|website=[[New York (magazine)|New York Magazine]]}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Worldwide Smartphone Shipments Top One Billion Units for the First Time, According to IDC |publisher=IDC |date=January 2014 |url=http://www.idc.com/getdoc.jsp?containerId=prUS24645514 |access-date=January 27, 2014 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140131071943/http://www.idc.com/getdoc.jsp?containerId=prUS24645514 |archive-date=January 31, 2014}}</ref> In Q1 2016 for the first time the shipments dropped by 3 percent [[:wikt:year-over-year|year on year]]. The situation was caused by the maturing China market.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.cnet.com/news/its-not-just-apple-global-smartphone-market-shrinks-for-the-first-time-ever/ |title=It's not just Apple: Global smartphone market shrinks for the first time ever |author=Daniel van Boom |date=April 27, 2016}}</ref> A report by NPD shows that fewer than 10% of US citizens have spent $1,000 or more on smartphones, as they are too expensive for most people, without introducing particularly innovative features, and amid [[Huawei]], [[Oppo]] and [[Xiaomi]] introducing products with similar feature sets for lower prices.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.zdnet.com/article/as-smartphone-sales-decline-again-apple-may-have-a-few-lessons-to-learn-from-samsung-and-huawei/|title=As smartphone sales decline again, Apple may have a few lessons to learn from Samsung and Huawei|first=Daphne|last=Leprince-Ringuet|date=November 26, 2019|website=[[ZDNet]]}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://arstechnica.com/gadgets/2019/12/fewer-than-10-of-americans-are-buying-1000-smartphones-report-says/|title=Fewer than 10% of Americans are buying $1,000 smartphones, report says|first=Samuel|last=Axon|date=December 11, 2019|website=[[Ars Technica]]}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.businessinsider.com/smartphone-cost-expensive-1000-apple-samsung-google-5g-change-2019-12|title=Evidence is mounting that people are fed up with the sky-high cost of smartphones, and it's sparking a massive change in the industry|first=Lisa|last=Eadicicco|date=December 12, 2019|website=[[Business Insider]]}}</ref> In 2019, smartphone sales declined by 3.2%, the largest in smartphone history, while China and India were credited with driving most smartphone sales worldwide.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.gsmarena.com/counterpoint_global_smartphone_market_is_alive_thanks_to_china_and_india-news-39917.php|title=Counterpoint: Global smartphone market is alive thanks to China and India|website=GSMArena.com}}</ref> It is predicted that widespread adoption of 5G will help drive new smartphone sales.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://techblog.comsoc.org/2019/11/08/counterpoint-research-smartphone-market-decline-halts-what-might-help-it-grow/|title=Counterpoint Research: Smartphone Market Decline Ends, What Might Help it Grow?|first=Alan|last=Weissberger|date=November 8, 2019|website=[[IEEE Communications Society]] Technology Blog}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.techradar.com/news/smartphone-market-set-for-biggest-ever-decline|title=Smartphone market set for 'biggest ever decline'|first=Steve|last=McCaskill|date=September 26, 2019|website=[[TechRadar]]}}</ref>

===By manufacturer===
{{see also|List of best-selling mobile phones}}
In 2011, [[Samsung]] had the highest shipment [[market share]] worldwide, followed by [[Apple Inc.|Apple]]. In 2013, Samsung had 31.3% market share, a slight increase from 30.3% in 2012, while Apple was at 15.3%, a decrease from 18.7% in 2012. [[Huawei]], [[LG Corporation|LG]] and [[Lenovo]] were at about 5% each, significantly better than 2012 figures, while others had about 40%, the same as the previous years figure. Only Apple lost market share, although their shipment volume still increased by 12.9%; the rest had significant increases in shipment volumes of 36 to 92%.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.engadget.com/2014/01/28/smartphone-sales-may-have-topped-1-billion-in-2013/ |title=Smartphone sales may have topped 1 billion in 2013, depending on who you ask |work=[[Engadget]] |first=Jon |last=Fingas |date=January 28, 2014}}</ref>

In Q1 2014, Samsung had a 31% share and Apple had 16%.<ref>{{cite web |url= https://www.techinasia.com/xiaomi-global-top-10-smartphone-shipments-q1-2014|title= Xiaomi breaks into global top 10 for smartphone shipments, kicks out HTC|first= Steven|last= Millward|date= May 13, 2014|access-date= September 9, 2014|work= Tech In Asia}}</ref> In Q4 2014, Apple had a 20.4% share and Samsung had 19.9%.<ref name="brett">{{cite news|url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/tech/2015/03/03/apple-samsung-smartphones/24320385/|title=Apple beats Samsung in Q4 smartphone sales|author=Brett Molina and Marco della Cava, USA TODAY|date=March 3, 2015|work=USA TODAY}}</ref> In Q2 2016, Samsung had a 22.3% share and Apple had 12.9%.<ref>{{cite press release | url = https://www.gartner.com/en/newsroom/press-releases/2016-08-19-gartner-says-five-of-top-10-worldwide-mobile-phone-vendors-increased-sales-in-second-quarter-of-2016 | title = Gartner Says Five of Top 10 Worldwide Mobile Phone Vendors Increased Sales in Second Quarter of 2016 | publisher = Gartner | date = August 19, 2016 | access-date = May 28, 2022}}</ref> In Q1 2017, IDC reported that Samsung was first placed, with 80 million units, followed by Apple with 50.8 million, Huawei with 34.6 million, [[Oppo]] with 25.5 million and [[Vivo (technology company)|Vivo]] with 22.7 million.<ref>{{cite web |url= http://technode.com/2017/07/04/6-of-the-worlds-top-10-smartphone-brands-are-chinese/|title= 6 of the world's top 10 smartphone brands are Chinese|first= Frank|last= Hersey|date=2017-07-04|access-date= 2017-07-07|work= technode}}</ref>

Samsung's mobile business is half the size of Apple's, by revenue. Apple business increased very rapidly in the years 2013 to 2017.<ref>{{cite web|last=Dunn|first=Jeff|date=2017-02-28|title=Samsung introduced 10 times as many phones as Apple last year, but its mobile division made half as much revenue|url=http://www.businessinsider.com/samsung-vs-apple-galaxy-iphone-smartphone-revenue-chart-2017-2|website=[[Business Insider]]}}</ref> [[Realme]], a brand owned by Oppo, is the fastest-growing phone brand worldwide since Q2 2019. In China, Huawei and [[Honor (brand)|Honor]], a brand owned by Huawei, have 46% of market share combined and posted 66% annual growth {{as of|2019|lc=on}}, amid growing Chinese nationalism.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.gizchina.com/2019/12/12/huawei-and-honor-account-for-half-of-chinese-smartphone-market/|title= Huawei And Honor Account For Half Of Chinese Smartphone Market|author=‌Argam Artashyan|date=December 12, 2019|website=GizChina}}</ref> In 2019, Samsung had a 74% market share of 5G smartphones in South Korea.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.techradar.com/news/samsung-dominates-early-market-for-5g-smartphones|title=Samsung dominates early market for 5G smartphones &#124; TechRadar|website=www.techradar.com|date=December 11, 2019}}</ref>

