SMS (Short Message Service) messages contain text only. One text message can contain 160 characters; when you near the limit, a counter appears. If you type more, your message is sent in a series of SMS messages.

You can send one SMS message to multiple people, and replies are delivered in separate, not group, conversation threads.

SMS messages are included in most carriers' text messaging plans and do not use cellular data.

MMS (Multimedia Messaging Service) messages can include unlimited text plus a photo, picture slideshow, video, or sound file.

MMS messages use cellular data and require a cellular data plan or pay-per-use payment.

Group messaging lets multiple people carry on a group conversation. All replies from recipients are delivered to all recipients, in a group conversation thread.

To send a message to multiple recipients for a conversation in one thread where all recipients receive replies, download a different messaging app. Search for “group messaging” in Play Store to select and download an app. You can set the new app to be your default messaging app.