What is the difference between "cell phone" and "mobile phone"?

[Eureka]

Hi! guys. I'm wondering the use of two expressions "cell" vs. "mobile". I know that they are same in meaning and can use interchangeably. Is "mobile" close to British English? because I've never heard Americans say "mobile" (Don't criticize me, please if I'm wrong.)

And I'm also curious whether or not English people say "cell" in there country. How about the ohter English speaking countries like Canada and Austrailia?

Could you please let me know what is the difference in use?

Thanks a million:lol:

 

[jaykaylam]

Re: What is the difference between "cell phone" and "mobile phone"?

You're right - mobile phone is British and Cell phone is American.

In South Africa we say cell phone.

What about mobile phone messages?

In UK they are 'text messages'

In South Africa they are 'SMS's'

 

[BobK]

Re: What is the difference between "cell phone" and "mobile phone"?

The technology used by mobile phones (I use the Br Eng term - you're right to assume this is the difference; there's an episode of Friends in which they make fun of an English visitor who keeps saying 'on my mobile') is based on cells. So 'cell phone' is more meaningful; I can walk from room to room with my cordless phone - so why is that not 'mobile'?. It just isn't (in the UK).

b

 

[thod00]

Re: What is the difference between "cell phone" and "mobile phone"?

So 'cell phone' is more meaningful

By which logic, since they are made of plastic they should be called 'plastics'.

Few people know about the underlaying technology, nor are the cells truly cells in the classic sense. Mobile describes a quality and not a technology, although you can move a short distance on a land line it is not that mobile. Satellite phones are mobile phones but are not based on cells.

Notebook computers are rarely used for notes and are not books. To some extent it is an arbitrary choice, and its not always the most defining quality that is chosen for new tech.

 

[icefloe]

Re: What is the difference between "cell phone" and "mobile phone"?

Just a guess:

Maybe it's because the word cell alone means, ..., cell, biology. Then come cell as cpus, cell as cell batteries, cell as solar cells, etc.

Or because some companies offer mobile phones which are not cell phones, they use a different system.

 

[BobK]

Re: What is the difference between "cell phone" and "mobile phone"?

Just a guess:

Maybe it's because the word cell alone means, ..., cell, biology. Then come cell as cpus, cell as cell batteries, cell as solar cells, etc.

Or because some companies offer mobile phones which are not cell phones, they use a different system.

Proof of thod00's point that most people don't understand the underlying technology (though the intrusive "a" was painful to my ears): HowStuffWorks "How Cell Phones Work" ;-)

b

 

[Searching for language]

Re: What is the difference between "cell phone" and "mobile phone"?

And in Germany they call them a "Handy." I imagine that's because they are.

 

[Charlie Bernstein]

Re: What is the difference between "cell phone" and "mobile phone"?

The spelling!

 

[meskete]

Re: What is the difference between "cell phone" and "mobile phone"?

And in Germany they call them a "Handy." I imagine that's because they are.

Yep, and lots of German speaking people think it's an English word, I mean "handy" for "mobile phone". Some of them were really surprised to learn they won't be understood saying "call me on my handy".

 

[abaka]

Re: What is the difference between "cell phone" and "mobile phone"?

There are cell[ular] phones and satellite phones. Both are mobile.

 

[IvanV]

Re: What is the difference between "cell phone" and "mobile phone"?

"call me on my handy".

:lol: Good one!
I like the German term, by the way.

The technology used by mobile phones (I use the Br Eng term - you're right to assume this is the difference; there's an episode of Friends in which they make fun of an English visitor who keeps saying 'on my mobile') is based on cells. So 'cell phone' is more meaningful; I can walk from room to room with my cordless phone - so why is that not 'mobile'?. It just isn't (in the UK).

b

''Oh, so sorry to catch you on your mobile!" Well if you didn't want to get me on my mobile, then don't call me on my mobile!

