In a 2012 article, Popular Mechanics ranked the smartphone as one of the “101 Gadgets That Changed the World.” It is now the dominant device for business, social communication and entertainment. It has replaced personal digital assistant (PDA) devices, portable/palm-sized computers, point-and-shoot cameras and camcorders. It can also support a variety of wireless communication protocols and can be used as a navigation device or GPS tracking unit.
A new generation of smartphones is released every year. The latest models usually have the fastest processors, largest batteries and most capable cameras. They are sold at a premium price and can be expensive to upgrade. If you are considering a new phone, it’s important to weigh the cost against how much you will use it.
When a new smartphone is being developed, the development company will gather outside opinions on the design and features. This information will then be incorporated into the model. Once the design is finalized, the company can start mass production of the model. They may choose to manufacture the phones themselves or they can outsource the manufacturing to original equipment manufacturers (OEMs).
Once the OEM has manufactured the phones, they will then send them back to the development company for testing and quality control. The test results will then determine if the phone meets all of the company’s specifications and standards. Once all of the requirements are met, the smartphone is then ready to be packaged and shipped. The packages are then sent to distributors, stockists and retailers around the world for sale.