Origin: Greek suffix -phone
Definition, synonyms and related words
A mobile phone with more advanced features and greater computing capacity than a featurephone.
"She switched from her old feature phone to a smartphone so she could use maps and apps during her commute."
In plain English: A smartphone is a mobile phone that can also use apps and connect to the internet just like a computer does.
"I use my smartphone to check the news while I commute."
Usage: A smartphone combines basic calling functions with internet access, apps, and high-level processing power to serve as both a communication device and a personal computer. Use this term when referring to modern devices that run operating systems like iOS or Android rather than simple "feature phones" limited to text messaging and calls.
The word smartphone is a straightforward combination of "smart" and "phone." It entered common use in the mid-1990s to describe mobile devices with advanced computing capabilities.