Source: Examiner
The dawn of the new millennium has seen a sea change in the communication world, dominated preferably by mobile phones. While in the earlier days of 21st century, basic phones enticed the globe followed by feature phones, at present they have found a substantial replacement in the form of smartphones.
Though it is not that the basic phones have completely signed off from the mobile markets, they do exist till date, it is just that smartphones are way ahead in terms of features, facilities and usability, and hence have pilfered the rumble from the former. Let us know the consumers’ reaction to the market of all these phone types and check out if smartphone really holds an edge or the story is other way round.
Introduction
Source: NDTV
No prizes for guessing that a basic mobile phone (also called as cell phone or hand phone) serves the most basic telephony related purposes, i.e., to make and receive calls. In addition, it also lets you exchange text messages, play simplistic games, enjoy monophonic ringtones, use calculator or flash light, listen to FM and click photos through its basic camera.
Some more advanced phones, better known as feature phones may also let you browse internet. In addition, these phones accompany WAP and GPRS capabilities, have colored screens and are Java enabled. Though they also lag behind in OS and run mostly BREW and JAVA ME based apps.
Talking about smartphone, in layman language, it is a cell phone with a mobile operating system. You can willingly call it a mini computer because that is what it is. You can do internet surfing at a blazing speed, play advanced games beyond Tetris and snake, do audio and video conferencing, exchange SMS, MMS & emails, capture photos through high resolution built-in camera, enjoy music through media players, access Bluetooth, Wi-Fi and GPS facility, download mobile apps of your choice and much more.
The chronicles
Source: joelbramleyphotography.blogspot
Abiding by the history, the first ever mobile was demonstrated on April 3, 1973 by Dr. Martin Cooper, a Motorola employee when he called Dr. Joel S. Engel, his rival from AT&T’s Bell Labs. Cooper is also known as “Father of the cell phone”. Later on Feature phone took over the realms and gained much limelight in early 2000s.
The first ever smartphone came to the fore in 1992 with the efforts of IBM and was christened as ‘Simon’. It made its appearance at COMDEX, as a concept device the trade show based on computer industry in the very same year. However, in 1997, it was Ericsson that coined the term smartphone in the market.
Usability
If you were or are a basic phone user, you will definitely admire its performance. Think of the erstwhile Nokia 1xxx series models, and you can’t resist saying wow for its reliability, durability and comfort. Whether it is to view contacts, make calls, or send SMS, you just need to make one or two clicks and you are done. If unfortunately you are stuck up somewhere with your basic phone without charger, for a day or two, even then you can remain connected with the world, thanks to its sizable battery backup. Feature phones are also above par in terms of reliability and have comparably better features than the basic phones.
With a smartphone, you can well discover fresh things that are technically sound and visibly more entrancing but they might often lag behind in performance. Battery backup for an average smartphone lasts for only one day to the max. Hence, most of the users prefer taking chargers with them wherever they go, whether office, college or elsewhere. The interface is awesome but as compared to the basic and feature phones, the users may have to work a little harder on understanding and using all its functions. The degree of complexity may rise further in case the consumer is aged.
Preferences
Source: techgig
For people who find it hard to afford expensive smartphone, basic cell phone is the best choice. In addition, if they are least attracted by latest apps related to games, business, entertainment, etc., and prefer sticking to the use of mobile phones for telephony only, yet again buying a basic phone is a better option. For those having somewhere mid-way budget may well buy feature phones that could provide them with more features yet are simpler to use.
Smartphone has to be your choice if you are an avid fan of smart swanky and swashbuckling phones, all studded with stupefying features with whom you can spend almost whole life. In short, better buy a smartphone if you are tech savvy person and don’t mind spending few extra bucks to be in touch with the latest happenings in the world or in your own fields of work or interest. It uses advanced API to run third-party applications. Hence, whether it is to use internet round the clock, be a social media enthusiast, check out business engagements throughout the day, view favorite videos or to perform almost any other task, smartphones are a feasible choice to invest money in.
Bottomline
There are users for every technology, whether primitive or the advanced one. The same holds for the world of mobile phones. While basic phones and their successors, feature phones, are the first choice of millions worldwide who prefer limiting the use of phones to only telephony and want to spend calculated money for the same. Smartphones, on the other hand, bring with them the breeze of latest bandwagons in the disguise of sophisticated features, applications and in built hardware capabilities.
Hence, those willing to upgrade or prefer keeping abreast with latest technologies in the pursuit to boost their businesses may well buy smartphones in profusion while the rest of other users find solace with basic or feature phones.
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Siya Carla
Siya is a social media enthusiast with a background as Web and UI designer, and is Social media manager of Finoit. She has deep inclination towards writing about emerging technologies,Web and Mobile app development and other technology related stuff.
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