3GP Format Guide

Available Conversions

About 3GP Format

3GP (3rd Generation Partnership Project) is a multimedia container format designed specifically for 3G mobile phones and defined by the Third Generation Partnership Project (3GPP), a collaboration between telecommunications standards organizations. Introduced in 1998 as part of the 3GPP technical specifications for 3G UMTS (Universal Mobile Telecommunications System) networks, 3GP was created to address the critical need for a standardized video format optimized for mobile devices with limited processing power, small screens, constrained storage capacity, and bandwidth-limited cellular networks.

The 3GP format is based on the ISO Base Media File Format (MPEG-4 Part 14, the same foundation used by MP4), simplified and streamlined specifically for mobile constraints. This relationship makes 3GP essentially a simplified subset of MP4 with mandatory codec support tailored to mobile hardware capabilities of the early 2000s. The format typically uses H.263 or MPEG-4 Part 2 video codecs (later H.264 in 3GPP Release 6) for video compression and AMR (Adaptive Multi-Rate) or AAC (Advanced Audio Coding) for audio compression—codecs chosen for their low computational requirements and reasonable quality at very low bitrates.

3GP files are characterized by extremely small file sizes and low resolution, typically QCIF (176×144 pixels), QVGA (320×240 pixels), or CIF (352×288 pixels)—resolutions appropriate for the 1.5 to 2.4-inch screens common on mobile phones in the 2000s and early 2010s. Bitrates are similarly constrained: video typically at 64-384 kbps and audio at 12.2-23.85 kbps for AMR or 48-128 kbps for AAC, resulting in files small enough to be transferred over early 3G networks (which offered theoretical speeds of 384 kbps to 2 Mbps but often delivered much less in practice) and stored on phones with memory capacities measured in megabytes rather than gigabytes.

The format served multiple critical functions in the mobile ecosystem: enabling video recording on mobile phones (the first camera phones with video capabilities in the early 2000s recorded exclusively in 3GP), facilitating video sharing through MMS (Multimedia Messaging Service) where file size restrictions of 300-600 KB made 3GP's extreme compression essential, allowing mobile streaming of video content over bandwidth-constrained cellular connections, and providing a standardized format that ensured interoperability between phones from different manufacturers. During the height of its popularity from roughly 2003 to 2012, 3GP was the de facto standard for mobile video, with hundreds of millions of feature phones and early smartphones recording and playing 3GP files daily.

History of 3GP

The development of 3GP is inseparable from the evolution of mobile telecommunications technology. In the late 1990s, as the mobile industry planned the transition from second-generation digital cellular (2G - GSM, CDMA) to third-generation networks (3G - UMTS, CDMA2000), telecommunications companies and standards bodies recognized that 3G networks would finally provide sufficient bandwidth to enable multimedia services including video calling, video messaging, and mobile streaming. However, no suitable video format existed that met the unique constraints of mobile devices: severely limited processing power (early mobile phones used processors running at 100-200 MHz), tiny screens, minimal memory, and battery life concerns.

The Third Generation Partnership Project (3GPP), formed in December 1998 as a collaboration between standards organizations including ETSI (Europe), ATIS (North America), ARIB/TTC (Japan), CCSA (China), and TTA (Korea), began developing technical specifications for 3G UMTS networks. As part of this work, 3GPP Technical Specification Group Services and System Aspects (TSG SA) created the 3GP file format specification, first published in 3GPP TS 26.244 Release 99 in 1999. The format was based on the ISO Base Media File Format (ISO/IEC 14496-12), which was being developed simultaneously as part of the MPEG-4 standard—3GPP essentially adopted MPEG-4 Part 14's container structure while defining a restrictive profile with mandatory codecs suitable for mobile devices.

