Do these 3 things before closing this tab:
1Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitches2Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problems3Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minuteA smartphone is a mobile phone that combines calling with broader computing, internet, and app functions. It can be understood as a pocket-sized connected computer, though that is a plain-language description rather than a single formal technical definition.
What makes a phone a smartphone?
The International Telecommunication Union (ITU) describes the most capable handsets as enabling users to make calls, send text messages and email, browse the web, and run applications. A basic handset may support calls and limited data functions; a smartphone combines mobile telephony with general-purpose software and internet access. The boundary can shift as phones gain new capabilities.
As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
In practice, smartphones are used for messaging, email, web access, and apps as well as voice calls. The key distinction is not a particular screen size or shape, but the combination of phone service and broader computing functions.
Free tools Windows power users keep installed
One-click scans. No signup required.
Who invented the smartphone, and when was the first one made?
The IBM Simon Personal Communicator was released commercially in 1994. It had a touchscreen and email capability, and TIME describes it as commonly referenced as the first smartphone. The historical label depends on which combination of features is required, so it is more accurate to call Simon a commonly cited early smartphone than to claim there is one uncontested inventor or starting point.
#1 Best Overall
- Universal unlocked. Compatible with all major U.S. carriers, including Verizon, AT&T, T-Mobile and other prepaid carriers.
- Super-bright, super-smooth 6.7" display. See your screen clearly even outdoors in sunlight, and enjoy seamless views with a fast-refreshing 120Hz display.*
- AI-powered camera system. Take stunning photos in any light with the 50MP camera**, look your best with a 32MP selfie cam*****, and capture extreme close-ups.
- Superfast 5G performance. Unleash your entertainment at 5G speed*** with the MediaTek Dimensity 6300 chipset and up to 12GB of RAM with RAM Boost****.
- Long-lasting battery + TurboPower charging. Power through day after day with a 5200mAh battery, then get hours of power in just minutes.****
The smartphone developed alongside cellular networks. The ITU’s history traces the field from Martin Cooper’s 1973 demonstration call, through digital second-generation services in 1991, to third-generation service in Japan in 2001. In 2000, the ITU approved IMT-2000 specifications for interoperable third-generation systems, helping establish a platform for voice and mobile data services.
What are the benefits of a smartphone?
Communication and information on the move
A smartphone brings calls and messages together with portable access to information and applications. The ITU calls mobile phones “the most common gateway to the Internet.” That does not mean every phone owner uses the internet: some people use a phone only for calls, while others access the internet through a phone owned by someone else.
Rank #2
- YOUR CONTENT, SUPER SMOOTH: The ultra-clear 6.7" FHD+ Super AMOLED display of Galaxy A17 5G helps bring your content to life, whether you're scrolling through recipes or video chatting with loved ones.¹
- LIVE FAST. CHARGE FASTER: Focus more on the moment and less on your battery percentage with Galaxy A17 5G. Super Fast Charging powers up your battery so you can get back to life sooner.²
- MEMORIES MADE PICTURE PERFECT: Capture every angle in stunning clarity, from wide family photos to close-ups of friends, with the triple-lens camera on Galaxy A17 5G.
- NEED MORE STORAGE? WE HAVE YOU COVERED: With an improved 2TB of expandable storage, Galaxy A17 5G makes it easy to keep cherished photos, videos and important files readily accessible whenever you need them.³
- BUILT TO LAST: With an improved IP54 rating, Galaxy A17 5G is even more durable than before.⁴ It’s built to resist splashes and dust and comes with a stronger yet slimmer Gorilla Glass Victus front and Glass Fiber Reinforced Polymer back.
Convenience depends on the user
In a 2012 Pew Research Center survey, 44% of U.S. smartphone owners said their phone saved them time by letting them access information when needed. This is a historical, self-reported U.S. result—not a current global estimate or evidence that every user benefits equally.
Quick wins for a faster PC:
Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsFix Now →Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitchesFind Drivers →How common are smartphones?