In the first quarter of 2024, global smartphone shipments rose by 7.8% to 289.4 million units. Samsung, with a 20.8% market share, overtook Apple to become the leading smartphone manufacturer. Apple's smartphone shipments dropped 10%. Xiaomi secured the third spot with a 14.1% market share.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2024-04-15 |title=Apple loses top phonemaker spot to Samsung as iPhone shipments drop, IDC says |url=https://gulfnews.com/business/retail/apple-loses-top-phonemaker-spot-to-samsung-as-iphone-shipments-drop-idc-says-1.1713152284439 |access-date=2024-04-15 |website=gulfnews.com |language=en}}</ref>

===By operating system===
{{Further|Mobile operating system#By operating system}}

==Use==
{{See also|Mobile phone#Use|Technological convergence}}

===Contemporary use and convergence===
{{multiple image|width=150|perrow=2|image1=A2 & Zen (307730569).jpg|image2=Sony Cybershot DSC W210.jpg|image3=Mobiles Navigationsgeraet Navigon im Einsatz.JPG|image4=PDA Mapping.jpg|footer=Some technologic devices whose markets have declined by the popularity of smartphones: ''(from top-left)'' [[portable media player]]s (inc. "MP3 players"); [[Point-and-shoot camera|compact digital camera]]s; [[Satellite navigation device|in-car satellite navigation systems]]; [[personal digital assistant]]s (inc. [[electronic organizer]]s)|alt1=sdas}}

The rise in popularity of touchscreen smartphones and mobile apps distributed via app stores along with rapidly advancing [[Cellular network|network]], [[mobile processor]], and [[Computer data storage|storage]] technologies led to a [[Technological convergence|convergence]] where separate [[mobile phone]]s, [[Personal organizer|organizer]]s, and [[portable media player]]s were replaced by a smartphone as the single device most people carried.<ref>{{cite magazine |title=Smartphones Sales Finally Overtake Feature Phones: 10 Reasons Why |url=http://www.eweek.com/mobile/slideshows/smartphones-sales-finally-overtake-feature-phones-10-reasons-why/ |magazine=[[eWeek]] |date=2013-08-15 |first=Don |last=Reisinger }}</ref><ref name="auto">{{cite web |url=http://www.gartner.com/newsroom/id/2573415 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130816183428/http://www.gartner.com/newsroom/id/2573415 |url-status=dead |archive-date=August 16, 2013 |title=Gartner Says Smartphone Sales Grew 46.5 Percent in Second Quarter of 2013 and Exceeded Feature Phone Sales for First Time |author=Rob van der Meulen & Janessa Rivera |date=14 August 2013 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://arstechnica.com/business/2013/08/smartphones-outsell-feature-phones-for-the-first-time-worldwide/ |title=Smartphones Outsell Feature Phones, for the First Time |first=Cyrus |last=Farivar |date=14 August 2013 }}</ref><ref>{{cite book |title=CompTIA Strata Study Guide |author=Andrew Smith, Faithe Wempen |year=2011 |publisher=John Wiley & Sons |isbn=978-0-470-97742-2 |page=140 |access-date=July 5, 2012 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=VnXyJVotz2QC&q=%22Personal+digital+assistant%22+obsolete&pg=PA140}}</ref><ref name="Tom's Hardware"/><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.eetasia.com/ART_8800411138_499495_NT_d0c02d8d.HTM|title=PMP needs to merge with cellphone, says Smartwork exec|last=Yu|first=Emily|publisher=EE Times Asia|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080423223723/http://www.eetasia.com/ART_8800411138_499495_NT_d0c02d8d.HTM|archive-date=23 April 2008|df=dmy-all|access-date=3 October 2007}}</ref> Advances in [[Image sensor|digital camera sensor]]s and on-device [[Digital image processing|image processing]] software more gradually led to smartphones replacing simpler [[Point-and-shoot camera|camera]]s for photographs and video recording.<ref name="SmartphonesKillingPoint-and-shoots">{{cite web |last=Ogg |first=Erica |title=Smartphones killing point-and-shoots, now take almost 1/3 of photos |url=https://gigaom.com/2011/12/22/smartphones-killing-point-and-shoots-now-take-almost-13-of-photos/ |website=Gigaom |date=December 22, 2011 |access-date=October 22, 2019 |archive-date=July 14, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190714065702/https://gigaom.com/2011/12/22/smartphones-killing-point-and-shoots-now-take-almost-13-of-photos/ |url-status=dead }}</ref> The built-in [[Global navigation satellite systems|GPS]] capabilities and [[List of online map services|mapping]] apps on smartphones largely replaced stand-alone [[satellite navigation]] [[Personal navigation assistant#Market developments|devices]], and paper [[Road map|map]]s became less common.<ref name="SmartphonesTollonGPS">{{cite web |last=O'Brien |first=Kevin J. |title=Smartphone Sales Taking Toll on G.P.S. Devices |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2010/11/15/technology/15iht-navigate.html |work=[[The New York Times]] |date=November 15, 2010}}</ref> [[Mobile gaming]] on smartphones greatly grew in popularity,<ref>{{cite web|last1=Wijman |first1=Tom |title=Mobile Revenues Account for More Than 50% of the Global Games Market as It Reaches $137.9 Billion in 2018|url=https://newzoo.com/insights/articles/global-games-market-reaches-137-9-billion-in-2018-mobile-games-take-half/|website=newzoo.com|publisher=Newzoo|date=30 April 2018|access-date=12 July 2018}}</ref> allowing many people to use them in place of [[handheld game consoles]], and some companies tried creating game console/phone hybrids based on phone hardware and software.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.sonyericsson.com/cws/products/mobilephones/overview/xperia-play-verizon?cc=us&lc=en#view=features_specifications |title=Xperia Play {{!}} PlayStation certified Android mobile |access-date=February 14, 2011 |publisher=Sony Ericsson |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110808220843/http://www.sonyericsson.com/cws/products/mobilephones/overview/xperia-play-verizon?cc=us&lc=en |archive-date=August 8, 2011 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://ca.ign.com/articles/2013/07/31/nvidia-shield-review|title=Android handheld of the future. Not today.|last=Lowe|first=Scott|website=IGN|date=July 30, 2013|access-date=July 31, 2013}}</ref> People frequently have chosen not to get [[Landline|fixed-line telephone service]] in favor of smartphones.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.cbsnews.com/news/milestone-for-cellphones-vs-landline-phones/|title=Milestone for cellphones vs. landline phones|work=[[CBS News]]|date=4 May 2017|access-date=30 May 2017|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170616002951/http://www.cbsnews.com/news/milestone-for-cellphones-vs-landline-phones/|archive-date=16 June 2017}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.statcan.gc.ca/daily-quotidien/140623/dq140623a-eng.htm|title=The Daily — Residential Telephone Service Survey, 2013|date=June 23, 2014|publisher=Statistics Canada|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141023181115/http://www.statcan.gc.ca/daily-quotidien/140623/dq140623a-eng.htm|archive-date=2014-10-23}}</ref> [[Streaming media#Music streaming platforms|Music streaming]] apps and services have grown rapidly in popularity, serving the same use as listening to music stations on a terrestrial or satellite [[Radio receiver|radio]]. [[Streaming media|Streaming video]] services are easily accessed via smartphone apps and can be used in place of watching [[television]]. People have often stopped wearing [[wristwatch]]es in favor of checking the time on their smartphones, and many use the clock features on their phones in place of [[alarm clock]]s.<ref>{{cite web |title=Why Are Alarm Clocks Still a Thing? |url=https://www.vice.com/en/article/why-are-alarm-clocks-still-a-thing/ |website=Motherboard.vice.com |publisher=Motherboard |access-date=16 August 2018 |language=en-us |date=10 April 2015}}</ref> Mobile phones can also be used as a digital [[note taking]], [[text editing]] and [[memorandum]] device whose [[computer]]ization facilitates searching of entries.