Terrific! And I still know it by heart... :-D

Hello Monica. It's Amanda calling again. I am in the neighborhood, hoping I can pop by your flat!
Mon: You're from Yonkers! Your last name is Buffomantizi (dunno how it's spelled)!
Amanda: Let's see, to assure you get this directly, ring me back on my mobile.
Phoebe: Okay, don't hold thy breath!

Cried several days after, especially over the last one ringing back.
______
Sorry to to add up to off-posting, I had to.

 

[Ouisch]

Re: What is the difference between "cell phone" and "mobile phone"?

What about mobile phone messages?

In UK they are 'text messages'

In South Africa they are 'SMS's'

In the US we call them "text messages" as well. In fact, the process has now become a verb: "Text me later, OK?" or "I was texting my girlfriend when the teacher confiscated my cell phone."

 

[BobK]

Re: What is the difference between "cell phone" and "mobile phone"?

In the US we call them "text messages" as well.:up: In fact, the process has now become a verb: "Text me later, OK?":up: or "I was texting:up: my girlfriend when the teacher confiscated my cell phone.:down:*"

Almost the same here. ;-)

b

*PS In that context I don't think we'd even say 'mobile phone'; well, younger people wouldn't. "... confiscated my phone" would do.

 

[Tdol]

Re: What is the difference between "cell phone" and "mobile phone"?

In the US we call them "text messages" as well. In fact, the process has now become a verb: "Text me later, OK?" or "I was texting my girlfriend when the teacher confiscated my cell phone."

Does it lose the final t in AmE- 'I'll tex you later'? It's very common in the UK.

 

[stefan_kar]

Re: What is the difference between "cell phone" and "mobile phone"?

In Bulgaria we use either "mobile phone" (мобилен телефон) or, far more frequently: GSM (or GSM apparatus). Text messages are called "SMS's."

In Greece the word for mobile phone is "kinito" (κινητό) (lit. "movable").

 

[Ouisch]

Re: What is the difference between "cell phone" and "mobile phone"?

Does it lose the final t in AmE- 'I'll tex you later'? It's very common in the UK.

Thus far, most folks seem to include that final "t" on "text." *sigh of relief* Otherwise I'd have yet another quirk of the so-called English-speaking population that made me grind my teeth ..... :bad-word:

 

[Eureka]

Re: What is the difference between "cell phone" and "mobile phone"?

Almost the same here. ;-)

b

*PS In that context I don't think we'd even say 'mobile phone'; well, younger people wouldn't. "... confiscated my phone" would do.

First, I really appreciate your help.

So you mean, English people just say "phone" not "mobile phone" when listeners can easily grasp the meaning of "mobile phone" from the context.

But what about this context? "I bought a new phone." I think this senetece might be ambiguous. People don't know if his new phone is cell phone or not because it can be home phone.

So my first questions is which one between two terms("mobile" and "cell") English people probably say to avoid the ambiguity from this context? Do English people say "call me on my cell"

And second question is "Does "Ring me me back on my mobile" mean "call me back on my cell"?
Is it common expression in U.K and U.S.?

Sorry to bother you. (I hope you don't regard me as "pain in the neck")

Thank you very much.

 

[Ouisch]

Re: What is the difference between "cell phone" and "mobile phone"?

Cell phones have become so ubiquitous in the US that it seems that folks are usually referring to their cellular when they simply say "phone" and will clarify "cordless phone" or "landline phone" when they are referring to purchasing a new telephone for their home. A lot of people have even given up having a landline in their home and rely strictly on their cell phone(s).

"Ring me" is strictly BrE; in AmE, the typical phraseology is "call me."

 

[Luizao]

Re: What is the difference between "cell phone" and "mobile phone"?

As far as Im concerned ....
in the UK we call them mobile phones whereas in the States they call them cell phones.


So if I take my mobile to the US, people will call it a cell phone.
same bit of plastic!!

 

[stefan_kar]

Re: What is the difference between "cell phone" and "mobile phone"?

Ahh, what's in a name?