# Big brick-like cell phones **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [November 20, 2003, 1:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/big-brick-like-cell-phones/214294 "2003-11-20T13:03:16Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 19\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![elmwood](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/elmwood/32/3060_2.png) [@elmwood](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elmwood)\ **Post date:** [November 20, 2003, 1:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/big-brick-like-cell-phones/214294/1 "2003-11-20T13:03:16Z")
I assume most folks here remember the big, brick-like analog cellular telephones from the 1980s. My mother’s car had a cell phone installed at the time she purchased it in 1992. The Motorola cell phone in the car was a variant of the bag phones of the era. It’s still connected, and still working. Are any portable brick or bag cell phones still in use? If so, why hasn’t the user switched to a smaller phone? ---
**Author:** ![Colophon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/f05b48/32.png) [@Colophon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Colophon)\ **Post date:** [November 20, 2003, 1:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/big-brick-like-cell-phones/214294/2 "2003-11-20T13:25:26Z")
I’m sure some people are still using them. FWIW, I passed on my old mobile to my mum when I got a new one. I think it dates from around 1998 and was a freebie from Barclaycard. It is approximately five times the size of the phone I got to replace it, and four times the weight. It is at least digital, though. ---
**Author:** ![Colophon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/f05b48/32.png) [@Colophon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Colophon)\ **Post date:** [November 20, 2003, 1:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/big-brick-like-cell-phones/214294/3 "2003-11-20T13:27:04Z")
Oh, and as for why she hasn’t switched to a smaller phone, it’s because (a) she has a big handbag, so it doesn’t really matter, and (b) it’s a pre-pay one and there is still about £20 worth of credit on there. (She uses it only for occasional text messages and incoming calls.) You may as well ask her to chuck out a £20 note 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![Jervoise](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/d2c977/32.png) [@Jervoise](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jervoise)\ **Post date:** [November 20, 2003, 1:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/big-brick-like-cell-phones/214294/4 "2003-11-20T13:48:14Z")
On a similar note, I noticed mobile phones in the US appeared to be slightly behind the models I see in Australia and in Asia. I’m talking external antennas, belt clips and clunky batteries. I’m guessing it’s because you’re chiefly (IIRC) on CDMA networks, instead of the GSM standard that is common to the rest of the world. Also, I never saw any video-capable phones–is there 3G networks in the US? ---
**Author:** ![BrotherCadfael](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/977dab/32.png) [@BrotherCadfael](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrotherCadfael)\ **Post date:** [November 20, 2003, 1:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/big-brick-like-cell-phones/214294/5 "2003-11-20T13:59:34Z")
I am told that some people PREFER to use the old bag-style phones, that, in fact, there is a thriving market in them. Apparently, they have better reception in marginal service areas. ---
**Author:** ![Ms2001](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ms2001/32/18463_2.png) [@Ms2001](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ms2001)\ **Post date:** [January 2, 2004, 8:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/big-brick-like-cell-phones/214294/6 "2004-01-02T08:16:34Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Jervoise \* > **On a similar note, I noticed mobile phones in the US appeared to be slightly behind the models I see in Australia and in Asia. I’m talking external antennas, belt clips and clunky batteries. I’m guessing it’s because you’re chiefly (IIRC) on CDMA networks, instead of the GSM standard that is common to the rest of the world.** GSM is a bigger market worldwide, so fancy new toys show up on GSM sooner. Also, Nokia and Ericsson are two big names in GSM that barely exist in the CDMA market. > [@](#): > > \*\*Also, I never saw any video-capable phones–is there 3G networks in the US? \*\* To an extent. 1xRTT (CDMA data up to 144 kbps) is pretty widespread these days, and we use it for push-to-talk and camera phones. But video phones won’t be a reality until EV-DO (2.5 Mbps) and EV-DV (5 Mbps) networks are in place. > [@](#): > > _Originally posted by BrotherCadfael_ > \*\*I am told that some people PREFER to use the old bag-style phones, that, in fact, there is a thriving market in them. > > Apparently, they have better reception in marginal service areas.