Difference between 2G and 3G

Nicole Lee | Aug 04, 2009

Will you please explain to me the difference between 2G and 3G phones? Thank you ever so much in advance.--Michael, via email

The short answer is that 3G's data service is faster than 2G's. The longer answer is that 3G brings wireless broadband data services to your phone, while 2G phones are far slower. There are also 2.5G phones that are somewhere in between. If a phone has 3G, that means it has a potential speed from 144Kbps to 2.4Mbps, which puts it close to cable-modem speed.

A compatible phone on a 3G network lets you download Web pages faster, stream music and video, and more. Examples of 3G standards are EV-DO for CDMA phones and UMTS for GSM phones. There are some phones that support an even faster 3.5G standard--HSDPA for GSM phones and EV-DO Rev. A for CDMA phones--that boast up to 7.2 Mbps. Do note that 3G networks aren't available everywhere; they're typically in major metropolitan areas but your mileage may vary if you live outside certain zones. We advise you to check with your carrier to see if there is 3G coverage in your neighborhood.

The Klipsch S2m headphones has microphone input (Credit: Corinne Schulze/CNET)

I bought a headset (plug in type) for my LG Dare phone. It says it fits LG phones, but when I plug it in, my phone says it has no microphone and it just doesn't work. I did have to adapt the plug from 2.5 millimeter to 3.5 millimeter to fit my phone. Please help.--John, via email

It sounds to me as if your plug adapter jack does not have a microphone input. The easiest way to find out if a jack (be it 2.5 millimeter or 3.5 millimeter) supports microphones, is to count the number of lines on the plug--if there are only 2 lines, the jack does not support microphone input; if there are 3 lines, it does. I would suggest either getting an adapter that does support microphone input, or just finding a new wired headset that plugs into a 3.5-millimeter jack. A couple of the ones we like are the Klipsch Image S2m and the Etymotic hf2.

Via the 411 Q&A column on CNET

Filed under: Mobile Phones
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