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This, folks, is what the most expensive cell phone on the planet looks like, as recognized by the Guinness World Records. Named after its price tag, the Le Million runs 1 million Euros, or about $1.35 million.
Image Credit: GoldVish
Only 100 of these phones were ever made. Each one sports 18K white gold and 1,800 diamonds totaling 120 carats. But don't worry if $1.35 million is too rich for your blood -- GoldVish also makes other models starting at a more affordable $25,000. What a bargain!
Invented: 2008
After the iPhone came the iPhone 3G with support for 3G data, and then the iPhone 3GS. In his review of the 3GS variant, former Maximum PC Editor-in-Chief Will Smith said, "Finally, a no-compromise smartphone suitable for mass consumption."
Image Credit: Apple
Part of what he was referring to was the snappier feel of the OS, due in part to a faster CPU, more memory, and better equipped GPU. Put together, it all added up to a more responsive experience with up to half the load times on some applications.
Invented: 2009
The Pre's hype was high in the beginning, and so were the stakes. With Palm struggling financially and the company's future very much in question, the Pre was supposed to turn the company's fortunes around. But the much ballyhooed smartphone had the unfortunate timing of debuting not long before the Motorola Droid (see below).
"If we could have launched at Verizon prior to the Droid, I think we would have gotten the attention the Droid got. And since I believe we have a better product, I think we could have even done better," explained Jon Rubinstein, Palm CEO.
Image Credit: Palm
Palmed popped its webOS cherry with the Pre, ditching Palm OS for the Linux-based kernel. The Pre also made headlines for its advertised ability to sync with iTunes, a feature that didn't sit well with Apple. Palm and Apple proceeded to play a game of cat and mouse with iTunes compatibility, where each company would update their software (iTunes and webOS) to break (Apple) and restore (Palm) the ability to sync.
Invented: 2009
Like the G1, Motorola's Droid was hyped as a potential iPhone killer, and it too didn't quite live up that designation. But it did close the gap considerably, as well as inject some much needed nitro into Android.
Image Credit: Motorola
Whereas the G1 felt sluggish at times, the Droid's faster processor and beefier overall system specs finally started to do justice for Android. The Droid also had the advantage of Verizon's network, while G1 owners had to put up with T-Mobile's dismal 3G coverage.
Droid was also the first smartphone to ship with version 2.0 of Android, which featured a revamped UI, HTM5 support, Microsoft Exchange support, built-in flash support for Camera, and a bunch of other welcome enhancements.
Invented: 2009
Yet another candidate for the coveted title of "iPhone Killer," the Nexus One is the first smartphone -- or "superphone," as Google likes to call it -- to be seriously considered for the distinction.
Built by HTC, the Nexus One is marketed and sold by Google, which also makes it the first true "Google Phone." There's a lot to like in the Nexus One, including the 1GHz Qualcomm Snapdragon processor, 512MB of internal memory, and 5.0MP camera.
Image Credit: Google
So why isn't the Nexus One killing the iPhone in sales? One reason is because it was initially only offered for use on T-Mobile. Though users can purchase an unlocked Nexus One, doing so costs $529. And while existing T-Mobile subscribers can upgrade to the Nexus One for just $179, the discount is limited to those on an Individual 500 plan - those paying more for a Family plan need not apply. Boo!
More recently, Google has begun offering a second version compatible with AT&T's 3G network, but the non-subsidized phone still runs $529, so it's not likely to present a significant threat to Apple's iPhone sales.
Invented: 2010
Have a favorite phone we missed? Want to slap us with a trout for the ones we did include? Need a friend? Be sure to sound off in the comments section below!
Comments are closed on this article
loondawg
June 16, 2010 at 2:22pm
This was probably a lot of people's first phone. (Plus it's got life in that it's a fun project to hack an old one into a working phone)
gbucknell
April 30, 2010 at 8:59am
You forgot one of the most important phones in TV History. More important than Batman's, Get Smart's, Fred Flinstone's, and Mike Brady's phone was the phone use by Captain Kirk on Star Trek. That communicator directly predicted AND influenced the creation of the cell phone universe that we all now live in.
gooberp
April 07, 2010 at 2:56pm
You'd think that since 1948, AT&T's cell network would have been upgraded at least a little since the days of it's first radio car phone. Based on my experience, it's not any different.
