The release of Apple’s iPhone marked a turning point in smartphone history. Its revolutionary features, which included a touch screen and GPS, set the standard for modern smartphones. The iPhone also led to a boom in apps, which have become an integral part of the mobile phone experience.
This year’s Pixel 10 series is a big win for Android fans, as it delivers fast performance and excellent cameras on a budget. The XL version is an especially strong choice if you need maximum battery life, thanks to new Qi wireless charging and the latest Tensor G5 silicon.
In a move that could signal the end of the physical SIM card, Samsung and Apple are working on technology that would allow phones to swap networks with a tap of an app. If successful, this could make the process of changing mobile networks a lot quicker and simpler – and perhaps a little more convenient for travellers too.
A few early smartphones used a low-power electronic paper rear display similar to that found on e-book readers, which required little more than a light touch from a stylus to activate. Other touchscreens were based on liquid-crystal or organic light-emitting diode (OLED) displays.
The Nokia 3310’s rugged design and enduring reliability earned it an iconic status, and it still inspires memes today. Capitalising on nostalgia, the Finnish phone maker relaunched the model in 2017, bringing back its candy bar shape and 25-day standby power with an updated 2.4-inch LCD screen and camera.