radio
Unicode: 1F4FB
Description
A classic, upright telephone receiver, typically black, with a curly cord extending from its base. It represents a traditional landline phone.
Group:
Objects > music
Status:
fully-qualified
Emotion:
Neutral; primarily functional. Can evoke nostalgia, suggest a direct communication, or imply a call in progress/incoming call.
Backstory
This emoji was introduced in Unicode 6.0 (2010). It represents the ubiquitous form of communication before the widespread adoption of mobile phones, symbolizing a direct and often stationary form of communication.
Usage Examples
- To indicate a phone number or call: 'Call me at 555-1234 📞'
- To show a missed or incoming call: 'Missed call from Mom 📞'
- Nostalgia for older tech: 'Remember these? 📞'
- Direct communication: 'Let's chat directly: 📞'
Cultural Differences
Western culture:
Often associated with business calls, older technology, or direct, non-mobile communication. Can imply a formal conversation.
East Asian culture:
Similar associations, but may also be used in contexts where landlines are still prevalent or for a sense of 'being connected'. Less common than the mobile phone emoji.