In this blog post, we will provide easy-to-understand information on essential factors to consider when purchasing a smartphone, such as the operating system, applications, and touch screen type.
The number of smartphone users in South Korea has surpassed 30 million, with 6 out of 10 people using smartphones. Meanwhile, the market for non-smartphones, or feature phones, continues to decline. By 2025, if you plan to purchase a new phone in South Korea, you cannot afford to overlook smartphones. Isn’t it important to make an informed decision when making such a significant purchase? Therefore, this article provides information on the definition and history of smartphones, operating systems and applications, and touch screen methods.
A smartphone is a high-performance mobile phone equipped with a general-purpose operating system (OS) like a regular computer, allowing users to freely install and run various mobile apps. It is often referred to as a “PC in your hand.” It can also be seen as a combination of the functions of a PDA (Personal Digital Assistant) and a mobile phone.
A PDA is a small, lightweight computer that fits in one hand, primarily uses a touchscreen as an input device, and has basic functions such as personal schedule management, address book, and calculator. The first smartphones were devices that added mobile phone functions such as phone calls and message sending/receiving to the functions of a PDA. The “Simon,” designed by IBM in 1992, was the first smartphone.
The ‘Simon’ not only had the phone and text messaging functions available on existing mobile phones but also featured a variety of additional functions such as a contact list, calculator, notepad, email, fax sending and receiving, and entertainment. When entering phone numbers or composing messages, users had to touch the screen with their fingers or a stylus pen instead of pressing physical buttons.
Starting with the ‘Simon,’ which was quite advanced for its time, companies such as Nokia, Microsoft, Apple, and Samsung began developing smartphones, leading to the widespread adoption of smartphones worldwide today. The biggest difference between feature phones and smartphones is the operating system. An operating system is a program that controls a computer’s hardware and software, enabling users to utilize the computer’s functions to the fullest extent. A representative example is Microsoft’s Windows.
The operating system of a smartphone, often referred to as a “PC in your pocket,” similarly provides an interface that allows users to utilize the hardware components such as memory and CPU, as well as application software, particularly various applications, according to their preferences. Apple’s iOS and Google’s Android are the most representative smartphone operating systems. Apple’s iOS is an operating system exclusive to Apple products, such as the iPhone. It has an intuitive and flexible interface that requires no additional learning, and it has over 200,000 applications. However, iOS is a closed system that can only be used on Apple products, and a dedicated program called iTunes is required to transfer files to and from a computer. Additionally, it supports a limited range of file formats, requiring separate conversion processes each time. Android, developed by Google and well-known in South Korea through Samsung Electronics’ Galaxy series, is an operating system used in various smartphone models manufactured by multiple companies. This is because Android is an open-source system, meaning it can be applied to products from various smartphone manufacturers. Furthermore, because it is an open system, it supports a wide variety of file formats, allowing it to accept most file formats used on computers. Additionally, unlike iOS, it does not require a separate connection program like iTunes, and it can be freely connected to any computer via a USB cable. However, a drawback is that when Google updates the operating system, the update is not immediately applied to each manufacturer’s products.
This is because the manufacturer must first optimize the product for the latest version before the update can be applied. Since smartphones are based on this operating system, you can install additional applications as needed to make the most of your device. Smartphone applications can be understood in the same way as various programs used on computers. If you do not use applications on your smartphone, it is the same as using a computer without any programs installed.
Hundreds of smartphone applications are released every day, and installing them not only makes life easier, but also provides entertainment that was not possible with conventional mobile phones. In other words, using applications makes you “smarter.”
One of the most noticeable features of smartphones is the touch screen. Smartphones operate using one of three methods: capacitive, resistive, or infrared. The capacitive touch method used in iPhones and BlackBerries is designed to respond to the voltage from the human body. This method allows multiple touches at once, is highly durable, and can withstand water or minor damage. It also offers very high screen clarity. However, it is difficult to process noise and requires specific circuits, making it relatively expensive. Additionally, it does not work well with pens or gloves. On the other hand, the resistive touch technology primarily used in Samsung smartphones is the most common touchscreen technology. Resistive touch technology has a simpler operating principle compared to capacitive touch technology. By creating electrodes with silver and supplying power, voltage is evenly distributed. When touched, the distributed voltage is read to determine the location. The resistive touch method has a low cost, a simple manufacturing process, and high touch accuracy. However, it has low screen clarity, poor durability, and does not support multi-touch, meaning it cannot detect multiple touches at the same time. Finally, the infrared method detects the position using the heat from the fingers, offering high screen clarity. However, due to its operating principle, it may not work well with gloved hands.
Smartphones are small, intelligent mobile phones that can be carried in a pocket. They have evolved from the “Simon” introduced 20 years ago to the widely used smartphones of today. Unlike feature phones, smartphones run operating systems such as iOS and Android, enabling the use of various applications. By installing and using various mobile apps, users can not only enhance convenience in daily life but also enjoy diverse forms of entertainment, thereby enriching their lives. Additionally, smartphones can be operated using different touchscreen technologies such as capacitive, resistive, and infrared, each with its own set of advantages and disadvantages. When purchasing a smartphone, considering these basic features will help users make an informed decision about whether to purchase a smartphone and, if so, which model to choose.
