Side Note
Ericsson GA628 (1996)

Ericsson GA628 (1996)

Old cell phones > new cell phones

Right now, we use our smartphones phones to do way so, so, so, soooooo much crap. Most of this crap has little to no point and contributes to us doing more interesting and fulfilling things. While there’s a burgeoning wave of anti-smartphones meant to curtail our dependence on these little pocket computers — think the simplistic Light Phone, Nokia’s recently reissued 3310 dumbphone line, or the Zen-minded Siempo app — there’s nothing that really beats the weird, brilliant clunkiness of the pre-smartphone era.

Before the BlackBerry and iPhone codified our understanding of phone functionality and design, there were truly no rules as to what a phone was supposed to look like or was supposed to do (besides, like, make calls). The Science Museum of the UK’s BT Connected Earth collection truly hammers this point home, showcasing a wild range of charming-looking vintage phones. Check out a selection of the phones below, and view the full collection here.

Vodaphone Mobira Transportable (1985)

Vodaphone Mobira Transportable (1985)

Nokia Cityman 190 (1988)

Nokia Cityman 190 (1988)

Forum Phonepoint Personal Telephone (1989)

Forum Phonepoint Personal Telephone (1989)

Motorola Personal Phone (1993)

Motorola Personal Phone (1993)

SONY CM-R111 Personal Mobile Cellnet (1994)

SONY CM-R111 Personal Mobile Cellnet (1994)

Alcatel One Touch Easy (1998)

Alcatel One Touch Easy (1998)

Bosch 509e (1999)

Bosch 509e (1999)

SONY Ericsson P800 (2002)

SONY Ericsson P800 (2002)