What is an iPhone? Which is better - an iPhone or a smartphone?

Now anyone who wants to purchase a “smart” phone that will not only receive calls, but also have Internet access, as well as many other additional functions, is faced with a choice: whether to buy a smartphone or an iPhone. In fact, the iPhone is a smartphone; its only difference from similar devices is that it was released by Apple. Of course, there are other features that distinguish gadgets from each other. We will consider them further.

A little history

IN 2007 year Apple first introduced the world to his first iPhone. This is a super new product and today it is significantly different from the first mobile phone, find out what it was like. For that time, the functionality, as well as the appearance of the gadget, was revolutionary and was technically ahead of devices from other manufacturers by several years. The developer called the gadget a smartphone, in other words, a “smart” phone. In addition to the fact that it was possible to make and answer calls from it, it received the following additional functions, as an opportunity to watch movies on it and listen to music from the network.

Of course, the iPhone almost immediately gained well-deserved popularity among consumers. This could not go unnoticed by other manufacturers, who soon took advantage of the developed Google operating Android system to release their own models that could compete with the iPhone in functionality.

What are smartphones and iPhones?

Thus, the first difference between a smartphone and an iPhone is that the devices run on different operating systems. However, do not forget that an Apple gadget is a type of smartphone, so it will be difficult to find significant differences between the devices. In other words, a smartphone is a means of communication that combines the appearance and functionality of a mobile phone with a PDA.

The iPhone is a type of smartphone from the manufacturer Apple. Today there are five generations of this gadget, several variants of the same model. He works in the operating room iOS system, and has all the functions that are typical for devices of this class.

Distinctive features of a smartphone and iPhone

If we talk about the technical differences between a smartphone and an iPhone, it should be noted that here non-removable battery. On the one hand, this raises concerns among consumers that they may need to frequently contact service center. But in fact, users rarely resort to the services of specialists, since with a gadget that is different high quality, there are rarely any technical problems. In addition, its additional strength is provided by the one-piece body.

Speaking about what other differences between a smartphone and an iPhone exist, let’s note the brand name, a bitten off apple on the back panel. Of course, such a logo is a symbol of Apple, and no other manufacturer dares to try it. In addition, the iPhone does not have a memory card slot. However, if you have damaged card memory and you want to download all the contents to your phone, then first read the article on how Manufacturers wisely decided that users would have enough built-in memory, which in some models can reach up to 64 GB.

The Apple device only works on iOS. Smartphones from other manufacturers may have different operating systems installed.

It’s impossible to say unequivocally which is better, a smartphone or an iPhone. Do not forget that the iPhone is just a type of such device. Hence, it is equipped with the same features as gadgets from other manufacturers. This also applies preinstalled programs on an iPhone, you’ll have to rack your brains a little before you start using them. For example, in order to figure it out you will have to use a little Internet. But no one doubts the quality of Apple devices, which influences the higher cost of the device. For many iPhone users is a kind of status symbol. Which smartphone to choose is a matter for everyone to decide for themselves.

The whole truth about protecting new iPhones from water.

And on various advertising posters and videos are depicted in water, or covered with water. Thus, Apple clearly shows that their latest smartphones, despite the glass cases, they are protected from water. How good Apple flagships protected from water and what does the “IP67” characteristic mean? Told in this article.

What does IP67 mean?

IP (Ingress Protection, translated as “degree of protection against penetration”) - international system classification of degrees of protection of device shells. The degree of protection has the form IPXX, where instead of the first symbol X is the level of protection against the ingress of solid objects, and instead of the second X is from the penetration of water. Let's look at the rating using the new iPhone as an example.

iPhone X, iPhone 8 and iPhone 8 Plus are rated IP67. The first number 6 indicates that the devices are dustproof. In this case, dust cannot enter the device and full protection from contact. 6 - the maximum level of protection of devices from dust according to the IP system.

The second digit 7 means that new iPhones can withstand short-term immersions to depths of up to one meter. Smartphones are not expected to operate underwater. This level protection is not maximum. The IP system has levels 8 and 9, which require long-term immersion of the device to a depth of more than a meter and exposure to water jets high temperature respectively.

iPhone X, iPhone 8, iPhone 8 Plus - waterproof, not waterproof

So all three are new Apple smartphone 2017 model only waterproof. They really are not afraid of falling into vessels with water, getting drops on them or even a direct stream. However, a long stay in the water will undoubtedly be fatal for them.

Is damage due to water covered under warranty?