3GP's initial specification mandated H.263 video codec (specifically H.263 Profile 0 Level 10, designed for very low bitrate video conferencing) and AMR audio codec (Adaptive Multi-Rate, developed specifically for speech in GSM and 3G networks). H.263 was chosen because it offered reasonable quality at extremely low bitrates (64-128 kbps) with modest computational requirements, making it implementable on the primitive mobile processors of the early 2000s. AMR was selected for its excellent speech quality at bitrates as low as 4.75 kbps and its robustness to transmission errors—critical for unstable cellular networks. The format also supported MPEG-4 Part 2 (Simple Profile) video as an optional codec providing better quality than H.263 at the cost of higher computational complexity.

The first mobile phones supporting 3GP video recording appeared in 2002-2003, coinciding with the commercial rollout of 3G networks in Japan (NTT DoCoMo's FOMA service, October 2001), South Korea, and Europe. Nokia, Sony Ericsson, Motorola, and other manufacturers released phones with integrated cameras capable of recording short 3GP video clips, typically at QCIF resolution (176×144) and 15 fps, with severe time limits due to storage constraints—early phones might only store 30-60 seconds of video in their limited internal memory. These videos were often shared via Multimedia Messaging Service (MMS), introduced commercially in 2002, which could transport 3GP files between phones as attachments to text messages—though strict file size limits (typically 300 KB) meant videos had to be extremely short (10-30 seconds) and heavily compressed.

3GPP Release 6, published in 2004, significantly updated the 3GP specification to include support for H.264/AVC (Advanced Video Coding), AAC (Advanced Audio Coding), and higher resolutions including CIF (352×288) and QVGA (320×240). H.264 provided dramatically better compression efficiency than H.263—roughly twice the compression for the same quality—allowing higher quality video at the same file size or the same quality at half the file size. However, H.264's computational complexity meant it required significantly more powerful processors, and early mobile H.264 implementations were limited to lower profiles (Baseline Profile Level 1.2 or 1.3) appropriate for mobile constraints. As mobile phone processors improved through the mid-2000s (200 MHz → 600 MHz → 1 GHz), H.264 support became increasingly common, and by 2008-2009, most new smartphones recorded video in 3GP containers with H.264 video codec.

The introduction of the iPhone in 2007 and Android phones beginning in 2008 marked the beginning of the end for 3GP's dominance. Apple's iPhone recorded video in standard MP4 format with H.264 codec (rather than 3GP), at significantly higher resolutions (480p, later 720p and 1080p) justified by the iPhone's larger screen (3.5 inches), more powerful processor (ARM11 at 412 MHz, later ARM Cortex-A8 at 600 MHz+), and generous storage capacity (4-16 GB initially). Android followed a similar path, with most Android phones recording video in MP4 rather than 3GP. The fundamental assumption underlying 3GP—that mobile devices required extreme optimization and compression—was increasingly obsolete as smartphones evolved toward powerful pocket computers with desktop-class processors, high-resolution screens, gigabytes of storage, and fast 3G/4G networks.

By 2012-2014, 3GP had largely fallen out of use for new video content, replaced by standard MP4 files with H.264 codec. However, 3GP remained relevant in several contexts: feature phones (non-smartphone mobile phones) continued to use 3GP for video recording well into the 2010s, particularly in developing markets where feature phones remained dominant longer; video conferencing and streaming services sometimes used 3GP for mobile clients to minimize bandwidth usage; and billions of existing 3GP video files recorded during the format's peak years (2003-2012) remained in users' archives, occasionally requiring conversion to modern formats for viewing on current devices. The 3GPP organization continues to maintain the 3GP specification as part of its multimedia services specifications, though development has largely ceased with the format in maintenance-only status.

Key Features and Uses

3GP's container structure is derived from the ISO Base Media File Format (MPEG-4 Part 12), using a hierarchical structure of "atoms" or "boxes" that contain metadata and media data. A 3GP file typically contains an ftyp box (file type box identifying it as 3GP), an mdat box (media data containing the actual compressed video and audio), and an moov box (movie metadata containing information about tracks, timing, codecs, and how to decode the media). This structure is fundamentally the same as MP4, making 3GP files technically compatible with many MP4 players—the primary difference is the codec profiles and specific metadata fields defined by the 3GPP specification.

