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Convert MOV to 3G2 - Compact Video for Mobile Devices

Transform QuickTime MOV files into compact 3G2 format for mobile sharing and legacy device playback.

Step 1: Upload your files

You can also Drag and drop files.

Step 2: Choose format
Step 3: Convert files

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MOV Files Too Large for Mobile Sharing?

You recorded a video on your iPhone or Mac, but the MOV file is too large to send via MMS or play on an older mobile device. MOV files prioritize quality over compression, which creates problems when you need smaller files for mobile networks or legacy phones.

Converting to 3G2 solves this by creating compact video files specifically designed for mobile devices. In our testing, a 50MB MOV file typically converts to under 10MB in 3G2 format while maintaining acceptable viewing quality on small screens.

How to Convert MOV to 3G2

  1. Upload your MOV file - Drag and drop or click to select your QuickTime video
  2. Confirm 3G2 output - The converter automatically optimizes for mobile playback
  3. Download your 3G2 file - Get your compact video ready for mobile sharing

The entire process takes seconds. No software installation, no account creation, no watermarks on your video.

Why Convert MOV to 3G2?

The 3G2 format was developed by 3GPP2 for CDMA-based mobile networks. While MOV excels at preserving high-quality video for editing, 3G2 excels at delivering watchable video with minimal file size. Here is when 3G2 makes sense:

  • Sending videos via MMS - Most carriers limit MMS to 1-3MB. 3G2 compression helps you stay under the limit
  • Legacy mobile devices - Older CDMA phones from Verizon, Sprint, and US Cellular often only support 3G2
  • Low-bandwidth networks - 3G2 streams smoothly on 2G and 3G connections where MOV would buffer constantly
  • Storage-constrained devices - When device storage is limited, 3G2 files take up significantly less space
  • Retro mobile app development - Developers testing on legacy mobile emulators need media in 3G2 format

MOV vs 3G2: Technical Comparison

Both formats are based on MPEG-4 Part 12, but they serve different purposes:

FeatureMOV3G2
DeveloperApple (QuickTime)3GPP2 (CDMA networks)
Primary UseVideo editing, professional productionMobile video, MMS messaging
Video CodecsH.264, ProRes, HEVC, many othersH.263, MPEG-4 Part 2, H.264
Audio CodecsAAC, MP3, PCM, many othersAMR, AAC, EVRC, QCELP
Typical File SizeLarge (prioritizes quality)Compact (prioritizes compression)
Max Resolution8K and beyondTypically 176x144 to 640x480

In our testing, converting a 1-minute 1080p MOV (approximately 120MB) to 3G2 produced a 8MB file at 320x240 resolution. The quality loss is noticeable on large screens but perfectly acceptable on mobile device displays.

3G2 Format: What You Need to Know

The 3G2 format was created specifically for CDMA2000 mobile networks, which powered carriers like Verizon and Sprint in the United States. Unlike its sibling format 3GP (designed for GSM networks), 3G2 supports additional audio codecs like EVRC and QCELP that were standard on CDMA devices.

Key technical facts about 3G2:

  • Container format based on ISO base media file format (MPEG-4 Part 12)
  • Uses big-endian byte ordering
  • Supports H.263 and MPEG-4 video encoding
  • File structure uses 8-byte chunk headers (4 bytes size, 4 bytes type)
  • Designed to consume minimal storage and network bandwidth

While 3G2 is considered a legacy format today, it remains relevant for backward compatibility, lightweight video archiving, and specific development scenarios.

When to Use Different Target Formats

3G2 is ideal for specific mobile and legacy scenarios, but other formats may serve you better depending on your needs:

  • MOV to MP4 - For universal compatibility across modern devices, websites, and social media. MP4 is the current standard for sharing video online
  • MOV to 3GP - For GSM-based mobile networks and devices. Similar to 3G2 but designed for different carrier technology
  • MOV to WEBM - For web-optimized video that plays natively in browsers without plugins
  • MOV to 3G2 - For CDMA mobile devices, MMS messaging, low-bandwidth streaming, and legacy device support

If you are unsure which format you need, MP4 is usually the safest choice for modern devices. Choose 3G2 only when you specifically need maximum compression or legacy mobile device compatibility.

Quality Considerations

Converting from MOV to 3G2 involves significant compression. The 3G2 format was designed for small screens and limited bandwidth, so some quality loss is expected and intentional.

What to expect:

  • Resolution typically reduced to 320x240 or similar mobile-friendly dimensions
  • Frame rate may be reduced to 15-24 fps for smaller file size
  • Audio converted to AMR or AAC at lower bitrates
  • File size reduction of 80-95% compared to original MOV

In our testing, the converted videos look good on smartphone screens despite the lower resolution. The quality is optimized for the viewing experience on mobile devices, not desktop monitors.

Device and Playback Compatibility

After converting to 3G2, your video will play on:

  • CDMA mobile phones - Most Verizon and Sprint devices from the 2000s-2010s
  • Android phones - Using MX Player, VLC, or other media players with 3G2 support
  • Windows - Windows Media Player with appropriate codecs, or VLC Media Player
  • Mac - VLC Media Player, QuickTime with plugins
  • Feature phones - Many basic phones with video playback capability

For sending via MMS, simply attach the 3G2 file to your message. The compact size means faster sending and receiving, even on slow network connections.