No. If your iPhone X, iPhone 8 or iPhone 8 Plus stops working (or one of the functions fails) as a result of contact with water, then you will have to repair the smartphone yourself. Apple states this directly, although for some reason in very small print.

It is important to note that in in this case There is no point in criticizing Apple for being too greedy. Other manufacturers of water-resistant and water-resistant smartphones also do not consider water damage to be a warranty claim.

Users often ask how an iPhone differs from a smartphone? The question is really interesting, although it is posed incorrectly - after all, the iPhone is also a smartphone. Just in last years its name has become a household name, as, for example, in the case of copier, because Xerox is the name of a company that also produces photocopiers.

Smartphone(from English smartphone, that is " smart phone") - This mobile phone, which successfully combines the functions of a pocket computer. With it, you can not only call friends, but also play games, watch videos, listen to music, surf the Internet and much more.

iPhone- a series of smartphones produced by Apple company.

And what happens? And by calling an iPhone a smartphone, you won’t be wrong at all!

What is the difference between smartphones and iPhone?

Now let's talk about what makes the iPhone different from other smartphones.

Perhaps the first and most important thing is operating system. Our website has already talked about it. This operating system is interesting because it is used exclusively on devices from Apple, so you will not find it on smartphones or tablets from other manufacturers. On the one hand, this is good, but on the other hand, it is bad. It’s good, because Apple polishes its operating system to perfection, so it often works much more stable than other operating systems. The bad thing is that it is impossible to install it, for example, on an LG phone.

The second important difference is the small the lineup. Yes, long Apple time released only one model, which was later joined by the iPhone 5c. The same applies to the screen size, although in the sixth generation two devices were released at once - one with a screen diagonal of 4.7 inches, and the second - 5.5 inches. Now look at huge selection devices based on Android OS - the difference is simply fantastic. So if you don't like the look of the iPhone, you don't have much choice but to start looking at devices from other manufacturers.

As for appearance, there is nothing unusual here. In previous years, Apple could shock appearance of your devices (remember, for example, the iPhone 4 with glass back cover), now it's regular smartphone. Of course, it is distinguished by the presence of expensive materials, but all this invariably affects the cost of the device. But on the back there is a corporate logo - a bitten apple.

iPhones do not have a memory card slot. This, one might say, is an Apple signature feature. Of course, you can always choose an iPhone with a large amount of memory, but the price difference will be several thousand rubles, while the cost of a fast and high-quality flash drive does not exceed a thousand rubles. However, in fairness, we note that many manufacturers are now refusing memory card slots. Fortunately, not all.

Some disadvantages include the non-removable battery in the iPhone. In our opinion, this should not be considered a disadvantage. Firstly, in most modern smartphones The battery cannot be replaced (except by service), and secondly, it lasts 2-3 years, while the average replacement period for a smartphone is only one year.

As for everything else, including characteristics, availability of applications, shooting quality, etc., then this iPhone plan no different from other devices on Android based or Windows Phone. What's better? It's up to you to decide. You can go to some electronics hypermarket and compare the iPhone with another smartphone you like.

Be that as it may, we found out that the iPhone is also a smartphone that has its own characteristics.

The widest range of current iPhones available on the official Apple Online Store page may raise doubts even among people who have been familiar with the technology of the American manufacturer for several years. To understand and choose « Best iPhone» with an acceptable price tag, you need an integrated approach to the issue. In this material we will talk about the advantages and disadvantages of certain iPhone models and help you make a choice.

In contact with

At the time of writing in official sale there are 8 iPhone models: the latest iPhone XS, iPhone XS Max, iPhone XR, last year’s iPhone 8 and iPhone 8 Plus (), previous versions iPhone 7/7 Plus (). As for the iPhone X, iPhone 6s/6s Plus and iPhone SE, they are officially discontinued. But since these devices are still on sale from official resellers, this year we will leave them in our review.

Note: iPhone 5s and iPhone 6 were not included in the list because they are not officially sold by Apple in Russia (but some resellers do). And even now a lot of restored “fives” and “sixes” are sold under the guise of new ones (details and). Be careful.

Smartphones are equipped Apple processor A9, 2 GB random access memory, 12 MP main and 5 MP front cameras.

All modern features like 3D Touch (technology that allows you to determine the force of pressing on the display), Taptic Engine tactile feedback, fingerprint touch sensor Second generation ID (when the iPhone is not charging) is present.

