All Nokia Phones in Order: A History of Releases 1982-2024

The smartphones in our pockets and purses are now more powerful than the desktop computers in offices a decade ago. But nostalgia for the nineties is reigniting the transparent tech trend, and digital minimalists are looking at the simplicity of the old-school Nokia brick phone in envy.

Once, you could drop your old Nokia phone, watch the back and battery ricochet into different corners of the room, and yet somehow, after a quick reassembly, it would still look great and function like nothing ever happened. Do you remember the time when the only game played was Snake?

We look back at the simpler days of the Nokia mobile era when reliability and resilience were more important than a bigger screen or better camera. Join us in celebrating the best-selling 90s phones when Nokia was far bigger than any Apple vs. Android debate.

Table of Contents Table of Contents

1. Key Takeaways
2. All Nokia Models in Order of Release & Their Key Features
3. All Nokia Phone Generations: 1982-2024
4. 1999: The Golden Generation
5. The Bottom Line
6. FAQs
7. References

Show Full Guide

Table of Contents

1. Key Takeaways
2. All Nokia Models in Order of Release & Their Key Features
3. All Nokia Phone Generations: 1982-2024
Show Full Guide
4. 1999: The Golden Generation
5. The Bottom Line
6. FAQs
7. References

All Nokia Models in Order of Release & Their Key Features

Although many associate Nokia phones with the nineties, The first Nokia phone was the Mobira Senator carphone in 1982. However, audiences would have to wait until 1987 for Nokia’s first handheld mobile, the Mobira Cityman.

We look back at all Nokia phones ever made in order of release to understand their impact on the modern smartphone market.

All Nokia Phone Generations: 1982-2024

Everything in tech moves in cycles, and our obsession with the size of our phones is coming full circle. We have been on a journey from the original Nokia brick phone in 1987 to the tiny 8210 in 1999.

Fast forward to 2024, and our obsession with size has taken us back to the biggest and better sizes of the gigantic screens on the iPhone 16 Pro Max and Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra. But how did we get here?

1987: Nokia Cityman

We often hear how Apple delivered the game-changing moment of ushering in the smartphone era with the release of the iPhone in 2007.

But it’s important to remember the significance of the Cityman, which was Nokia’s first mobile phone released 20 years before Steve Jobs’s iconic keynote. The brick-like handset did not look pretty, but it helped the Finnish company secure nearly 15 percent of the global mobile phone market.

1992: Nokia 1011

In 1992, the Nokia 1011 did not have the accolade of being the first mobile phone on the market, but it was the first mass-produced GSM phone.

Through today’s eyes, you could be forgiven for thinking it was the original burner phone that just allowed you to make calls and send texts. But make no mistake, in 1992, this was a pretty big deal.

1994: Nokia 2110

Only a handful of sounds are universally recognized and linked to famous brands. Intel is probably the one that immediately springs to mind for most people, but we would argue that the most iconic sound in tech history is the Nokia Ringtone.

The Nokia 2110 will be fondly remembered for being the first phone from the brand that introduced the world to the iconic ringtone, followed by someone shouting, “Hello, can you hear me? I’m on the train.” For many, this was the original Nokia phone.

1996: Nokia 8110

With the world furiously texting each other, the evolution of the mobile phone began taking shape. In September 1996, Nokia revealed a revolutionary new ‘slider’ form factor. A sliding cover protected the keypad when in your pocket, and you felt like a movie star pulling out your phone as the opening of the cover seamlessly answered the incoming call without the need to push buttons awkwardly.

The curvature of the case led to it being dubbed the “banana phone.” Three years later, a modified version of the Nokia 8110 with a spring-loaded mechanism would mean that this would forever be known as the Matrix phone for movie lovers.

1997: Nokia 6110

When looking back at the range of Nokia phones of the nineties, there was one feature even more iconic than the famous Nokia ringtone: a game called Snake.

In an age before mobile app stores, the introduction of Snake in the Nokia 6110 would be the moment that would be the beginning of an obsession for many users.

1998: Nokia 5110

With the millennium on the horizon, the 5110 felt like the moment that mobile phones were going mainstream. Users of all ages fell in love with the ability to personalize their Nokia 5110 with a variety of outer covers. This moment provided a glimpse into a future where we would become obsessed with our phones.

