A cellphone rings inside a microwave oven because cellphone frequencies, which operate at 900/1800 MHz in Europe and 950/1900 MHz in the US, can penetrate the microwave's Faraday cage. Microwaves typically operate around 2.4 GHz, a frequency chosen for its effectiveness in heating food and lack of prior communication systems. While the microwave blocks some signals, cellphones are adept at detecting weak signals, allowing them to ring even inside the oven. However, the phone may not be able to transmit or receive voice calls effectively while inside. This phenomenon highlights the limitations of microwave shielding against certain radio frequencies.