The iPhone 6s Plus model differs from its younger 4.7-inch brother, in addition to the increased display diagonal capacious battery providing impressive time battery life and the presence of optical image stabilization when shooting through the main camera.

iPhone 6s is available in the following colors: gray space, silver, gold and rose gold.

The iPhone 6s and 6s Plus are quite powerful devices that are still relevant today. Currently on sale are 32 and 128 GB versions (16 GB model after launch iPhone sales 7 was discontinued).

Comparison of technical characteristics of iPhone 6S / 6S Plus, iPhone 8 / 8 Plus and iPhone X (click to enlarge)

Prices for iPhone 6s in Russia

Buy basic iPhone version 6s 32 GB from retailers in Russia can be from 29,990 rubles. Option with 128 GB internal memory will cost 34,990 rubles.

The cost of iPhone 6s Plus 32 GB is 26,990 rubles.

iPhone SE is suitable for those who do not like modern “shovels” with a large display diagonal or who want to purchase a relatively modern device, but at a lower price than the iPhone 6s. The gadget will be as relevant as the iPhone 6s - for the next 2-3 years. Supports iOS 12. 32 GB and 128 GB models are available.

Prices for iPhone SE in Russia

The only drawback is the lack of a 3.5 mm audio jack, but it seems that Apple has set a new fashion trend, because competing manufacturers have also begun to release models without it. Popularity wireless headphones and accessories with the Lightning interface has increased sharply.

The 5.5-inch model has acquired a large number of exclusive features: a dual main camera (two 12 MP sensors with a wide-angle and a telephoto lens) with a 2x main and 10x digital zoom and 3 GB of RAM.

In the present iPhone moment 7 and iPhone 7 Plus are sold in two versions with 32 and 128 GB storage.

Comparison of technical characteristics of iPhone 7 and iPhone 8 (Table)

Prices for iPhone 7 and iPhone 7 Plus in Russia

Battery capacity has decreased slightly, but battery life remains the same due to the use of a more energy-efficient processor. Among the peripheral modules, we can also highlight Bluetooth 5.0, which replaced version 4.2.

iPhone 8 and iPhone 8 Plus colors

Prices for iPhone 8 and iPhone 8 Plus in Russia

iPhone X

In 2017, Apple released three smartphones at once, but for those who want to use exclusively “hi-end” devices, the choice has been narrowed to one. iPhone X () costs an order of magnitude more than its counterparts, but also offers much richer functionality.

Like the iPhone 8/8 Plus, the 2017 flagship received a glass body rear panel, but the front part of the device has changed dramatically. First of all, the 5.8-inch screen, which occupies almost the entire panel area, and the absence of a Home button are striking.

Its functions are taken over by an operating system that supports new control gestures, as well as Face ID user facial identification technology, which replaced the fingerprint scanner finger touch ID.

At the same time, despite the largest display diagonal in the line, the dimensions of the “tens” are not much larger than the dimensions of the 4.7-inch models.

From iPhone benefits X should also be noted Super Retina HD screen with a resolution of 2436 × 1125 pixels (458 pixels per inch), an improved camera with optical stabilization technology on both lenses, Portrait modes with functionality and a function for the front camera.

Let us repeat that with the release of iOS 12, the iPhone X and iPhone 8 Plus did not receive a function that allows you to adjust the level of background blur.

Autumn 2018 iPhone of the year The X has been discontinued, but can still be found at major resellers.

Prices for iPhone X in Russia

iPhone XS and iPhone XS Max

Design and screen

The new flagship uses exactly the same display module as in last year's iPhone X - OLED matrix, resolution 2436 × 1125 pixels (458 ppi), the same contrast (1,000,000:1), brightness (625 cd/m²) and a set of supported technologies (HDR10, Dolby Vision, True Tone, 3D Touch, etc.).

From a design point of view, there are only two significant changes, one good and the other, as usual, bad. Good, of course, should be called the appearance of a new golden color of the case, which does not look like an “Arabic road”, but is very modern and technologically advanced.

The negative point was the asymmetry at the bottom edge iPhone cases XS / XS Max, which can drive a perfectionist crazy. To the left of the Lightning connector there are 7 holes for the speaker, while to the right there are 4 holes and a plastic insert (“antenna”). Probably, the designers had to take such a step reluctantly and under pressure from engineers demanding better conditions for signal passage due to the expansion of the list of supported standards ().

Another announced change is stronger glass, but a number of tests carried out by various bloggers and reviewers show that there has been no revolution in this direction, and it is still just as easy to shoot a “web” across the screen or back panel.