Additionally, [[Global Internet usage#Broadband usage|in many lesser technologically developed regions]] smartphones are people's first and only means of [[mobile broadband|Internet access]] due to their portability,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.itu.int/en/ITU-D/Statistics/Pages/facts/default.aspx|title=ICT Facts and Figures 2005, 2010, 2016|publisher=Telecommunication Development Bureau, [[International Telecommunication Union]] (ITU)|access-date=2015-05-24}}</ref>{{failed verification|reason=Which documents say that, and where?|date=June 2022}} with [[personal computer]]s being relatively uncommon outside of business use. The cameras on smartphones can be used to photograph documents and send them via email or [[Text messaging|messaging]] in place of using [[fax]] (facsimile) machines. [[Mobile payment|Payment apps and services]] on smartphones allow people to make less use of wallets, purses, credit and debit cards, and cash. [[Mobile banking]] apps can allow people to deposit checks simply by photographing them, eliminating the need to take the physical check to an [[Automated teller machine|ATM]] or teller. [[Guide book]] apps can take the place of paper travel and restaurant/business guides, museum brochures, and dedicated [[Audio tour#Smartphone tours|audio guide]] equipment.

===Mobile banking and payment===
{{main|Mobile banking|Mobile payment}}

{{see also|Branchless banking|Contactless payment}}
[[File:Mobile payment 03.JPG|thumb|Mobile payment system.]]
In many countries, mobile phones are used to provide [[mobile banking]] services, which may include the ability to transfer cash payments by secure SMS text message. Kenya's [[M-PESA]] mobile banking service, for example, allows customers of the mobile phone operator [[Safaricom]] to hold cash balances which are recorded on their SIM cards. Cash can be deposited or withdrawn from M-PESA accounts at Safaricom retail outlets located throughout the country and can be transferred electronically from person to person and used to pay bills to companies.

[[Branchless banking]] has been successful in South Africa and the [[Philippines]]. A pilot project in [[Bali]] was launched in 2011 by the [[International Finance Corporation]] and an [[Indonesia]]n bank, [[Bank Mandiri]].<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.thejakartapost.com/news/2011/03/01/branchless-banking-start-bali.html |title=Branchless banking to start in Bali |newspaper=The Jakarta Post |date=13 April 2012 |access-date=4 June 2012}}</ref>

Another application of mobile banking technology is [[Zidisha]], a US-based nonprofit micro-lending platform that allows residents of developing countries to raise small business loans from Web users worldwide. Zidisha uses mobile banking for loan disbursements and repayments, transferring funds from lenders in the United States to borrowers in rural Africa who have mobile phones and can use the Internet.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.microfinancefocus.com/news/2010/02/07/zidisha-set-to-expand-in-peer-to-peer-microfinance-julia-kurnia/ |title="Zidisha Set to "Expand" in Peer-to-Peer Microfinance", Microfinance Focus, Feb 2010 |publisher=Microfinancefocus.com |date=7 February 2010 |access-date=4 June 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120921054251/http://www.microfinancefocus.com/news/2010/02/07/zidisha-set-to-expand-in-peer-to-peer-microfinance-julia-kurnia |archive-date=21 September 2012 }}</ref>

Mobile payments were first trialled in Finland in 1998 when two Coca-Cola vending machines in [[Espoo]] were enabled to work with SMS payments. Eventually, the idea spread and in 1999, the Philippines launched the country's first commercial mobile payments systems with mobile operators [[Globe Telecom|Globe]] and [[Smart Communications|Smart]].

Some mobile phones can make [[mobile payment]]s via direct mobile billing schemes, or through [[contactless payment]]s if the phone and the [[point of sale]] support [[near-field communication]] (NFC).<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.banktech.com/blog/archives/2007/06/mobile_payments.html |title=Mobile Payments: Look to Korea |author=Feig, Nancy |publisher=banktech.com |date=25 June 2007 |access-date=29 January 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100326155917/http://www.banktech.com/blog/archives/2007/06/mobile_payments.html |archive-date=26 March 2010 }}</ref> Enabling contactless payments through NFC-equipped mobile phones requires the co-operation of manufacturers, network operators, and retail merchants.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://connectedplanetonline.com/mobile-apps/news/nfc-mobile-phone-explode-1110/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100124001632/http://connectedplanetonline.com/mobile-apps/news/nfc-mobile-phone-explode-1110/ |url-status=dead |archive-date=24 January 2010 |title=NFC mobile phone set to explode |author=Ready, Sarah |publisher=connectedplanetonline.com |date=10 November 2009 |access-date=29 January 2011 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://gigaom.com/mobile/visa-testing-nfc-memory-cards-for-wireless-payments/ |title=VISA Testing NFC Memory Cards for Wireless Payments |author=Tofel, Kevin C. |publisher=gigaom.com |date=20 August 2010 |access-date=21 January 2011 |archive-date=June 21, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120621023021/http://gigaom.com/mobile/visa-testing-nfc-memory-cards-for-wireless-payments/ |url-status=dead }}</ref>

===Facsimile===
Some [[mobile app|apps]] allows for sending and receiving [[fax|facsimile (fax)]], over a smartphone, including facsimile data (composed of raster [[binary image|bi-level]] graphics) generated directly and digitally from [[document file format|document]] and [[image file formats|image]] file formats.