Keep smartphone ownership separate from mobile-phone ownership, and keep each figure tied to its geography and date:
Rank #3
- Charger NOT Included, 6.7" Super AMOLED FHD+, 90Hz Refresh Rate, 385 ppi, 800 nits (HBM), 1080x2340px, 5000mAh Battery
- 128GB, 4GB RAM, microSDXC, Exynos 1330 (5nm), Octa-Core, Mali-G68 MP2 or Mali-G57 MC2 GPU
- Rear Camera: 50MP, f/1.8 (wide) + 5MP, f/2.2 (ultrawide) + 2MP, f/2.4 (macro), LED flash, panorama, HDR; Front Camera: 13MP, f/2.0, Android 14, up to 6 major Android upgrades, One UI 6.1
- 3G: HSDPA 850/900/1700(AWS)/1900/2100; 4G LTE: 1/2/3/4/5/7/12/13/14/20/25/26/28/29/30/38/39/40/41/48/66/71, 5G: 2/5/25/41/66/71/77/78 SA/NSA/Sub6/mmWave - Nano-SIM + eSIM
- US Model – Global Connectivity – Compatible with Most GSM Carriers like T-Mobile, AT&T, MetroPCS, etc. Will Also work with CDMA Carriers Such as Verizon, Straight Talk.
| Measure | Figure | Scope and date |
|---|---|---|
| Smartphone ownership | 91% of U.S. adults | Pew Research Center survey of 5,022 U.S. adults, February 5–June 18, 2025 |
| Smartphone ownership | 35% of U.S. adults | Pew Research Center’s first standalone measure, 2011 |
| Mobile-phone ownership | Four in five people aged 10 or older worldwide | International Telecommunication Union, 2024; this is not a smartphone-only figure |
What to consider when choosing a smartphone
For a purchase or replacement, compare the factors that affect your own use rather than relying on the smartphone label alone:
Quick Recap
Best Value
- Carrier: This phone is locked to Tracfone, which means this device can only be used on the Tracfone wireless network. Tracfone plan required, activating is easy, just 3 steps.
- DISPLAY: Immersive viewing on a 6.7-inch super-bright 120Hz display with powerful stereo speakers and Bass Boost for cinematic entertainment.
- CAMERA SYSTEM: Advanced 50MP Quad Pixel camera captures sharp, detailed photos and videos in any lighting condition
- PERFORMANCE: Lightning-fast 5G connectivity paired with a powerful processor and RAM Boost for smooth multitasking.
- BATTERY LIFE: Long-lasting 5000mAh battery with TurboPower charging technology delivers hours of power in minutes.
Rank #4
- YOUR CONTENT, SUPER SMOOTH: The ultra-clear 6.7" FHD+ Super AMOLED display of Galaxy A17 5G helps bring your content to life, whether you're scrolling through recipes or video chatting with loved ones.¹
- LIVE FAST. CHARGE FASTER: Focus more on the moment and less on your battery percentage with Galaxy A17 5G. Super Fast Charging powers up your battery so you can get back to life sooner.²
- MEMORIES MADE PICTURE PERFECT: Capture every angle in stunning clarity, from wide family photos to close-ups of friends, with the triple-lens camera on Galaxy A17 5G.
- NEED MORE STORAGE? WE HAVE YOU COVERED: With an improved 2TB of expandable storage, Galaxy A17 5G makes it easy to keep cherished photos, videos and important files readily accessible whenever you need them.³
- BUILT TO LAST: With an improved IP54 rating, Galaxy A17 5G is even more durable than before.⁴ It’s built to resist splashes and dust and comes with a stronger yet slimmer Gorilla Glass Victus front and Glass Fiber Reinforced Polymer back.
- Operating system and apps: Check whether the phone’s software and available apps suit your needs.
- Network compatibility: Confirm that the phone works with the mobile network and service you plan to use.
- Battery life: Consider how long you need the phone to last between charges.
- Camera: Match camera capabilities to how often and what you photograph or record.
- Accessibility: Look for features that support how you see, hear, move, or interact with a device.
- Software support: Check how long the manufacturer says the phone will receive updates.
- Total cost: Account for the phone and any ongoing service or related costs.
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
