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Smartphone

A smartphone refers to a cellphone that combines the functions of a regular cellphone with features of a computer.

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All Content on this topic

A blue glowing brain inside a web of data

A blue glowing brain inside a web of data

Dangerous apps — In the web of data brokers

Many apps collect detailed location data, which often ends up in a global network of data brokers and advertising firms.

A girl is lying in bed with a cell phone.

A girl is lying in bed with a cell phone.

Austria sends 70,000 kids on a three‑week smartphone detox

No scrolling, no messaging for three weeks. Austria's Gen Alphas had to find new ways to stay amused. Did they succeed?

A computer chip labeled AI

A computer chip labeled AI

Global AI boom takes its toll on Singapore's chip sector

How the global AI revolution is reshaping the memory chip market.

A person standing on a street holding a smartphone

A person standing on a street holding a smartphone

AI-fueled chip shortage drives up smartphone prices

Rising AI-driven chip costs and tighter supplies are likely to make 2026 smartphones far more expensive.

CU of a young woman's face (L) and her hands holding a smartphone (R)

CU of a young woman's face (L) and her hands holding a smartphone (R)

How apps and smartphones protect women from attacks

One in three women has been physically or sexually assaulted. Can apps and smartphones offer protection?

Deutschland Bonn 2026 | SHIFT_PhoneShield_Artlist

Deutschland Bonn 2026 | SHIFT_PhoneShield_Artlist

Smartphone features that can save you in an emergency

Six smartphone tips to keep you safer.

An iPhone 17 Pro Max is seen at a store in Krakow, Poland, on December 29, 2025

An iPhone 17 Pro Max is seen at a store in Krakow, Poland, on December 29, 2025

Apple overtakes Samsung in phones sales worldwide

After 14 years behind Samsung, Apple is back on top in global smartphone sales, just as Chinese rivals up the pressure.

Yurina Noguchi (32) reacts emotionally as she views the AI-generated image of her partner Klaus through Vuzix smart glasses during her ceremonial wedding at the Magritte Wedding Venue in Okayama

Yurina Noguchi (32) reacts emotionally as she views the AI-generated image of her partner Klaus through Vuzix smart glasses during her ceremonial wedding at the Magritte Wedding Venue in Okayama

Love from your smartphone: AI marriages in Japan

Virtual marriages are booming in Japan where AI partners provide a sense of intimacy — and raise new ethical questions.

Symbolbild Smartphone Überwachung

Symbolbild Smartphone Überwachung

Security or surveillance: Where do we draw the line?

The Indian government has developed a cybersecurity app which it recommends for all smartphones.

Students in a basketball court in Santiago, Chile

Students in a basketball court in Santiago, Chile

Chile to ban smartphones in classrooms

Parents and teachers had lobbied for the bill, saying smartphones hinder students' learning and emotional development.

Two smartphones, with Sanchar Saathi app ready to be installed on one

Two smartphones, with Sanchar Saathi app ready to be installed on one

Indian government uninstalls preloaded security app plan

The Indian government has dropped an order for a state-run cybersecurity app to be preloaded on all new smartphones.

A finger browses through a collection of photos on a smartphone

A finger browses through a collection of photos on a smartphone

Is digital imaging technology changing how we remember?

Photos and remembering: How digital images shape your memories, and where AI could take it in the future.

A man sits at a money changing counter and checks his smartphone in Kabul in June, 2025.

A man sits at a money changing counter and checks his smartphone in Kabul in June, 2025.

Afghanistan restricts access to social media on smartphones

Access to Facebook, Instagram and Snapchat on mobile phones is currently restricted in Afghanistan.

A sign on a German school gate says that smartphones are banned on the premises

A sign on a German school gate says that smartphones are banned on the premises

Why some German schools are banishing smartphones

A heated debate is unfolding over whether or not to ban smartphones from German classrooms.

Several hands hold smartphones

Several hands hold smartphones

The Irish town that banished smartphones for young children

Greystones, Ireland, pledged to withhold smartphones from children under 12. What does the community think two year on?

A picture of the Earth depicted in abstract technology blue

A picture of the Earth depicted in abstract technology blue

Surviving globalization: Part 1 — smartphone wars

The battle for raw materials. Climate change. Digitalization. These things have changed the world.

Griechenland Kreta 2025 | Segelboot neben geretteten Migranten im Hafen von Agia Galini

Griechenland Kreta 2025 | Segelboot neben geretteten Migranten im Hafen von Agia Galini

Tourism meets migration — Focus on Europe

Greek island residents are concerned about the impact of the growing number of refugees on tourism.

A teenager on a bed looks at her smartphone

A teenager on a bed looks at her smartphone

How to quit your smartphone addiction, guided by science

Overcoming smartphone addiction is good for mental and physical health. Here are some of the best science-based methods.

Three young women look at their smartphones

Three young women look at their smartphones

No signal? How to message your friends anyway

Texting without WiFi or cell phone signal? Bluetooth messaging apps let you do that. Here’s how it works.

A view of four people sitting at a round table in a TV studio

A view of four people sitting at a round table in a TV studio

Battle for rare earths: How much power does China hold?

China’s dangerous dominance in key raw materials — are production shutdowns looming in Europe?

Two young children looking at a mobile phone

Two young children looking at a mobile phone

Cellphone bans for children and adolescents

Parents in Brazil have jointly decided not to give their children a cellphone until they are 14.

A young man puts his mobile phone in a plastic pouch hanging on the wall of a classroom

A young man puts his mobile phone in a plastic pouch hanging on the wall of a classroom

Cell phone bans at school: How effective are they?

A new law in Brazil bans cell phones at school. Many people think that's a good thing.