===Films===
{{also|List of films shot on mobile phones}}
Films are increasingly made using smartphones and tablets, leading to the rise of dedicated film festivals for such films, including the [[SmartFone Flick Fest]] in [[Sydney]], Australia;<ref name=ff>{{cite web |title=SF3 |website=FilmFreeway |date=7 October 2023 |url=https://filmfreeway.com/SF3 |access-date=3 November 2024}}</ref><ref name=kornits2024>{{cite web |last=Kornits |first=Dov |title=The rise and rise of smartphone films – Australia leads the way |website=FilmInk |date=26 October 2024 |url=https://www.filmink.com.au/public-notice/the-rise-and-rise-of-smartphone-films-australia-leads-the-way-2/ |access-date=3 November 2024}}</ref> Dublin Smartphone Film Festival; the International Mobil Film Festival based in [[San Diego]]; the Spanish festival Cinephone – Festival Internacional de Cine con Smartphone; the African Smartphone International Film Festival;<ref>{{cite web |first=James |last=Fletcher |title=Darcy Yuille: One Punch Man |website=FilmInk |date=5 July 2022 |url=https://www.filmink.com.au/darcy-yuille-one-punch-man/ |access-date=3 November 2024}}</ref>  Toronto Smartphone Film Festival; New York Mobile Film Festival; and others.<ref>{{cite web |last=Kornits |first=Dov |title=Short Film of the Week: Idiot-Proof |website=FilmInk |date=13 October 2024 |url=https://www.filmink.com.au/short-film-of-the-week-idiot-proof/ |access-date=3 November 2024}}</ref>

==Criticism and issues==

===Social impacts===
====Manufacture====
[[Cobalt]] and [[lithium]] are needed in order to manufacture smartphones' rechargeable batteries. Workers in cobalt and lithium mining, including children, suffer injuries, amputations, and death as the result of the hazardous working conditions and mine tunnel collapses in the [[Democratic Republic of the Congo]] during [[Cobalt#Democratic Republic of the Congo|artisanal mining of cobalt]].<ref>{{cite web |last=Gross |first=Terry |title=How 'modern-day slavery' in the Congo powers the rechargeable battery economy |website=NPR |date=1 February 2023 |url=https://www.npr.org/sections/goatsandsoda/2023/02/01/1152893248/red-cobalt-congo-drc-mining-siddharth-kara |access-date=10 November 2024}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=The lithium rush in Africa |author= |work=Global Witness |date=14 November 2023 |access-date=2 June 2025 |url= https://globalwitness.org/en/campaigns/transition-minerals/a-rush-for-lithium-in-africa-risks-fuelling-corruption-and-failing-citizens/}}</ref> Reports indicate that thousands of artisanal lithium diggers are working in unsafe conditions, with reports of child labour and miners being buried by a mine collapse, also in [[Zimbabwe]]; and suspected corruption cases in [[Namibia]] and the Democratic Republic of the Congo. In 2019 [[International Rights Advocates v. Apple, Microsoft, Dell, Tesla|a lawsuit]] was filed against Apple and other tech companies for the use of [[child labor]] in mining cobalt;<ref>{{Cite web|date=2019-12-17|title=U.S. cobalt lawsuit puts spotlight on 'sustainable' tech|url=https://www.sustainability-times.com/sustainable-business/u-s-cobalt-lawsuit-puts-spotlight-on-sustainable-tech/|access-date=2020-09-16|website=Sustainability Times|language=en-GB}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=Apple, Google Fight Blame For Child Labor In Cobalt Mines - Law360|url=https://www.law360.com/articles/1304511/apple-google-fight-blame-for-child-labor-in-cobalt-mines|access-date=2020-09-16|website=www.law360.com|language=en}}</ref> in 2024 the court ruled that the companies were not liable.<ref>{{Cite web|date=2024-03-06|title=Buying cobalt doesn't make US firms liable for abuses in DR Congo | url=https://arstechnica.com/tech-policy/2024/03/apple-and-other-firms-dont-have-to-compensate-victims-of-forced-child-labor/ }}</ref> Apple announced it would convert to using recycled cobalt by 2025.<ref>{{Cite web| year=2023 | title=Apple to use only recycled cobalt in batteries by 2025 | website=[[Reuters]] | url=https://www.reuters.com/technology/apple-use-100-recycled-cobalt-batteries-by-2025-2023-04-13/ | access-date=9 November 2024}}</ref>

====Use====
{{main|Problematic smartphone use}}

In 2012, [[University of Southern California]] study found that [[safe sex|unprotected]] [[adolescent sexuality|adolescent sexual]] activity was more common among owners of smartphones.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.theregister.co.uk/2012/11/01/smartphones_more_sexually_active/|title=SMARTPHONES make TEENS have SEX with STRANGERS|work=theregister.co.uk|access-date=2016-01-18}}</ref> 

A study conducted by the [[Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute]]'s (RPI) Lighting Research Center (LRC) concluded that smartphones, or any backlit devices, can seriously affect [[stages of sleep|sleep cycles]].<ref name=Colaner>{{cite news|last=Colaner|first=Seth|title=Your Tablet and Smartphone Could Be Ruining Your Sleep|url=http://hothardware.com/News/Your-Tablet-and-Smartphone-are-Ruining-Your-Sleep-/|access-date=January 22, 2014|date=August 27, 2012}}</ref> 

Some persons might become psychologically attached to smartphones, resulting in anxiety when separated from the devices.<ref>{{cite journal | last1 = Cheever | first1 = N. A. | last2 = Rosen | first2 = L. D. | last3 = Carrier | first3 = L. M. | last4 = Chavez | first4 = A. | year = 2014 | title = Out of sight is not out of mind: The impact of restricting wireless mobile device use on anxiety levels among low, moderate and high users | journal = Computers in Human Behavior | volume = 37 | pages = 290–297 |doi = 10.1016/j.chb.2014.05.002| s2cid = 9196376 }}</ref> 

A "[[smombie]]" (a combination of "smartphone" and "[[zombie]]") is a walking person using a smartphone and not paying attention as they walk, possibly risking an accident in the process, an increasing social phenomenon.<ref name="sunday-times">{{cite news| url=http://www.thesundaytimes.co.uk/sto/news/uk_news/article1670471.ece | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160222100235/http://www.thesundaytimes.co.uk/sto/news/uk_news/article1670471.ece | url-status=dead | archive-date=February 22, 2016 | title=Walkers hit by curse of the smombie | newspaper=[[The Sunday Times]] | location=UK | first1=Mark | last1=Hookham | first2=Isabel | last2=Togoh | first3=Alex | last3=Yeates | date=21 February 2016 | access-date=23 February 2016 }}</ref> The issue of slow-moving smartphone users led to the temporary creation of a "mobile lane" for walking in [[Chongqing]], [[China]].<ref name="bbc">{{cite news| url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/blogs-china-blog-29201934 | title=Chongqing's 'mobile lane' | first=Celia | last=Hatton | publisher=[[BBC]] | work=[[BBC News]] | location=UK | date=15 September 2014 | access-date=23 February 2016 }}</ref> The issue of distracted smartphone users led the city of [[Augsburg, Germany]], to embed pedestrian traffic lights in the pavement.<ref>{{cite news |author=Rick Noack |date=April 25, 2016 |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/worldviews/wp/2016/04/25/this-city-embedded-traffic-lights-in-the-sidewalks-so-that-smartphone-users-dont-have-to-look-up/ |title=This city embedded traffic lights in the sidewalks so that smartphone users don't have to look up |newspaper=[[The Washington Post]] |access-date=5 May 2016}}</ref>

===While driving===
{{Main|Mobile phones and driving safety|Texting while driving}}

[[File:Hand held phones.JPG|thumb|right|A [[New York City]] driver holding two phones]]
[[File:Range Rover mapping app.jpg|thumb|A user consulting a mapping app on a phone]]

Mobile phone use while driving—including [[Telephone call|call]]ing, [[text messaging]], playing media, [[web browsing]], [[Video game|gaming]], using mapping apps or operating other phone features—is common but controversial, since it is widely considered dangerous due to what is known as [[distracted driving]]. Being distracted while operating a motor vehicle has been shown to increase the risk of [[accident]]s. In September 2010, the US [[National Highway Traffic Safety Administration]] (NHTSA) reported that 995 people were killed by drivers distracted by phones. In March 2011 a US insurance company, [[State Farm Insurance]], announced the results of a study which showed 19% of drivers surveyed accessed the Internet on a smartphone while driving.<ref name=post>{{cite news |title=Quit Googling yourself and drive: About 20% of drivers using Web behind the wheel, study says |work=Los Angeles Times |date=March 4, 2011 |url=http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/technology/2011/03/honk-if-youre-googling-20-of-drivers-using-web-behind-the-wheel-says-study.html/ }}</ref> Many jurisdictions prohibit the use of mobile phones while driving. In Egypt, Israel, Japan, Portugal and Singapore, both handheld and hands-free [[telephone call|calling]] on a mobile phone (which uses a [[speakerphone]]) is banned. In other countries, including the UK and France, and in many US states, calling is only banned on handheld phones, while hands-free calling is permitted.

