History's Best Selling Tech of 2013

Make way for the hits of 2013! This remarkable era stood as a testament to the turn-of-the-millennium pop explosion and the march of first-rate tech. Crowd-pleasers such as Nokia 105 series shared the spotlight with mega-bestsellers Samsung Galaxy S4 and LG G2. Brought to you by top-notch makers from industry leaders like Nokia and Samsung, these trailblazing products dominated airwaves and playground buzz alike and earned a permanent place in cultural lore. Check out the complete rank-ordered ledger below to relive the finest releases of the year.

1. Nokia 105 series

   Released in 2013 by Nokia

   On February 25, 2013, at the influential Mobile World Congress in Barcelona, Nokia made a significant statement about its market strategy. While the world's attention was largely focused on the escalating smartphone wars, Nokia unveiled the 105, an ultra-affordable feature phone priced at just €15. This announcement was a deliberate and powerful move to capture the 'next billion' mobile users, primarily in emerging markets. This date signifies Nokia's continued commitment to the entry-level segment, a market it historically dominated. The launch of the Nokia 105 wasn't just about a new product; it was about reaffirming the company's mission to connect the world, proving that accessibility and reliability were just as innovative as a high-end touchscreen.

2. Samsung Galaxy S4

   Released in 2013 by Samsung

   On March 14, 2013, Samsung took over New York's iconic Radio City Music Hall for a theatrical, Broadway-style Unpacked event to launch the Galaxy S4. This was no ordinary tech reveal; it was a grand statement of ambition. Moving the launch from its usual European venues to Apple's backyard signaled a direct challenge for the throne of the smartphone world. The event, filled with elaborate skits to demonstrate features, positioned the S4 not merely as a device, but as a 'Life Companion.' This date marks the peak of Samsung's 'kitchen sink' approach to smartphone design, aiming to captivate consumers with a sheer volume of new, futuristic software features.

3. LG G2

   Released in 2013 by LG

   On August 7, 2013, LG Electronics took the stage at the Frederick P. Rose Hall in New York City to unveil a device designed to challenge the smartphone status quo. In a market heavily dominated by Apple and Samsung, LG's 'Learning from You' event was a bold statement. The star of the show was the LG G2, a flagship phone that broke conventional design rules. Instead of placing buttons on the side, LG moved the power and volume keys to the back panel. This global launch event wasn't just about new hardware; it was the formal introduction of a radical ergonomic philosophy, arguing that as phones grew larger, controls should be where the user's fingers naturally rest.

4. Samsung Galaxy Note 3

   Released in 2013 by Samsung

   On September 4, 2013, the tech world turned its attention to Berlin for the IFA trade show, where Samsung held its 'Unpacked' event. It was here that the company officially unveiled the Galaxy Note 3, the third iteration of its category-defining 'phablet'. Building on the massive success of its predecessors, the Note 3's launch was a major industry event, representing Samsung's confidence in the large-screen smartphone market it had pioneered. The announcement showcased a device that was not just bigger, but smarter, more powerful, and wrapped in a new, premium design, setting a new benchmark for high-end Android devices and solidifying the phablet's place in the mainstream market.