In the fast-changing world of mobile phones, a few stand out. The Nokia 1100 and the iPhone 6 are among them. They’ve captured our hearts and changed how we use technology. These best selling phones mark a new era in communication and digital life.¹

Key Takeaways

• The Nokia 1100 and 1110 are the best-selling bar phones, with sales exceeding 250 million units each.¹
• The Apple iPhone 6 and 6 Plus are the best-selling touchscreen smartphones, with combined sales of over 222 million units.¹
• Samsung leads the industry with 37 of the best-selling phone models, followed by Nokia with 27.¹
• The mobile phone industry has shipped over 26 billion units worldwide between 1992 and 2020, and over 28 billion units between 1992 and 2022.¹
• The Nokia 3310 from 2000 sold 126 million units, contributing significantly to the overall mobile phone sales at that time.¹

Nokia’s Legacy: The 1100 and 1110 Reign Supreme

In mobile phone history, two Nokia models are remembered as masters – the Nokia 1100 and Nokia 1110. These phones led the market in the early 2000s. They showed everyone why Nokia was the top choice in every pocket.

The Indestructible Nokia 1100

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In 2003, Nokia launched the 1100. It’s the number one bestselling phone worldwide with over 250 million sold from 2003 to 2009.² The key to its success? It was cheap, strong, and did what everyone needed.

Nokia 1110: A Worthy Successor

Released after the 1100, the Nokia 1110 arrived in 2005. It quickly proved itself, selling a huge 247.5 million units by 2010.² These phones show Nokia knew what people wanted – simple, reliable phones that worked for everyone.

Nokia’s Dominance in the Early 2000s

The massive sales of the 1100 and 1110 made Nokia unstoppable. They became the world leader in phones, thanks to these hits. Nokia’s path to global success was set due to these popular, affordable phones.

Apple’s Game-Changing iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus

The Rise of Large-Screen Smartphones

In 2014, Apple changed the game with the iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus. They introduced big screens to the smartphone world. The iPhone 6 had a 4.7-inch display that was 38% larger than the previous models.³ Its resolution of 1334 x 750 made everything look better. The iPhone 6 Plus went even bigger, with a 5.5-inch display. It was 88% larger than the iPhone 5s’s screen, making it great for watching videos or playing games.³ This shift to bigger screens was a hit. People loved the idea of more space for their favorite apps and activities.

Groundbreaking Design and Features

The iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus were not just about the screens. Apple showed off its design skills with sleek, stylish bodies. The aluminum finish looked premium and modern, drawing many fans.⁴ They boosted internet speeds, too, offering up to 150 Mbps. This meant quick downloads and smooth online browsing.³ The phones also ran on iOS 8, which unleashed over 4,000 new possibilities for app makers. Developers had more tools to make creative and useful apps.³ All these new features and a bigger display made the iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus massive hits. They became the best-selling phones ever, showing just how much people liked them.

The Best Selling Mobile Phones of the 2010s

During the 2010s, Apple and Samsung became top leaders in phone sales. Apple, with its iPhones like the iPhone 6S, 7, 11, and 12 series, topped the charts. Samsung’s Galaxy series, including the S II, S4, S7, and S22, also did very well, giving Apple strong competition.¹

Apple’s Continued Dominance

The iPhones continued to be big sellers through the decade. This includes the iPhone 6, 6 Plus, and more, with over 222 million sold. Their success has kept Apple at the top of the smartphone market.¹

Samsung’s Galaxy Flagships

Samsung, too, has seen great success, especially with its Galaxy models. The Galaxy S II through to the S22 have been hits, showing Samsung’s power to draw in customers with their innovation.¹

The Motorola RAZR V3: A Cultural Icon

The Motorola RAZR V3 has its own unique place. It stands out as a cultural touchstone, especially compared to Apple and Samsung. With a design that’s classic and modern, it’s the best-selling flip phone ever, reaching over 130 million sales.¹

The Nokia 3310: A Legendary Handset

In 2000, Nokia launched the 3310, a worldwide famous mobile phone. It sold more than 126 million units globally. People loved it for being tough, having a long battery life, and being easy to use.⁵ It was not just a phone; it became a symbol of the past and strength.

