The inquiry regarding magnetic fields affecting cellular devices is a common concern. While older technologies like cathode ray tube (CRT) monitors and magnetic storage media were susceptible to magnetic interference, modern smartphones utilize non-magnetic solid-state storage and LCD or OLED screens. Thus, the potential for permanent data loss or display distortion due to a typical magnet is minimal. For example, placing a refrigerator magnet on a smartphone is unlikely to cause any lasting harm.
Understanding the history of data storage and display technologies provides context. Magnetic storage, prevalent in early computers and audio/video tapes, relied on aligning magnetic particles to represent data. External magnetic fields could disrupt this alignment, leading to data corruption. Similarly, CRT monitors used electron beams deflected by magnetic fields to create images. External magnets could distort these fields, resulting in image anomalies. The shift to solid-state storage and alternative display technologies eliminated these vulnerabilities, contributing to increased device robustness.