Smartphones in their current form have been on the market for over ten years and are very different from earlier models, not to mention push-button devices. Therefore, older people who were in no hurry to replace their usual devices with new ones may have problems out of habit. We will tell you in detail about what modern smartphones are in this article.
Introduction to Smartphones
What is a smartphone
A smartphone is a mobile phone that has advanced functionality similar to a personal computer.
Here are some of the key features of the smartphone:
- Touch screen: allows you to control the device using touch and gestures;
- Operating system: ensures the operation of applications and basic functions;
- Applications: expand the capabilities of your smartphone, allowing you to play, communicate, work and much more;
- Internet: provides access to information and online services;
- Camera: allows you to take photos and videos;
- Other features: May include GPS, Bluetooth, NFC, fingerprint scanner and more.
Types of Smartphones
The type of smartphone can mean different things: from the OS it runs on to the form factor (today there are even clamshells with a touch screen). For convenience, smartphones can be divided into the following types:
By price
- Budget smartphones: Typically have limited features and lower performance, but are still affordable;
- Mid-range smartphones: Offer a balance between price and functionality, including more powerful processors, cameras, and other features;
- Flagship Smartphones: The most expensive smartphones on the market, with the most advanced features and performance.
By operating system
- Android: The most popular operating system for smartphones, developed by Google;
- iOS: The operating system used in Apple iPhone smartphones;
- Windows Phone: An operating system developed by Microsoft, but not widely used at the moment;
- Linux-based: Rare manufacturers release limited edition smartphones that run a custom Linux-based OS.
By functionality
- Business smartphones: Equipped with features aimed at professional use, such as enhanced security, data protection and support for mobile office applications;
- Gaming smartphones: Optimized for gaming with powerful processors, graphics cards and cooling systems;
- Rugged smartphones: Withstand impacts, falls, water and dust, suitable for use in harsh conditions.
Basics of using a smartphone
How to learn to use a smartphone from scratch? First of all, you should ask for help from a sales consultant in the store. He will show you how to use the device correctly. You will be able to assess how comfortable it is for you to hold the smartphone in your hand and control it.
However, we also want to share with you the basic principles of smartphone management, which are usually universal for all types of devices.
Turning the device on and off
- Find the power button on your smartphone. It is usually located on the side or top of the device;
- Press and hold the power button until the screen lights up;
- You may be prompted to enter a PIN, password, or use biometric authentication (such as a fingerprint or facial recognition) to unlock your device.
To turn off your smartphone, press and hold the power button until the power off menu appears. Then select “Power off” or “Power off”. You can also restart your device if you feel like it’s starting to run slower.
Important: Do not remove the battery from the smartphone until it is turned off. And if your smartphone is frozen and does not respond to button presses, a forced reboot may be required. The method of forced reboot depends on the smartphone model.
Unlock screen
When you first set up your smartphone, a screen lock is activated. The manufacturer usually recommends setting a PIN code, which consists of four digits. You can also choose a graphic key, which is a connection of several dots on the screen in a certain order, which is set by the owner of the smartphone.
You can also set up face or fingerprint unlocking. The unlocking process is always the same: you need to press the smartphone lock button (usually located on the right side) and unlock the device using the previously selected method (PIN, fingerprint, pattern, etc.).
Navigate the Home Screen and Application Menu
The instructions may vary slightly depending on your smartphone model and Android version. But the basic smartphone controls are as follows:
Navigating the Home Screen
- App icons: Tap an app icon to open it;
- Folders: Drag an app icon onto another icon to create a folder;
- Widgets: Long press an empty space on your home screen, then select Widgets to add widgets to your home screen. Widgets display information from apps, such as weather, news, or messages;
- Search bar: Enter text in the search bar to find apps, contacts, messages or information on the web;
- Notification panel: Swipe down from the top of the screen to open the notification panel. Here you will see notifications from apps, messages, and system notifications;
- Quick Settings panel: Swipe down from the top of the screen twice to open the quick settings panel. Here you can quickly change settings such as Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, screen brightness, and sound mode.
Applications menu
- Swipe up from the bottom of the screen to open the application menu, which will display all the applications installed on your smartphone;
- Scroll the list: Scroll the list to find the app you want;
- Search: Enter the app name in the search bar to quickly find it.
- Sorting: You can sort apps alphabetically, by frequency of use or by category;
- Folders: Create folders to organize your apps;
- Uninstall apps: Press and hold an app icon, then select Uninstall to uninstall the app.
