No matter how much the modern world enjoys smartphones, it’s easy to overlook how these devices were actually made. Understanding the process can give consumers insights and help tech entrepreneurs with future plans.
Blueprint
Smartphone development is an intricate endeavor, and a simple mistake can cost manufacturers a great deal of time and money. For this reason, a company usually begins with a prototype before producing large quantities of a product. Higher-ups often bounce ideas around until they agree on the best blueprint to follow.
Prototype
Once a consensus is reached, other departments take over. A development lab handles the overall look and functionality of the handset before passing it along to another team. Specialists work on the processor, memory parts and other details. The company might outsource some of this work, such as wafer dicing services for integrated circuits. After the hardware and software are in check, the board evaluates the prototype.
Tests
The board’s approval doesn’t mean it’s time for mass production just yet. The company has to test the prototype to see how easily it bends, handles water exposure, endures falls and so on. A software team often has to check to see how the system fares against bugs, security breaches and other issues. The company pays extra attention to their prototype’s quality in this step, because once mass production starts, changes become more difficult.
Production
Outsourced services often handle mass production, but a company can do all or some of the work in-house. Workers copy the prototype quickly in a facility, usually following a quota. Once the components are assembled and processed, each smartphone is ready to be shipped out.
Manufacturing smartphones is not easy, but it can be worthwhile in the end. As methodologies continue to evolve over time, it helps to understand where the technology stands today.
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