Apple’s iMessage continues to be many people’s favorite messaging service even as newer messaging apps surface. Many iPhone users even mention that iMessage is the reason why they prefer iPhones to other devices. But is iMessage just a glorified version of SMS? Or is iMessage really better than SMS? Let’s find out.

iMessage Goes Beyond Text Messaging

Is iMessage better than SMS? Yes—and in more ways than one. Users who do not take the time to explore iMessage would think that iMessage and SMS are the same, especially since you’d find both of them hidden in Apple’s Messages app. However, iMessage has a lot more to offer than SMS, as we’ll explain below.

Related: How to Activate iMessage

iMessage Gets Rid of Cellular Network Limitations

While SMS allows you to send lengthy messages, you’d need to pay extra if you exceed your character count. In contrast, you don’t have to worry so much about character counts when using iMessage. And since iMessage uses your data or Wi-Fi connection to send data, transmitting messages is much faster than traditional messaging that needs to travel through your cellular network.

Moreover, the types of media supported by iMessage go beyond just texts. You can send images, videos, links, documents, app collaboration invites like iCloud file sharing and note sharing, voice recordings, locations, and more.

What’s more, with iMessage, you don’t have to worry if you don’t have prepaid credit or are in an area with a poor cellular network reception. Just connect your device to a Wi-Fi network or use your data connection to send your message to other Apple users.

Related: What’s the Difference Between iMessage and SMS?

Another downside to using a carrier’s cellular network is the issue of privacy. However, since messages sent and received through iMessage do not need to pass through cellular networks, your information is safe from being tapped by cellular networks or the government. Messages are also end-to-end encrypted, meaning the only person who can decode your message is the person to whom you sent it.

iMessage Improves Communication

While SMS gives you no idea about the receiving end, iMessage ensures that communication goes smoothly and that communication is clear. For example, iMessage has live typing, the three dots that appear when the person on the other end is typing. This is a valuable feature that helps you anticipate a response from the other end of the line.

iMessage also shows message receipts, which help you to know if your message has been sent, delivered, and read. With SMS, there’s no way for you to know if your message has arrived or if its recipient has read it.

iMessage Makes Conversations Interactive

While group messaging is possible for both SMS and iMessage, SMS groups are limited to responding to texts. On the other hand, you can reply to specific messages, react, name a group, and have your own group icon with iMessage.

You can also worry less about your messages being bland and getting misinterpreted. iMessage recognizes words that can be turned into emojis and gives you several emoji suggestions. Even standard greetings like “Congratulations!” and “Happy New Year!” are detected and made more exciting. Try it—send the word congratulations to someone and see confetti on your screen!

With iMessage, you can even create your own Memoji, send Animoji clips (if your device has Face ID), send stickers, and add individual message effects. Just type your message in the text field, hold the blue arrow icon, choose from Bubble or Screen, then tap or swipe to choose the effect you want to add to your message.

iMessages Have Tons of Other Features

The internet connection that powers iMessages also boosts other functionalities. If you have Apple Cash set up, you can quickly send, request, and receive money. iMessage recognizes a dollar amount in messages and enables you to tap on it to launch Apple Pay.

You can also download third-party iMessage apps to play games, run polls, reserve seats, look for films to watch, check the weather, and more.

Owning more than one Apple device also allows you to seamlessly use iMessage across your devices. With Apple’s Handoff feature, you can answer calls on your iPhone using your Mac. You can also type a message from your Mac and continue it on your iPhone.

Mac Dock Showing Messages Handoff icon

Both Serve Their Purpose

iMessage may seem like nothing more than a regular online messaging service; however, it is equipped to do so much more. Go ahead and explore what you can do with it.

This is not to say that SMS is useless, though. SMS is a basic functionality every smartphone should have. What’s more, SMS allows Apple users to stay connected with their Android using peers.