Smartphones have become an essential tool in modern life, offering advanced features like PCs. However, they have also become a source of addiction and health risks, raising the question of whether their development has been a positive change.
The definition of a smartphone is a cell phone that offers advanced features alongside the functionality of a personal computer (PC). Smartphones typically have the basic functions of a cell phone – calling and texting – and the basic functions of a PC – inputting, computing, and outputting – as well as the ability to create documents, listen to audio or music, watch videos, and browse the internet just like a PC. It’s literally a PC in the palm of your hand. Furthermore, you can take photos and record videos without a separate camera or camcorder, which you can’t do with a regular PC, and you can record your voice without a microphone. In addition, you can share photos and videos taken anywhere in real time with others through social network services (SNS). In addition, you can enjoy entertainment such as games and psychological tests wherever you are by installing applications from the market according to your convenience, communicate with friends even when you are away from home, download songs or videos, or install notepad or diary applications in the shape of your choice for easy use, all with the convenience of portability that is not possible with a PC.
The early introduction of smartphones was more than just a technological advancement; it was a major turning point that changed the way we live as a society. With the advent of smartphones, people were able to completely redefine their approach to information, which has had a profound impact on their daily lives. Instead of having to go to the library or turn on a computer at home to get information, we now have the ability to find what we need in seconds with a smartphone in the palm of our hand. This has maximized efficiency for individuals and greatly increased productivity for society as a whole. More than just a technological innovation, smartphones have helped improve the quality of life for individuals.
As of 2024, the smartphone penetration rate in Korea is over 95%, meaning that almost all adults in the country have a smartphone. This means that more than 49 million of Korea’s 52 million people own a smartphone. In particular, smartphones have become an essential tool for all generations, as not only the working-age population but also the youth and the elderly are now using them. Seventeen years after the first smartphone was introduced in Korea, the role of smartphones has evolved beyond a simple means of communication to become the center of a wide range of digital services. Many people use smartphones to conduct financial transactions, shopping, healthcare, education, and other activities, and services related to artificial intelligence (AI) are rapidly evolving. In addition, the introduction of 5G networks has made it possible to access high-speed internet through smartphones, and technologies such as live streaming, augmented reality (AR), and virtual reality (VR) using smartphones have become a bigger part of our daily lives. In the future, the functions and impact of smartphones are expected to expand even further with the introduction of 6G networks. As you can see, smartphones have become an integral part of people’s daily lives in Korea, and their importance will only grow in the future.
Smartphones are now permeating every aspect of our lives, and their importance is evident in various fields. For example, the rise of telemedicine via smartphones has greatly improved access to healthcare. This is especially beneficial for the elderly and disabled, who often have limited mobility, and it is also increasing the efficiency of the healthcare system as a whole. In education, smartphones are also proving to be a revolutionary tool. The ability to learn anytime, anywhere via smartphones has led to new ways of learning that go beyond the limitations of traditional classroom education. This shift has accelerated during the COVID-19 pandemic, and the role of smartphones in education is likely to become even more important in the future.
In fact, if we look at the evolution of smartphones to date, we can see that the pace of progress has been tremendous, and it’s only getting faster. In 2007, Apple’s iPhone was released, and with it, the idea of a smartphone as a PC in the palm of your hand. They were called PCs in the palm of your hand because they could access the internet just like a PC. Then, in 2008, applications started to be sold. From then on, smartphones became cell phones that offered more than just internet access, but also other advanced features.
Now, in 2024, smartphone technology has evolved even further, revolutionizing performance and functionality. More than just a communication tool, smartphones are becoming powerful computing devices. The range of features available through applications, such as gaming, GPS-based precise location tracking, social media, and more, have taken smartphones beyond casual use and made them essential tools in almost every field, including work, education, healthcare, and entertainment.
