Another Smileys question

[Sinkers]

Hi all, 

Sorry to ask about smileys again, but I’m looking for a simple clear cut answer to a simple question!

If I reply to an SMS with a simple smiley face, will I get charged for an MMS or will it just be a SMS?

I am using Google messages as my message client on a Samsung phone, and if I put a smiley face into the text box, it still shows as an SMS. Is that correct, and will O2 treat a text as an SMS, if Google messages says it is an SMS.

Thanks

[MI5]

@Sinkers 

It all depends on the character count.

Explained here https://community.o2.co.uk/t5/How-to-Guides/Accidental-MMS-Sending-and-How-to-Avoid-it/ba-p/1014132

[Sinkers]

Thanks.

So if it’s simply a one smiley reply, with no other text, then it’s just an SMS presumably?

[MI5 · Accepted solution]

Yes, anything at all below 480 characters to a single recipient is an SMS.

[Bambino]

@Sinkers If you use a lot of emojis and are concerned about how many you can send in a text, you should consider using WhatsApp and have your friends install the app too. No charge for however many emojis you send in a text, and texts, calls, and video calls are free too.

[Sinkers]

Many thanks @MI5 for that clear reply. 

[MI5]

You're welcome.