3GP video codecs represent a key distinguishing feature. The original specification mandated H.263 Baseline (Profile 0 Level 10), a very simple profile designed for video conferencing at 64 kbps. H.263 uses block-based motion compensation and DCT (Discrete Cosine Transform) coding similar to earlier MPEG standards but optimized for low bitrates, with features like unrestricted motion vectors and improved entropy coding. Later versions added MPEG-4 Part 2 Simple Profile (essentially an improved version of the codec used in DivX/Xvid) and H.264 Baseline Profile (Level 1.0 to 1.3), which uses advanced features like multiple reference frames, deblocking filters, and CABAC/CAVLC entropy coding to achieve 2-3x better compression than H.263. These codecs were selected specifically because they could be decoded on processors with limited MIPS (millions of instructions per second) and minimal memory—critical for mobile devices with 100-500 MHz ARM7/ARM9/ARM11 processors and 32-128 MB of RAM.

3GP audio codecs similarly prioritize efficiency over quality. AMR-NB (Adaptive Multi-Rate Narrowband, 4.75-12.2 kbps) was the original mandated codec, designed specifically for speech in mobile networks with eight different bitrate modes that can be switched dynamically based on channel conditions—essential for maintaining call quality as users move through areas with varying signal strength. AMR-WB (Adaptive Multi-Rate Wideband, 6.6-23.85 kbps) provides better quality speech by using 16 kHz sampling (vs. 8 kHz for AMR-NB), delivering FM-radio quality voice. AAC-LC (Advanced Audio Coding Low Complexity, typically 48-128 kbps in 3GP) offers better quality for music and general audio but requires more processing power and higher bitrates. The choice of audio codec significantly impacts file size: a one-minute 3GP video might use 90 KB for AMR-NB audio vs. 450 KB for AAC audio at 64 kbps.

3GP resolutions and bitrates reflect the mobile constraints of the 2000s. QCIF (176×144, Quarter CIF) was common for early 3GP recordings and MMS sharing, representing only 25,344 pixels—1/30th the resolution of SD video. QVGA (320×240, Quarter VGA) became standard on better feature phones, offering 76,800 pixels—still only 1/10th of SD. CIF (352×288, Common Intermediate Format) represented the high end for 3GP, used primarily on early smartphones and for mobile TV streaming. Bitrates similarly were extremely constrained: typical 3GP videos used 64-128 kbps for video and 12.2-64 kbps for audio, resulting in total bitrates of 76-192 kbps—comparable to dial-up internet speeds and about 1/10th to 1/20th the bitrate of SD DVD video (4-5 Mbps).

3GP's file size advantages are dramatic compared to standard video formats. A one-minute 3GP video at QCIF resolution with H.263 video (128 kbps) and AMR audio (12.2 kbps) totals approximately 1.05 MB—small enough to be sent via MMS (with length reduced to 30 seconds for typical 600 KB MMS limits) and to store dozens or hundreds of clips on feature phones with 32-128 MB of storage. The same one-minute video encoded as DVD-quality MPEG-2 would be approximately 35-40 MB, and as 720p H.264 MP4 would be 50-100 MB—30 to 100 times larger than the 3GP version. This compression came at severe quality costs: 3GP video is blocky with visible compression artifacts, shows significant motion blur, and has poor color fidelity, but this was acceptable on 1.5 to 2.4-inch screens at arm's length.

3GP also supports streaming and progressive download capabilities essential for mobile video consumption. The format's low bitrate requirements (as low as 32-64 kbps for heavily compressed videos) made streaming viable over early 3G networks with actual speeds often below 200-300 kbps. The ISO Base Media File Format structure allows for progressive download (watching video while it downloads) by placing metadata (moov atom) at the beginning of the file, and supports 3GPP-specific streaming protocols including RTP (Real-time Transport Protocol) for packet-based streaming and RTSP (Real-Time Streaming Protocol) for session control—enabling mobile streaming services that predated YouTube and Netflix.