Some tips for beginners using a smartphone:
- Customize your home screen: You can change wallpaper, add widgets and move app icons to make your home screen more convenient for you;
- Use gestures: Android supports a variety of gestures that let you quickly perform tasks. For example, you can swipe left or right to switch to another home screen, or swipe up from the bottom of the screen to open the notification panel;
- Use search: Search is a quick way to find apps, contacts, messages, and information on the web;
- Keep things tidy: Regularly delete unnecessary apps to free up space on your smartphone.
Setting up your smartphone
Smartphone setup is most often done “out of the box”, that is, when you first turn on the smartphone at home after purchasing the device. The settings screens may differ depending on the manufacturer, but here are the parameters you will be asked to configure.
Connecting to Wi-Fi
- Select a Wi-Fi network from the list of available networks;
- If the network is password protected, enter the password;
- Click “Connect”.
A Wi-Fi connection is necessary for your smartphone to download updates and so that you can enjoy all its benefits without worrying about the cost of mobile Internet.
Adding accounts
Any smartphone running the Android operating system will ask you to add a Google account. Log in to your existing Google account or create a new one. This will allow you to sync your data, such as contacts, calendar, photos, and settings, across all your devices.
If you don’t have an account, follow the prompts on your smartphone screen or create one manually on your computer. To do this, go to the Google website, click “Sign in” at the top right, and then select “Create an account.” You will be asked to create an email address, as well as your first name, last name, date of birth, and a backup contact method if you lose access to Google mail. You don’t have to use your real data if you don’t want to.
Adjust screen brightness, sound and other parameters
Screen brightness
- In the notification panel: Swipe down from the top of the screen to open the notification panel.
- Find the brightness icon (it may look like a sun);
- Drag the slider to change the brightness.
- In the settings menu:
- Open “Settings” on your smartphone;
- Find and tap “Screen” or “Display”;
- Find the Brightness option and adjust it using the slider.
Sound
- In the notification panel: Swipe down from the top of the screen to open the notification panel.
- Find the sound icon (it may look like a bell);
- Drag the slider to change the volume.
- In the settings menu:
- Open “Settings” on your smartphone;
- Find and tap Sound or Sound and Vibration;
- Here you can adjust the volume of ringtones, media, notifications and system sounds;
- You can also turn vibration on or off.
Other basic parameters
- Wallpaper: You can change the wallpaper of the home screen and lock screen.
- Go to Settings > Display > Wallpaper.
- Select an image from the gallery or download a new one.
- Wi-Fi: You can connect to a Wi-Fi network or change Wi-Fi settings.
- Go to Settings > Network & Internet > Wi-Fi.
- Bluetooth: You can connect to Bluetooth devices or change Bluetooth settings.
- Go to Settings > Network & Internet > Bluetooth.
- Do Not Disturb Mode: You can turn on Do Not Disturb mode to mute calls and notifications.
- Go to Settings > Sound > Do Not Disturb.
- System Update: You can check for system updates and install them.
- Go to Settings > System > System update.
You can quickly change some basic settings using the Quick Settings panel. Swipe down from the top of the screen to open the Quick Settings panel. The icons may be confusing at first, but you’ll quickly figure out what they mean.
Installing and using applications
Working with applications is one of the main advantages of a smartphone. You can install applications for social networks, messengers, photo and video editors, games, news programs, services for watching movies and videos.
How to download apps from the app store
- Open Google Play Store;
- Tap the Google Play Store icon on your device’s home screen.
- Sign in to your Google account;
- If you are not already signed in to your Google account, you will be prompted to do so.
- Find the app:
- You can find the app by using the search bar or browsing the categories.
- Select an application:
- Click on the app icon to open its page in Google Play Store;
- Click “Install”:
- If the app is free, click Install.
- If the app is paid, click the price button and follow the purchase instructions. (Please note that since 2022, Google Play does not accept payments from users in Russia and Belarus)
- Accept permissions:
- The app may need access to certain features of your device, such as camera, location, or contacts;
- Read the list of permissions and click Accept if you agree.
- Download and installation:
- The application will be downloaded and installed on your device;
- You can monitor the download and installation progress in the status bar.
- Open the application:
- Once the app is installed, you can open it by tapping its icon on the home screen.
You can read user reviews and ratings before downloading the app. Also, make sure that your device has enough storage space to store the app. Remember to periodically delete apps that you do not use.
To delete an app, press and hold its icon with your finger. A pop-up menu will appear. Tap Delete or select the icon that corresponds to deletion (usually a minus or cross).
Tips for Caring for Your Smartphone
Cleaning and maintenance
Cleaning and maintaining your smartphone involves a number of procedures. Don’t be alarmed, over time you will do them automatically.
- Remove unnecessary apps: Use the apps menu to find and remove apps you no longer need;
- Clear the app cache: Settings > Apps > [select an app] > Storage > Clear Cache;
- Delete downloaded files: Explorer > Downloads > [select files] > Delete.
