Motorola Bag Phone - Styles and Model List

Styles and Model List

Although they are technically all similar, Motorola produced many different handset styles of the bag phone. These can usually be determined by the model number on the underside of the handset (SCN**** on most handsets). Each type of handset also had its own transceiver (usually SUN****). Random handsets can be used with random transceivers, but some mismatches may result in unusable functions. For example, plugging a 4500 handset into a 3 Button transceiver will result in the Up/Down, one-touch, VOL and STO buttons to be either unusable or perform a totally different function. The handset types are as follows:

• 3-Button (SCN2453A, SCN237A) - One of the first models of the Bag Phone, and the most basic. Numeric display. Named so because of the three buttons on the lower part of the handset, the only buttons besides the numeric keys that are mandatory for making calls: PWR, END/CLR, and SND. Very common. Besides the mainstream SCN2453A 3 Button, there was also a less-common SCN237A model, which had some slight cosmetic changes.

• America Series (SCN2476A, SCN2394A) - Also known as the 4 Button. Similar to 3 Button. Comes in Grey plastic housing (instead of the usual black). Adds VOL/CTL button for adjusting earpiece/ringer volume, and accessing functions such as the feature menu and checking the remaining battery life. Common.

• Soft-PAK (SCN2497B, SCN2498B, SCN2744A, SCN2745A, SCN2533A) - Also known as the 6 Button, this is one of the first and most common model of Bag Phone. Similar to 3 button. Adds RCL button for recalling stored phone numbers and other information, and FCN button to replace the CTL button, making the VOL button by itself. Very common. Besides the three mainstream models, there was also a less-common SCN2533A model, which had a white handset and grey bag.

• Series III (SCN2395A) - Similar to 6 button. Bigger buttons, replaces VOL button with STO button, for storing phone numbers, and confirming feature selections. This handset is one of two used on the Bag Phone's American predecessor, the Tough Talker. Common.

• Series III 6 Button (SCN2607B, SCN2396A) - Similar to series III. Smaller buttons, STO button merges into RCL button, with CLR merging out of the END button and taking STO's place, leaving the END button by itself. This handset was one of two used on the Bag Phone's American predecessor, the Tough Talker. Common.

• 480 (SCN2532A, SCN2705A, SCN2449A, SCN2555A, and SCN2552A) - There were 5 different variations of the Motorola 480, the only differences between the five being cosmetic and button placement. Adds MSG button for checking missed calls, up–down buttons for scrolling through stored phone numbers and menu items, and an alphanumeric display to replace the standard numeric display. This Allows name tags to be entered with stored phone numbers, and easier reading of messages the phone displays. Common. Some 480 bag phones have a color LCD display in place of the black and white LCD.

• 2800 (SCN4057AB, SCN2742A) – Similar to 480. Common.

• 2800DLD (SCN2766A) – Exactly like 2800, except it has a dual-line Color LCD display. Uncommon.

• 4500 (SCN2801AB, SCN2772A) – Motorola's last bag phone model was produced from 1994–2000. Adds three one-touch dial keys. MSG key is gone. For easier use, all keys have the function fully spelled out instead of abbreviated. Alphanumeric display. VOL button replaced with Up–Down buttons which can also be used to scroll through menu items. Can be used with 2900 transceiver. Very common.

• 4500S - Similar to 480. Common.

• 2900 (SCN2462A, SCN2520A, SCN2500A) – Motorola's low-cost (and therefore feature-deprived) version of the 4500. The only cosmetic difference between the 2900 and 4500 is red one-touch dial keys instead of black on the 4500. Alphanumeric display. Can be used with the 4500's transceiver. While the SCN2462A model has a round FCN key and triangular arrow keys, the SCN2520A and SCN2500A models have a rectangular FCN key and round arrow keys. Also, the 2462A and 2520A have the black and white display while the 2500A has the color display.

• 2900 Gold Series - Exactly like 2900, except the Black/Red theme is replaced by a Grey/Yellow theme, and one-touch dial key #2 becomes a MSG key, with one-touch dial key #3 becoming #2. Comes in a special bag noticeably labeled "Gold Series". Color LCD display. Uncommon.

• 2950 – Similar to 4500. Common.

• 2950 Special Edition - The rarest of all Bag Phones, and the most sought after by collectors. Similar to 2900, except it has the same dual-line color LCD display as used by the 2800DLD. Extremely uncommon.

• Dynasty (SCN2390A) – A more feature-packed, fashionable version of the 4 button. Black/Green theme. Eight-character numeric display is replaced with a 10-character one. Comes in a special bag noticeably labeled "Motorola Dynasty". Uncommon. (The Dynasty name was also used on a model of the Motorola DynaTAC.)

• Meteor (SCN2394A, 52183, 52328) – Similar to Dynasty. Keeps eight-character numeric display. Comes in a special bag noticeably labeled "Motorola Meteor". Brown/black or blue/grey/black theme. Uncommon.

• Digital Concert Series - Similar to 480, except it is dual-mode AMPS/TDMA digital. A few Digital Concert Phones had a color LCD display. Very uncommon.