WhatsApp has become one of the most popular messaging apps in the world, with over 2 billion users. One of the key features of WhatsApp is the ability to make voice and video calls over the internet. In recent years, WhatsApp calling has become incredibly popular, with many people choosing to make WhatsApp calls rather than traditional phone calls.
Convenience
One of the main reasons why people prefer WhatsApp calling is convenience. With WhatsApp, you can call anyone else who has the app installed, regardless of whether they have a traditional phone number. As long as the other person has an internet connection, you can call them through WhatsApp. This makes it easy to stay in touch with friends and family who live abroad without having to worry about expensive international calling rates.
WhatsApp is available on both smartphones and computers. This means you can seamlessly transfer calls between devices. If you get a WhatsApp call on your phone, you can answer it on your laptop or tablet if that’s more convenient. This flexibility is a big advantage over normal calls.
WhatsApp also has features like group calls that allow you to easily conference multiple people together on the same call. Coordinating a group phone call traditionally requires calling each person individually and bridging the lines together. With WhatsApp, you can start a group call with just a few taps that rings multiple contacts at once.
Cost Savings
Another major reason people love WhatsApp calling is the cost savings compared to traditional phone calls. WhatsApp calls use your existing data plan, so you don’t have to worry about paying per minute charges like you would on a normal call.
This makes WhatsApp extremely economical for international calls. Calling loved ones abroad through your standard phone provider can rack up huge bills due to expensive international calling rates. WhatsApp helps avoid these hefty fees.
Even for domestic calls between two people on the same cell phone carrier, WhatsApp can still save money. Standard mobile plans usually bill for minutes, so WhatsApp allows you to avoid using up precious minutes from your allotted amount.
Cost Comparison of WhatsApp vs Normal Calls
| Call Type | Cost |
|---|---|
| WhatsApp Audio Call | Free (uses existing data plan) |
| WhatsApp Video Call | Free (uses existing data plan) |
| Normal Domestic Mobile Call | Billed per minute, typically $0.10-$0.50/minute |
| International Landline Call | $1+ per minute in most cases |
As you can see in the table above, WhatsApp calls are free while normal phone calls can rack up fees quickly. Over time, these savings add up, making WhatsApp extremely economical.
Call Quality
With traditional landline calls, quality is often extremely high. However, mobile network calls can suffer from spotty connections, garbled audio, and dropped calls. WhatsApp helps improve call quality through its use of internet data.
WhatsApp calls are made over your WiFi or cellular data connection. Because this is a digital IP connection, it avoids some of the pitfalls of analog mobile networks. Calls flow through the internet, which is designed for smooth data transmission.
WhatsApp also intelligently switches between WiFi and cellular connections to maintain call quality. If you start a call on WiFi but the signal weakens, WhatsApp will seamlessly swap over to mobile data. This handoff prevents the call from suddenly dropping.
Call quality also depends heavily on your device itself. Smartphones today have excellent microphones and speakers compared to old landline telephones. This clearer audio hardware enhances WhatsApp call experiences.
Reliable Connections
Mobile networks can suffer from poor coverage, especially in rural areas. Spots with bad reception lead to choppy and disconnected phone calls. WhatsApp helps circumvent this through its use of internet connections.
Whereas mobile voice signals may be weak, mobile broadband internet penetrates much farther. You can make crystal clear WhatsApp calls from areas where making normal calls is impossible.
WhatsApp also automatically retries failed calls so you don’t have to manually dial again. It will keep attempting to connect the call in the background so that the call goes through as soon as possible.
Internet calling also provides more reliable international connections. Long distance landline calls often have static and interference. WhatsApp routes the call through optimal internet pathways for the clearest possible sound.
Better Privacy
Unlike traditional calls, WhatsApp calls are end-to-end encrypted. This means the communication is secured and cannot be listened to by third parties. The encryption applies to both voice and video calls.
This enhanced privacy gives users great peace of mind. People can discuss sensitive subjects through WhatsApp without worrying about eavesdropping or surveillance. The open nature of phone networks makes normal calls much more vulnerable to monitoring.
WhatsApp also does not store or log call data, while phone providers have records of all calls. Users enjoy greater anonymity with their WhatsApp call history untracked.
Flexibility
WhatsApp calls let you communicate flexibly from wherever you are. As long as you have an internet connection, you can call anyone else who also has WhatsApp, free of charge. This provides tremendous flexibility compared to landline calls that physically tether you to a location.
This flexibility enables new use cases like making WhatsApp calls while traveling abroad without incurring roaming charges. You can call the hotel front desk instead of using the expensive in-room phone.
