Smartphones are usually thought of as being a mobile phone and a handheld computer combined, but that does little to distinguish between the vast number of different models on the market. So, before we identify how to find the best smartphone for you, let’s start by splitting mobile phones into three categories that define what they’re capable of: dumbphones, featurephones, and – of course – smartphones.
First up is the dumbphone – not a very flattering description of the technology that kick-started a global communications revolution, but nonetheless fitting for phones that can do little more than make calls, send text messages and manage your contacts.
Using a mobile phone as, well, a mobile phone is more than enough for many people, but the rise of the internet has created a need for access to other kinds of communication on the move. This is where the featurephone comes in.
Although they work (and often look) just like a traditional mobile phone, large colour screens and more powerful hardware mean that featurephones are a bit more capable than dumbphones. Most can play simple games, double up as a digital camera and act as a basic MP3 player, but web browsing and email are also offers. Few featurephones excel in any of these areas though, since they’re phones first and everything else second, so those extras are really only suited to occasional use.
So, if you need all the power of an internet-connected computer in your pocket, you need a smartphone. Qwerty keyboards, fast data connections and the ability to install new applications mean that these mini marvels can do almost anything a laptop can – albeit with a few restrictions imposed by their smaller screens.