[Yo-Yo]

My first cell phone was a Motorola StarTac, and it had an extendable antenna.

Of course, back then cell towers were few and far between, so handset transmit range was very important. Today, in most cases the cell towers are very close together for higher density use.

[ilgipper]

These phone are amazing computers, but their phone features stink. Worse call quality. headsets and bluetooth make it worse.

[Talisker]

Wait, you’re supposed to be able to TALK on these things too?

Wow, what’ll they think of next?!

[MeshugeMikey]

I live in a cell technology phobic little town where the town fathers...refuse to allow any new cell towers. I have a dumb phone and very often simply cant connect at all.

I was considering “up” grading....but this article has given me a PAUSE

[Vigilanteman]

For starters, my phone from a decade ago no longer provides a steady revenue stream from me to the carrier.

[pieceofthepuzzle]

My personal experience is that when I'm talking to people who own iPhones I can often not make out what they are saying, unless they are speaking directly into the microphone. There seems to be a limited allowable distance or angle to the microphone that will support good voice quality.

[equaviator]

I recently found and purchased a Motorola Razr T3. It's a real one and cost me $75. IMO, it's the best design from a decade ago and I might even look for another one just to have as a future collectible.

[Celtic Conservative]

My ex wife has a samsung galaxy, latest model- cost her $500. I have a tracfone that cost me $19.99 . Guess whose has better reception?

CC

[Gamecock]

As an aside:

I was out in the middle of nowhere in Southern Africa. The last village I saw was 5 miles behind me. I pulled out my Chinese cellphone* and the reception was 5 bars. I barely get 1 bar in my front yard.

A friend told me that in Africa they crank up the cell towers to the max. If they did that here it would interfere with televisions. In most of Africa it just doesn’t matter as many folk don’t have a TV in the first place.

*Chinese companies runs the cell phone industry in most of Africa

[Lurkinanloomin]

I’m still using a Nokia 3585 because it never fails. My son makes fun of it calling it the ancient Nokia. He has been through 5-6 phones in the time Ihave had this one.

[SamAdams76]

You mean I can make phone calls with my iPhone?

I need to go check that feature out. Sounds cool!

[One_American]

Well back in the day I was working for Motorola I can tell you a call on the DynaTac (brick phone) was much better than their first flip phones like the MicroTac. A call on the DynaTac was the best call in town. This was on an AMPS system. Moto really knew how to make a solid radio back then.

[One_American]

Well back in the day I was working for Motorola I can tell you a call on the DynaTac (brick phone) was much better than their first flip phones like the MicroTac. A call on the DynaTac was the best call in town. This was on an AMPS system. Moto really knew how to make a solid radio back then.

[Snickering Hound]

In my day, cell phones came in a baaggg!!! And that's they way we liked it!!!

[mrsmith]

My first cell phone call was from the Daytona Beach jail. Little did I know cell phone calling would be the rage 50 years later...

[Allen In Texas Hill Country]

Knew it!!!!! Just bought a used Samsung M400 and happier than heck with it. /sarc