The 5110 had a battery that felt like it would last forever as you became more addicted to the Snake game. Best of all, it was an almost indestructible beast that would never let you down.

1999: The Golden Generation

Nokia 3210, 7110 & 8210

1999 was a golden year for Nokia phones, with not one but three iconic models on offer. Which model you choose would determine your age and social status. For the first time, people would begin to judge others on their choice of phone.

Nokia 3210

First up in March 1999 was the Nokia 3210, which resulted from Nokia’s vision to create an expressive and personalizable handset. It also had an impressive battery life that would last for several days.

Nokia 7110

With film lovers wanting to replicate their heroes in the Matrix movie, the 7110 gave audiences the spring-loaded slider version of the 8810. It looked great and introduced a mobile web browser and the T9 predictive text feature, which would prove to be a Marmite experience for many users.

Nokia 8210

In 1999, the worst insult somebody could give was labeling your phone a brick. The small, lightweight, and ubiquitous 8210 remains one of the smallest phones ever released. Its infrared port also allowed users to communicate with PCs and printers before Bluetooth.

Following in the footsteps of the Matrix phone, the 8210 could be found everywhere in popular culture, from the TV show Absolutely Fabulous to the Charlie’s Angels movie. With the year 2,000 just around the corner, Nokia’s three cutting-edge phones made it feel like the future was officially here.

2000: Nokia 3310

One of the most popular Nokia phones of all time was the indestructible 3310 would inspire a series of memes. There were no gimmicks, just the promise of reliability and resilience. This resonated with a global audience, with more than 126 million units sold.

Many often forget that the 3310 also allowed SMS messages of 459 characters, which at the time was three times more than that of other phones on the market. It also allowed users to follow text conversations in the thread form we enjoy today.

The iconic Nokia phone 2000 revolutionized mobile communication in the early 2000s, but it’s not finished yet. Nostalgia and the desire to return to dumbphones also prompted a revamp of the popular model in 2017. As the nineties trend continues to gather pace, could it make another appearance in 2025? If history has taught us anything, don’t ever write off the 3310.

2002: Nokia 7650

The pace of technological change in mobile phones was beginning to ramp up, and new phones were regularly featured in futuristic sci-fi films. In 2002, Nokia released its first phone with the killer combination of an integrated camera, color display, and its Symbian S60 OS. This move would signal a strong focus a new focus on superior cameras in models to come.

Movie fans will also remember the Nokia 7650 securing its place in popular culture with an appearance in Tom Cruise’s Minority Report.

2003: Dare to Be Different

Nokia N-Gage 2003

One of the things that is quite striking about modern smartphones is how every device looks remarkably similar. But it’s not always been like this. Rather than playing it safe, the Nokia proved it wasn’t afraid to mix things up with the 2003 release of the N-Gage, which is often remembered as “The Taco Phone.”

Forget Snake. The stage was now set for a new hybrid phone that doubled up as a handheld gaming device. Despite trying to be everything, it sadly failed on all fronts. As a phone, it was incredibly uncomfortable to answer a call.

As a gaming device, there was the cumbersome act of removing the battery to swap game titles. Despite selling 3 million units, the N-Gage was outsold by the Game Boy Advance 100 to 1, but many fans still have fond memories and appreciation for daring to innovate rather than playing it safe.

More Innovation with the 7600 & 3300

During its dare to be different phase, Nokia’s brave addition of the 7600 with its unique teardrop shape and the bold 3300 aimed at younger users more interested in MP3 players and messaging also got people talking about Nokia’s commitment to innovation.

However, Nokia could afford to make these gambles, considering the basic Nokia 1100 designed for emerging markets would go on to sell an incredible 250 million units in 2023.

2004: Nokia 7710

Nokia’s first phone with a touchscreen was the 7710, three years before the iPhone. The odd-looking device was a classic case of style over substance. The 7710 appeared to have an identity crisis, unsure whether it wanted to be a phone, multimedia machine, or a PDA.

Sure, it looked unique, but the 7710 was just a confusing mess, leaving many users yearning for simplicity. The obsession with large, cumbersome devices could also be found in the 6820, which featured a fold-out QWERTY keyboard design for texting and emailing.

Elsewhere, the bizarre-looking 7280, AKA the lipstick phone, replaced the keyboard with a scroll wheel and menu button, and the Nokia 7260 featured an art Deco-inspired design. Nokia was undoubtedly innovating and creating very different designs, but many were not practical for everyday use.

