When it comes to smartphone release, there’s always a big decision to make: should you buy the latest model or stick with what you have? The latest phones tend to offer the best tech, with better processors, larger batteries and more capable cameras. But they also cost a premium.
Here’s a look at some of the key events in smartphone history that have helped shape mobile communication as we know it.
3 April 1973: Motorola introduced the world’s first handheld mobile phone. The Simon Personal Communicator could call, text and even send faxes and emails. The handset physically slid to reveal the keyboard and used a BlackBerry-style trackball for navigation.
Google and HTC released the world’s first Android smartphone, the T-Mobile G1 (later renamed the HTC Dream). This was the first phone to connect to an internet service, allowing for data transmission much faster than before.
Mobile gaming exploded. Finnish engineer Taneli Armanto’s simple and addictive game Snake became a worldwide hit on Nokia 6110 handsets, kicking off the mobile gaming craze that continues to this day with games like Candy Crush and Merge Mansion.
The iPhone 17 Pro Max wrests top spot from the Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra as our pick of the best phone. It’s a great device, with a super-slim 5.8mm frame, a 6.7in screen and the highest quality rear camera array we’ve ever seen on a flagship phone. But it’s not without flaws, including a divisive dual-camera layout and a step-down Snapdragon chip.