Get to know your smartphone

What is a smartphone used for?

A smartphone is a portable phone that connects to the internet via Wi-Fi or a mobile network. A smartphone allows you to:

• make mobile phone calls
• send text messages
• access the internet
• use programs called apps.

Different types of smartphone

There are two main kinds of smartphone: The Apple iPhone, and Android phones.

The iPhone is made by Apple, while Android phones are made by many brands including Samsung, Oppo, and Google.

The Power button

The power button is usually located on the top or side of the smartphone. It is used to turn the device on or off.

On many smartphones, you can take a picture of what’s on the screen by pressing the power button and the volume up button at the same time.

The cameras

All smartphones have:

• a front-facing camera for making video calls and for taking photos of yourself, known as selfies. Many people call this the selfie camera
• one or more rear-facing cameras for taking photos of things and people around you. These cameras usually include a wide-angle lens for landscape shots and a telephoto lens for zooming in on things of interest.

Charging your smartphone

A smartphone can be charged by plugging the charging cable into the charging port, which is usually located at the bottom of the phone. The other end of the cable is called a USB, and connects to a power brick which goes in the wall.

You can also charge your smartphone in your car if the car has a USB socket for the cable to go into.

Controlling the volume on your smartphone

All smartphones have volume control buttons, usually located on the side of the device. The volume up and volume down buttons can be used to control the volume of phone calls, how loudly the phone rings, and even the loudness of music or a movie you might be enjoying on your phone.

Setting up a pre-owned smartphone

Be Connected has videos that you can follow along with to set up a pre-owned smartphone. Click on the links below to view the video guides for setting up a pre-owned iPhone or pre-owned Android phone.

Resetting your pre-owned iPhone

Resetting your pre-owned Android phone

Setting up a new smartphone

Be Connected also has video guides that demonstrate step-by-step how you can set up a new smartphone. Click on the links below to view the video guides for setting up a new iPhone or setting up a new Android phone.

Setting up your new iPhone

Setting up your new Android phone

Well done!

This is the end of the Get to know your smartphone activity. You learned what a smartphone is and what it’s used for. You also know where you can find video guides on setting up new and pre-owned smartphones.

Up next, learn more about using a smartphone in the Using your smartphone activity.