Video Format Comparison

3G2 vs MP4 — CDMA Mobile Video vs Modern Standard

3G2 is the video format from CDMA mobile networks (Verizon, Sprint era). MP4 is the universal modern video container. With CDMA networks shut down in the US (2024), 3G2 is effectively legacy. Converting 3G2 to MP4 is the right move for any 3G2 file you want to keep.

3G2vsMP4

Quick Verdict

Use 3G2 when…

3G2 is dead — convert to MP4 for any forward-looking use.

Use MP4 when…

Use MP4 for everything. Universal device support, efficient compression, and the only practical choice for current devices.

3G2 vs MP4: Feature Comparison

Feature	3G2	MP4
Network era	CDMA (1990s–2024)	All eras
Container	ISO BMFF (CDMA-specific extensions)	ISO BMFF (standard)
Video codec	H.263, MPEG-4 Part 2, H.264	H.264, H.265, AV1
Audio codec	AMR, QCELP, AAC	AAC, FLAC, Opus
Modern device support	Limited	Universal
Streaming	None	Yes (HLS, DASH)

When 3G2 wins

✓Network era: CDMA (1990s–2024)
✓Container: ISO BMFF (CDMA-specific extensions)
✓Video codec: H.263, MPEG-4 Part 2, H.264

When MP4 wins

✓Network era: All eras
✓Container: ISO BMFF (standard)
✓Video codec: H.264, H.265, AV1

Frequently asked questions

How do I convert 3G2 to MP4?

FFmpeg: `ffmpeg -i input.3g2 -c:v libx264 -c:a aac output.mp4`. If the audio codec is QCELP (CDMA-specific), FFmpeg may fail — that audio is essentially unrecoverable without specialized decoders.

Why does my 3G2 video look terrible?

3G2 was designed for CDMA bandwidth (often 256 kbps or less). Even at maximum 3G2 quality, video is 320×240 at low bitrates. The source is the limiting factor; conversion to MP4 won't improve quality.