A 2011 study reported that over 90% of college students surveyed text (initiate, reply or read) while driving.<ref>{{Cite journal|title = The Choice to Text and Drive in Younger Drivers: Behaviour May Shape Attitude|last1 = Atchley|first1 = Paul|date = January 2011|journal = Accident Analysis and Prevention|doi = 10.1016/j.aap.2010.08.003|pmid = 21094307|first2 = Stephanie|last2 = Atwood|last3 = Boulton|first3 = Aaron|volume=43|issue = 1|pages=134–142}}</ref>
The [[scientific literature]] on the danger of driving while sending a text message from a mobile phone, or [[texting while driving]], is limited. A simulation study at the [[University of Utah]] found a sixfold increase in distraction-related accidents when texting.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.democratandchronicle.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070714/NEWS01/707140333&template=printart|title=Text messaging not illegal but data clear on its peril|newspaper=Democrat and Chronicle|access-date=February 7, 2021|archive-date=February 2, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160202041811/http://www.democratandchronicle.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=%2F20070714%2FNEWS01%2F707140333&template=printart|url-status=dead}}</ref> Due to the complexity of smartphones that began to grow more after, this has introduced additional difficulties for law enforcement officials when attempting to distinguish one usage from another in drivers using their devices. This is more apparent in countries which ban both handheld and hands-free usage, rather than those which ban handheld use only, as officials cannot easily tell which function of the phone is being used simply by looking at the driver. This can lead to drivers being stopped for using their device illegally for a call when, in fact, they were using the device legally, for example, when using the phone's incorporated controls for car stereo, [[GPS]] or [[satnav]].
[[File:NocellphonesSouthsidePlaceTX.JPG|thumb|A sign along [[Bellaire Boulevard]]<!--Wikified, as it is a notable east-west artery in Houston--> in [[Southside Place, Texas]] ([[Greater Houston]]) states that using mobile phones while driving is prohibited from 7:30 am to 9:00 am and from 2:00 pm to 4:15 pm.]]

A 2010 study reviewed the incidence of phone use while [[cycling]] and its effects on behavior and safety.<ref>{{cite journal|last1=de Waard|first1=Dick|last2=Schepers|first2=Paul|last3=Ormel|first3=Wieke|last4=Brookhuis|first4=Karel|title=Mobile phone use while cycling: Incidence and effects on behaviour and safety|journal=Ergonomics|volume=53|issue=1|date=January 2010|pages=30–42|doi=10.1080/00140130903381180|pmid=20069479|hdl=11370/1ad6e9a1-37c9-44fb-8978-65dbdce42456|s2cid=205403680|url=https://www.rug.nl/research/portal/en/publications/mobile-phone-use-while-cycling(1ad6e9a1-37c9-44fb-8978-65dbdce42456).html|hdl-access=free}}</ref> In 2013 a national survey in the US reported the number of drivers who reported using their phones to access the Internet while driving had risen to nearly one of four.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2013/11/12/distracted-driving-accessing-internet/3497721/|title=Drivers still Web surfing while driving, survey finds|first=Larry|last=Copeland|website=USA TODAY}}</ref> A study conducted by the University of Vienna examined approaches for reducing inappropriate and problematic use of mobile phones, such as using phones while driving.<ref>{{cite journal | url = https://homepage.univie.ac.at/andreas.hergovich/php/reaching_the_mobile_respondent_soc.sci.comp.rev.pdf | title = Reaching the Mobile Respondent: Determinants of High-Level Mobile Phone Use Among a High-Coverage Group | journal = Social Science Computer Review | doi = 10.1177/0894439309353099 | volume = 28 | year = 2010 | pages = 336–349 | last1 = Burger | first1 = Christoph | last2 = Riemer | first2 = Valentin | last3 = Grafeneder | first3 = Jürgen | last4 = Woisetschläger | first4 = Bianca | last5 = Vidovic | first5 = Dragana | last6 = Hergovich | first6 = Andreas | s2cid = 61640965 | archive-date = March 30, 2024 | access-date = January 24, 2024 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20240330091657/https://homepage.univie.ac.at/andreas.hergovich/php/reaching_the_mobile_respondent_soc.sci.comp.rev.pdf/ | url-status = dead }}</ref>

Accidents involving a driver being distracted by being in a [[Telephone call|call]] on a phone have begun to be prosecuted as negligence similar to speeding. In the [[United Kingdom]], from 27 February 2007, motorists who are caught using a handheld phone while driving will have three penalty points added to their license in addition to the fine of £60.<ref name="BBC">{{cite news|url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk_politics/6287005.stm|title=BBC NEWS - UK - UK Politics - Drivers face new phone penalties|website=news.bbc.co.uk|date=January 22, 2007}}</ref> This increase was introduced to try to stem the increase in drivers ignoring the law.<ref name="BBC2">{{cite news|url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/magazine/6382077.stm|title=BBC NEWS - UK - Magazine - Careless talk|website=news.bbc.co.uk|date=February 22, 2007}}</ref> [[Japan]] prohibits all use of phones while driving, including use of hands-free devices. New Zealand has banned handheld phone use since 1 November 2009. Many states in the United States have banned text messaging on phones while driving. Illinois became the 17th American state to enforce this law.<ref name="CNN">{{cite news| url=http://www.cnn.com/2009/US/08/06/illinois.texting.ban/index.html | work=CNN | title=Illinois to ban texting while driving - CNN.com | access-date=May 12, 2010 | date=August 6, 2009}}</ref> {{As of|July 2010}}, 30 states had banned texting while driving, with Kentucky becoming the most recent addition on July 15.<ref name="Courier-Journal">{{cite news|url=http://www.courier-journal.com/article/20100714/NEWS01/7140399/1008/NEWS01/Texting+while+driving+ban++other+new+Kentucky+laws+take+effect+Thursday |title=Texting while driving ban, other new Kentucky laws take effect today |first=Stephanie |last=Steitzer |newspaper=[[The Courier-Journal]] |date=July 14, 2010 |access-date=July 15, 2010 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://archive.today/20130119183044/http://www.courier-journal.com/article/20100714/NEWS01/7140399/1008/NEWS01/Texting+while+driving+ban++other+new+Kentucky+laws+take+effect+Thursday |archive-date=January 19, 2013 }}</ref>

