With the rise of technology, text messaging has become a daily part of life. Since we take our phones everywhere, it’s become an integral way of community within society. Text messaging, however, can come in different forms. While we may not realize it, SMS isn’t the only form of texting and doesn’t cover some of the additions that come with texting via MMS. There’s a difference between the two which we’ll explore here. First, it will be important to understand what each one is and how we can use them as we go about our daily lives.
What is SMS Texting?
SMS stands for Short Message Service. SMS text messages can only be sent up to 160 characters. No attachments are able to be included, which means that you’re unable to send a photo, video, or make use of GIFs while using SMS texting. This is the most commonly used form of texting. While iMessages are often confused with SMS texts, they actually involve a different type of texting due to the use of attachments and other applications being included along with them.
What is MMS Texting?
MMS stands for Multimedia Messaging Service. You can perform all of the standard tasks that come along with SMS texting, but additional add-ons can be included here. These include multimedia applications such as photos, videos, audio, and GIFs. Also, you can include much more text in your messages when using MMS, which will allow you to use up to 1600 characters.
SMS vs MMS: The Pros and Cons
Since there are many differences between SMS vs MMS texting, there can be pros and cons to each. Let’s take a look at what they are for each.
Pros of using SMS
- Less energy is needed when using SMS messaging since you can only use up to 160 characters
- Costs less to send
Cons of using SMS
- You’re unable to send additional attachments such as videos, photos, or with some services, even emojis
- The character count can become restricting, especially when you need to send long, detailed messages
Pros of using MMS
- MMS messages are generally more appealing since you’re able to add attachments, audio clips, and photos to allow for richer interaction
- You have the ability to send longer messages, which comes in very handy when you have a detailed message to send
Cons of using MMS
- MMS texts typically cost more to send
- If a person doesn’t have a smartphone, they might be able to receive your MMS