Decoding the Best Selling Mobile Phones Worldwide
Mobile phones have come a long way from bulky devices purely meant for calling. Yet even with smartphones becoming ubiquitous worldwide for web access, photography, messaging apps and more, the best selling mobile phones worldwide reveal that pricing remains the ultimate decision factor for most buyers.
Let‘s analyze the trends behind the 10 highest selling cell phone models ever – from Apple‘s legacy in premium devices down to Nokia‘s budget best-sellers. You‘ll discover meaningful takeaways applicable to modern advancements and why basic communication remains essential for the masses.
The Premier iPhone Series Sets Flagship Trends
Kicking off the list we have Apple – the driving force behind iOS and premium mobile computing for over a decade now. iPhones account for 6 out of the top 10 bestselling smartphones ever based on historical figures below.
What made iPhones so popular among hundreds of millions despite generally higher pricing? It boils down to nailing product experience overall – combining aspirational hardware advances wrapped within highly intuitive and engaging software capabilities.
As an example, when the iPhone 6 and 6 Plus first launched back in 2014, they sparked tremendous demand globally thanks to significantly bigger screens, sleeker exteriors plus considerable leaps over predecessors internally too. Apple sold around 10 million units in the opening weekend itself – its biggest debut ever back then!
Let‘s analyze the trends and takeaways behind each iPhone entering the 100 million+ best-sellers club historically:
The Pioneering iPhone 6 Series Cements Phablet Demand
| Model | iPhone 6/6 Plus |
| Units Sold | 224 million |
| Release Date | September 2014 |
| Discontinued | September 2018 |
| Size | 4.7 inches (iPhone 6); 5.5 inches (iPhone 6 Plus) |
| Features | Curved glass; A8 chip (25% faster than iPhone 5S‘); Apple Pay |
| Controversy | "Bendgate" – Reports of iPhone 6 Plus bending in pants pockets |
The iPhone 6 lineup commands the crown currently as highest selling iPhones ever, having sold over 220 million units during 2014-2018. The bigger ~5-inch sizes especially captivated consumers eager for more screen real estate.
However Bendgate embroiled the iPhone 6 Plus as examples surfaced of damage from being kept in tight pants pockets under pressure. Did you experience issues due to the slim 7.1mm thick aluminum body yourself?
Touch ID Debuts to High Acclaim with iPhone 5S
| Model | iPhone 5S |
| Units Sold | 164 million |
| Release Date | September 2013 |
| Discontinued | March 2016 |
| Size | 4 inches |
| Features | Touch ID fingerprint sensor, 64-bit A7 chip |
| Controversy | Security concerns over Apple storing fingerprint data |
The iPhone 5S from 2013 sparked substantial hype over pioneering implementation of Touch ID – letting users skip passcodes by simply scanning a registered fingerprint for device access. Did you utilize Touch ID yourself back then?
But privacy advocates expressed reservations about Apple gathering biometric data from millions. Thankfully, fingerprint data itself gets stored within a secure enclave on the A7 chip rather than Apple servers.
Non-Flagship iPhone XR/11 Wow Budget Buyers
Beyond premium iPhones, Apple‘s foray into cheaper variants without cutting too many corners reaped tremendous rewards commercially:
| Model | iPhone XR | iPhone 11 |
| Units Sold | Over 70 million | Over 159 million |
| Release Date | Oct 2018 | Sept 2019 |
| Discontinued | Still available | Still available |
| Price | $599 launch price | $699 launch price |
| Compromises | Lower resolution LCD display | LCD instead of OLED display |
| Key Features | Similar design/power as iPhone XS | Ultra-wide dual camera |
The colorful iPhone XR maintained flagship-tier processing power in a more accessible $599 package by utilizing a cheaper LCD panel. And its successor – the iPhone 11 – ships 100+ million units already thanks to dual cameras plus robust overall capabilities at just $699!
Would you opt for the iPhone 11 over professional-grade upgrades on the iPhone 11 Pro lineup purely based on its reasonable price tag?
Nokia Leads the Budget & Basic Mobile Segment
Shifting focus towards affordability we have Nokia – a household name for mobiles globally, especially within developing regions. Feature phones like the Nokia 105 sell tens of millions yearly even today despite lacking functionality smartphones take for granted!
Let‘s explore what made these no-frills Nokia devices so popular:
| Model | Nokia 1100 | Nokia 105 (2019) |
| Units Sold | Over 250 million | Over 200 million |
| Release Date | August 2003 | March 2013 |
| Discontinued | 2009 | Still selling |
| Features | Calling, SMS, Games | Calling, SMS, Flashlight | Battery Life | Up to 408 hours standby | Up to 25 days standby! |
| Price | Under $100 | Under $20 |
Without any internet connectivity, apps, storage, cameras or even a basic color screen why do you think the Nokia 105 sold so well? Share your thoughts!
Key Takeaways from History‘s Best-Selling Mobiles
Analyzing trends across the highest shipping mobile devices reveals critical insights:
Pricing Affects Volumes Immensely: Budget iPhones & Nokia models far outweighed flagship sales
Brand Loyalty Persists Globally: Apple and Nokia exemplify trust plus ecosystem lock-in effects
Basic Functionality Still Crucial For Many: Hundreds of millions rely purely on calls/texts
Advances Take Time Reaching Mass Market: Pioneering tech debuts exclusively on high-end models first
Although newer innovations like foldable displays and satellite connectivity grab headlines currently with exorbitant price tags, expect the cycles to continue! Matured technologies get iterated on aggressively via newer materials and manufacturing methods until reasonable affordability targets open mainstream floodgates.
We‘ve come a long way since the early iPhone and Nokia models altering industries forever. Yet even amongst a sea of direct Chinese competitors plus Google‘s emerging hardware efforts, the old guards still shipped the most historically!
Will you be upgrading to one of the latest value flagships like the iPhone 11 which bring bleeding-edge tech to wider reach? Or are you holding out for future advancements to hit affordable price brackets first?
