WhatsApp has become one of the most popular messaging apps, with over 2 billion users worldwide. One of the key features of WhatsApp is the ability to make voice and video calls over the internet. But how do these WhatsApp calls compare to normal phone calls? There are pros and cons to both options.
How WhatsApp Calls Work
WhatsApp calls are made using Voice over IP (VoIP) technology. This allows users to make calls over the internet rather than through a cellular network. Here is a quick overview of how WhatsApp calls work:
- Both callers must have WhatsApp installed on their devices and an internet connection.
- Calls are made using your phone’s internet connection, either WiFi or mobile data.
- The call audio is converted into data packets and transmitted over the internet.
- WhatsApp servers help route the call and transmit data.
- The receiving device converts the data back into audio for the recipient.
So in essence, WhatsApp calls are treated similarly to any other internet traffic like browsing websites or streaming video. This allows the service to bypass traditional telephone networks and their costs.
Pros of WhatsApp Calls
Here are some of the major benefits of using WhatsApp calls rather than traditional phone services:
Free calls – WhatsApp provides free voice and video calls over WiFi or mobile data. There are no per-minute charges or long distance fees. This makes it very economical for users, especially for international calls.
Call quality – WhatsApp leverages modern VoIP technology to provide good call quality that is comparable to traditional networks. Calls made over WiFi tend to be very clear.
Easy to use – Making WhatsApp calls is very simple and easy. The interface is the same as for messaging, so no learning curve. And you can call anyone else on WhatsApp without exchanging phone numbers.
Extra features – WhatsApp provides useful call features like chat messages during calls, group calls for up to 8 people, and video calling. These can enhance the calling experience.
Works globally – As long as both parties have an internet connection, WhatsApp calls work globally. This removes restrictions with international phone networks.
Lightweight app – The WhatsApp app is relatively small in size and requires minimal phone resources to run effectively. This makes it accessible to a wider range of devices.
Cons of WhatsApp Calls
However, WhatsApp calls also come with some disadvantages and limitations:
Requires internet – Unlike normal calls, WhatsApp requires an internet connection, either WiFi or mobile data. Call quality can suffer if this connection is slow or unstable.
Drains phone battery – The constant internet usage can drain battery life quicker compared to traditional calls. Frequent WhatsApp calling may require more battery power.
No emergency calls – WhatsApp cannot be used to make emergency calls, which is a limitation compared to normal phone networks. Landline phones also provide backup power during outages.
Setup required – Both callers need to have WhatsApp installed and set up with a registered phone number. Normal phone calls just need the devices and numbers.
Privacy concerns – Some users may be hesitant about relying on WhatsApp servers and parent company Meta for privacy. Normal calls keep all data within the telephone network.
Call Quality Comparison
One of the most important aspects to compare is the actual voice and video call quality between WhatsApp and standard phone networks. Here are some key comparisons:
| Factor | WhatsApp Call Quality | Normal Call Quality |
|---|---|---|
| Audio clarity | Clear quality if internet connection is strong | Very reliable audio clarity |
| Call stability | Can suffer from internet lag or disruptions | Very stable over cellular networks |
| Video quality | Good but depends on internet speed | Not applicable |
| International calls | No issues as long as internet works | Can have lower quality or higher cost |
In general, WhatsApp call quality meets or exceeds normal call quality in optimal WiFi conditions. But calls can suffer if mobile data networks are spotty or congested. Traditional telephone networks still provide more consistently reliable call quality, albeit without extra features like video calling.
Cost Comparison
There is a significant difference in cost between using WhatsApp and normal phone networks:
WhatsApp:
- Free calls over WiFi or mobile data
- Only cost is internet data charges
Normal Phone Networks:
- Charged per minute, often with long distance fees
- International calls can be very expensive
- Monthly plan costs are higher for more calling minutes
The cost savings are substantial for frequent callers that leverage WhatsApp over WiFi. Even with mobile data use, costs are predictable and controllable for users. Overall, WhatsApp provides enormous cost benefits for national and international calls.
Ease of Use
In terms of ease of use, WhatsApp again has some advantages:
- Very simple, intuitive interface to initiate calls
- Calls can be made to any WhatsApp contact without phone number
- Seamlessly continue conversations from chat to call
- Desktop and web apps available in addition to mobile
Normal phone calls do have a universally familiar process. But WhatsApp is optimized for a streamlined calling experience alongside messaging. The availability across platforms is also a major plus.
Features
WhatsApp provides numerous call-related features that give it an edge over old-fashioned telephony:
Video calling – Native video calls make face-to-face connections easy. Traditional networks charge extra for video services.
Group calling – Up to 8 participants can join a group call. Conference lines on normal networks have limitations.
Caller ID – See who’s calling and identify spam. Regular networks only provide the number.
In-call chat – Chat with call participants via text simultaneously. Traditional calls lacked text capabilities.
Call history – Review your call history and statistics within WhatsApp. Standard networks did not provide histories.
Voicemail – Receive and manage voicemails directly in the WhatsApp interface rather than via carrier voicemail systems.
Reliability and Availability
One potential drawback to WhatsApp calls is reliability:
- Dependent on internet connectivity which could have disruptions
- Not usable for emergency calls that require maximum uptime
- Normal networks utilize extremely reliable cellular and landline infrastructure
- Traditional landlines can operate during power outages
However, WhatsApp has also invested heavily in infrastructure redundancy. The network relies on data centers around the world to route calls and messaging traffic. So the service has very strong uptime in practice.
WhatsApp is also far more universally available than traditional phone networks in many developing countries where cellular coverage is still emerging. In remote regions, accessing WhatsApp over satellite internet provides call functionality that did not exist before.
Security and Privacy
Users may have some privacy concerns when using an internet-based service like WhatsApp compared to traditional operators:
- Normal calls stay within the telephone network which has legal privacy protections
- WhatsApp relies on 3rd party internet networks to transmit call data
- Meta/Facebook has access to certain WhatsApp metadata and traffic analysis
- Telephone providers are limited in the user data they can collect and share
However, WhatsApp does implement end-to-end encryption for calls. This prevents anyone including WhatsApp and Meta from accessing call contents and listening in. Some traditional carriers do not provide the same level of encryption.
Users must weigh the benefits of WhatsApp’s enhanced features against any privacy preferences regarding using an internet-based service. Proper security measures like end-to-end encryption remain important for any modern telecommunications tool.
Conclusion
WhatsApp calls provide an efficient and cost-effective alternative to traditional phone networks thanks to the power of VoIP technology. The ability to make free internet-based calls with video, group chat, and other features gives WhatsApp the edge for many users globally.
However, standard phone networks still excel at providing reliable universal service and emergency calling capabilities. And some users may prefer keeping call data within traditional telephone systems for privacy reasons.
In the end, WhatsApp calling delivers significant advantages like cost savings that explain its tremendous popularity worldwide. But traditional telephony still fills key roles that internet-based replacements cannot entirely duplicate. The optimal telecommunications solution likely involves a mix of both modern and legacy network technologies.