Performance

According to this iPhone indicator XS and iPhone XS Max are significantly superior to the iPhone X, and it is performance that is responsible for such a high cost of the new product. In 2018, Apple managed to significantly outpace its competitors in the nanometer race - while most vendors are having difficulty establishing a 7-nm process technology to create innovative processors, the Apple corporation is already equipping the new iPhone XS, XS Max and even iPhone XR with them.

As a result, the 6-core Apple A12 Bionic with clock frequency 2.6 GHz (predecessor 2.1 GHz) is about 20% faster than the Apple A11 Bionic, 50% faster with graphics and 40% more efficient in using battery power. Thanks to this, the iPhone XS lasts for half an hour, and the iPhone XS Max for an hour and a half longer than the iPhone X.

Naturally, the secondary modules of the processor have also been improved - the graphics coprocessor, the M12 Motion coprocessor and the system neural learning Neural Engine, which now processes 10 times more tasks(5 trillion) in one second.

In addition, new apple smartphones received an additional gigabyte of RAM and now cope much better with work when loaded into RAM large quantity applications.

Cameras

The iPhone XS camera itself (as well as the iPhone XS Max) has undergone virtually no changes, but Apple programmers have worked hard on it. The only innovation that you can “touch” is the increased size of the wide-angle lens matrix, which now has a pixel size of 1.4µm (1.0µm for the iPhone X). But from a software point of view, iPhone lovers now have some really interesting opportunities.

First of all, advanced users will notice improved performance iPhone cameras XS with objects in the background, especially those in difficult lighting conditions for shooting (in the shadows or overexposure). Thanks to SmartHDR technology, it will be possible to see in the pictures what the iPhone X’s optics could simply “write off” to the side of darkness or light. Another innovation is the ability to adjust the level of background blur on ready-made portrait photographs thanks to new feature.

Face ID

Long-time iPhone users remember how significant the difference was in the speed of the Touch ID fingerprint scanner between the pioneer of this technology, the iPhone 5s and the iPhone 6S. So, in the case of the iPhone XS, one cannot expect the same progress, although a technology update was announced at the presentation on September 12, 2018. Practical tests show that the speed of recognizing the user's face has increased slightly compared to the iPhone X.

Water and dust protection

Apple is one of those companies that will play it safe three times before they declare that a device meets any standards, especially when it comes to security. For the new iPhone XS, Phil Schiller boldly declared the IP68 standard and assured that the smartphone can be lowered into water to a depth of two meters for no more than 30 minutes. In addition, the corporation's top manager said that during tests the gadget was also doused with other liquids. This statement, as expected, caused a response from the community - observers and bloggers began to massively drown the new iPhones in whatever they had to (chlorinated and sea water, beer, juice, etc.), and in general confirmed the assumptions that the new case is protected from moisture and dirt is much better than the iPhone X.

Battery

Capacity iPhone battery XS is lower than last year's model - 2658 mAh versus 2716 mAh, however, as mentioned above, the average battery life additional source The new flagship's power supply is as much as 30 minutes higher, which is due to the use of an innovative processor.

Dual SIM support

It deserves special attention. All three are new iPhone models 2018 allow you to use the usual nanoSIM along with the electronic eSIM. The latter is not supported in Russia, as well as in most other countries of the world, but some experts predict the launch of the technology domestic operators in the near future. In addition, specifically for the Chinese market, Apple released special edition version with a double-sided tray for two physical nanSIM cards, which will probably be in demand in Russia (it works)

As mentioned above, this year is the first time Apple has equipped all models with the same performance package, further blurring the differences between the iPhone XS and iPhone XS Max. If previously there were obvious differences between 4.7- and 5.5-inch devices (more RAM, dual camera), now buyers essentially just have to choose between a smartphone with a 5.8-inch screen, dimensions: 143.6 × 70.9 × 7.7 mm, weight 177 grams, and a smartphone with a 6.5-inch display, dimensions: 157.5 × 77.4 × 7.7 mm, weight 208 grams.

It is noteworthy that even resolution will not play any role in the choice, because both displays have identical pixel density - 458 pixels per inch. The only difference is the slightly thinner iPhone XS Max, where the screen covers 84.4% of the front panel area.

It's also worth mentioning that the iPhone XS Max has a larger battery (3400 mAh versus 2800 mAh) than the iPhone XS, which significantly increases battery life.

And, of course, the deciding factor when choosing can be the price.