Smartphones come equipped with either a keypad combined with the telephone number pad or a full “QWERTY” keyboard for texting, emailing, and browsing the internet. Some models feature “virtual” keyboards built into touch-screen interfaces. Many smartphones include an integrated camera for capturing and sharing photos and short videos. Additionally, numerous smartphones can connect to Wi-Fi hotspots, allowing users to make calls over the Internet (VoIP) instead of incurring cellular charges. The expanding functionality of mobile devices and communication protocols has led to innovative applications, such as “augmented reality,” where a smartphone’s GPS can overlay information on the camera’s view of a street, showing details like store names, attractions, or property listings.

Mobile phones have driven the technological transformation of the 21st century. Today, they are the most widespread personal computing devices on the planet, reaching approximately 96.8% of the global population (ITU World Telecommunication/ICT Indicators Database, 2013). Over time, these devices have evolved from simple communication tools into intelligent, highly personalized gadgets. Beyond their technical sophistication and widespread presence, they come equipped with a wide range of embedded sensors (Campbell et al., 2008). As a result, mobile phones are increasingly employed as vital tools for understanding human behavior (Pentland, 2014).  Mobile phones’ advanced sensors can produce detailed, high-resolution data across multiple contextual dimensions, capturing diverse facets of human activity, including location, movement patterns, ambient sounds, interactions with nearby objects,

Unlocked smartphones let you enjoy a top-tier device without being tied to a carrier contract. By paying once upfront, you can choose the service plan that fits your lifestyle best. Fortunately, many of the latest phones are available at significant discounts from major retailers. From new releases to older models, you can find deals on devices from Apple, Google, Samsung, and more. Keep reading to discover impressive unlocked phone offers this October. For those committed to Apple, one of the best bargains this month is the $80 discount on the iPhone 14. When reviewed in 2022, it earned an “Excellent” rating for its reliable performance, useful emergency features, and solid battery life. However, it does have some limitations, like the older Lightning charging port and cameras that lag behind the latest models. If these aren’t dealbreakers for you, it’s a dependable phone that can serve you well for years.

Budget smartphone shoppers looking for the cheapest new iPhone will find the 16E fits the bill — but don’t expect it to be perfect. It still delivers most of the core iPhone experience, yet there are some notable compromises, some more understandable than others. If you’re open to last year’s model or a refurbished iPhone 14, either of those could actually be a smarter choice. For someone who simply wants a brand-new iPhone at the lowest price, though, the 16E works. On the back, there’s a single 48-megapixel camera, meaning no ultrawide lens like the newer iPhone Air — a reasonable tradeoff. The design also sticks with the older notch instead of the Dynamic Island, which is easy to forgive. What’s harder to justify is the absence of MagSafe. While wireless charging still works, you won’t be able to use Apple’s magnetic accessories without buying a separate magnetic case. That’s a frustrating oversight, and Apple really should have included it.

Best smartphone 2025: the iPhone 17 is ideal for most users. It delivers many of the features found in Apple’s more expensive 17 Pro models, but comes at a lower $829 starting price (or $799 when activated through a carrier). It supports the latest camera innovations like Dual Capture and Center Stage selfies, and features a 1–120Hz variable refresh rate for smoother scrolling and an always-on display. The iPhone 17 also runs iOS 26, bringing features like Live Translation, Call Screening, and the new Liquid Glass interface. Unlike older iPhones, the iPhone 17 and 17 Pro now share nearly all hardware features, except for the telephoto lens and larger battery on the Pro. While features like Dynamic Island and the Action button previously debuted on Pro models, both ends of the lineup now offer almost the same hardware capabilities.

New smartphone releases showcase devices that merge traditional mobile phone functions with advanced computing power. These gadgets generally feature a touchscreen interface, enabling users to utilize a broad array of apps and services, such as internet browsing, email, social networking, as well as media playback and streaming. Modern smartphones come equipped with cameras, GPS navigation, and support for multiple communication methods, including voice calls, text messages, and internet-based messaging platforms. They stand apart from older feature phones through their superior hardware, comprehensive mobile operating systems, internet access, productivity apps, mobile payment capabilities, and rich multimedia features like music, video, gaming, radio, and television. Smartphones commonly include metal–oxide–semiconductor (MOS) integrated circuits (ICs), a variety of sensors, and compatibility with numerous wireless communication technologies.

