Is it permissible for a fiancé to communicate with his fiancée via phone for the purpose of recreation through normal conversation that does not violate Islamic manners? And does the ruling differ if the engagement has not yet taken place, but there is merely initial discussion between the families?

It is not permissible for the suitor to communicate directly with his fiancée except for the lawful purpose, which is to look at her to the extent that it encourages him to marry her, as stated in the Sunnah (definition). Anything other than that is impermissible, and he must stop thinking about her and not be preoccupied with her, because she is still a stranger to him until the marriage contract is concluded. There should be no leniency in this matter.