Phone Hardware

   The hardware of a computer are all the physical components that constitute a computer system, such as motherboard, hard disk drive, monitor, mouse, etc. Depending on whether we are talking about cellphones or computers, the hardware we can find are different. The following text is an explanation on the components of a cellphone.

Screen

   Screens are one of the main parts of any phone, smartphone or not. They display information and are the way a user can interact easily with the phone itself. On cellphones, the screens are only an output device, like a monitor. Some screens, called touchscreens, also work as input devices. They allow the user to control or interact with the system with simple or multi-touch gestures which are recognized by the device.

Battery

   It is the power source of any portable phone. Due to the absence of a wire which can support it energy, it must have a battery so it can work. All cellphones have rechargable batteries, meaning the battery can be used hundreds of times before its lifetime ends.

Keyboard

   Keyboards are one of the main input components of cellphones. Nowadays, keyboards have been replaced for virtual ones, accesible through a touchscreen. We could almost be sure that there is no production of smartphones with physical keyboards.

Memory

   Memories are a technology consisting of computer components and recording media used to retain digital data. It is a core function and fundamental component of computers and smartphones. There are also other components which store information, but they are volatile, meaning that the date is lost when you turn off the device. However, this type of storage is permanent.

Camera

   Modern cellphones now have a camera. They usually have a rear camera, but sometimes they also include a front one. Normally, the rear camera will have a higher resolution. Just like digital cameras, phones have high-resolution image sensors.


SIM card

   Subscriber Identity Module (SIM) is an integrated circuit chip that is intended to securely store the international mobile subscriber identity (IMSI) number and its related key, which are used to identify and authenticate subscribers onmobile telephony devices. These allows you to make phonecalls or receive them. Nowadays, some modern smartphones have 2 SIM cards.

PCB

   Printed Circuit Boards (PCBs) are the equivalent of mother boards of computers. They are used in most small electronic devices. They connect electronic components of the cellphone. If the cellphone has a high-density PCB, meaning that it has all the components connected in a small surface, the phone can be thinner.

Processor

   The processor are the electronic circuitry within phones that carry out the instructions of a applications by performing the basic arithmetic, logical, control and input/output operations specified by the instructions. Actual phones have a processor of about 1.5 Ghz.

RAM

   Random-access memories are a form of computer data storage. They are volatile memories, meaning that when you turn of the phone the information is lost. They allow the information to be accessed in a short amount of time. Therefore, they are usually fast, but can not store too much data. There are 2 types of RAMs, Static and Dynamic.

Speaker

   It is the output component for sound. All phones have one, as they are essential for phone calls.

Sources

• Wikipedia - RAM - Processor - Storage - SIM card - Touchscreen
• How Stuff Works
• Personal knowledge
• Meiko-america