In the digital age, we have several different ways to send messages regardless of the type of phone we use. You can find hundreds of different texting applications that allow you to send SMS or MMS anywhere in the world. SMS and MMS are two different acronyms that you may be familiar with but in this article, we are going to discuss in detail what these terms mean. Moreover, we will talk about the difference between SMS and MMS in terms of technology, statistics, impact, use cases, and current trends. This guide will cover the following
SMS stands for Short Message Service. Its development began in the 1980s with the idea of adding text messaging functionality to mobile devices. The SMS concept was developed in the Franco-German GSM cooperation in 1984 and the first text message was sent in 1992. Earlier GSM mobile phones did not have the means to send SMS. In 1993, Nokia introduced devices that supported user-sending options. SMS is one of the oldest texting technologies and after decades, it is still the most widespread and frequently used. The limit of a text message was set to 160 characters based on analysis of typical lengths of Telex messages and postcards, which suggested that this length was sufficient to express any message.
MMS, on the other hand, stands for Multimedia Messaging service and it was built using the same technology like SMS. However, it can deliver a range of media, including a short video, image, phone contacts, or audio files. The technology came into existence following the introduction of MMS-supported phones in conjunction with the 2g and 3g networks in the ’90s and early 2000s. The growth was slow in the beginning. However, more supported devices began to hit the market in 2004. MMS does not have a standard limit, so the size depends on the carrier and device receiving the message.
SMS is a universal technology, which is supported by every mobile device and network in the world. You simply need another person’s phone number and you are good to go. This makes SMS extremely popular especially in the US since most carriers offer unlimited texting plans. Let’s take a look at some incredible statistics of SMS and MMS
SMS or texting is one of the oldest forms of text communication. Moreover, it is more commonly used than MMS. Here are some of the advantages you can enjoy when you use SMS.
While sending SMS has its advantages, there are some disadvantages too. Here are a few limitations that come with sending text messages.
MMS was a revolutionary change in how people sent messages. Here are a few advantages that MMS has.
Like SMS, MMS also comes with a few limitations. The following are the disadvantages of MMS.
MMS is an enhanced version of SMS. However, SMS is still more commonly used and has been fine-tuned for a longer time which makes it supported all on phones. However, let’s take a look at some of the advantages and disadvantages of each messaging feature in terms of relevant factors that apply to both of them;
The most significant advantage of MMS over SMS is the multimedia content. SMS only supports text and Unicode characters whereas MMS supports videos, images, and audio in the messages which allows a higher level of personalization and context in the message.
MMS is dependent on the quality of the recipient’s phone; what may be a smooth playback on an iPhone may not be that playable on a feature phone. Pictures taken with different resolutions or camera quality may be hard to view on different displays. The sound may also not be clear. SMS on the other hand does not have these issues and will remain equally consistent on all devices.
There is no way to tell if the recipient has a phone that supports MMS unless you explicitly ask. Even though smartphones are becoming common around the world, a huge number of people still use feature phones. Plus, not everyone may have MMS enabled on their plan and different phones may support different types of media files. SMS again remains consistent on smartphones and feature phones.
Exchange of MMS messages may cost more on your plan and the recipient’s plan, especially if they have pay per messages plans. Costs vary from carrier to carrier and maybe in terms of size or message. Plus, they are charged to both the recipient and sender. SMS is much cheaper and only the sender is charged for them.
Consumers are spending a significant amount of time on their phones in this digital age with an average of over 3 hours daily. Since a major percentage of this time is spent in texting, many businesses now consider SMS to be one of the most effective channels for them to communicate with prospects and existing customers. Statistics indicate that majority of people prefer to communicate by text as it is faster and more convenient for them.
With open rates higher than 98 percent, SMS marketing and supporting features become more attractive especially when used for customer service. Hospitals and appointment-based businesses send alerts and reminders to clients and organizations use it for internal communication. This means that a large number of industries use SMS and MMS. To use SMS for your marketing, you need a service like ExpertTexting. Watch the video below to know everything about ExpertTexting.
The main commercial application of both comes under marketing. Hence, using it to market your brand is one of the most effective strategies you will find. Here is how you can use SMS and for your marketing effectively and how you can begin with ExpertTexting.
MMS is almost like SMS when it comes to using it for marketing. However, it may have a slight edge in terms of visual appeal. Here is how you can use MMS vs SMS marketing.
Considering all the facts above and looking at the way top-tier companies operate in terms of business communication and marketing; SMS is certainly preferred over MMS. This is due to the most outstanding drawback in MMS regarding the subscription plan for recipients with the carriers.
However, local businesses that cater to small communities or specific audiences prefer MMS over SMS as they look to directly interact with them with superior personalization options. Furthermore, MMS has been declining since the emergence of social media and instant messaging apps like WhatsApp which caters to small connected groups of audiences with far more options.
We have a comprehensive guide on which one is best for marketing. Click on the image below to read it.
Whether you want to send MMS or SMS, ExpertTexting caters to both of your needs. Our pricing is one-third of what others offer in a pay-as-you-go service.