The Pocket-Sized Revolution
The mobile phone has undergone a staggering transformation, evolving from a “limited quantity” rarity for the elite into a global essential. To understand the scale of this revolution, one must look past the niche flagships of today and toward the devices that moved in the millions and millions. As a historian of technology, I find that these sales figures don’t just represent hardware—they represent the democratization of communication. By examining the top ten most successful handsets of all time, we can see the exact moment the world shifted from analog survival to digital connectivity.
The Unstoppable Kings: Nokia 1100 and 1110
At the summit of mobile history sits the Nokia 1100, the undisputed champion with a staggering 250 million units sold. It was more than a phone; it was the industrial backbone of communication in emerging markets. Its legendary status was cemented by its utilitarian “torchlight” feature, which provided an essential tool for users in pre-electrified rural regions like India.
The device’s resilience was famously marketed through advertisements showing it surviving under the weight of a truck, a promise of durability that resonated globally. Closely trailing its predecessor is the Nokia 1110 at 247 million units. While the 1110 featured a slightly more modern aesthetic, it doubled down on the 1100’s philosophy: accessibility over complexity. These two devices represent a time when Nokia’s dominance was near-total, providing a lifeline to a quarter of a billion people.
“The Nokia 1100 was a household staple; if you didn’t own one yourself, your parents likely had one tucked away in a drawer—and it probably still turns on today.”
The 2014 Pivot: iPhone 6 and 6 Plus
In 2014, Apple finally abandoned Steve Jobs’ “one-hand” philosophy to follow market demand for “big screen” territory. The result was the iPhone 6 (4.7 inches) and iPhone 6 Plus (5.5 inches), which together moved 222 million units. This was a major redesign that redefined user expectations for mobile real estate. Even the high-profile “Bendgate” controversy—where the thin chassis warped under pressure—couldn’t dampen its momentum. This series remains Apple’s best-selling hardware generation, proving that the world was more than ready for a pocket-sized cinema.
Volume vs. Value: The Profit Paradox
The list of history’s most popular phones reveals a fascinating contrast in business strategies: Nokia’s high-volume, low-margin approach versus Apple’s high-margin dominance. The Nokia 105, a more modern budget entry, occupies the number four spot with 200 million units. Nokia essentially moved these devices thok ke bhav—in massive wholesale quantities—to capture the entry-level market.
However, as a journalist tracking market trends, the “profit paradox” here is undeniable. While Nokia owned the volume, Apple owned the value. Apple likely generated significantly more profit from the iPhone 6 series alone than Nokia did from its billion-unit “dumb phone” legacy. Nokia sold commodities; Apple sold premium computing experiences at a scale never before seen in luxury retail.
Correcting Course: The iPhone 6s and 6s Plus
Following the record-breaking iPhone 6, Apple launched the iPhone 6s and 6s Plus, which secured 174 million units sold. From a historical perspective, this model was a technical correction. To address the structural weaknesses of the previous year, Apple introduced 7000-series aluminum, a much higher-grade alloy that effectively ended the “Bendgate” era. This generation also saw the birth of the “Rose Gold” phenomenon, a color choice that became so culturally dominant it forced every other manufacturer to scramble for a pink-hued equivalent.
The Evolution of “Firsts”: 5s, 3210, and 7 Plus
The middle of the top ten list is a graveyard of “firsts” that became industry standards. The iPhone 5s, with 165 million units, was the device that introduced Touch ID to the masses. The metallic ring around the home button was a masterstroke of design, signaling the arrival of seamless biometric security.
Interspersed among these Apple milestones is the Nokia 3210, which moved 161 million units. It was a pre-millennium icon that introduced the concept of an internal antenna, making the “stubby” external aerials of the 90s look instantly prehistoric.
Rounding out this bracket is the iPhone 7 and 7 Plus series at 160 million units. The 7 Plus was a watershed moment for mobile photography, debuting the dual-camera system and Portrait Mode. This era also saw the “Jet Black” finish, a manufactured scarcity that drove the secondary market into a frenzy. Despite being a notorious scratch magnet, consumers paid triple or quadruple the retail price to scalpers just to own the high-gloss aesthetic on launch day.
The Modern Classics: iPhone 11 and the XR Era
The final entries in the top ten signify the solidification of the “modern” smartphone aesthetic. The iPhone 11 series, moving 159 million units, introduced the “Pro” and “Max” naming conventions and the now-familiar triple-camera array.
Just behind it is the iPhone XR (10R) and XS (10S) family, which reached 151 million units. The iPhone XR, in particular, was the “affordable” volume driver that brought the notched, full-screen experience to a wider audience. By ditching the home button entirely for gestures, these models cemented the interface logic we use today.
Conclusion: The Afterlife of a Billion Devices
The legacy of these billion-plus devices extends far beyond their initial release cycles. Because of their sheer volume and build quality, these phones have remarkable longevity. In regions like Africa and parts of Southeast Asia, you will still find the iPhone 6 or even the 5s serving as reliable daily drivers.
These devices were the tools that brought the internet to the pockets of the global population. However, in today’s saturated market, one has to wonder: with the slowing pace of innovation, can any modern flagship ever hope to break into this historic top ten? Which of these “legends” do you still have tucked away in a drawer—and would it still work if you charged it today?
