smartphone

American  

[smahrt-fohn] / ˈsmɑrtˌfoʊn /

Or smart phone

noun

1. a device that combines a cell phone with a handheld computer, typically offering internet access, data storage, email capability, etc.

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smartphone British  

/ ˈsmɑːtˌfəʊn /

noun

1. computing a mobile telephone with computer features that may enable it to interact with computerized systems, send e-mails, and access the web

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Etymology

Origin of smartphone

First recorded in 1995–2000

Compare meaning

How does smartphone compare to similar and commonly confused words? Explore the most common comparisons:

• cell phone vs. smartphone

Example Sentences

Many big companies in the server, PC and smartphone businesses are paying premiums to buy up bigger volumes of memory and constrain supply for rivals, Hwang added.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 30, 2026

The overall contraction in the smartphone market has been partly the result of an ongoing memory shortage, which has constrained production and driven up the cost of components.

From MarketWatch • Apr. 27, 2026

Does the 4th Amendment’s ban on unreasonable searches extend to your smartphone and its tracking data?

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 27, 2026

Qualcomm’s stock surged due to reports of a smartphone collaboration with OpenAI.

From Barron's • Apr. 27, 2026

Correct: Two years ago, Whiskers was the first cat to google on his own smartphone.

From "Woe Is I" by Patricia T. O'Conner