Common Applications

Mobile phone video recording was the primary application for 3GP throughout the 2000s and early 2010s. Hundreds of millions of feature phones from manufacturers including Nokia (which dominated the mobile market with 40%+ market share through the mid-2000s), Sony Ericsson, Motorola, Samsung, and LG recorded video exclusively in 3GP format. These phones typically offered crude video recording capabilities by modern standards: QCIF or QVGA resolution, 10-15 fps frame rates, severe time limits (30-60 seconds) due to storage constraints, and no editing capabilities. Users recorded personal moments, events, and everyday scenes, creating billions of 3GP video files—many of which remain in archives today, often requiring conversion to MP4 or other modern formats for viewing on current devices that may lack 3GP codec support.

MMS (Multimedia Messaging Service) video sharing was a killer application for 3GP in the mid-2000s before smartphones and social media. MMS allowed users to send photos and short video clips as attachments to text messages, and 3GP's extreme compression was essential for fitting videos within MMS size limits (typically 300-600 KB depending on carrier). A typical MMS video would be 10-20 seconds of QCIF resolution H.263 video with AMR audio, totaling 200-400 KB. While incredibly limited by today's standards (a 10-second Instagram or TikTok video today might be 5-15 MB), MMS video sharing was revolutionary in 2004-2008, allowing users to instantly share video moments with friends—predating smartphones, app stores, and social media video sharing by several years.

Mobile streaming video services used 3GP as their delivery format during the pre-smartphone era. Services including Verizon V CAST (launched 2005), Sprint TV (2006), and various mobile TV offerings in Europe and Asia streamed video content to feature phones in 3GP format, typically at QCIF or QVGA resolution with bitrates of 64-192 kbps—carefully optimized for the bandwidth constraints and screen sizes of feature phones. News clips, sports highlights, music videos, and short-form entertainment were delivered as 3GP streams over early 3G networks. These services were often expensive (carriers charged premium fees for mobile TV access) and offered poor quality by modern standards, but represented the first generation of mobile video streaming, predating YouTube mobile apps (2007) and Netflix mobile streaming (2010).

Video conferencing and videophone services on mobile networks used 3GP as the underlying format for real-time video communication. 3G networks' circuit-switched video calls (videophone service where users could see each other during calls) typically transmitted H.263 video at 64-128 kbps encapsulated in 3GP format, with AMR audio for voice. While video calling was heavily promoted by carriers during 3G rollouts (NTT DoCoMo's FOMA service in Japan, 3 network in Europe), adoption remained limited due to high costs, poor quality, awkward ergonomics (holding the phone at arm's length to be visible to the camera), and limited interoperability. These services were largely superseded by VoIP video calling apps like Skype mobile (2009), FaceTime (2010), and WhatsApp video calling (2016).

Legacy content archives represent the current primary relevance of 3GP. Billions of 3GP video files were created during the format's peak usage from approximately 2003 to 2012, documenting personal memories, events, and everyday moments from that era. Many users have old 3GP videos stored on retired phones, memory cards, or backed up to computers that they wish to view or share using modern devices. However, modern smartphones and computers often have incomplete 3GP support: while most can play 3GP files with H.264 video, support for older H.263 video and AMR audio codecs is inconsistent, particularly on iOS devices and in web browsers. This has created a need for 3GP conversion tools to convert old videos to MP4 format with modern codecs for long-term preservation and compatibility.

Developing markets and feature phones maintained 3GP relevance longer than in developed markets. In regions including India, Africa, Southeast Asia, and Latin America, feature phones (non-smartphones) remained the dominant mobile device type into the late 2010s due to their low cost (often $20-50 vs. $200+ for smartphones), long battery life (days vs. hours), and durability. Feature phones from manufacturers including Nokia (later HMD), Samsung, and numerous Chinese brands continued to use 3GP for video recording, often at QVGA resolution with H.264 codec. As these markets transitioned to smartphones (particularly low-cost Android devices) in the late 2010s and early 2020s, 3GP usage declined, though legacy 3GP content remained significant.

Advantages and Disadvantages