\*\* Indeed… I’m going to Alaska this month, and I’ve asked about the cellular coverage up there. Apparently there’s barely any digital coverage in Alaska, and everyone has recommended a bag phone. ---
**Author:** ![Donovan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/ea666f/32.png) [@Donovan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Donovan)\ **Post date:** [January 2, 2004, 8:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/big-brick-like-cell-phones/214294/7 "2004-01-02T08:39:37Z")
I used to work in a battery shop in Las Vegas, and a lot of people used them down there (brick and bag phones) for this reason; area coverage. Supposedly, those phones were able to keep signals farther away from the cell towers than the newer ones. I can guarantee you that the batteries were much bigger, in physical size and capacity. For those living in the outlying areas of vegas, those phones could get signals when others couldn’t. ON preview, I see that was covered by brother Cadfael with his ‘marginal service areas’ post, so this is just collaboration. ---
**Author:** ![Uncommon\_Sense](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/f9ae1b/32.png) [@Uncommon\_Sense](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Uncommon_Sense)\ **Post date:** [January 2, 2004, 1:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/big-brick-like-cell-phones/214294/8 "2004-01-02T13:38:06Z")
Do you mean corroboration? ---
**Author:** ![cornflakes](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/9d8465/32.png) [@cornflakes](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cornflakes)\ **Post date:** [January 2, 2004, 1:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/big-brick-like-cell-phones/214294/9 "2004-01-02T13:53:28Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Jervoise \* > **On a similar note, I noticed mobile phones in the US appeared to be slightly behind the models I see in Australia and in Asia. I’m talking external antennas, belt clips and clunky batteries…** I’m not the expert here, but I believe that some U.S. phones have dummy antennas. The phones do not need an external antenna, but customers think that one is needed for better reception. ---
**Author:** ![disruptive\_entity\_1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e19adc/32.png) [@disruptive\_entity\_1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/disruptive_entity_1)\ **Post date:** [January 2, 2004, 4:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/big-brick-like-cell-phones/214294/10 "2004-01-02T16:56:13Z")
There are two reasons why these types of phones are better than the new smaller ones. When I worked at Motorola and they rolled out the star tac, it used about one watt. The old style brick and car phones used 3. Do the math yourself and figure out why they got better reception. Number two is that those old brick phones could take a beating. If you drop your nice new shiny camera flip phone, chances are somethings gonna break the first time. > [@](#): > > Apparently, they have better reception in marginal service areas. Not so, as I mentioned they have more power so they will get better reception in any area. Not just those with marginal service. ---
**Author:** ![Larry\_Mudd](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/f14d63/32.png) [@Larry\_Mudd](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Larry_Mudd)\ **Post date:** [January 2, 2004, 5:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/big-brick-like-cell-phones/214294/11 "2004-01-02T17:46:36Z")
Big is the new small. ---
**Author:** ![Thylacinewas\_taken](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/c67d28/32.png) [@Thylacinewas\_taken](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Thylacinewas_taken)\ **Post date:** [January 2, 2004, 6:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/big-brick-like-cell-phones/214294/12 "2004-01-02T18:10:09Z")
My dad has a big ole’ Motorola. He got it about 4 years ago and it was already pretty outdated then. He likes it because - It’s very basic. It doesn’t do anything he doesn’t need - He knows how to use it and isn’t about to change - It has big numbers and big keys Those were the things he was looking for. He doesn’t put it in his pocket, or show it off to the swankiest social circles, so it’s fine that it’s big. ---
