Polyphonic ringtones refers to playing of multiple tones and/or notes at the same time, which, in turn, produces a realistic sound for melodies. Cell phone handsets offer a range of four to forty polyphonic tones and/or notes to be played at the same time. When cell phone handsets with polyphonic ringtones were introduced, it became a rage, as the former cell phones contained only monophonic ringtones.

There are various ways for a cell phone user to download polyphonic ringtones to his handset, including the Internet, other cell phone users, ringtone providers, etc. Most of the ringtone providers offer ringtones for a charge so that they are able to pay royalties to record companies and so that they can earn a profit. Free polyphonic ringtones are the most preferred among cell phone users, mainly because they dont have to spend money to download these ringtones to their respective cell phone handsets.

Many sites offer the ringtones free of charge; the ringtones can be downloaded by sending the specified code for the ringtone as an SMS to the ringtone provider. The ringtone providers offer varied choices, like hip-hop and rap, rock or alternative, TV/movie themes, country, and so on. Thus, a cell phone user has the option to choose ringtones on the basis of his taste and style. There are many polyphonic-ringtone composition and conversion software available on the Internet that allow a user to convert mp3, wave and MIDI to cell phone polyphonic ringtones or to compose ones own polyphonic ringtone on a PC. Once created, these ringtones can be transferred to a cell phone handset via infrared, Bluetooth, or some other means.

In short, free polyphonic ringtones offer an excellent option to listen to your favorite music on your cell phone handsets without paying anything.