Public Health Law Research maintains a list of distracted driving laws in the [[United States]]. This database of laws provides a comprehensive view of the provisions of laws that restrict the use of mobile devices while driving for all 50 states and the District of Columbia between 1992, when first law was passed through December 1, 2010. The dataset contains information on 22 dichotomous, continuous or categorical variables including, for example, activities regulated (e.g., texting versus talking, hands-free versus handheld calls, web browsing, gaming), targeted populations, and exemptions.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://publichealthlawresearch.org/product/distracted-driving-laws-map |title=Distracted Driving Laws |publisher=Public Health Law Research |date=2011-07-15 |access-date=2014-06-27}}</ref>

===Legal===
{{Main|Smartphone wars}}

A "patent war" between Samsung and Apple started when the latter claimed that the original [[Samsung Galaxy S (2010 smartphone)|Galaxy S]] Android phone copied the interface{{nsmdns}}and possibly the hardware{{nsmdns}}of Apple's iOS for the [[iPhone 3GS]]. There was also smartphone patents licensing and litigation involving [[Sony Mobile]], [[Google]], [[Apple Inc.]], [[Samsung Electronics|Samsung]], [[Microsoft]], [[Nokia]], [[Motorola]], [[HTC]], [[Huawei]] and [[ZTE]], among others. The conflict is part of the [[Technology patent wars|wider "patent wars"]] between multinational technology and software corporations. To secure and increase [[market share]], companies granted a [[patent]] can sue to prevent competitors from using the methods the patent covers. Since the 2010s the number of lawsuits, counter-suits, and trade complaints based on patents and [[Industrial design right|designs]] in the market for smartphones, and devices based on smartphone operating systems such as Android and iOS, has increased significantly. Initial suits, countersuits, rulings, license agreements, and other major events began in 2009 as the smartphone market stated to grow more rapidly by 2012.

===Medical===
With the rise in number of mobile medical apps in the market place, government regulatory agencies raised concerns on the safety of the use of such applications. These concerns were transformed into regulation initiatives worldwide with the aim of safeguarding users from untrusted medical advice.<ref>{{cite journal | last1 = Yetisen | first1 = A. K. | last2 = Martinez-Hurtado | first2 = J. L. | display-authors = etal | year = 2014 | title = The regulation of mobile medical applications | journal = Lab on a Chip | volume = 14 | issue = 5| pages = 833–840 | doi = 10.1039/C3LC51235E | pmid = 24425070 | s2cid = 16910239 }}</ref> According to the findings of these medical experts in recent years, excessive smartphone use in society may lead to headaches, sleep disorders and insufficient sleep, while severe smartphone addiction may lead to physical health problems, such as hunchback, muscle relaxation and uneven nutrition.<ref>{{Cite journal|last1=Shankar|first1=S Barani|last2=Rani|first2=S Leslie|last3=Brundha|first3=M P|date=July 2020|title=Comparison study of factors associated with smartphone addiction among college students|journal=Drug Invention Today|volume=14|issue=7|pages=1165–1168|issn=0975-7619|via=Academic Search Complete}}</ref>

===Impacts on cognition and mental health===
{{Main|Digital media use and mental health}}

There is a debate about beneficial and detrimental impacts of smartphones or smartphone-uses on cognition and mental health.

===Security===
{{Main|Mobile security|Malware|Mobile virus|Media Transfer Protocol}}

Smartphone malware is easily distributed through an insecure app store.<ref name="Juniper-malware">{{cite web |url=http://globalthreatcenter.com/?p=2492 |title=Mobile Malware Development Continues To Rise, Android Leads The Way}}</ref><ref name=trustbus11>{{cite book|title=8th International Conference on Trust, Privacy & Security in Digital Business (TRUSTBUS-2011)|year=2011|publisher=Springer Berlin / Heidelberg|pages=49–61|first1=Mylonas |last1=Alexios |first2=Tsoumas |last2=Bill |first3=Dritsas |last3=Stelios |first4=Gritzalis |last4=Dimitris }}</ref> Often, malware is hidden in [[Copyright infringement of software|pirated]] versions of legitimate apps, which are then distributed through third-party app stores.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.androidpolice.com/2011/03/01/the-mother-of-all-android-malware-has-arrived-stolen-apps-released-to-the-market-that-root-your-phone-steal-your-data-and-open-backdoor/ |title = The Mother Of All Android Malware Has Arrived |work=Android Police |date=March 6, 2011 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last=Perez |first=Sarah |url=http://www.readwriteweb.com/archives/android_vulnerability_so_dangerous_shouldnt_use_web_browser.php |title=Android Vulnerability So Dangerous, Owners Warned Not to Use Phone's Web Browser |publisher=Readwriteweb.com |date=February 12, 2009 |access-date=August 8, 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110810074456/http://www.readwriteweb.com/archives/android_vulnerability_so_dangerous_shouldnt_use_web_browser.php |archive-date=August 10, 2011}}</ref> Malware risk also comes from what is known as an "update attack", where a legitimate application is later changed to include a malware component, which users then install when they are notified that the app has been updated.<ref name="Lookout-malware">{{cite web|url=http://www.appleinsider.com/articles/11/08/03/lookout_retrevio_warn_of_growing_android_malware_epidemic_note_apples_ios_is_far_safer.html |title=Lookout, Retrevo warn of growing Android malware epidemic, note Apple's iOS is far safer |publisher=Appleinsider.com |date=August 3, 2011 |access-date=January 5, 2012}}</ref> As well, one out of three robberies in 2012 in the United States involved the theft of a mobile phone. An online petition has urged smartphone makers to install [[kill switch]]es in their devices.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.sfexaminer.com/sanfrancisco/plea-urges-anti-theft-phone-tech/Content?oid=2447711|title=Plea urges anti-theft phone tech|work=The San Francisco Examiner|date=June 7, 2013|access-date=June 11, 2013|archive-date=October 16, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141016082504/http://www.sfexaminer.com/sanfrancisco/plea-urges-anti-theft-phone-tech/Content?oid=2447711|url-status=dead}}</ref> In 2014, Apple's "Find my iPhone" and Google's "Android Device Manager" can locate, disable, and wipe the data from phones that have been lost or stolen. With BlackBerry Protect in OS version 10.3.2, devices can be rendered unrecoverable to even BlackBerry's own Operating System recovery tools if incorrectly authenticated or dissociated from their account.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://helpblog.blackberry.com/2015/06/getting-started-with-anti-theft-protection-in-blackberry-10-os-version-10-3-2/|title=Getting started with Anti-Theft Protection in BlackBerry 10 OS version 10. - Inside BlackBerry Help Blog|work=blackberry.com|access-date=2016-01-18}}</ref>

