IS this being counted as TWO text messages?

[Versus]

Sorry if this has been asked a million times. I searched "double text bubbles" and everything related, but came up short. I've never owned an iPhone before, and the one person that I know who does says this shouldn't be happening.

This is ONE text message from my wife...

My friend's phone would have displayed that within a single bubble. I was actually alerted to this text with TWO chimes, as if it were in fact two separate texts.

My wife is not on AT&T if that makes a difference.

Thanks.

 

[Unspoken Demise]

My wife is not on ATT if that makes a difference.

I think it might actually. I've seen that happen with my before when I texted my friend on her T-Mobile phone. It seperated the texts instead of a big bubble. This never happens with my AT&T friends and my girfriend.

I think its because other carriers seperate them. (?)

 

[kkat69]

Check the 'max length' of a single text msg. Some carriers might put limits on the size of the characters and as well the phone itself might put a limit on the number of characters that can be sent at one time.

Also what is the text coming from? To give an example, if you use a web interface it might limit the characters there (att's web interface for sending text msg's is limited in size, others might do it as well).

 

[jsw]

Yes, the iPhone is deceiving, as are many phones, in that they can display multi-part SMS messages as one message. The character limit varies from carrier to carrier and country to country, but is generally between 140 and 160 characters per message. However, messages can be linked, and linked messages display as a single one on many newer phones, as long as the sending and receiving carriers and phones keep the link info.

So yes, if you send or receive any messages, regardless of how many bubbles show up, that exceed your carrier's SMS limit, then you'll have those counted as more than one message. At least, this used to be the case with any carrier I've dealt with, and I cannot imagine AT&T missing out on an opportunity to keep charging.

 

[Versus]

Huh, I never realized that there were any character limitations on texts before. I guess before the iPhone the majority of my texts were to and from my wife and we both used the same carrier in the past. Most texts to my friends are short and sweet. This could be why some of my phone bills in the past have been larger than others even though we never went over our minutes. I guess I should be more aware of my bill's itemization rather than just blindly paying it!

Thanks for the replies, everyone.

Also what is the text coming from?

Just a regular T-Mobile cell phone. Nothing fancy, just a freebie.