Maarg Manthan · Topic 14.22

Smartphone Technology and Related Concepts

Science & Technology › IT, Telecommunications and Computers · Topic 14.22

A smartphone is a mobile phone that works like a small computer, with a touchscreen, an operating system, internet access, sensors, cameras and apps. Its main parts are the system on a chip, which combines the processor, graphics unit and modem, memory, storage, battery, display and sensors such as accelerometer, gyroscope, GPS, proximity and fingerprint. The two main operating systems are Android, built on the Linux kernel and led by Google, and iOS of Apple. Related concepts include near field communication, wireless charging, fast charging, biometric unlock, 5G modems, eSIM, mobile payments through the Unified Payments Interface and app stores. India is one of the largest smartphone markets and a growing manufacturer through the Production Linked Incentive scheme.

5 min read · UPSC Prelims · Science & Technology · IT, Telecommunications and Computers

At a Glance

Brain System on a chip
Main OS Android and iOS
Short-range payments NFC
Motion sensors Accelerometer, gyroscope
Indian scheme PLI for mobile phones
Exam link UPSC Prelims, Science & Technology: IT, Telecommunications and Computers

Where Does It Fit?

This topic follows the account of VSAT, SIM and IMEI. It looks at the device that uses these networks and links with the later topics on mobile spectrum and e-governance on phones. Previous topic: VSAT, SIM, IMEI and WiMax Technologies. Next topic: Global Internet Governance.

What Are the Main Parts and Sensors of a Smartphone?

Part	Function
System on a chip	A single chip combining the processor cores, graphics processor, memory controller, image processor and often the modem. Examples: Snapdragon, Apple A series, MediaTek Dimensity
Memory and storage	RAM holds running apps while flash storage keeps files and apps
Display	Usually OLED or LCD with touch sensing, with refresh rates of 60 to 120 hertz or more
Accelerometer	Detects acceleration and tilt, used for screen rotation and step counting
Gyroscope	Measures rotation, used in games, camera stabilisation and navigation
GPS and NavIC	Satellite positioning. Many new Indian phones support the NavIC system of ISRO
Proximity and light sensors	Turn off the screen near the ear and adjust brightness

Android: an open source operating system based on the Linux kernel, led by Google, with the largest share of phones in India
iOS: the closed operating system of Apple
NFC: Near Field Communication, a short range wireless link over a few centimetres used for tap-to-pay, ticketing and pairing
Wireless charging: uses electromagnetic induction between coils, as in the Qi standard
Fast charging: delivers higher power with controlled voltage to fill batteries quickly
Battery: lithium-ion or lithium polymer cells, a source of demand for lithium and cobalt
UPI: Unified Payments Interface, a real time payment system of the National Payments Corporation of India launched in 2016, used mainly through smartphones
Mobile manufacturing in India: India has become a major assembler and exporter of smartphones helped by the Production Linked Incentive scheme for large scale electronics manufacturing started in 2020

What Else Should You Remember?

Biometric unlock: fingerprint and face recognition, as in Biometrics and Virtual Reality
Camera technology: multiple lenses, image stabilisation and computational photography
Bluetooth and Wi-Fi: short and local range wireless links, as in Networking: Bluetooth and Wi-Fi Hotspot
5G and eSIM: faster networks and embedded SIMs, as in VSAT, SIM, IMEI and WiMax
App stores: Google Play and the Apple App Store distribute apps, and the Government has its own app store for government apps, called the Mobile Seva App Store
UMANG app: a single mobile platform for many government services, launched in 2017
Operating system updates: security updates protect against malware
Mobile malware: harmful apps can steal data, so apps should be installed from trusted stores
App permissions: users can control access to camera, location and contacts
Bans on apps: India has blocked some foreign apps under Section 69A of the IT Act for security reasons
Rare earths and minerals: phones use many minerals, which links to supply chains and Critical Minerals
E-waste: old phones create electronic waste, which is managed under the E-Waste Rules, 2022
Digital divide: smartphone cost and data skills still limit access in poor and rural areas
Feature phones: simple phones with keypads still used by many Indians, which can use UPI123Pay
Semiconductor link: the chips in phones are mostly imported, so India Semiconductor Mission matters
Operating system share: Android has a large majority of smartphones in India
Foldable and flexible displays: new designs use bendable OLED panels
Haptics and vibration: small motors give touch feedback for taps and alerts
Microphone and speakers: several microphones allow noise cancellation and voice assistants
Magnetometer: a compass sensor that senses the magnetic field and helps maps to show direction
Mobile data usage: India has among the lowest data prices in the world, which has driven app use and digital payments

