Top 10 Iconic Cell Phones

Before the release of this diminutive clamshell, cell phones tended to be cumbersome objects that offered limited practicality for the majority of consumers. Hitting shops in 1996, the StarTAC was the smallest and lightest phone on the market and looked damn good compared to the hefty bricks of the past. As it developed, new models added fresh features like better screens and vastly improved battery life. It may be quaint now, but in its time it was incredibly cool to own. Hey, 60 million satisfied customers can’t be wrong.

This model from Samsung’s Galaxy S series surpassed Apple’s 4S smartphone, gaining the nickname “iPhone Killer.” Critics directed praise towards the S III’s superior processing speed, display and dimensions. However, the sleek, plastic design did divide opinion. Consumers seemed to agree with the positive reviews of critics, with 30 million devices sold in approximately 6 months. The S III was so good, in fact, that it was reported that it even outsold the iPhone 5 during that device’s first two months of sales. Now that’s testimony to the robustness of this Android device that consistently topped the ‘best of’ lists for 2012.

The phone of choice for Neo and company in “The Matrix” had to be supremely cool - and this unconventional ‘banana phone’ fit the bill. The sliding cover protecting the mouthpiece was the perfect way to produce a dramatic effect, while the distinctive curved design made it stand out from all the other phones on the market. Even with its unique ergonomics, the Motorola StarTAC still eclipsed the Nokia 8110 at the time of its 1996 release. But its prominent appearance in “The Matrix” elevated this innovative phone to a whole new level.

Although it was not the first cell phone to offer MP3 playback, it was the first Sony Ericsson phone to release to incorporate Walkmanfunctionality. This phone gained huge attention for offering so much more than messaging and calling. It could feasibly replace your CD or MP3 player with a memory that could be expanded up to 2GB – which was great for 2005. All this was contained within an attractive cream and orange design that facilitated easy use while never skimping on advanced features.

When the first Sidekick was released in 2002, it stood out immediately due to a number of unusual and innovative selling points. For instance, it was considerably larger than other phones on the market at the time so that it could incorporate the series’ legendary swivel screens and QWERTY keyboards. It was also sometimes known as the Danger Hiptop – a terrible branding decision. Meanwhile, the hacking of Paris Hilton’s Sidekick 2 through T-Mobile’s central servers inadvertently promoted the high-end features that the device offered. Those features, like instant messaging and email, would soon enough become staples of the mobile industry.

This was the first truly mobile phone, and as such, few other devices can rival the impact it had in real life and popular culture. Of course, the DynaTAC’s capabilities pale in comparison to modern smartphones, but it began a phenomenon that now dominates the modern world and arguably brings people around the globe closer together. Initially costing $4000 back in 1984, it has become synonymous with yuppie culture of the 1980s and is heavily used in media portraying that era. The inaugural brick phone could only manage a half-hour call before needing a ten-hour recharge, but it is still a culturally important development.

It is almost impossible not to talk about this tough little fella when recounting your memories of mobile phones past. Over 126 million people had the pleasure of spending hours setting their high score on Snake II - and if you didn’t have one yourself, chances are your best friend did. They were the must-have accessory of teen-texting culture during the early 2000s and were customized with a huge selection of elaborately designed cases. For a while, the whole world echoed with that classic Nokia ringtone. Wouldn’t we all love to return to that simpler time if only for a moment?

Traditionally, BlackBerry was more popular with businesses and other organizations than individuals consumers, but this upgrade of the older 8300 model and their Bold line of smartphones began to widen their appeal to a broader market. The first Curve included impressive multimedia features, but it was the 8900 model that found the perfect combination of a stylish, professional image and functions that are useful for the general public. It implemented reliable Wi-Fi and improved the camera to become a genuine competitor to the iPhone 3G and 3GS.

Along with its skinnier younger brother the KRZR, the RAZR is one of the best-looking phones to have ever been created. Apple gets a lot of credit for pushing forward mobile technology, but Motorola has a legitimate claim to creating some of the most influential cell phones. The company sold 130 million of the gorgeous all-metal devices that looked as though they could slice your finger while you text. While not necessarily offering groundbreaking tech, it was the mobile of choice for celebrities who knew precisely what this eye-catching clamshell said about its owner.

Before we reveal our top pick, here are some honorable mentions.

T-Mobile G1 [aka HTC Dream]

Nexus One

Qualcomm QCP-860

Apple claimed that they would reinvent the phone and the first generation of iPhone certainly did that. But it’s the second incarnation of the revolutionary product that truly began the move to a smartphone-dominated world. Not only did the price drop in half from the 1stgeneration, it sped up 3G connectivity. It also introduced a feature that would make the iPhone the most versatile option on the market: the App Store. This platform allowed third-party developers to produce applications that gave access to an unheralded selection of games, software and other utilities. Who knows what life would be like nowadays without the iPhone 3G, which was clearly a stunning achievement in mobile phone technology?

Do you agree with our list? Which cell phone will forever be engrained in your memory? For more mobile top 10s published every day, be sure to subscribe to WatchMojo.com.