2005: Nokia N90

By 2005, phone manufacturers recognized that phones and computers were beginning to converge. Nokia’s designs also became more outlandish as it continued to try to be much more than a phone.

The N90 resembled a hybrid between a camcorder and a phone. With an impressive specs, it highlighted how the market was heading to an era of multi-purpose Nokia smartphones.

Other Nokia phones released in 2005 also carried this theme, with the 9000 Communicator wanting to be the ultimate business phone and the uber-expensive Nokia 8800 focussing purely on style rather than tech.

2006: Nokia N93

The Nokia N93 stood out with its distinctive, versatile design that transformed from a phone to a camcorder thanks to its swivel mechanism.

Its features, including 3G connectivity and Wi-Fi, combined with actor Gary Oldman’s promise of producing DVD-quality video, made it a big hit with Nokia fans.

2007: Nokia N95

The N95 was an underestimated thing of beauty. Announced in September 2006, users were patiently waiting to get their hands on its innovative two-way sliding design, 5MP camera, and downloading the maps to test the GPS features—all of which were cutting-edge for the time.

The N95 was launched in March 2007 and was widely considered the most powerful smartphone and a pocket computer in every sense.

The original Nokia 2660 Flip was also launched in 2007. It featured a clamshell design with a compact 1.8-inch internal display and a secondary external screen for quick notifications. Known for its simplicity and durability, it offered a VGA camera, FM radio, and a long-lasting battery, making it a popular choice for basic communication needs.

However, a few months later, in June, the arrival of the iPhone changed the course of mobile technology and signaled the end of Nokia’s dominance.

2008: Struggling to Adapt to the iPhone Era

In 2008, Nokia was further caught off guard by releasing the E71 business device, which resembled a BlackBerry. However, the iPhone was taking people away from physical keypads and touchscreens, which would be the future of smartphones.

Today, this serves as a timely reminder that no brand is ever too big to fail.

2011: Lumia 1020

Five years would pass before Nokia released its best-ever phone, the Lumia 1020. A 41MP PureView camera tied to Windows OS made it the perfect choice for business users. It was technically better than the iPhone at that time and arguably the best camera phone we have ever seen.

Despite the impressive specs, this would be the last Nokia phone before its disastrous sale to Microsoft in 2014.

2016: Microsoft Selling Nokia to HMD Global

Microsoft quietly ditched its mobile plans and offloaded the Nokia brand to HMD Global in May 2016.

The group, formed by former Nokia executives, then began operating the Nokia-branded phone business under an exclusive licensing agreement. But Nokia’s glory days were now firmly in the rearview mirror.

2024: Nokia Revival

A concerning 71% of users recently admitted they spend more time face down on their phone than with their partner. We are only just beginning to understand the impact of smartphone addiction on our lives. But it’s the younger generation that are providing hope for a better future.

Although Gen Z is the first generation to be surrounded by internet-connected devices since birth, they are sparking a retro revolution against big tech. Back in the nineties, life with Nokia phones was much simpler, and texting friends while playing a retro version of Snake is becoming increasingly attractive.

The Nokia revival began with the revamped Nokia 3310 in 2017, but nostalgia for “dumbphones” has continued to gain momentum. Nokia’s maker, HMD, has relaunched classic models such as the Nokia 6300, Nokia 2780 Flip, and Nokia 3210.

Nokia is undoubtedly among the biggest winners of an emerging digital minimalist movement. Sure, users want to detach from their screens and enjoy a digital detox from all the online noise.

In a world where every smartphone looks the same, Nokia’s innovative design continues to wow multi-generations of users.

The Bottom Line

As we reflect on the rise and fall of Nokia products, we recognize a brand that dared to defy the norm with its bold designs and ambitious innovations. Sure, Nokia’s reluctance to embrace touchscreen technology and user-friendly interfaces in the face of the iPhone’s ascendancy marked a pivotal stumble. However, its legacy of innovative design remains influential to this day.

Today, amidst a sea of similar smartphones, Nokia’s fearless exploration into unique aesthetics reminds us that innovation isn’t just about following trends but sometimes about setting them. As we witness a resurgence of minimalist digital devices, it’s clear that the spirit of Nokia’s classic designs continues to inspire a new generation who are yearning for simplicity and durability in their digital tools.

FAQs