Android smartphones allow users to send text messages through something called RCS. All mobile phones have an SMS system , but what is the difference between SMS and RCS
SMS relies on simplicity and offers limited features, while RCS offers additional features and provides a richer messaging experience, according to aitnews.
RCS allows you to send photos, videos, GIFs, locations, and more, whereas when using SMS you are limited to writing short, direct texts, SMS messages depend on the cellular network, while RCS works through a cellular data network or a Wi-Fi connection
SMS stands for Short Text Message Service, and is used to send and receive short text messages over the mobile network, and does not need mobile data or Wi-Fi to operate.
This service offers features that seem very dated in the era of instant messaging apps and social media. For example: SMS only allows sending SMS messages that do not exceed 160 characters, including numbers and symbols, and you cannot exceed this number within one SMS, and if you exceed it, your message will be separated into two messages.
RCS stands for Rich Communication Services, and it is a communication protocol that differs from SMS in many aspects, as it allows adding more characters in each message. You can also add all kinds of media to your messages, allowing you to share photos, videos, and GIFs. You can also send location data, create group chats, and encrypt your messages as well.
The only advantage that SMS has over RCS is that it is available in almost every mobile phone, whether it is a regular phone, an Android smartphone or an iPhone. While using RCS requires a phone that supports this feature, and dealing with a carrier that supports RCS. The other party you want to message must also have the same capabilities, and only then will the conversation be through RCS.
On the other hand, iPhone phones do not support RCS at all, as Apple relies on its iMessage service for text messaging between iPhone phones, which makes all text communications between iPhone and Android phones be via SMS only.