Why Does It Matter for the Exam?

Sensors: accelerometer versus gyroscope
Technologies: NFC, wireless charging, SoC
Policy: PLI scheme for mobiles
Current affairs link: smartphone exports and 5G phones
Common errors: saying NFC works over metres or that Android is owned by Apple

As an analytical point, the smartphone is the main access point for Digital India, payments and services. Making it in India, including components and chips, is the next challenge after assembly.

Why Is This Topic Important?

Parts SoC and sensors
Concepts NFC, Android
Policy PLI

What Came Next?

The next topic covers global internet governance. Next topic: Global Internet Governance.

Key People and Terms

SoC System on a chip
NFC Near Field Communication
Accelerometer Sensor of acceleration
Gyroscope Sensor of rotation
UPI Unified Payments Interface
PLI Production Linked Incentive

Exam Corner

Points to Remember

Android is based on the Linux kernel.
UPI launched in 2016.
NFC works over a few centimetres.
PLI for electronics from 2020.
UMANG app: 2017.

Do Not Confuse With

Accelerometer and gyroscope Linear movement versus rotation
Android and iOS Open source base versus Apple closed system
NFC and Bluetooth Few centimetres versus about ten metres

Memory Hook

SoC is the brain, accelerometer feels the shake, gyroscope feels the spin, NFC taps and pays.

Mains Angle

Questions ask for parts, sensors and policies. These points help.

Role Access to services
Manufacturing PLI
Issues Divide, waste

A Question You May Face

An original practice question, not a past paper question.

“Discuss the role of smartphones in India’s digital economy and the policy steps to promote domestic manufacturing.”

How to Answer

Role Services and payments.
Technology Parts.
Policy PLI.
Issues E-waste, divide.

GS Relevance

Prelims: smartphone parts, sensors, OS, NFC, wireless charging, UPI. GS Paper 3: electronics manufacturing, IT.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a system on a chip?

A system on a chip, SoC, is a single integrated circuit that combines the main parts of a smartphone computer, such as the processor cores, graphics unit, image processor and often the cellular modem. It saves space and power, which is why phones use it instead of separate chips.

What is the difference between an accelerometer and a gyroscope?

An accelerometer measures linear acceleration and tilt, so it can detect shaking, steps and screen orientation. A gyroscope measures the rate of rotation about axes. Phones use both together for gaming, camera stabilisation, augmented reality and navigation when the satellite signal is weak.

What is NFC?

Near Field Communication is a short range wireless technology that lets two devices exchange data when they are within a few centimetres. Smartphones use it for contactless payments, transit cards, quick pairing with accessories and reading tags, and it works with very little power.

What is the Production Linked Incentive scheme for mobile phones?

The Production Linked Incentive scheme for large scale electronics manufacturing, started in 2020 by the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology, gives companies a cash incentive on additional sales of phones made in India over a base year. It has helped India to become a major assembler and exporter of smartphones.

Which operating system is Android based on?

Android is based on the Linux kernel and is developed mainly by Google, with the core released as open source. Many phone makers use it with their own changes. Apple's iOS is a separate closed system used only on iPhones.

PYQ Practice — Statement Analysis

1 Android is based on the Linux kernel.

True

Led by Google.

2 NFC works over a distance of several metres.

False

It works over a few centimetres.

3 UPI was launched in 2016.