Which of the following devices is considered a client in networking?

A client in networking refers to any device that relies on another device, referred to as a server, to fulfill requests or provide services. A mobile phone fits this definition as it often connects to the internet to access various applications and services hosted on servers, such as browsing the web or using cloud-based applications.

When a mobile phone requests data from a web server, it performs client functions by making requests for information, which the server then processes and responds to. This interaction exemplifies the fundamental client-server architecture, where the client (mobile phone) initiates communication, and the server responds accordingly.

In contrast, devices like routers, web servers, and switches play different roles in a network. A router directs data traffic between networks, a web server hosts and serves content to clients, and a switch connects multiple devices within a local network to facilitate communication. These devices do not initiate requests in the same way that a client does. Hence, the mobile phone is the only device in the list that serves the role of a client.