Gaming: another kind of addiction

Online games are very popular with children and adolescents, but they can also be harmful.

A red-haired boy (L) and a girl wearing glasses (R) lie stomach down on a mattress in a park or garden, smiling as they look at a smartphone

A red-haired boy (L) and a girl wearing glasses (R) lie stomach down on a mattress in a park or garden, smiling as they look at a smartphone

Smartphones for children: Danger or a learning process?

Many young people spend several hours a day on their cell phones. What should be done about this?

Three young people sit together and hold their smartphones

Three young people sit together and hold their smartphones

Young Europeans are growing tired of smartphones

A British survey found that almost half of young people polled would prefer growing up without the internet.

Child gazing at smartphone

Child gazing at smartphone

Germany considers smartphone ban in schools

A high school in the North Rhine-Westphalia has already implemented a ban on smartphones.

Apple iPhone 16 are on display during the launch September 20, 2024, at the Apple Store in New York.

Apple iPhone 16 are on display during the launch September 20, 2024, at the Apple Store in New York.

US to grant tariff exemptions for smartphones, computers

The White House announced the removal of "reciprocal tariffs" from a range of electronic goods.

A woman in bed looking at her phone.

A woman in bed looking at her phone.

Off your phone! Screen use in bed raises insomnia risk 59%

An hour of screen use in bed reduces sleep by 24 minutes per night and increases insomnia risk.

Two players clash during a Spanish Primera Division match between Real Madrid and FC Barcelona

Two players clash during a Spanish Primera Division match between Real Madrid and FC Barcelona

CTE: What we know about chronic traumatic encephalopathy

CTE is a neurodegenerative condition linked to repeated blows to the head. It can wreak havoc on athletes' brains.

DW Podcast | Science Unscripted

DW Podcast | Science Unscripted

Don't text & drive (especially during a full moon)

How could a full moon make roads more dangerous? And how much are teens using their phones while driving?

Beginn der Abiturprüfungen in Niedersachsen

Beginn der Abiturprüfungen in Niedersachsen

Netherlands: Schools ban cell phones

Cell phones are now prohibited during class at many schools in the Netherlands – a change for students.

The science of communication — Tomorrow Today

Unlocking an ancient Incan language / Transforming industry with 5G / AI smartphones / Cyberbullying / Hangovers

Symbolbild China Cybersecurity

Symbolbild China Cybersecurity

China's tech takeover: cause for concern?

What are the consequences of China's tech cooperation agreements with countries around the world?

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Lithium prices plunge as demand plummets

Demand for lithium, a key component in the global energy transition, has been falling sharply for months.

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[No title]

Sexual double standards & better sleep

Women, not men, are viewed more favorably if they've had a few recent sexual partners... even if a German study appears to suggest the opposite. Also, if you're gonna do some late-night scrolling (because who doesn't), do it right.

Migranten überqueren Ärmelkanal

Migranten überqueren Ärmelkanal

Focus on Europe - Spotlight on People

British Prime Minister Sunak and his Tories hope to win votes with the slogan "Stop the boats".

DW Podcast | Science Unscripted

DW Podcast | Science Unscripted

Weekly roundup — Hold the door & filter your phone

Does it make YOU happier to do a random act of kindness? Also, how to stop a smartphone from messing with your sleep.

DW Eco India (Sendungslogo Composite)

DW Eco India (Sendungslogo Composite)

Tech and tradition: The future of farming - Eco India

From India to Europe, farmers are angry about high costs and low crop prices. High-tech can help — but is that enough?

Apple phones at a store

Apple phones at a store

US sues Apple over 'smartphone monopoly'

The Justice Department charged that Apple would "continue to strengthen its smartphone monopoly" if left unchallenged.

A man repairs the smartphone

A man repairs the smartphone

New EU proposal aims to encourage sustainable consumption

The European Union legislation will make it easier for consumers to have products repaired rather than simply replaced.

Symbolbild | Junge Frau Smartphone

Symbolbild | Junge Frau Smartphone

SHIFT – Living in the Digital Age

Signs of internet addiction. Software to monitor employees’ performance. Microchips from space.

A lightning cable next to a USB-C cable

A lightning cable next to a USB-C cable

India to adopt EU charger rule, Apple's production at risk

India has said it wants to adopt an EU rule requiring smartphones to have universal charging ports.

Smartphone Reparatur Symbolbild

Smartphone Reparatur Symbolbild

Why companies harm the planet by hindering phone repair

Apple, Samsung & Co. make it very hard to fix smartphones. The result: a lot of electric waste.

DW Podcast | Science Unscripted

DW Podcast | Science Unscripted

Why are kids getting worse at math?

15-year-olds across the globe are performing worse on the standardized Pisa test than five years ago.

Shift - Living in the Digital Age

Why Apple & Co hinder phone repairs. How to Make AI Work for You. Elon Musk and World Politics.

SHIFT Handys

SHIFT Handys

Why Chinese mobile phones are popular in Africa

Smartphones made by Chinese manufacturers are tailored to the African market.

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[No title]

Smartphone addiction, warring chimps & sulfur

Sometimes, improving pollution... makes global warming worse. Also, women are more addicted to their phones than men.

DW Podcast | Science Unscripted

DW Podcast | Science Unscripted

Weekly roundup — High temps & higher ground

The future of weather forecasting — and our listeners had some really interesting things to say about tattoos.

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[No title]

Music really does make our hearts beat as one

A novel study out of Switzerland and Germany shows human beings, under certain conditions, can synchronize biologically.

Closeup of a person's hand holding a glowing smartphone

Closeup of a person's hand holding a glowing smartphone

Doomscrolling: What bad news does to us

We consume an endless amount of bad news: war, natural catastrophe, the climate crisis. This is what it's doing to us.