The processing speed of a smartphone is no longer simply determined by the number of CPU cores. Today’s smartphones come standard with octa-cores (eight cores) or more, with the addition of high-performance AI-specific processors (NPUs) and graphics processing units (GPUs) to deliver even higher levels of computational speed and multitasking power. These high-performance processors can handle highly complex and demanding tasks such as augmented reality (AR), virtual reality (VR), real-time game streaming, and AI-powered personalization services. Advances in network technology also mean that 5G is already commercially available worldwide, delivering speeds up to 100 times faster than 4G LTE, enabling ultra-fast data transfers and lag-free streaming. Currently, 6G technology is under development, which is expected to provide even faster speeds and more connectivity for smartphones. While Moore’s Law suggests that semiconductor technology is not advancing as fast as it used to, current smartphones continue to improve performance through software optimization, artificial intelligence, and the introduction of new architectures. Semiconductor technology has evolved to increasingly finer processes, with chipsets on 3nm processes becoming commercially available, which is helping to increase power efficiency and reduce heat while maximizing performance. These changes have advanced the capabilities of smartphones to the point where they are no longer simply computers, and smartphones are now powerful personal computing devices that are revolutionizing many industries and our daily lives.
The increasing speed of smartphones has made it easier for people to get information. We can easily find where we want to go by searching the Internet or using GPS navigation, and we can quickly and easily learn a lot of information, including unknown words, by using various dictionary applications. Smartphones also provide fast and convenient access to the Internet at any time, anywhere, with real-time news and hot issues that you can access at any time without having to carry around a newspaper or magazine. Smartphones also provide a variety of games, music, videos, and other entertainment, and allow users to make free calls, send free texts, and communicate with each other via social media, making it easy to travel long distances or pass the time when bored.
However, with the popularization of smartphones comes the problem of smartphone addiction and the rise of thumbism (a new generation of people who use their thumbs to make calls, search for information, and play games with agility). Students who have smartphones are not studying because they are addicted to smartphone games and social media, and the number of thumbs that use smartphones to do everything is increasing, so the habit of reading books, talking to family and friends is disappearing, and the incidence of adult diseases caused by lack of exercise is increasing. There is also a disadvantage that it is easier to access pornography and harmful sites compared to computers, which can damage the mental health of young people.
The problem of smartphone addiction is not only affecting individuals, but it is also having a negative impact on society as a whole. For example, people who are overly dependent on their smartphones can become alienated from real-life relationships, which can lead to social isolation and depression. For adolescents in particular, being glued to their smartphones can lead to poor academic performance and less face-to-face interaction with friends, which can negatively impact their social development. To address these issues, there is a need for education on smartphone use, as well as a variety of leisure activities that can be used as alternatives to smartphones.
Also, as with all electronic devices, the electromagnetic radiation from the smartphone itself can have negative health effects. Especially since we carry our smartphones with us everywhere, we are exposed to electromagnetic waves all the time. “Electromagnetic waves increase the body’s temperature through microwaves. This can lead to increased eye temperature, which can lead to cataracts, and increased body temperature, which can lead to increased stress, which can lead to nervous breakdowns. Electromagnetic waves can also stimulate hormone secretion, which can lead to uneven hormone secretion in certain organs and can affect the reproductive system, which can have adverse effects on offspring. In addition to that, since electricity flows through the skin, it can cause skin problems, insomnia, and nervousness, which can interfere with sleep.’
The future of smartphones is more than just a technological advancement; it will have a profound impact on all aspects of human life. The smartphones of the future will complement our needs even more. It could start with the development of films that can block exposure to the microwaves from electromagnetic radiation I mentioned earlier, and include obstacle detectors for those who can’t see obstacles in front of them because they’re looking at their phones; GPS to keep everyone in the family safe by knowing where everyone is; facial recognition or temperature recognition through the display; or health checks through external devices. Or the interface and design will change, allowing us to do things we never imagined possible, such as interacting with the pupils in our eyes, or unbreakable displays made of fluid objects.
The evolution of smartphones will bring about other changes. For example, in the future, personalized healthcare via smartphones is expected to become commonplace. Sensors on smartphones will monitor your health in real time and send data to medical professionals immediately if needed, enabling faster diagnosis and treatment. In addition, artificial intelligence on smartphones will analyze your daily patterns to suggest better lifestyle habits and act as a tool to help you manage stress, improve sleep, and overall well-being. While these technological advances will make our lives easier and healthier, they will also make us more dependent on our smartphones.
As future smartphones bring us more convenient features, we’ll become even more addicted to them. As the saying goes, the rapid development of smartphones can lead to poor health, such as people neglecting their relationships due to their dependence on smartphones, or suffering from adult diseases due to lack of exercise. To prevent this, we need to take the initiative to embrace our smartphones. We need to learn how to use them appropriately and control them to minimize their negative effects. If we do, smartphones will become a tool that enriches our lives.