Smartphone Deals kick things off with an unbeatable offer on the Editors’ Choice–winning Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra. In our review, we praised this stunning and powerful smartphone for outclassing every other Android device with its top-tier performance, industry-leading AI capabilities, and massive, ultra-immersive display. Its sleek rounded-corner design and premium titanium frame feel luxurious in the hand, while S Pen support adds endless creative potential. It’s definitely a premium device, but with a 26% discount, the price becomes far more appealing. This is a phenomenal 40% discount on a slim yet powerful flagship. The Galaxy S25 Edge is Samsung’s thinnest model to date, yet it still delivers excellent battery life and smooth performance. Weighing just 5.75 ounces, it features a durable titanium frame, Corning Gorilla Ceramic 2 on the front, and Gorilla Glass Victus 2 on the back, plus an IP68 rating for water and dust resistance. Its 6.7-inch Dynamic AMOLED display dazzles with up to 2600 nits of brightness and a super-smooth refresh rate.

5G smartphones use the fifth generation of mobile network technology, succeeding 4G, and began deployment in 2019. The 3rd Generation Partnership Project (3GPP) creates its technical standards in coordination with the ITU’s IMT-2020 initiative. 5G smartphones connect within network zones divided into smaller areas known as cells. These devices link wirelessly to nearby base stations, which connect to the wider telephone network and the Internet through high-speed fiber-optic or wireless backhaul systems. Compared with 4G, 5G smartphones can deliver much higher data speeds—tested up to 10 Gbit/s—and significantly lower latency, often just a few milliseconds. These upgrades enable more connected devices and advanced applications such as virtual and augmented reality, driverless vehicles, remote medical procedures, and fixed wireless home internet. Additionally, 5G smartphones facilitate connections for numerous Internet of Things (IoT) devices and leverage edge computing to handle data closer to its source.

Latest mobile phones usually feature a power button along with volume controls. In some models, the volume keys are combined into a single rocker button. Certain devices also include a dedicated camera shutter button, while rugged or outdoor models may have specialized keys like an “SOS” emergency call button or a “PTT” (push-to-talk) button. The use of physical buttons on the front—such as home or navigation keys—has significantly declined since the 2010s, being replaced by capacitive touch sensors or on-screen virtual buttons. Similar to traditional cell phones, earlier smartphones such as the Samsung Omnia II came with physical buttons for answering and rejecting calls. However, as smartphones evolved to offer more advanced features beyond calling, these keys were largely replaced by navigation buttons like “menu” (or “options”), “back,” and “recent apps.” Some early 2010s models, such as the HTC Desire, also featured a dedicated “Search” (🔍) button for instant access to web searches or in-app search functions.

Smartphone Sale – Capture every moment in stunning detail with a 50MP OIS (F1.8) primary wide camera, a 5MP (F2.2) ultra-wide lens, and a 2MP macro sensor, along with a 13MP (F2.0) front camera for crystal-clear selfies. Enjoy Full HD (1920 x 1080) video recording at 30fps for smooth visuals. Smartphone Sale – Experience unmatched durability and elegance with a super-slim 7.5mm design, Gorilla Glass Victus protection, and an IP54 rating for dust and splash resistance. Smartphone Sale – Boost your productivity with AI-powered Circle to Search with Google and Gemini Live. Powered by the Exynos 1330 chipset, Android 15 OS, and One UI 7.0, this device delivers seamless performance with an octa-core processor running at 2.4GHz and 2.0GHz. Smartphone Sale – Immerse yourself in a 6.7-inch Super AMOLED display offering FHD+ clarity (1080 × 2340 pixels) and a 90Hz refresh rate for a smooth viewing experience.