**Author:** ![5cents](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/5/46a35a/32.png) [@5cents](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/5cents)\ **Post date:** [January 2, 2004, 7:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/big-brick-like-cell-phones/214294/13 "2004-01-02T19:30:45Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by cornflakes \* > \*\*I’m not the expert here, but I believe that some U.S. phones have dummy antennas. The phones do not need an external antenna, but customers think that one is needed for better reception. \*\* Yes, there are many dummy antennas. A friend-of-a-friend was a plastics engineer at Motorola, and he claimed the dummy antenna serves a purpose - it helps to protect the screen when the phone is dropped and lands on its top edge. ---
**Author:** ![badmana](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/977dab/32.png) [@badmana](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/badmana)\ **Post date:** [January 2, 2004, 8:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/big-brick-like-cell-phones/214294/14 "2004-01-02T20:27:19Z")
Bag phones are indeed 3 watt phones and thus have better reception than a normal digital phone (0.6 watts) or analog phones at 1 watt. Many new digital phones being rolled out by my company don’t even have analog backups! In a car, I would rather have a bag phone (3 watt with external antenna) for reception. And yes, company do still sell bag phones but only through dealers in poor signal areas (none of the local Toronto stores carry back phones but many up north do). ---
**Author:** ![occ](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/8c91f0/32.png) [@occ](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/occ)\ **Post date:** [January 2, 2004, 11:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/big-brick-like-cell-phones/214294/15 "2004-01-02T23:06:25Z")
From a friend who works selling phones and service, I’ve heard that a surprising number of people still keep their old phones running. They’ll come in and attempt to buy analog service, which is ridiculously expensive; he’ll try to reason with them that its much cheaper to simply get a modern, digital phone with your typical Verizon or Sprint plan, often to no avail. Why this is, I do not know. I still have an old cellphone around somewhere, although this would have been mid-ish 90s, so its only bulky, not ludicrously bulky. ---
**Author:** ![yoyodyne](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/y/a9a28c/32.png) [@yoyodyne](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/yoyodyne)\ **Post date:** [January 3, 2004, 2:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/big-brick-like-cell-phones/214294/16 "2004-01-03T02:39:04Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by disruptive entity \* > \*\*Not so, as I mentioned they have more power so they will get better reception in any area. Not just those with marginal service. \*\* How does more transmission power improve reception? ---
**Author:** ![Airman\_Doors\_USAF](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/e36b37/32.png) [@Airman\_Doors\_USAF](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Airman_Doors_USAF)\ **Post date:** [January 3, 2004, 2:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/big-brick-like-cell-phones/214294/17 "2004-01-03T02:54:58Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by yoyodyne \* > \*\*How does more transmission power improve reception? \*\* Signal strength is a requirement for any sort of RF receiver. It enables the receiver to lock on to the transmitting frequency. If the signal is weak the receiver will break lock. ---
**Author:** ![radar\_ralf](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/b2d939/32.png) [@radar\_ralf](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/radar_ralf)\ **Post date:** [January 3, 2004, 5:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/big-brick-like-cell-phones/214294/18 "2004-01-03T05:07:02Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Mr2001 \* > \*\*Indeed… I’m going to Alaska this month, and I’ve asked about the cellular coverage up there. Apparently there’s barely any digital coverage in Alaska, and everyone has recommended a bag phone. \*\* A _bag phone_? Yer kiddin’ me! We actually are in the same century as y’all! Really! We use 'merican money and everything! ---
**Author:** ![Ms2001](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ms2001/32/18463_2.png) [@Ms2001](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ms2001)\ **Post date:** [January 3, 2004, 11:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/big-brick-like-cell-phones/214294/19 "2004-01-03T11:55:53Z")
> [@](#): > > _Originally posted by yoyodyne_ > **How does more transmission power improve reception?** To maintain a call, you need to be able to transmit to the tower, as well as receive from it. If your transmitter is too weak to reach the cell site, the call will drop. (The signal gauge on your phone only shows the strength of the signal you’re receiving, so you can still have dropped calls before the gauge is empty.) > [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by radar ralf \* > \*\*A _bag phone_? Yer kiddin’ me! We actually are in the same century as y’all! Really! We use 'merican money and everything! \*\* OK, maybe you can help me out. I have a Verizon phone and I’ll be traveling between Fairbanks and Healy. What kind of coverage can I expect to get? I’ve been told that the only digital signal I’ll get is within the city limits of Fairbanks, and anywhere else will be analog roaming. Instead of paying .69/minute, I might just buy a phone card - I don’t need a phone for emergencies, just to call back home.