Leaked documents from 2013 to 2016 codenamed [[Vault 7]] detail the capabilities of the [[United States]] [[Central Intelligence Agency]] (CIA) to perform electronic surveillance and [[cyber warfare]], including the ability to compromise the operating systems of most smartphones (including iOS and Android).<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.computing.co.uk/ctg/news/3006021/vault-7-wikileaks-reveals-details-of-cias-hacks-of-android-iphone-windows-linux-macos-and-even-samsung-tvs|title=Vault 7: Wikileaks reveals details of CIA's hacks of Android, iPhone Windows, Linux, MacOS, and even Samsung TVs|website=[[Computing (magazine)|Computing]]|date=7 March 2017|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170307194849/http://www.computing.co.uk/ctg/news/3006021/vault-7-wikileaks-reveals-details-of-cias-hacks-of-android-iphone-windows-linux-macos-and-even-samsung-tvs|archive-date=2017-03-07}}</ref><ref>{{Cite magazine|url=https://www.wired.com/2017/03/cia-can-hack-phone-pc-tv-says-wikileaks/|title=How the CIA Can Hack Your Phone, PC, and TV (Says WikiLeaks)|last=Greenberg|first=Andy|date=2017-03-07|magazine=[[WIRED]] |language=en-US}}</ref> In 2021, journalists and researchers reported the discovery of [[spyware]], called [[Pegasus (spyware)|Pegasus]], developed and distributed by a private company which can and has been used to infect iOS and Android smartphones often{{Em dash}}partly via use of [[Zero-day (computing)|0-day exploits]]{{Em dash}}without the need for any user-interaction or significant clues to the user and then be used to exfiltrate data, track user locations, capture film through its camera, and activate the microphone at any time.<ref>{{cite news |title=What is Pegasus spyware and how does it hack phones? |url=https://www.theguardian.com/news/2021/jul/18/what-is-pegasus-spyware-and-how-does-it-hack-phones |access-date=13 August 2021 |work=The Guardian |date=18 July 2021 |language=en}}</ref> [[Packet analysis|Analysis of data traffic]] by popular smartphones running variants of Android found substantial by-default data collection and sharing with no opt-out by this [[pre-installed software]].<ref>{{cite news |title=Study reveals scale of data-sharing from Android mobile phones |url=https://techxplore.com/news/2021-10-reveals-scale-data-sharing-android-mobile.html |access-date=16 November 2021 |work=[[Trinity College Dublin]] |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last1=Liu |first1=Haoyu |last2=Patras |first2=Paul |last3=Leith |first3=Douglas J. |title=Android Mobile OS Snooping By Samsung, Xiaomi, Huawei and Realme Handsets |date=6 October 2021 |url=https://www.scss.tcd.ie/Doug.Leith/Android_privacy_report.pdf |access-date=16 November 2021}}</ref>

Guidelines for mobile device security were issued by NIST<ref>{{cite tech report|url=https://www.nist.gov/publications/guidelines-managing-security-mobile-devices-enterprise|title=Guidelines for Managing the Security of Mobile Devices in the Enterprise|date=June 21, 2013|first1=Murugiah P.|last1=Souppaya|first2=Karen A.|last2=Scarfone|series=Special Publication (NIST SP)|id=800-124 Rev 1|doi=10.6028/NIST.SP.800-124r1|publisher=[[National Institute of Standards and Technology]]|doi-access=free}}</ref> and many other organizations. For conducting a private, in-person meeting, at least one site recommends that the user switch the smartphone off and disconnect the battery.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://securityinabox.org/en/guide/smartphones/|title=Use Your Smartphone As Securely As Possible|website=Security in-a-box}}</ref>

===Sleep===
{{Main|Electronic media and sleep}}

Using smartphones late at night can disturb sleep, due to the blue light and brightly lit screen, which affects [[melatonin]] levels and [[sleep cycles]]. In an effort to alleviate these issues, "Night Mode" functionality to change the [[color temperature]] of a screen to a warmer hue based on the time of day to reduce the amount of blue light generated became available through several apps for Android and the [[f.lux]] software for [[Jailbreak (iPhone OS)|jailbroken]] iPhones.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.howtogeek.com/199303/reduce-eye-strain-and-get-better-sleep-by-using-f.lux-on-your-computer/|title=Reduce Eye Strain and Get Better Sleep by Using f.lux on Your Computer|last1=Hoffman|first1=Chris|date=October 23, 2014|website=How-To Geek|access-date=January 15, 2016}}</ref> [[iOS 9|iOS 9.3]] integrated a similar, system-level feature known as "[[Night Shift (software)|Night Shift]]." Several Android device manufacturers bypassed Google's initial reluctance to make Night Mode a standard feature in Android and included software for it on their hardware under varying names, before [[Android Oreo]] added it to the OS for compatible devices.<ref>{{cite web |last=Blichert |first=Frederick |title=How to enable Night Mode on Android to reduce eye strain |url=https://www.androidauthority.com/night-mode-on-android-886864/ |date=July 17, 2019 |access-date=November 8, 2019}}</ref>

It has also been theorized that for some users, addiction to use of their phones, especially before they go to bed, can result in "[[ego depletion]]." Many people also use their phones as alarm clocks, which can also lead to loss of sleep.<ref name="cnet-bluelight">{{cite web|title=Stop your gadgets from keeping you awake at night|url=http://www.cnet.com/how-to/stop-your-gadgets-from-keeping-you-awake-at-night/|website=CNET|access-date=1 June 2016}}</ref><ref>{{cite book |last=Kalsbeek |first=Andries |date=2012 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=53Jxsj5ZZ98C |title=The Neurobiology of Circadian Timing |publisher=Elsevier |page=382 |isbn=978-0-444-59427-3 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|first=Luisa |last=Dillner |url=https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2013/jun/09/smartphones-tablets-in-bedroom-sleep |title=Should I keep my smartphone and tablet out of my bedroom? |work=The Guardian |date=June 9, 2013 |access-date=June 17, 2014}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2013/06/130603163610.htm |title=Are smartphones disrupting your sleep? |website=ScienceDaily |access-date=June 17, 2014}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|first=Mahesh |last=Sharma |url=http://www.smh.com.au/digital-life/digital-life-news/switching-off-your-smartphone-at-night-makes-you-more-productive-20140403-zqpc4.html |title=Switching off your smartphone at night makes you more productive |newspaper=[[Sydney Morning Herald]] |access-date=June 17, 2014}}</ref>

== Restrictions and bans ==
{{Further|Digital detox}}
In some countries authorities make efforts to reduce digital device use, including smartphones among students.

* [[South Korea]] passed nationwide classroom phone ban. The law will come to effect in March 2026. Exceptions allowed for students with disabilities, emergencies and educational purposes. 

* [[France]] and [[Finland]] made partial bans, generally for younger students. 

* [[Italy]], the [[Netherlands]], and [[China]] created stronger restrictions. The policy improved the situation in Dutch schools.

* In [[Australia]] there are state-level bans. [[Victoria (state)|Victoria]] and [[New South Wales]] are introducing policies that prohibit phone use during school hours.

