Smartphone release refers to the time that a smartphone becomes available for pre-order or purchase in stores. It can be months after a device’s initial unveiling or launch before it hits the shelves. This is usually because OEMs and carriers have to run marketing campaigns, fine tune production runs, and test software on new devices before they’re ready for prime time.

It’s hard to imagine a world without Angry Birds, Pokemon Go, or Stumble Guys but mobile gaming didn’t take off until 1997 when Nokia launched the first commercial handheld video game: Snake. Smartphones have largely replaced personal digital assistant (PDA) devices, pocket/palm-sized PCs, portable media players, point-and-shoot cameras and camcorders, and e-reader devices. They also allow people to use satellite messaging and emergency services even in remote areas without reliable cellular coverage.

Most smartphones have a touch screen display, a metal-oxide semiconductor (MOS) integrated circuit (IC) chip with various sensors and support for multiple wireless communication protocols. The sensors can be used by either pre-installed or third-party applications to add functionality. The wireless communications protocols include a mobile network connection for voice, data and text messaging as well as Wi-Fi, Bluetooth and GPS location services.

Smartphones are equipped with low-power light-emitting diodes besides the display that can notify users of incoming messages, missed calls, or low battery levels with marginal power consumption. Many smartphones are also equipped with fingerprint scanners that use a capacitive layer to detect the ridges on your fingers. Some smartphones have been designed with additional input methods such as a stylus for higher precision input and a floating touch screen layer that detects finger hovering without touching the display.