Top 10 Oldest Cell Phones In The World 2025

It is simple to overlook the straightforward beginnings of mobile communication in a world that is dominated by smartphones that are both elegant and powerful. The transformation of a cumbersome “brick” into a pocket-sized supercomputer is an intriguing one, one that is characterized by ingenuity, ambition, and the creation of some truly iconic devices. An examination of the pioneers, which are the top ten oldest commercially available cell phones, is presented in this article. These phones were crucial in the development of the technology that we rely on today.

List Of Top 10 Oldest Cell Phones In The World 2025

1. Motorola DynaTAC 8000X

When it comes to mobile phones, the Motorola DynaTAC 8000X is without a doubt the uncontested patriarch. It was the first handheld cellular phone that was also accessible for business use, and it was released in 1984. In 1973, Dr. Martin Cooper, an engineer at Motorola, made the first public cell phone call using a prototype. This event marked the conclusion of fifteen years of work by Motorola engineers, notably Dr. Cooper. The DynaTAC 8000X only had a conversation duration of thirty minutes and required ten hours to charge. It was given the nickname “brick phone” due to its size and weight, which was approximately seven hundred and ninety grams. Because of its exorbitant price tag of $3,995 (which is comparable to more than $11,500 in today’s currency), it was considered a status symbol for the wealthy elite.

2. Motorola MicroTAC 9800X

Following the success of its brick, Motorola introduced a revolutionary new design with the MicroTAC 9800X. In 1989, it was the first phone to be referred to as a “flip” phone. The microphone of the gadget was held in place by a hinged flap that folded out, which resulted in the phone being more compact and ergonomically designed to be used. When compared to its predecessor, it was noticeably more compact and lighter, weighing in at 270 grams. In spite of its costly price tag of approximately $2,995, the MicroTAC 9800X established a new benchmark for mobile phone design that would be imitated for many years to come. It had an eight-character red dot-matrix LED display.

3. Orbitel 901

The Motorola DynaTAC was the first commercial handheld phone, but the Orbitel 901 boasts a separate title that is equally as significant: it was the first phone that was approved for use on a GSM network. This transportable gadget, which was introduced in May 1992 by the business Orbitel, which is based in the United Kingdom, played an important role in the early testing of GSM networks. On December 3, 1992, it received the world’s first-ever SMS text message, which was a simple “Merry Christmas.” This event is considered to be the most famous moment in its history.

4. Motorola International 3200

The Motorola International 3200 was the first hand-portable (as opposed to transportable) Goods and Services Mobile (GSM) phone, following in the footsteps of the Orbitel 901. Even though it was designed for the new digital GSM networks, it maintained the traditional “brick” look of the DynaTAC, which was introduced in September of 1992. In spite of the fact that it was capable of making and receiving calls, it was noticeably incapable of sending or receiving text messages. This demonstrates that the traditional form factor still has a place in the modern digital world, as seen by the fact that the International 3200 was a popular choice during its time.

5. Nokia 1011

The Nokia 1011, which was released on November 10, 1992 (giving it its name, as “10/11”), is usually considered to be the first GSM phone specifically designed for the mass market. Because of its user-friendly design and the fact that it can send and receive text messages via SMS, it became a popular option among customers. In addition to setting the framework for Nokia’s domination in the mobile market for the next ten years, the 1011 was a significant step toward making mobile phones more accessible to the general population.

6. IBM Simon

It might be said that the IBM Simon Personal Communicator was the first fully functional “smartphone.” The device, which was introduced in 1994, was a combination of a personal digital assistant (PDA) and a cellular phone. It came with a set of programs, which included a calendar, contact book, notepad, and calculator, and it included a monochrome touchscreen that was accompanied by a pen. Furthermore, it was able to transmit and receive faxes as well as emails. The Simon was a forward-thinking device; however, it was unable to achieve widespread success due to its high price ($899 with a two-year contract) and its limited battery life.

7. Hagenuk MT-2000

The Hagenuk MT-2000, a mobile phone that was introduced in 1994, is a notable example of a particular innovation that has been made in the past. As one of the first mobile phones to have an antenna built in, it represented a considerable shift from the conventional extending aerials that were used in the past. The IBM Simon, which featured a concealed “Scramble” game, is the one that is credited with being the first phone to have a game built into it, despite the fact that this is a common misconception. One of the first mobile phones to popularize mobile gaming was the Hagenuk MT-2000, which had a version of the game Tetris. This made it one of the earliest gaming phones.

8. Motorola StarTAC

The StarTAC, which was manufactured by Motorola and debuted in 1996 in an analogue version, was a mobile phone that once again changed the appearance of mobile phones with its sleek clamshell enclosure. 1997 saw the release of a digital version of the GSM. across sixty million devices were sold all across the world, demonstrating the StarTAC’s enormous success. In addition to being compact and lightweight, it featured a vibrating alarm, which was also a feature that was considered a luxury at the time. When it came to blending fashion and utility in a way that very few other phones had done before, the StarTAC became an emblem of technology in the 1990s.

9. Nokia 8110

 

The Nokia 8110, which was released in 1996, was affectionately referred to as the “banana phone” due to its curved form. This was the first slider phone that the firm had ever produced. It featured a cover that could be slid to protect the keypad and bring the microphone closer to the mouth of the user. The ergonomic design and distinctive appearance of the product helped it become a cultural symbol, particularly after it made a notable cameo in the film The Matrix, which was released in 1999.

10. Nokia 9000 Communicator

The introduction of the Nokia 9000 Communicator in 1996 was a demonstration of Nokia’s aspirations to become a dominant player in the smartphone market. This so-called “pocket-sized office” featured a clamshell design that, when opened, revealed a full QWERTY keyboard as well as a huge monochrome display. It was a groundbreaking device that merged a GSM phone with a fax machine, email, and internet connection, making it a genuine predecessor of modern smartphones that are geared toward business use.