"There is significant scientific and medical proof that smartphone addiction has extremely harmful effects on students’ brain development and emotional growth," [[Cho Jung-hun]], who introduced the bill in South Korea told the BBC. Not all students agree this will solve the problem. "Rather than simply taking phones away, I think the first step should be teaching students what they can do without them," said Seo Min-joon, an 18-year-old high schooler. Another student, aged 13, said that he doesn’t have time to be addicted to his phone due to an overloaded schedule.<ref>{{cite news |title=South Korea passes nationwide classroom phone ban to combat youth smartphone addiction |url=https://www.trtworld.com/article/32c9667fafd6 |access-date=11 September 2025 |agency=TRT World |date=27 August 2025}}</ref>

In 2024–2025 Australia and France began to advance legislation which prohibits entirely the use of social media by children under the age of 15–16.<ref>{{cite news |title=France mulls total ban on social media for under 15, digital curfew for teens |url=https://trt.global/world/article/366d24cfd490 |access-date=11 September 2025 |agency=TRT World |date=11 September 2025}}</ref>

==Replacement of dedicated digital cameras==
As the 2010s decade commenced, the sale figures of dedicated compact cameras decreased sharply since mobile phone cameras were increasingly perceived as serving as a sufficient surrogate camera.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2022-07-06 |title=As iPhone Turns 15, Smartphones Continue to Hurt Camera Sales |url=https://learningenglish.voanews.com/a/as-iphone-turns-15-smartphones-continue-to-hurt-camera-sales/6647692.html |access-date=2023-03-05 |website=VOA |language=en}}</ref>

Increases in computing power in mobile phones enabled fast image processing and high-resolution filming, with 1080p Full HD being achieved in 2011 and the barrier to 2160p 4K being breached in 2013.

However, due to design and space limitations, smartphones lack several features found even on low-budget compact cameras, including a [[Hot swapping|hot-swappable]] memory card and battery for nearly uninterrupted operation, physical buttons and knobs for focusing and capturing and zooming, a [[Tripod (photography)#Bolt threads|bolt thread tripod mount]], a [[capacitor]]-charged [[xenon flash]] that exceeds the brightness of smartphones' LED flashlights, and an ergonomic grip for steadier holding during handheld shooting, which enables longer exposure times. Since dedicated cameras can be more spacious, they can house larger image sensors and feature [[optical zoom]]ing.

Since the late 2010s, smartphone manufacturers have bypassed the lack of optical zoom to a limited extent by incorporating additional rear cameras with fixed magnification levels.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Mobile Photography vs. the DSLR {{!}} B&H eXplora |url=https://www.bhphotovideo.com/explora/photography/hands-review/mobile-photography-vs-dslr |access-date=2023-03-05 |website=www.bhphotovideo.com |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Jones |first=Brad |date=2017-08-16 |title=DSLRs vs. Smartphone Cameras, Compared: The Pros and Cons |url=https://www.makeuseof.com/tag/dslr-vs-smartphone-cameras-comparison/ |access-date=2023-03-05 |website=MUO |language=en}}</ref>

==Lifespan==
{{Further|Lithium-ion battery#Lifespan|Planned obsolescence#Batteries}}
[[File:Day_4_Agbogloshie_(25891029818).jpg|thumb|[[Electronic waste|E-waste]] in [[Agbogbloshie]]]]
In mobile phones released since the second half of the 2010s, operational life span commonly is limited by built-in batteries which are not designed to be interchangeable. The life expectancy of batteries depends on usage intensity of the powered device, where activity (longer usage) and tasks demanding more energy expire the battery earlier.

[[Lithium-ion battery|Lithium-ion]] and [[Lithium polymer battery|lithium-polymer]] batteries, those commonly powering [[Mobile computing#Portable computing devices|portable electronics]], additionally wear down more from fuller charge and deeper discharge cycles, and when unused for an extended amount of time while depleted, where self-discharging may lead to a harmful depth of discharge.<ref name="Cycle-life">{{Cite journal | doi = 10.1016/j.jpowsour.2010.11.134| title = Cycle-life model for graphite-LiFePO4 cells| journal = Journal of Power Sources| volume = 196| issue = 8| pages = 3942–3948| year = 2011| last1 = Wang | first1 = J.| last2 = Liu | first2 = P.| last3 = Hicks-Garner | first3 = J.| last4 = Sherman | first4 = E.| last5 = Soukiazian | first5 = S.| last6 = Verbrugge | first6 = M.| last7 = Tataria | first7 = H.| last8 = Musser | first8 = J.| last9 = Finamore | first9 = P.| bibcode = 2011JPS...196.3942W}}</ref><ref>{{Cite journal | doi = 10.1016/j.jpowsour.2016.07.057| title = Cycle life testing and modeling of graphite/LiCoO2 cells under different state of charge ranges| journal = Journal of Power Sources| volume = 327| pages = 394–400| year = 2016| last1 = Saxena | first1 = S.| last2 = Hendricks | first2 = C.| last3 = Pecht | first3 = M.| bibcode = 2016JPS...327..394S}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Questions and answers related to lithium - ion rechargeable b attery care |url=https://www.plarad.de/fileadmin/downloads/FAQ_related%20to%20lithium%20ion%20rechargeable%20battery%20care_DA1_en_0216.pdf |publisher=PLARAD Torque & Tension Systems |access-date=January 4, 2021 |archive-date=November 11, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201111235201/https://www.plarad.de/fileadmin/downloads/FAQ_related%20to%20lithium%20ion%20rechargeable%20battery%20care_DA1_en_0216.pdf |url-status=dead }}</ref>

Manufacturers have prevented some smartphones from operating after repairs, by associating components' unique serial numbers to the device so it will refuse to operate or disable some functionality in case of a mismatch that would occur after a replacement. Locking of the serial number was first documented in 2015 on the [[iPhone 6]], which would become inoperable from a detected replacement of the "home" button. Later, some functionality was restricted on Apple and Samsung smartphones when a battery replacement not authorized by the vendor was detected.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Shahid |first=Furqan |date=2021-01-18 |title=Samsung Secretly Restricts 3rd Party Hardware Repairs |url=https://wccftech.com/samsung-secretly-restricts-3rd-party-hardware-repairs/ |access-date=2023-01-30 |website=Wccftech |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2018-07-26 |title=Apple apologises, releases fix for iPhones bricked by Error 53 |url=https://www.macworld.com/article/671975/what-is-iphone-error-53-and-how-do-i-avoid-it.html |access-date=2023-01-30 |website=Macworld |language=en}}</ref>

==See also==

{{portal|Telephones|Internet|Modern history}}
{{div col|colwidth=30em}}
* [[Comparison of smartphone brands]]
* [[Lists of mobile computers]]
* [[List of mobile app distribution platforms]]
* [[Media Transfer Protocol]]
* [[Mobile Internet device]]
* [[Portable media player]]
* [[Second screen]]
* [[Smartphone kill switch]]
* [[Smartphone zombie]]
{{div col end}}

==Notes==
{{notelist}}

==References==
{{reflist}}

==External links==
*{{commons-inline}}

{{Computer sizes}}
{{Mobile phones}}
{{Table Mobile operating systems}}
{{Telecommunications}}
{{Authority control}}

[[Category:Smartphones| ]]
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[[Category:Cloud clients]]
[[Category:Consumer electronics]]
[[Category:Information appliances]]
[[Category:Personal digital assistants]]