Having internet calling capabilities also provides redundancy. If the regular phone network goes down due to a blackout or other disruption, WhatsApp calls give a backup way to stay connected.
Multi-Tasking
Unlike normal phone calls which tie up your hands and prevent other use of your phone, WhatsApp calls allow multi-tasking. You can use other apps, look at photos, browse the web, etc during a WhatsApp voice call.
For video calls, many smartphones allow you to minimize the video window and use other apps while the call is still ongoing. Multi-tasking gives a degree of freedom that traditional calls restrict.
This allows you to efficiently accomplish other tasks during WhatsApp calls, rather than just having to sit and talk. You could be messaging friends or checking email while chatting with your mom for example.
Visual Communication
The ability to make video calls is a major exclusive feature of WhatsApp. Traditional phone lines do not support transmitting video. With WhatsApp video calling, you can see the other person live while conversing.
This visual element takes communication to the next level. It enables you to pick up on facial expressions, body language, and other visual cues that spice up the interaction.
Video calling makes WhatsApp feel even closer to face-to-face conversations. You get to see loved ones up close, which feels more intimate than just hearing a voice.
Collaboration
Unlike standard calls, WhatsApp allows you to easily conference in multiple contacts. Group calls with up to 8 participants are possible. This facilitates collaboration and communication between different parties.
For example, a business could conference in its sales reps for a quick all-hands meeting. Friends could join a group call to finalize weekend plans together. Family members could chat about coordinating a reunion.
Conference calls traditionally require a dedicated teleconferencing number and PIN code for dialing in. WhatsApp streamlines the process so anyone you message can instantly join group calls.
Universal App
WhatsApp has over 2 billion users worldwide. This massive user base means that almost everyone you know probably has WhatsApp already installed. There’s no need to coordinate downloading a new dedicated calling app.
The ubiquity of WhatsApp means it’s easy to instantly reach people. You don’t have to go through the friction of asking for someone’s username on another platform. Odds are their number is already in your phone ready for WhatsApp calling.
Unlike niche apps, WhatsApp is unlikely to ever completely die off or lose relevance. Its broad adoption as a global messaging platform cements it as an ideal calling solution as well.
User Friendliness
WhatsApp provides a streamlined interface for voice and video calls accessible directly from your message threads. Tapping the call icon instantly rings the contact, with no complicated menus or settings to navigate.
Calls are made over existing messaging threads users already have with their contacts. This tight integration and simplicity of use cases makes WhatsApp extremely user-friendly.
Everything is contained within WhatsApp, reducing the need to switch between apps. Usability tests consistently show that WhatsApp calling is intuitive for users of all technical skill levels.
Additional Features
WhatsApp offers features tailored specifically for calling that improve the experience.
For example, you can quickly mute your microphone on WhatsApp calls. This helps prevent background noise from disrupting conversations. WhatsApp also has volume controls accessible during the call for adjusting sound preferences.
If someone tries calling you on WhatsApp but it’s a bad time, you can directly send them a message rejecting the call with a custom reason. This quick apologizes and let’s the other party know you’ll call back later.
WhatsApp also makes it easy to start calls directly from its desktop app. This seamless handoff between desktop and mobile helps ensure you never miss a call.
WhatsApp Calling Features
| Feature | Description |
|---|---|
| Quick Mute | Instantly mute your mic during a call |
| Volume Controls | Adjust call volume and speaker settings |
| Message Instead | Reject a call with a text message response |
| Desktop Calling | Place and receive calls on PC/Mac |
These types of integrated features optimize WhatsApp calling and boost quality of life.
Integration With WhatsApp Messaging
Using WhatsApp for calling integrates seamlessly with WhatsApp messaging. All your call logs appear in the messages screen at the top of your chat. This makes it easy to quickly place follow-up calls.
If you need to communicate urgent information during a voice call, you can seamlessly switch to messaging. Key details from the call can be sent as a text so there’s no confusion.
You can also share photos, videos, and other media instantly through WhatsApp during a call. This allows showing something visual like a product photo when trying to coordinate logistics.
Conclusion
WhatsApp calling has revolutionized digital communication through its convenience, cost savings, call quality, reliability, and flexibility. The app’s enormous user base means WhatsApp calls work universally across countries and networks.
Integrated features like multi-tasking, group calls, and video chat make WhatsApp a significant upgrade over standard calling. The tight integration between calls and texts on the platform provides a seamless communication experience.
Going forward, WhatsApp will likely fully replace phone calls for many users. The benefits highlighted in this article illustrate why more and more people prefer WhatsApp for their calling needs.