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A mobile phone is a portable telephone that uses cellular technology to connect to a public mobile telephone service. A smartphone is one type of mobile phone: it adds internet-based capabilities and an operating system that can download and run apps. Not every mobile phone provides internet access or apps.
What is a mobile phone?
The International Telecommunication Union (ITU) defines a mobile cellular telephone as “a portable telephone subscribing to a public mobile telephone service using cellular technology, which provides access to the PSTN.” PSTN means the public switched telephone network. The definition covers both analogue and digital cellular systems. ITU definition
In practical terms, a mobile phone lets its user make and receive calls through a cellular service while carrying the device. Using the service generally requires an active subscription, which may be prepaid or postpaid.
What is the difference between a mobile phone and a smartphone?
“Mobile phone” is the broader category. A smartphone is a mobile handset with smart capabilities, including internet-based services, and an operating system capable of downloading and running applications, including third-party apps. The ITU also describes it as a device that performs many functions of a computer. ITU definition
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| Type | Cellular telephone service | Internet-based services | Operating system that can run apps |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mobile phone (general category) | Yes, by definition | Not required | Not required |
| Smartphone | Yes; it is a mobile handset | Yes, included in the ITU description | Yes |
Feature phone is a common label for a non-smartphone handset, but the available definition does not establish a universal feature set for feature phones. Hardware varies by model, so a camera, GPS, or any particular wireless standard should not be assumed from the category name alone.
What are mobile phones used for?
At their most basic, mobile phones provide portable telephone connectivity over cellular service. A smartphone can also use internet-based services and apps. Whether a particular phone can use those services depends on the device and the user’s subscription; owning a phone does not by itself show that its owner uses the internet.
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Do all mobile phones have internet access?
No. Some phones are used for calls only, and a phone or subscription may have limited internet access. The ITU notes that a mobile-phone owner may not use the internet. A mobile phone, an internet-capable smartphone, a mobile-broadband subscription, and a person’s internet use are related but distinct things. ITU mobile-phone ownership data and notes
How common are mobile phones worldwide?
The ITU estimated that 82 per cent of people aged 10 or older worldwide owned a mobile phone in 2025. In the same year, it reported 9.2 billion mobile-cellular subscriptions, equivalent to 112 subscriptions per 100 inhabitants. ITU ownership estimate ITU subscription estimate
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- 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.
These figures measure different things. Ownership is an estimate of people with a phone; subscriptions count service accounts, not unique people. One person may have multiple subscriptions, and some subscriptions serve connected devices. For comparison, the ITU reported 112 mobile-cellular subscriptions and 95 mobile-broadband subscriptions per 100 inhabitants in 2024; neither figure is a count of phone owners or internet users. ITU subscription data ITU 2024 indicators
The ITU’s indicators draw on public information from regulators, ministries, and operators, and use estimates when direct data are unavailable. ITU methodology
Quick Recap
Best Value
- 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.
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