A three-dimensional (3D) communication device includes a 3D stereoscopic camera for capturing video and photos in 3D. The device also includes a 3D display, which enables the display of video and photos in 3D that have been captured by a local user's communication device or that have been received from a remote 3D communication device. The 3D communication device may be configured as a handheld standalone device or may alternatively be configured as a modular device, a case, or a dock that can be interfaced with a portable computing device, such as a smart phone, which lacks the capability to capture and view 3D video/photo content. As such, the 3D communication device enables 3D chat or communication between a local user and one or more remote users of the 3D communication device or any other computing device that is configured with suitable communication or chat software.