The advantages of texting (unencrypted SMS)

 I greatly prefer texting over other forms of telecommunication for the following reasons:

1. it forces people to get to the point and choose their words carefully

2. it creates a record of the conversation for both sides

3. it allows you to communicate clearly in loud places

4. it allows clear communication even when reception is poor

5. it doesn't use up the battery

6. it keeps your conversation safe from being overheard

I'll add that so-called secure messaging apps are definitely NOT secure from Apple, Google, or whatever company made your smartphone's operating system. And all of that information is available to NSA and its FVEY (Five Eyes) cohorts. Text message encryption just security theater for the vast majority of people.

Unless you're running a spy ring or a terrorist organization, there's not much point in encrypting text messages. If you use your smartphone to browse the internet, all your activity is being recorded anyway. 

Those truly interested in privacy would not use smartphones or the internet. 

Think of it this way: if WhatsApp, Signal, Telegram, etc. were truly secure, do you think the US or other governments would let people use them? Cryptographic algorithms are classified as munitions by the US government:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Export_of_cryptography_from_the_United_States