handsets

Handset refers to the component of a telephone that is held in the hand and used for speaking and listening. Traditionally, a handset combines a microphone (mouthpiece) and a loudspeaker (earpiece) connected by a cord to a base unit. In many homes and offices, the term also denotes the cordless or corded devices that function with a separate telephone base. In mobile communications, the term is used more loosely to describe a mobile device that the user holds, such as a mobile phone or smartphone.

Historically, handsets were part of wired landline telephones; the handset could be lifted to signal the base to answer and to route the audio. Cordless handsets use a wireless link (often DECT or other RF standards) to a base station, enabling mobility within a defined area. Modern smartphones are frequently referred to as handsets as a generic name for the user device in the call path.

Design and features vary: traditional handsets include an earpiece, a mouthpiece, a cradle or hook switch, and numeric or programmable buttons; smartphones rely on touchscreens, integrated microphones, and speakers, with additional cameras, sensors, and software. Networks and protocols support handsets across technologies: analog PSTN/POTS for old landlines; digital networks for cordless and VoIP handsets; mobile devices use cellular standards (GSM/UMTS/LTE/5G) and data protocols.

Market and usage trends show a shift from dedicated landline handsets to multipurpose mobile devices, though dedicated office and healthcare handsets remain in use for reliability and specialized applications. Accessibility and ergonomic design continue to influence handset development.