The Nokia 3310 had many forms, such as the 3315, 3320, and others, designed for different places like North America and the Asia-Pacific.⁵ It had cool functions: picture editor, self-made ringtones, and a popular game called Snake II. Plus, a calculator and a stopwatch were handy.⁵ You could also change its look with different cover designs and set your favorite ringtone.⁵

Many praised the Nokia 3310 for its strong build, earning it the nicknames “indestructible” or “the Nokia Brick.”⁵ In 2017, a new version came out with more features like a color screen and a camera.⁵

Its battery life amazed people, lasting for days without a charge. This was a big deal back then. Plus, it was affordable, suiting many budgets. And, it reminded people of simpler times.⁶

Nokia was well-respected, and its name helped the Nokia 3310 succeed. It was easy for everyone to use. The design and the keys were just right for users of every age.⁶

The legendary Nokia 3310 came out in 2000 and is still popular today.⁷ The latest version is available in Warm Red, Yellow, Dark Blue, and Grey.⁷ Its battery can last a long time and it has the famous Snake game, now in color. For charging, it has a Micro-USB port.

Also, there’s a 2.4″ screen that’s easy to read in daylight.⁷

The Best Selling Mobile Phones of All Time

A few mobile phone models have really stood out over the years, leading sales. These are the giants in the industry.¹

Nokia’s Early Reign

In the early days, Nokia was king. People loved their affordable and dependable phones. The Nokia 1100 and 1110 were big hits, both selling over 250 million units.¹ Then came the Nokia 3310 in 2000, a true icon. It sold more than 126 million units, making it legendary.²

Apple’s Ascendancy

As time went on, Apple made its mark with the iPhone series. The iPhone 6 and 6 Plus topped the charts for touch screen phones, selling over 222 million combined.¹ Other iPhones like the 6S, 7, 11, and 12 series have also been very popular.¹

Samsung’s Diverse Offerings

Samsung joined the competition with a wide range of models. The Motorola RAZR V3, a flip phone, sold over 130 million units, showing people still loved flip designs.¹ Samsung’s Galaxy S and Note series made big waves, offering strong alternatives to Apple.¹ The Samsung E250, a slider phone, sold over 30 million units, proving its appeal.¹

The success of these phones changed the mobile industry. They marked significant steps in mobile technology’s journey.¹²

The Evolution of Mobile Phone Design and Features

Mobile phone design and features have come a long way, from the first “brick” phones to today’s smartphones.⁸ One major change was going from buttons to touchscreens. This made using phones easier and more fun.⁸

From Brick Phones to Smartphones

In the past decades, our phones have changed a lot. They started as big, heavy “brick” phones in the 1970s and 1980s.⁹ The very first mobile phone was the Motorola DynaTAC 8000X. It cost almost $4,000 and weighed around 2 pounds.¹⁰ Over time, phones got smaller, lighter, and cheaper. This made them popular for everyone.

The Transition to Touchscreens

Touchscreens changed everything when they came to phones.⁸ The first smartphone was the IBM Simon Personal Communicator in 1992. It had a touchscreen, an address book, a calendar, and a notepad.¹⁰ Switching from buttons to touchscreens made phones more useful and fun to use.

Groundbreaking Camera Technology

Putting cameras in phones was a big step that turned them into more than just communication tools.¹⁰ The Kyocera Visual Phone VP-210 came out in 1999 as the first camera phone. Then, in 2000, the J-SH04 was the first camera phone that many people could buy.¹⁰ Now, most smartphones have high-quality cameras. This has changed how we take and share photos every day.

