Smartphone

A smartphone (sometimes called a modern phone or intelligent phone in Somali) is a handheld device that combines the functions of a traditional mobile phone with those of a small computer. It runs an operating system that allows installation of various applications (apps), such as news readers, maps, banking services, and social media.

Common features include a touchscreen display, camera, mobile internet connectivity (3G, 4G, or 5G) and Wi-Fi, a rechargeable battery, and sensors such as GPS and accelerometer. The most widely used operating systems are Android (Google) and iOS (Apple).

Brief history

Devices combining phone and computing functions began to emerge in the 1990s, with phones offering calendar and email capabilities. In the early 2000s, operating systems such as Symbian and BlackBerry became prominent in the market. In 2007, Apple released the iPhone, while Android entered the market in 2008. These two systems established touchscreen displays and app stores as standard features.

Technical architecture

A smartphone is built around an integrated chip (system-on-chip) that contains the processor, graphics processing unit, and communication components. Data storage uses flash memory. Applications are written for a specific operating system, which means an Android app will not run on iOS natively.

Services and social impact

In many African and Asian countries, the smartphone has become the primary means of internet access, because computers and home broadband are limited. Mobile money transfer services have spread widely through these devices. Concerns have also emerged regarding data privacy, screen time, and account security.