Ericsson GH688 (1996) Though less famous than some entries on this list, the GH688 was a workhorse of the late 90s mobile landscape. With its distinctive oval keypad, outstanding reception quality, and remarkable durability, it represented the transition from specialized business tools to mainstream consumer products. The GH688’s intuitive interface and reliable performance made it

Nokia 8810 (1998) Building on the success of the 8110, the 8810 was the first mobile phone with a chrome-finished case and an internal antenna, giving it a sleek, uninterrupted profile that looked more like a fashion accessory than a communication device. Its sliding cover, premium materials, and distinctive styling made it the executive phone

Motorola DynaTAC 8000X (1990-1993) Though first released in 1983, the DynaTAC continued selling well into the early 1990s as the quintessential “brick phone.” Weighing almost 2 pounds with a battery life of roughly 30 minutes, it was hardly practical by today’s standards. Yet, with its $3,995 price tag (equivalent to over $10,000 today), it remained

IBM Simon (1994) Often considered the world’s first smartphone, the IBM Simon was truly ahead of its time. With a touchscreen interface, ability to send emails, and features like a calendar, address book, and even predictive typing, the Simon anticipated smartphone features by over a decade. Its innovative approach came at a cost – both

Nokia 2110 (1994) The Nokia 2110 may look unremarkable to modern eyes, but it represented a significant milestone in mobile phone evolution. It was among the first to feature Nokia’s iconic ringtone (the “Grande Valse”), introduced SMS text messaging to many users, and established design principles that would influence mobile phones for years to come.

Ericsson T28 (1999) Remarkably slim and lightweight, the T28 was the thinnest phone on the market when released. Its distinctive flip design with a spring-loaded mechanism added a sense of sophistication, while the active flip (which could answer and end calls) made it incredibly convenient to use. The T28 was also one of the first

Nokia 3210 (1999) One of the best-selling phones of all time with over 160 million units sold, the 3210 struck the perfect balance between functionality, durability, and affordability. It pioneered internal antennas when external ones were still common, featured exchangeable covers for personalization, and introduced many users to the addictive game Snake. The 3210’s predictive

Motorola MicroTAC (1991) With its semi-clamshell design featuring a flip-down mouthpiece, the MicroTAC represented a crucial evolutionary step in mobile phone design. It was the first pocket-sized flip phone, dramatically smaller than the “brick phones” that preceded it. The MicroTAC introduced the concept of a phone that could comfortably fit in your pocket rather than

Nokia 8110 (1996) Before it gained fame as the “banana phone” in The Matrix, the Nokia 8110 was already turning heads with its distinctive curved design and slider mechanism that revealed the keypad. The sliding cover that protected the keys when not in use also allowed users to answer calls with a flick of the

Motorola StarTAC (1996) The world’s first true clamshell phone, the StarTAC was revolutionary in both design and concept. Weighing just 88 grams, it was astonishingly light for its time. With its flip mechanism that felt almost magical, vibration alert feature, and sleek profile, the StarTAC became an instant icon. At around $1,000, it wasn’t cheap,