13 Unusual Mobile Phones: Designs That Pushed the Boundaries of Innovation
Mobile phones have come a long way since their inception, but not all designs follow the typical mold of sleek, rectangular devices. Over the years, manufacturers have experimented with unconventional shapes, unique functionalities, and niche-market phones. While many of these phones were ahead of their time or catered to specific audiences, they left a lasting mark due to their unusual designs. Here are 13 of the most unusual mobile phones ever released, each with its quirky charm.
1. Nokia 7600
Year Released: 2003
Notable Features: Teardrop shape, early 3G capabilities, unusual keypad placement around the screen
Location: Worldwide
The Nokia 7600 was one of the first phones designed for 3G networks, featuring a striking teardrop shape. While it was considered fashionable at the time, its awkward design made it difficult to handle and use for everyday texting or calls. The keypad was arranged around the screen, which was visually appealing but highly impractical.
2. Motorola V70
Year Released: 2002
Notable Features: Rotating front cover, sleek monochrome display, fashionable design
Location: Worldwide
The Motorola V70 stood out due to its rotating front cover, which revealed the keypad. This feature gave the phone a futuristic look, setting it apart from traditional flip phones. However, its high price and limited functionality meant that it appealed mostly to design-conscious users rather than the general public.
3. Siemens Xelibri Series
Year Released: 2003-2004
Notable Features: Fashion-focused designs resembling makeup compacts or futuristic gadgets
Location: Primarily Europe and Asia
Siemens’ Xelibri series was an attempt to fuse fashion and technology. These phones were designed as fashion accessories rather than functional devices. Some models looked like makeup compacts, while others had quirky futuristic designs. Despite their avant-garde appearance, the series failed to capture consumer interest due to its impracticality and was discontinued after a year.
4. Nokia N-Gage
Year Released: 2003
Notable Features: Combination of handheld gaming console and mobile phone
Location: Worldwide
The Nokia N-Gage was Nokia’s ambitious attempt to merge gaming with mobile technology. Designed to function as both a phone and a gaming console, it failed to attract either gamers or phone users due to its awkward design—users had to hold it sideways for calls—and its underwhelming gaming capabilities. However, it has since gained a cult following.
5. Samsung Serene
Year Released: 2005
Notable Features: Circular design, collaboration with luxury brand Bang & Olufsen, unique navigation system
Location: Europe
The Samsung Serene was a luxury mobile phone designed together with Bang & Olufsen. Its circular shape and unconventional keypad made it stand out as a high-end fashion accessory. However, its usability was compromised by the unique layout, and its steep price tag ensured that it was only accessible to a niche market.
6. Golden Buddha Phone
Year Released: 2009
Notable Features: Gold-plated design resembling a Buddha statue, filled with spiritual icons and Buddhist mantras
Location: China
The Golden Buddha Phone was targeted at the Chinese luxury market. Designed to resemble a golden Buddha statue, it was meant for spiritually inclined affluent buyers. It featured religious mantras and icons, blending spirituality with technology. Though highly niche, it made a splash in luxury circles.
7. Haier P7 Pen Phone
Year Released: 2004
Notable Features: Pen-shaped phone, text and call functionality
Location: Asia
The Haier P7 Pen Phone was one of the most unusual form factors in the mobile phone industry. Shaped like a pen, it could send texts and make calls. While the novelty was appealing to gadget enthusiasts, its design was far too impractical for everyday use. It remains a quirky piece of tech history.
8. Monohm Runcible
Year Released: 2015
Notable Features: Circular design resembling a pocket watch, minimalist “quiet phone” concept
Location: Limited release
The Monohm Runcible was a modern attempt at creating a minimalist phone. Resembling a pocket watch, it was designed to reduce digital distractions by removing apps and notifications. It ran on Firefox OS and was targeted at users looking for a break from constant smartphone interruptions. Despite its noble intentions, it failed to gain mainstream traction.
9. YotaPhone
Year Released: 2013
Notable Features: Dual-screen design (LCD on the front, E-ink display on the back)
Location: Europe, Russia
The YotaPhone was unique for its dual-screen design, featuring a standard LCD screen on the front and an E-ink display on the back. The E-ink screen was designed for reading and displaying notifications without draining battery life. Though the concept was intriguing, the phone struggled to compete with other premium smartphones.
10. Samsung Galaxy Beam
Year Released: 2012
Notable Features: Built-in projector for video and image projection
Location: Worldwide
The Samsung Galaxy Beam featured a built-in projector, allowing users to project videos and images onto surfaces. While the idea was innovative, the projector’s low resolution and the phone’s bulkiness made it less appealing for daily use. As a result, sales remained underwhelming.
11. LG G Flex
Year Released: 2013
Notable Features: Curved, flexible screen, self-healing back cover
Location: Worldwide
The LG G Flex was one of the first phones to feature a curved, flexible display, which was designed to enhance viewing experiences and ergonomics. It also had a “self-healing” back cover that could repair minor scratches. While technologically advanced, the phone’s unusual form factor failed to resonate with mainstream consumers.
12. Modu Phone
Year Released: 2010
Notable Features: Modular design with interchangeable jackets for different functions
Location: Israel, limited global markets
The Modu Phone was an attempt to create a modular mobile phone that allowed users to swap out different “jackets” for added features, like a better camera or music player. Although innovative in concept, the idea of modular phones didn’t catch on, and the Modu Phone was quickly discontinued.
13. Pepsi P1
Year Released: 2015
Notable Features: Branded smartphone collaboration with Pepsi, budget Android phone
Location: China
The Pepsi P1 was a budget Android smartphone released in collaboration with the iconic soft drink brand. Featuring a Pepsi-branded design, the phone targeted fans of the brand in China. Despite the unusual collaboration, the phone itself was fairly standard and sold mainly as a novelty item.
Conclusion
These 13 unusual mobile phones showcase how manufacturers have pushed boundaries in design, functionality, and target markets over the years. While many of these devices were ahead of their time or catered to niche audiences, they remind us that the world of mobile phones is not just about rectangles and touchscreens. Each of these phones represents a bold, if sometimes flawed, step in the evolution of mobile technology, demonstrating the creativity and risk-taking that shaped the industry we know today.