Highlights
- Nokia 1100 leads with over 250 million units sold.
- iPhone 6 series marked Apple’s significant shift in smartphone design.
- Nokia’s dominance in the early mobile phone era is unmistakable.
- Iconic Nokia 3310 celebrated for its durability and Snake II game.
The mobile phone industry has seen exponential growth since its inception, evolving from basic communication devices to today’s multifunctional smartphones.
Throughout this journey, certain models have left an indelible mark on the market, achieving record-breaking sales.
Here’s a look at the top 10 best-selling phones of all time.
You wil notice one company’s name standing out quite prominently though.
Nokia 1100
Units Sold: Over 250 million
Launched in 2003, the Nokia 1100 was designed with simplicity and durability in mind, primarily targeting developing countries.
Its robust build, long battery life, and user-friendly interface made it a popular choice for a vast audience, securing its position as the best-selling mobile phone of all time.
Nokia 1110
Units Sold: Over 250 million
Following closely behind its predecessor, the Nokia 1110, introduced in 2005, was renowned for its ease of use, featuring a large, readable font and intuitive navigation.
Its appeal in emerging markets contributed significantly to its astronomical sales figures.
iPhone 6 and 6 Plus
Units Sold: Approximately 220 million
Marking a significant shift in design and technology, the iPhone 6 and 6 Plus were released in 2014.
These models boasted larger screens, improved cameras, and faster processors, catering to the growing demand for high-performance smartphones.
Nokia 3210
Units Sold: 160 million
The Nokia 3210, released in 1999, was a game-changer with its internal antenna – a first for mobile phones.
It also introduced preloaded games like Snake, customizable ringtones, and predictive text input, making it a cultural icon of its time.
Nokia 1200
Units Sold: 155 million
Introduced in 2007, the Nokia 1200 was celebrated for its practical features, including extended battery life, flashlight functionality, and dust-resistant keys.
It was designed to be affordable, durable, and reliable, catering to a broad demographic.
Nokia 6600
Units Sold: 150 million
Launched in 2003, the Nokia 6600 was one of the first smartphones to gain widespread popularity.
It featured advanced functionalities for its time, such as a camera, Bluetooth connectivity, and expandable memory, appealing to tech enthusiasts worldwide.
Nokia 5230
Units Sold: 150 million
The Nokia 5230, released in 2009, was a touchscreen smartphone that offered many features of higher-end devices at a more affordable price point.
It was known for its music playback capabilities, GPS navigation, and access to the Ovi Store for apps.
Nokia 2600
Units Sold: 135 million
Known for its compact design and simple features, the Nokia 2600, introduced in 2004, catered to users looking for a basic, reliable phone.
Its colorful covers, long battery life, and affordability contributed to its popularity.
Nokia 1600
Units Sold: 130 million
Released in 2006, the Nokia 1600 featured a color screen, polyphonic ringtones, and a speaking clock, setting it apart from other entry-level models.
It was designed for ease of use, targeting first-time mobile phone users in emerging markets.
Nokia 3310
Units Sold: 126 million
The Nokia 3310, launched in 2000, became famous for its near-indestructible build, long battery life, and the iconic game Snake II.
It remains one of the most recognized phone models in history, embodying the essence of early mobile phones.
Nokia 1100 Specs
GENERAL
| Sim Type | Single Sim, GSM |
| Dual Sim | No |
| Sim Size | Mini SIM |
| Device Type | Feature Phone |
| Release Date | September, 2017 |
DESIGN
| Dimensions | 46 x 106 x 20 mm |
| Weight | 86 g |
DISPLAY
| Type | Black & White |
| Size | 96 x 65 pixels |
MEMORY
| Phonebook | 50 entries |
| Card Slot | No |
CONNECTIVITY
| GPRS | No |
| EDGE | No |
| 3G | No |
| Wifi | No |
| Bluetooth | No |
EXTRA
| GPS | No |
| 3.5mm Headphone Jack | No |
CAMERA
| Rear Camera | No |
| Front Camera | No |
TECHNICAL
| Java | No |
MULTIMEDIA
| FM Radio | No |
BATTERY
| Type | Removable Battery |
| Size | 850 mAh, Li-ion Battery |
| StandBy Time | 16 days |
| Talk Time | 270 min |
Apple iPhone 6 (32GB) Specs
GENERAL
| Sim Type | Single Sim, GSM |
| Dual Sim | No |
| Sim Size | Nano SIM |
| Device Type | Smartphone |
| Release Date | September, 2014 |
DESIGN
| Dimensions | 67 x 138.1 x 6.9 mm |
| Weight | 129 g |
DISPLAY
| Type | Color IPS LCD Screen (16M colors Colors) |
| Touch | Yes |
| Size | 4.7 inches, 750 x 1334 pixels |
| Aspect Ratio | 16:9 |
| PPI | ~ 326 PPI |
| Screen to Body Ratio | ~ 65.8% |
MEMORY
| RAM | 1 GB |
| Storage | 32 GB |
| Card Slot | No |
CONNECTIVITY
| GPRS | Yes |
| EDGE | Yes |
| 3G | Yes 42 Mbps Download 5.76 Mbps Upload |
| 4G | Yes |
| Wifi | Yes, with wifi-hotspot |
| Bluetooth | Yes, v4.0 |
| USB | Yes, Proprietary v2.0 |
EXTRA
| GPS | Yes, with A-GPS Support |
| Fingerprint Sensor | Yes |
| Sensors | Proximity, Accelerometer, Gyroscope, Compass, Barometer |
| 3.5mm Headphone Jack | Yes |
| NFC | Yes |
CAMERA
| Rear Camera | 8 MP with autofocus |
| Features | Face detection, Smile detection, Geo tagging, Panorama, Touch to focus |
| Video Recording | 1080p @ 60 fps FHD |
| Flash | Yes, Dual LED |
| Front Camera | 1.2 MP |
TECHNICAL
| OS | iOS v8, upgradable to v12 |
| Chipset | Apple |
| CPU | 1.4 GHz, Dual Core Processor |
| GPU | PowerVR GX6450 (quad-core graphics) |
| Java | No |
| Browser | Yes, supports HTML5 (Safari) |
MULTIMEDIA
| Supports | MMS, iMessage, Voice Commands |
| Yes, with Push Email | |
| Music | MP3, WAV, AAX+, AIFF |
| Video | MP4, H.264 |
| FM Radio | No |
| Document Reader | Yes |
BATTERY
| Type | Non-Removable Battery |
| Size | 1810 mAh, Li-Po Battery |
| Music Playback Time | 50 hours |
FAQs
Which mobile phone holds the record for the highest sales?
The Nokia 1100 holds the record as the best-selling mobile phone of all time, with over 250 million units sold, praised for its simplicity and durability.
What made the iPhone 6 series stand out in sales?
Released in 2014, the iPhone 6 and 6 Plus saw approximately 220 million units sold, thanks to their larger screens, enhanced cameras, and faster processors, meeting the demand for high-performance smartphones.
How did Nokia achieve such dominance in the mobile phone market?
Nokia’s dominance was built on the back of durable, user-friendly phones like the Nokia 1110 and 3210, which were designed for ease of use and featured innovations like the internal antenna and preloaded games.
What features did the Nokia 5230 offer to achieve high sales?
The Nokia 5230, a touchscreen smartphone released in 2009, offered features typically found in higher-end devices at an affordable price, including music playback, GPS navigation, and app store access.
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