A cellular device lacking power is incapable of receiving new data. This includes Short Message Service (SMS) messages. If a mobile phone is switched off or the battery is completely depleted, it is essentially disconnected from the cellular network. Consequently, any attempt to send a text message to that device will not result in immediate delivery.
The inability to receive messages stems from the phone’s inactive status. The device needs to be powered on and connected to a cellular network to register its availability. Only then can the network route incoming messages to the intended recipient. This technological limitation is a fundamental aspect of how cellular communication infrastructure operates and has been a consistent characteristic since the inception of SMS technology.