History's Best Selling Tech of 2005

Revisiting 2005 presents a grand parade of tech history, marked by Y2K fever and early digital revolution and enduring fan favorites. Unrivaled hits including Sony Ericsson K750, Nokia N70, and Nokia 1110 took top honors in living rooms and storefronts alike. Master craftsmen from industry leaders like Sony Ericsson and Nokia led the vanguard, engineering high-caliber releases that dominated airwaves and playground buzz alike. Dive into the full historical rankings below to see which standout creations won the day.

1. Sony Ericsson K750

   Released in 2005 by Sony Ericsson

   On March 1, 2005, Sony Ericsson officially unveiled the K750, a device that would fundamentally redefine the camera phone for the mainstream market. This announcement was a pivotal moment in mobile technology, as it introduced a candybar phone equipped with a 2-megapixel camera featuring autofocus—a specification previously reserved for dedicated digital cameras. The news sent waves of excitement through the tech community, signaling a serious challenge to competitors and setting a new benchmark for mobile imaging. The K750 promised to blur the line between a communication device and a serious photography tool, heralding an era where the phone in one's pocket could also be their primary camera.

2. Nokia N70 (N72/N73)

   Released in 2005 by Nokia

   On April 27, 2005, at a major press event in Amsterdam, Nokia redefined the high-end mobile market with the launch of its N-series, a new family of devices branded as 'multimedia computers.' Among the first devices unveiled was the Nokia N70. This date marked Nokia's strategic pivot towards feature-rich, 3G-enabled smartphones designed to be all-in-one entertainment and productivity tools. The N70 was presented as the compact, accessible workhorse of this new premium line, packing advanced imaging and connectivity into a classic candy bar design. Its announcement signaled Nokia's ambition to not just lead the mobile phone market, but to dominate the burgeoning smartphone era by merging computing power with mobility.

3. Nokia 1110

   Released in 2005 by Nokia

   On June 2, 2005, Nokia announced a device not aimed at the tech elite, but at the next billion mobile users. The unveiling of the Nokia 1110 was a pivotal moment in the democratization of telecommunications. In a world still years away from the smartphone revolution, Nokia's strategy was to connect millions in developing markets who had never owned a phone. This announcement wasn't about cutting-edge features; it was a declaration of intent to make communication a basic, accessible utility for everyone. The 1110 was designed from the ground up to be affordable, durable, and incredibly easy to use, embodying Nokia's mission to connect people, regardless of their location or income.

4. Nokia 1600 (1650/1661)

   Released in 2005 by Nokia

   On June 2, 2005, Nokia announced a suite of new entry-level phones, with the Nokia 1600 as a key highlight. This date marked a significant push in Nokia's strategy to connect the 'next billion' users, primarily in emerging markets. At a time when the Western world was starting to embrace more complex feature phones, Nokia recognized the immense, untapped potential in providing affordable and reliable communication tools to developing nations. The announcement wasn't just about a new product; it was a reaffirmation of Nokia's commitment to mobile accessibility for everyone, everywhere. The Nokia 1600 was designed from the ground up to be the first mobile phone for millions of people.

5. Motorola C139

   Released in 2005 by Motorola

   On October 1, 2005, the global mobile phone market entered its final and busiest quarter. While high-end devices like Motorola's own RAZR V3 were grabbing headlines, the company was also preparing to solidify its dominance at the other end of the spectrum. The announcement of the Motorola C139 during this quarter represented a critical part of this strategy. This date marks the beginning of the period when Motorola unveiled its ultra-low-cost workhorse, a device designed not for the tech enthusiast but for the masses. In a world of burgeoning feature phones, the C139 was a masterclass in simplicity, aimed squarely at the prepaid market and first-time phone owners in developing nations, ensuring Motorola's presence at every price point.