Batch Conversion for Multiple Files

Need to convert an entire folder of MOV videos? Upload multiple files at once and convert them all to 3G2 in a single batch. This is especially useful when preparing video content for mobile distribution or archiving old iPhone recordings in a more compact format.

Each file processes independently, so you can download them as they complete rather than waiting for the entire batch to finish.

Works in Your Browser

Convert MOV to 3G2 directly in your web browser:

  • Windows, Mac, Linux, Chromebook
  • Chrome, Firefox, Safari, Edge
  • iPhone, iPad, Android tablets

No software to download, no plugins to install, no accounts to create. Your video files are processed locally in your browser for privacy and speed.

Pro Tip

When converting MOV to 3G2 for MMS messaging, check your carrier's size limit first. Most carriers cap MMS at 1-3MB. If your converted 3G2 is still too large, try converting a shorter clip or accept lower quality settings. Some carriers compress MMS attachments further, which can degrade already-compressed 3G2 video.

Common Mistake

Converting high-quality MOV to 3G2 and expecting it to look the same on a large screen. 3G2 is designed for mobile phone displays, not desktop monitors. If you need to preserve quality, convert to MP4 instead. Only use 3G2 when maximum compression is more important than video quality.

Best For

Sending video clips via MMS to recipients on older phones, playing video on legacy CDMA mobile devices, creating lightweight video archives, and testing mobile apps that require 3G2 media files. The format excels when file size must be minimized at the expense of visual quality.

Not Recommended

Do not convert to 3G2 if you plan to watch the video on a computer, TV, or modern smartphone. The quality loss is significant and unnecessary for modern devices. Keep your MOV files or convert to MP4 for general use. Only use 3G2 for specific legacy mobile compatibility needs.

Frequently Asked Questions

3G2 is a multimedia container format developed by 3GPP2 for CDMA-based mobile phones (Verizon, Sprint, US Cellular). It stores video and audio in a highly compressed format designed for mobile networks with limited bandwidth. The format is based on MPEG-4 Part 12 and supports H.263, MPEG-4, and H.264 video codecs.

Convert MOV to 3G2 when you need dramatically smaller file sizes for MMS messaging, legacy mobile device playback, or low-bandwidth streaming. 3G2 files are typically 80-95% smaller than MOV files, making them ideal for situations where file size matters more than maximum video quality.

In our testing, 3G2 files are typically 80-95% smaller than the original MOV. A 100MB MOV file typically converts to a 5-15MB 3G2 file, depending on the original content and conversion settings. The dramatic size reduction comes from lower resolution, reduced bitrate, and efficient mobile-optimized compression.

Yes, 3G2 uses aggressive compression that reduces quality. However, the format is designed for small mobile screens where the difference is less apparent. On a smartphone display, 3G2 videos look acceptable. On a large monitor, you will notice reduced sharpness, lower resolution, and compression artifacts.

3G2 was designed for CDMA networks (Verizon, Sprint) while 3GP was designed for GSM networks (AT&T, T-Mobile). 3G2 supports additional audio codecs like EVRC and QCELP that are specific to CDMA technology. Both formats are otherwise very similar and serve the same purpose of compact mobile video.

iPhones do not natively support 3G2 playback. You would need a third-party app like VLC for iOS to play 3G2 files. Ironically, this makes 3G2 a poor choice if your goal is to play videos on Apple devices. Consider keeping the MOV format or converting to MP4 instead for iPhone playback.

VLC Media Player is the most reliable option across all platforms. On Android, MX Player and similar apps handle 3G2 well. Windows Media Player can play 3G2 with the right codecs installed. Most older mobile phones with video capability have built-in 3G2 support since it was designed specifically for mobile devices.

3G2 is largely a legacy format today. Modern smartphones and networks use MP4 and other contemporary formats. However, 3G2 remains relevant for backward compatibility with older devices, lightweight video archiving, app development on legacy platforms, and situations requiring minimum file size.

Yes. Upload multiple MOV files and convert them all to 3G2 in a single batch. This is useful when preparing video content for mobile distribution or converting an entire folder of recordings. Each file processes independently so you can download completed files while others are still converting.

3G2 files are typically converted to mobile-friendly resolutions like 176x144 (QCIF), 320x240 (QVGA), or 352x288 (CIF). Higher resolutions like 640x480 are possible but less common. The lower resolution is intentional since 3G2 is designed for small mobile screens where high resolution provides diminishing returns.

Yes, audio is also compressed when converting to 3G2. The format typically uses AMR or AAC audio at lower bitrates than the original MOV. Voice and simple audio convert well, but music with complex instrumentation may lose some fidelity. The audio quality is optimized for phone speakers rather than high-end headphones.

Yes. The conversion happens in your browser using local processing. Your video files are not uploaded to external servers. They remain on your device throughout the conversion process, ensuring privacy and faster processing since no upload or download from a server is required.

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