Queenof1
March 28, 2010 at 7:44pm
this was a great article! Brought back memories of my Strawberry Shortcake intercom phones :)
The Relic
March 28, 2010 at 5:00pm
Heh, I remember we had one of the Model 500 rotary phones back when I was a kid (this was the 60s and 70s). I still have one here (though unused; my desk phone is a replica Nick and Nora Charles phone).
Bizarre
March 27, 2010 at 8:42pm
wow, some hatin' for the RAZR! In my opinion a black V3 is still one of the cooler phones out there, and if you don't count spart phones, among the coolest. It hasn't aged much, and is still one of the thinnest phones out there, probably because it was the first to reach the reasonable limit of thin-ness in a non-flexible mobile device.
Slugbait
March 27, 2010 at 3:40pm
Personally, I was looking forward to seeing what would be written about the Nokia 8110...
kevintanner800
March 26, 2010 at 12:44pm
Why is the Iphone in there twice? the Iphone was/is not game changing, the only thing it did is prove how many retards are alive in the world.
festiva_man
March 26, 2010 at 10:46am
Good article but the see transparent telephone was always my favorite. I loved seeing the inner workings of things like that.
jbelkin
March 26, 2010 at 9:48am
That ubiquitous infomercial started people realizing that a phone did not need to be square or rectangularly shaped AND that a phone could be cheap - so cheap it's a free giveaway ...
Did the 1990's Nokia you showed had the changing faceplate?, I think that was a game changer also ... the Nokia candybar phone?
tri8gman
March 26, 2010 at 9:12am
I don't really see Apple slogans and "power user" being appropriate in the same paragraph.
Apple doesn't market to Power Users. :P
ushim6
March 26, 2010 at 7:49am
It's perfect for me. I'm in a family plan, still have 1.5 years of contract left, so I just bought the danged thing. No need for a data plan since I'm on campus all the time, blanketed in wifi, and AT&T can't make me since it's unsubsidised.
I may get data sometime in the future, but honestly it's only on the road I miss the data connection, but I always do have SMS to make me feel more connected.
JoetheMobster
March 26, 2010 at 7:42am
creepy, when I was a child the family phone was just like that Western 500 rotary phone...and my mother had it on a doiley that looked exactly like the one in the photo!
SpazzAttack
March 26, 2010 at 4:10am
Still using my Motorola V3M. I very rarely text, so I don't need a full keyboard. Mine has the extended battery, so I don't need to charge it often. And it still makes phone calls, too!!!
Pball1224
March 25, 2010 at 11:33pm
First Car phone at $15, a bargain by today's standards? Uh, did inflation cross your mind? $15
in 1948 is equivalant to $135 today. I don't call that a bargain.Oh, and the Western Electric 1500 (touchtone) is nearly IDENTICAL to the phone on my desk at work, except mine is black, and includes a volume knob on the handset. The whole office of ~2800 employees uses them. I can hear the gasp as this is read. But it does exactly what I need it to do... make phone calls.
davisman123
March 25, 2010 at 11:17pm
I was surprised that the NGAGE wasn't on this list. While it wasn't the greatest phone or game system, it was way ahead of its time in terms of combining both worlds. It deserves a place on this list.
deadsolid
March 25, 2010 at 10:17pm
Where is the fucking Banana phone???
Why are there two iPhones on the list? Apple didn't do shit with the 3Gs.
Danthrax66
March 25, 2010 at 9:14pm
the iphone is a useless piece of crap just like all apple products.
greencpu
March 25, 2010 at 6:36pm
no football phone?!?!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nWtx9JwNzmY
FOR SHAME
excelguru
March 25, 2010 at 8:02pm
Damn, you beat me to it on the football phone.
And what about E.T.'s wind-powered, saw-blade phone with the umbrella antenna? I mean, that damned thing could reach OUTER SPACE, for crying out loud! How cool was THAT!?
Paul_Lilly
March 25, 2010 at 8:47pm
Damn, can't believe I overlooked E.T.'s homebrewed phone. Very nice suggestion.
-Paul Lilly
