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A portable electronic device that combines the functions of a mobile phone with those of a computer, typically featuring a touchscreen interface and internet connectivity.
スマホで写真を撮る
Taking a photo with a smartphone
スマホのバッテリーがなくなった
The smartphone's battery died
Commonly used in everyday conversation to refer to smartphones. Often shortened from 'スマートフォン' (smarutofon).
In casual conversation, 'スマホ' is the preferred term over 'スマートフォン'.
Always use 'スマホ' in informal contexts; 'スマートフォン' is more formal.
Derived from the English word 'smartphone', shortened to 'スマホ' in Japanese. The term became widely used in the early 2000s as smartphones gained popularity.
While 'スマートフォン' is the formal term, 'スマホ' is the more commonly used colloquial form. '携帯' (keitai) was previously used for mobile phones but is now less common for smartphones.