Regional Differences in Best-Selling Models

The mobile phone industry is big across the globe. But what people buy varies by region. For instance, in the United States, iPhones from Apple are kings. The iPhone 6, 7, and 11 series always shine as top sellers here.¹¹

Apple’s Dominance in the US Market

In the first quarter of 2024, iPhone models dominated sales. The iPhone 15 series and iPhone 14 especially stood out. They made up 84% of Apple’s sales, showing how much Americans love these phones.¹¹

Samsung’s Global Reach

Across the world, Samsung is a big player too. In the top 10 best-sellers for Q1 2024, five were Samsung phones. Its wide range of models, from the latest S24 to the more budget-friendly A series, makes Samsung very popular globally.¹¹

Samsung might not rule America, but it holds a big piece of the market. In the first quarter of 2024, over a third of all smartphones sold were Samsung’s. This brand’s variety and quality make it a strong competitor worldwide.¹¹

The Impact of Best-Selling Phones on Society and Culture

Best-selling mobile phones have greatly affected society and culture. They used to be mainly for talking, but now they’re fashion items. Phones show our style and how we fit into society.⁸ Phones like the Motorola RAZR V3 and Nokia 3310 are more than just tools. They’re symbols of times past and have deep meaning for us.

Mobile Phones as a Lifestyle Accessory

Mobile phones are now part of who we are, not just gadgets. They show what we like and our place in the world.¹² The phone industry adds a lot of money to the world’s economy, about 3.6% of it.¹² Because of this, phones have changed. They are not simple anymore but full of features for everyone’s taste.

The Smartphone Revolution

⁸ The iPhone’s launch in 2007 changed everything. It started the era of smartphones. These devices mix messaging, fun, and work smoothly.¹³ They have special features like LiDAR that help in medicine, teaching, and checking the environment.

¹² Smartphones have made many new jobs in the app world. They support services like Uber that use technology in smart ways. This brings more chances for everyone to succeed.

Best-selling phones have turned into key items in our lives. They are now a big part of our culture. Their success has also helped in creating new tech that makes our lives better.

Future Trends in the Mobile Phone Industry

The mobile phone industry is always changing. Several trends are starting to show us what’s next. Foldable phones are becoming more popular. They combine the smartphone’s ease with a bigger screen’s benefits.¹⁴

The Rise of Foldable Phones

Foldable phones like the Samsung Galaxy Flip are at the forefront because of their potential. This potential grows as their materials and tech get better.¹⁴ By 2027, over 100 million foldable phones might be sold every year.¹⁵ Motorola is working to bring foldable phones to more people. They will offer a cheaper Razr in 2023 for $700.¹⁵

Convergence with Other Devices

The mobile phone world is blending with other tech. Smart wearables and wireless earbuds are more common. This gives companies new chances to create cool products.¹⁶ Young people are using phones more. Now, one in three kids has their own phone.¹⁴

Emerging Players and Technologies

Big things are coming to the smartphone scene. 5G, green efforts, AI, and IoT are leading this charge.¹⁶ The new Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 chip from Qualcomm, used in phones like Xiaomi’s, shows how far tech has come.¹⁵ Smartphone makers are also aiming for greener products. Some are working to be completely eco-friendly by 2050.¹⁴

Source Links

1. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_best-selling_mobile_phones
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3. https://www.apple.com/newsroom/2014/09/09Apple-Announces-iPhone-6-iPhone-6-Plus-The-Biggest-Advancements-in-iPhone-History/
4. https://www.apple.com/iphone/compare/?modelList=iphone-6,iphone-6s,iphone-6-plus
5. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nokia_3310
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12. https://elearning.scranton.edu/resources/article/how-the-smartphone-has-impacted-economic-development/
13. https://www.bbc.com/future/article/20230331-the-surprising-way-cellphones-changed-our-lives
14. https://www.uswitch.com/mobiles/guides/future-of-mobile-phones/
15. https://www.cnet.com/tech/mobile/your-next-phone-will-likely-be-smarter-faster-and-more-bendy/
16. https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/smartphone-market-comprehensive-analysis-size-trends-future-narwat-w0are