Exploring the Difference Between Ringback Tones and Ring Tones

Although ringback tones and ring tones may appear as similar things, there is a vast difference between these two. While the ringback tone can be heard only by a specific person in his earpiece whenever he/she calls you, the later displays your taste of music and lifestyle to everyone around you whenever you receive an incoming call. That means, caller itself can hear ringback tone after dialing the number and before actually connecting the call while the receiver as an indication of incoming call can hear ring tone.

This very difference between ringback tone and ring tone has led people to go for different type of tones or music pieces for each of these categories. The difference between their choices is also clearly visible. While the ringback tones clearly define the nature of the relationship as they are individually assigned to a particular identified caller, ring tones symbolize the popularity of particular music album, or hot trend in music industry.

Ringback tones are also largely driven by the particular event, month or defined time span. That is why you may hear "I just called to say I love you" a popular score around Valentine’s Day! Ringback tone gives you a control to define and set the mood of a caller even before he/ she hears you. If you come across a ringback tone that uses Electric Light Orchestra’s "Don’t bring me down", will you be able to convey the recipient any bad news? No chance!

Although both give you a facility of customization, the scope and nature in both cases are going to be different. While the customization of ring tone helps you to let reflect your own personality and lifestyle to the masses, customization of ringback tone facilitates you to underline the relation between caller and you.

Another important difference lies in their modus operendi. In ring tones, you can make create your favorite tone right from the scratch, or mix the original tune with special effects, compose your tone yourself, ringback tones are yet to offer you that flexibility. Ring tones are housed on your cell while ringback tones are saved on the carrier server of your cellular service. Who knows, with some innovative technology in future you may well be able to cross this hurdle also!