The mobile phone defined the technological boom of the late 1990s and early 2000s. We flipped, beeped and text our way into the new millennium with removable fascias via the introduction of grainy cameras and colour screens. The novelty of being able to make calls away from the landline made way to the novelty the phone market relied on for its handsets to stand out on store shelves.

Then came the iPhone in 2007 and touchscreen smartphones have led the way ever since. At the end of 2024, another year with a slew of great new smartphones, we felt wistful enough to cook up a list of 14 phones we feel have achieved icon status. 

These top phones represent the most recognisable - though not necessarily the best - call devices of the last 40 years. And yes, mobiles have been around that long.

We've arranged these phones in chronological order of release. If we've missed out a phone you think should be on this list, let us know in the comments!