- Move photos and videos to the memory card: File Explorer > DCIM > Camera > [select files] > Move;
- Use cloud storage: Upload photos and videos to a cloud storage service like Google Photos and delete them from your device.
Optimization of work
- Close unnecessary apps: Swipe up from the bottom of the screen and hold to see recent apps. Swipe up on an app preview to close it.
- Update your software: Settings > System > System update. Restart your device: Press and hold the power button, then select Restart.
- Reset your device to factory settings: Settings > System > Reset settings > Erase all data (factory reset). Warning! This will delete all your data from your device.
Protection
- Install an antivirus app: Download and install an antivirus app from Google Play Store;
- update antivirus databases: regularly update the databases of your antivirus application;
- Be careful when downloading apps: download apps only from trusted sources such as Google Play Store;
- Avoid suspicious links and attachments: Do not open links or attachments in emails or messages from unknown senders;
- Use a strong password: Use a strong PIN, password, or pattern to protect your device.
Clean your smartphone regularly to keep it running smoothly and quickly. Try using cloud storage to back up your data and free up space on your device.
Using covers and protective films
Cases and screen protectors are popular smartphone accessories that help protect your device from damage. Cases are:
- Anti-scratch and anti-abrasion: The cases are made of various materials such as plastic, silicone, leather and so on, which can protect the phone body from scratches, abrasions and other damages;
- Protection from shocks and drops: Some cases have a reinforced structure that can protect your phone from shocks and drops. This is especially important if you often drop your phone or use it in active conditions;
- Improved grip: Cases with textured surfaces can improve your grip on your phone and make it less slippery. This will help you avoid accidentally dropping your device;
- Hiding defects: If your phone already has scratches or scuffs on it, a case can help hide them;
- Adding Personalization: Cases are available in a variety of designs and colors, allowing you to personalize your smartphone and make it unique.
What is the advantage of protective films?
- Screen Protector from Scratch: Screen protectors are made of transparent material that can protect your phone screen from scratches and abrasions;
- Splash-proof: Some screen protectors are waterproof and dust-proof, which can protect the screen from water splashes and dust;
- Maintaining touchscreen sensitivity: Most screen protectors do not affect touchscreen sensitivity;
- Easy to install and remove: Protective films are easy to install and remove without leaving any marks.
How to choose a protective case and film for your smartphone?
When choosing a case or screen protector, it is important to consider the following factors:
- Your smartphone type: Make sure the case or film is compatible with your smartphone model;
- Material: Choose the material that suits your needs and preferences;
- Protection Level: Choose a case or film with a protection level that suits your lifestyle;
- Design: Choose a design that you like and that reflects your style;
- Price: Determine your budget and choose a case or film that fits within it.
Saving battery power
Reduce screen usage
- Reduce screen brightness: Screen brightness is one of the biggest energy consumers;
- Set screen timeout: Screen timeout is the amount of time the screen stays on after being inactive;
- Use dark theme: Dark theme uses less power than light theme on devices with OLED screens;
- Disable Always-on Display: This feature keeps some information on the screen at all times, even when it’s locked.
Optimizing application performance
- Limit background app activity: Some apps continue to run in the background even when you’re not using them;
- Limit background activity for power-hungry apps in the settings menu;
- Update your apps: App developers regularly release updates that may include energy efficiency improvements;
- Install all available updates for your applications.
- Remove unnecessary apps: Remove apps you don’t use to prevent them from consuming battery power in the background.
Power saving mode
Power Saving Mode automatically limits background app activity, reduces screen brightness, and does other things to conserve battery life.
What else?
- Use Wi-Fi instead of mobile data: Mobile data uses more power than Wi-Fi;
- Turn off Bluetooth and GPS: When you are not using Bluetooth or GPS, turn them off so that they do not consume battery power;
- Turn on Do Not Disturb mode: Do Not Disturb mode blocks notifications that might wake you up or distract you from your work. This can help you save battery life, especially at night;
- Use Airplane Mode: Airplane mode turns off all wireless connections, which can significantly extend battery life if you don’t need them;
- Restart your phone regularly: Restarting your phone can help clear up memory and close apps that are consuming power in the background;
- Avoid extreme temperatures: Battery power may drain quickly in very hot or cold temperatures;
- If possible, avoid leaving your phone in the sun or in a cold place;
- Use a phone case: A phone case can help protect the battery from damage.
Conclusion
We hope this article has helped you get started with your smartphone. Remember that this is just the basics. There are many other features and capabilities that you can explore. Also, remember that each smartphone may have its own control principles and settings. Therefore, some of the tips in the article may not be suitable for you due to the features of your device.