Remember the pixelated opening animation of Nokia? Or how about the trackball on a Blackberry?
Today, as we celebrate National Telephone Day, let’s dive into the evolution of phones in the Philippines!
Early 2000s
The Nokia 3310, 3210, and 5110 are the ones crowned for the most bought phone in the Philippines as they are known for their durability and long battery life. It is also hailed as one of the most successful phones ever with over 126 million units sold globally!
Mid-2000s
The earliest flip phone model was the Motorola Razr V3 which became popular to many Filipinos because of its thin and sleek design. As compared to Nokia’s models, this phone had colored graphics.
Late 2000s
Initially targeted for career individuals, the BlackBerry phones quickly gained popularity after Filipinos loved the QWERTY keyboard and their secure messaging options.
2010s
Smartphones began hitting the market in 2010 where iPhone and Android models were rising. Samsung Galaxy phones were a hit at the time because of their impressive cameras.
2016
Filipinos love budget-friendly options, which is why smartphone brands started marketing affordable options as soon as Apple iPhones were released in the Philippines. Samsung Galaxy J7 Prime and OPPO F1s hit the stores in 2016 and were immediately embraced by tech-savvy Pinoys.
2020
The COVID-19 pandemic increased the demand for phones with better internet connectivity and allows remote or online activities to go seamlessly. This is when brands like Xiaomi, Realme, and Vivo started gaining popularity due to their affordable options without comprising the features.
Present
Recently, we now have more and more brands coming into the smartphone market such as Huawei, OnePlus, and even Google Pixel competing with established brands like Apple and Samsung.
And there you have it, Sugboanons! From the humble beginnings of indestructible Nokia bricks to the sleek smartphones of today, the evolution of phones in the Philippines has been quite a ride. Until then, keep texting, swiping, and dropping your phones (oops!)—it’s all part of the adventure!
