The 3GP file format is a multimedia container format defined by the Third Generation Partnership Project (3GPP) for use on 3G mobile phones. It is a simplified version of the ISO base media file format (ISO/IEC 14496-12) and is designed to decrease storage space and bandwidth requirements to allow for efficient transmission and storage of video, audio, and text data on mobile devices. 3GP files typically contain video encoded using H.263, H.264 (AVC), or MPEG-4 Part 2 codecs, and audio encoded using AMR-NB, AMR-WB, or AAC-LC codecs. Due to its mobile-centric design, 3GP files often have lower resolution and bitrate compared to other video formats like MP4 or AVI. While primarily intended for mobile devices, 3GP files can also be played on computers using various media players. The format is still used, though less commonly than in the past, as more advanced mobile devices support more versatile video formats.