RCS vs SMS messages: What is the difference?

If you have been following brands like Apple or Nothing, or even kept an eye on tech in general across 2023, a recurring term you probably came across multiple times is RCS. Set to be the next step in the evolution of SMS messages, RCS messaging continues to confuse a lot of people around what it is, how does it compare to regular SMS messaging and more.

Today let’s take a deeper look at RCS messaging and compare it head-on with SMS messaging to clear all your doubts.

What is SMS?

Short Messaging Service or SMS has been a long-time messaging platform that’s been used since feature-phones had keyboards. SMS is very basic in nature, and has its own pros and cons.

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The advantages are that SMS messages are really simple to use, and do not need internet connectivity to function. As a result, any device with cellular connectivity can send and receive SMS messages, including the most basic feature phones.

The disadvantages are that SMS messages don’t support encryption and are not considered ‘secure’ by many. They also are very limiting, restricting a single message to a fixed number of characters. They also do not support media sharing, reactions, stickers or any of the other fancy features modern messaging platforms usually offer. Most cellular providers also require separate plans to operate SMS messaging.

What is RCS?

Rich Communication Services or RCS is a newer modern messaging standard announced in 2008. Rather than being a separate app like WhatsApp or Telegram, the RCS standard works by integrating itself with most existing SMS apps. This may be the Google Messages app on most Android smartphones, or some other app on others.

Being built on top of the SMS architecture, RCS requires no separate app to function, and in most cases, will simply need to be enabled in your existing SMS app. Once ready, it offers a bunch of new features. You no longer have a character limit, you’re able to send media, stickers, reactions and more, and all of this is secure and works via the internet.

The only disadvantage is that when an RCS-supporting device messages a non-RCS device, all of these features are no longer compatible. In other words, both the sender and receiver devices must have RCS support.

RCS vs SMS messaging: Which is better?

RCS is the more advanced form of messaging, compared to SMS messaging, and offers a more versatile experience thanks to its support for photos, videos, reactions and other elements. These features allow you a messaging experience on par with apps like WhatsApp, without actually needing to sign-up anywhere. This is because just like regular SMSs, your phone number becomes your account, allowing anyone to reach you with it.

RCS messaging is also more secure, and thanks to encryption, makes it a lot more difficult for attackers to force their way into conversations where they don’t belong.

However, RCS does have its disadvantages. The first is its dependence on internet connectivity, which means if you’re in an area where you have cellular reception, but no internet access (via mobile data or Wi-Fi), you cannot use most RCS features.

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RCS is also still not supported on all phones. So. If you’re texting someone with a feature phone, you cannot use RCS. While iPhones don’t support RCS messaging right now, Apple has revealed that the iPhones will support RCS later this year.

It’s pretty clear that RCS, even though it’s not perfect just yet, is the better, more advanced and more secure messaging platform. If you’re using an Android smartphone, simply go to your default messaging app, dive into the settings and enable RCS messaging for instant access to more features. When you’re texting an unsupported device, your messaging app will instantly switch back to standard SMSs.