What is the best-selling cell phone in history?

The Nokia 1100 model is the best-selling in history with 250 million devices sold

Photo: Nokia

Currently, the most modern cell phones present a series of tools and functions that are considered basic of any smartphone. The unbridled advances tend to make us forget about the great old hits, for the reason that new models from different consolidated brands and other more modern ones are constantly being presented that are looking for a space in the cell phone market.

When the question arises, what is the best-selling cell phone in history?, the answers are directed to the most popular companies today globally: Apple and Samsung. The two manufacturers led sales worldwide in 2023. According to the report published by the market consultancy Counterpoint Research, the ten best-selling models during the previous year were seven iPhones and three Galaxy models. However, the record does not belong to either brand.

The best-selling cell phone in history is the Nokia 1100. The mobile device came onto the market in 2003, characterized by its simplicity and resistance. At the time, it was not recognized for its cutting-edge technology or innovative features. The mission of this model from the Finnish company was to provide an economical and highly durable alternative for users.

In 2003, the first cell phones with integrated digital cameras and MP3 music players were already in circulation. Among the most popular models of the time were: Samsung E700, Sony Ericsson P900, Motorola V600 and the Nokia 6600.

At that time in history, Nokia dominated the cell phone market. It had a wide catalog of modern cell phones with innovative designs, different from those of other manufacturers. In addition to being at the forefront of technology and styles, the Finnish company focused on the lower ranges, presenting more accessible and practical solutions designed for customers with a more limited budget.

We recommend you read: “ByteDance has no plans to sell TikTok”

In August 2003, in the midst of the rise of smartphones, Nokia launched its 1100 model, which had no intention of competing with the more developed ones. It had no camera, and no colors on its screen. For the technology of the time, it defined the basics of a cell phone, but that firm and secure concept made it the most successful in sales in history.

Features of the Nokia 1100

Although Nokia is currently on the margins of competitiveness in the mobile phone market, it will always be remembered for its durability and resistance to shocks or falls. That was a great emphasis that the Finns established, to propose a cell phone that worked in the most demanding conditions. Of course, the 1100 was no exception. The device’s design had a completely closed keyboard that prevented dust from entering and non-slip rubber edges, making it easier to use in humid climates.

Likewise, it had a monochrome screen, interchangeable covers, 50 boxes enabled for contacts and a capacity to store 50 messages between the inbox and sent.

You may be interested in: These are the new Samsung Galaxy models that are now available in Colombia

Among its tools were the flashlight, clock, calendar, calculator, stopwatch and contact book. As for ringtones, it had 36 sound options to choose from and a game to entertain the user: Snake. The snake game was already famous on mobile devices and could not be missing from the Nokia 1100 model, which included version two of the game.

Even though it did not have the most advanced technology at the time, Nokia decided to incorporate a top-level battery, the BL-5C, which was designed for more advanced models. With the reinforcement, he managed to develop greater autonomy performance and increased the usefulness of the cell phone without having to use the charger. Depending on use, it can last up to a full week.

Sales of the Nokia 1100

First of all, the cell phone hit the market in 2003 with a value of USD $100, which was affordable at the time. Between 2003 and 2007, Nokia’s cell phone managed to sell more than 250 million devices worldwide, a figure that places it at the top of the list of best sellers, according to Visual Capitalist research with data from Yahoo France and Omdia in 2022.

In 2005, Nokia achieved the sale of one billion mobile phones in its history, and it was the 1100 model that produced the historical sales number in Nigeria. Taking into account the number of cell phones that the 1100 model sold, it proved to be a key piece in the Finnish company’s contribution to reaching the record figure.

The Nokia 1100 model is the best-selling in history with 250 million devices sold

Photo: Nokia

In 2007, the company ended its manufacturing and, in addition to achieving the title of best-selling cell phone that it maintains to date, it obtained the distinction of the best-selling electronic product up to that time. With its success in sales, it surpassed iconic gadgets such as the Nintendo DS and the PlayStation 2.

The best-selling cell phones in history

In Visual Capitalist’s research, there are the figures for the ten best-selling models in history. The models are distributed between the Nokia and Apple brands. Only in the next ten positions do other manufacturers appear, such as Samsung and Motorola. The references on the list are already discontinued by the companies, and according to Visual Capitalist, to date, no recent model comes close to the top positions. The ranking of the best-selling cell phones in history and their figures are: