Feature phones and simple backup phones give long battery life, easy operation and SOS functions without the complexity or cost of a smartphone. They're a practical safety device for seniors, travelers and low-cost programs.
Replace a worn Uniden cordless-phone battery to restore talk time. Match model, voltage, connector, and chemistry (commonly NiMH). Recycle old packs responsibly; buy OEM or reputable replacements and verify fit before installing.
Long-range cordless phones extend a landline across large properties without monthly fees. Modern options use DECT technology and external antennas for better reach, but true multi-mile performance depends on antennas, terrain and radio rules.
Refurbished phones let you get newer features at lower cost. Verify carrier compatibility, IMEI/ESN status, battery health, and warranty. Buy from reputable sellers or certified programs.
Locking your phone prevents accidental calls, purchases, deleted files and privacy problems. Use PIN/biometrics, short auto-lock, Guided Access/Guest mode and simple habits like face-down storage to avoid pocket dials and unwanted activity.
The Motorola RAZR rewired expectations about phone design: a slim aluminum clamshell that emphasized style without abandoning core phone features. Its look influenced mobile design and later inspired Motorola's modern Razr foldables.
After 9/11, authorities tightened aviation security. Concerns about phones as potential triggers and about liquid explosives led to new screening rules - not an ongoing blanket ban on cell phones in carry-ons. Today, phones are allowed with usage limits on aircraft and liquids remain restricted by the 3-1-1 rule, with exceptions for medication and infant needs.
Upgrade legacy analog lines to Cisco IP phones and cloud calling to gain clearer audio, centralized management, modern security, and integrations that boost productivity.
A mid-2000s collaboration between Baby Phat and Nextel produced a Motorola-styled handset that combined fashion-focused design with Nextel's Push-to-Talk feature. The device reflected the era's trend of co-branded phones and remains a collectible example of lifestyle tech.
Lithium-based batteries power almost all phones today. Returns still happen for technical faults, user error, or aging stock. Manufacturers use diagnostics, refurbishment, and recycling to manage costs and waste.
Prepaid mobile plans began as a way for people without credit or ID to get phone service. Today they offer bundles with voice, SMS, and data, digital top-ups, eSIM activation, and broader roaming options - though SIM-registration rules and roaming policies now vary by country.
Find affordable phones without surprises: inspect handsets, read carrier and financing terms, compare specs and reviews, and consider unlocked plus prepaid to avoid long contracts.
Prepaid mobile plans let you pay in advance for minutes, texts, or data without a long-term contract. Today they're widely available from major carriers and MVNOs, offer modern features like eSIM and online top-ups, and work well for cost-conscious or flexible users.
A modern take on choosing reliable phones: lessons from classic Nokia designs and a practical checklist for today's smartphone buyers.
Cricket Wireless is a no-contract prepaid carrier on AT&T's network that offers simple, low-cost plans with unlimited talk and text, tiered data, and modern features like Wi-Fi calling on compatible phones.
A look back at the limited-edition Baby Phat x Motorola fashion phone: pink styling, Baby Phat branding, and mid-2000s social features that emphasized style and group conversations over slimness.
Find affordable cell phones without sacrificing performance by checking carrier deals, refurbished options, older models, and key factors like software updates and network compatibility.
A modern update on a 2006 profile of Singular: the brand was praised for roaming, network strength, and value. Today, verify ownership, 5G/eSIM support, band compatibility, and roaming rates before buying.
In the 2000s Baby Phat partnered with handset makers to produce limited-edition phones that emphasized style - pink finishes, jewel-like trims and coordinated accessories - while offering the basic features of the era.
Modern smartphones have absorbed the messaging and enterprise features that once set BlackBerry apart; today the difference is driven by software, ecosystem, and user needs.
Nextel's classic walkie-talkie (Direct Connect) on the iDEN network is gone, but modern push-to-talk survives via carrier PTT services and internet apps. Coverage, group sizes and billing now vary - read providers' terms before you sign up.
How to choose, create and set modern wallpapers and ringtones that fit today's phones - formats, types, and practical tips.
Motorola's consumer walkie-talkies evolved from military tools into compact two-way radios for outdoor recreation, family use, and event coordination, offering features like VOX, NOAA alerts, rechargeable batteries, and channel/privacy controls.
Mobile phone records now include call metadata, location signals, device identifiers, and cloud backups. Carriers and cloud services hold these records; access is available to account holders and sometimes to law enforcement under legal process. Privacy laws and encryption limit what is retained or accessible.
A mid-2000s Motorola flip phone that offered EV-DO data, Bluetooth, a 1.3MP camera, and multimedia downloads through Verizon. Now a legacy device unsuited to modern 4G/5G networks.
Prepaid (pay-as-you-go) Motorola phones remain a practical choice for avoiding contracts. Modern Motorola models - from budget Moto G/E units to the revived RAZR foldable - offer current smartphone features and work with prepaid carriers and MVNOs. Buy unlocked for flexibility and check carrier compatibility for 4G/5G support.
Practical steps to compare prepaid (pay-as-you-go) phones and plans in 2025: check coverage, compare plans by use case, choose the right device, test service, and factor in customer support.
Carriers historically restricted which devices could connect to their networks. Over the past two decades, standards, LTE/5G, unlocked phones, and eSIM have widened consumer choice and clarified certification paths for third-party devices.
Prepaid (pay-as-you-go) plans remain a practical way to get mobile service without a long contract. In 2025, many prepaid options include unlimited talk/text and data tiers - but coverage, throttling, international options, and fine print vary. Compare effective cost, coverage, and device rules before you buy.
Smartphones evolved from niche gadgets to everyday tools. They enable emergency contact, navigation, photography, remote work, and more - but bring trade-offs: distraction, health questions, and variable costs. Modern designs focus on durability and connectivity.
Ringtones are now driven by apps and user-made clips rather than carrier storefronts. Learn formats (MP3, M4R), how to add tones to Android and iPhone, legal considerations, and practical tips.
Clamshell (flip) phones were once Cingular's specialty. Today the form survives in modern feature flips (LTE/KaiOS) and smartphone foldables - but many 2000s handsets won't work on current carrier networks. Check LTE/VoLTE support, battery health, and carrier locking before you buy.
Sony Ericsson combined Sony's consumer-brand strengths with Ericsson's mobile expertise to push multimedia and camera capabilities into phones. The venture evolved into Sony Mobile in 2012, and its focus on imaging helped shape today's camera-centric smartphones.
Emergency call boxes (blue-light phones, elevator phones, roadside call boxes) remain a practical safety measure. They work when phones fail, are highly visible deterrents, and now often include GPS, IP links, and solar power. Many places still use them, though some jurisdictions have reduced numbers where cellphone coverage is strong.
Donating an unused phone reconnects people, supports relief efforts, and reduces e-waste. Wipe data, include chargers, and use reputable refurbishers or recycling programs to maximize benefit and minimize environmental harm.
MicroSD cards remain a practical way to expand phone storage for photos, video, and offline media. Learn current formats, speed classes, device support, and when a card still makes sense.
Long-range cordless phones extend traditional base-and-handset systems using DECT, external antennas, repeaters, or VoIP links. They work well on farms, campuses, and inside facilities where you want local mobility without monthly cellular fees, but true long-distance operation requires additional infrastructure or network links.
A mid-2000s collaboration between Baby Phat and Nextel produced limited-edition Motorola handsets marketed as fashion accessories with jeweled trim and Nextel's Push-to-Talk. The phones are now collectible after Nextel's iDEN network was retired in 2013.