18 Years Ago: My First Cell Phone

TLDRAt 18 years old, I borrowed my mother's cell phone and it gave me a sense of autonomy. I bought Mr Mobile's first mobile phone from RadioShack for $129. It was the Samsung SCH-3500, which felt futuristic with its unique design and hole in the flip. The phone ran on Sprint's digital CDMA network and had voice dialing for up to 20 phone numbers. It also offered wireless data at 100 kilobits per second. The earpiece on the phone exhibited rubber reversion. The phone had a removable battery but had a short talk time. Despite the fond memories, I'm glad I don't still have to use it today.

Key insights

📱Borrowing my mother's cell phone at 18 gave me a sense of autonomy and led me to buy my first mobile phone.

🛒I purchased Mr Mobile's first mobile phone, the Samsung SCH-3500, for $129 from RadioShack.

🌟The Samsung SCH-3500 had a unique design with a hole in the flip, allowing usage without opening it.

📶The phone ran on Sprint's digital CDMA network and offered voice dialing for up to 20 phone numbers.

💻The phone provided wireless data at a speed of 100 kilobits per second, enabling basic browsing and messaging.

Q&A

How much did Mr Mobile's first mobile phone cost?

—Mr Mobile's first mobile phone, the Samsung SCH-3500, cost $129.

What made the Samsung SCH-3500 unique?

—The Samsung SCH-3500 had a unique design with a hole in the flip, allowing usage without opening it.

Which network did the phone run on?

—The phone ran on Sprint's digital CDMA network.

Did the phone have wireless data capabilities?

—Yes, the phone provided wireless data at a speed of 100 kilobits per second.

Did the phone have voice dialing?

—Yes, the Samsung SCH-3500 offered voice dialing for up to 20 phone numbers.

Timestamped Summary

00:00At 18 years old, I borrowed my mother's cell phone, which gave me a sense of autonomy.

00:04I purchased Mr Mobile's first mobile phone, the Samsung SCH-3500, for $129 from RadioShack.

00:38The Samsung SCH-3500 had a unique design with a hole in the flip, allowing usage without opening it.

02:14The phone ran on Sprint's digital CDMA network and offered voice dialing for up to 20 phone numbers.

02:49The phone provided wireless data at a speed of 100 kilobits per second.

03:38The earpiece on the phone exhibited rubber reversion, a phenomenon called cross talk.

04:21The phone had a removable battery but had a short talk time.

04:54Despite the fond memories, I'm glad I don't still have to use it today.

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