It’s hard to imagine life without our phones. From managing work and watching Netflix to staying in touch with friends, they’ve become essential to daily life. Not that long ago, though, mobiles were bulky, basic, and mostly used for one thing, making calls.
The first mobile, the Motorola DynaTAC 8000X, arrived in 1983. It looked more like a brick than a pocket gadget, but it changed everything. Since then, mobile technology has evolved faster than almost any other industry, going from tough little Nokias to the glass-and-metal smartphones we carry today. To celebrate how far we’ve come, here are the best-selling phones of all time, ranked by lifetime sales.
The short answer
The best-selling phone of all time is the Nokia 1100, a simple, sturdy handset from 2003 that sold more than 250 million units. The best-selling smartphone, which is also the best-selling iPhone, is the iPhone 6 and 6 Plus, which together sold over 222 million. Below is the full top ten, ranked by lifetime sales, followed by the stories behind them.
Best-selling phones of all time: the top 10
| Rank | Phone | Released | Units sold (approx.) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Nokia 1100 | 2003 | 250 million+ |
| 2 | Nokia 1110 | 2005 | 250 million |
| 3 | iPhone 6 and 6 Plus | 2014 | 222 million+ |
| 4 | Nokia 105 | 2013 | 200 million |
| 5 | iPhone 6S and 6S Plus | 2015 | 174 million |
| 6 | Nokia 3210 | 1999 | 160 million |
| 7 | iPhone 7 and 7 Plus | 2016 | 160 million |
| 8 | iPhone 11 | 2019 | 159 million |
| 9 | Motorola RAZR V3 | 2004 | 130 million |
| 10 | Nokia 3310 | 2000 | 126 million |
Nokia 1100 (2003)
More than 250 million sold. The Nokia 1100 was a true classic: simple, sturdy, and built to last. With its famous long-lasting battery, a built-in flashlight and reliability that felt indestructible, it became a worldwide favourite, especially across Africa, Asia and Latin America. For many people it was their first ever mobile, and the one that set the standard for practical, not flashy phones.
Nokia 1110 (2005)
The 1100’s successor sold around 250 million units of its own, making the two models the best-selling phones in history between them. The 1110 kept the same winning formula, a low price, a bright display and a battery that seemed to last forever, which made it a staple for first-time buyers in developing markets.
iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus (2014)
Apple’s iPhone 6 series reshaped the smartphone landscape. With sleek curved edges, Retina HD displays and a jump to larger screen sizes, the 6 and 6 Plus felt modern, fast and premium. Together they sold over 222 million units, making them the best-selling smartphones, and the best-selling iPhones, of all time. Demand was so strong that Apple re-released the iPhone 6 in 2017 at a mid-range price. Its follow-up, the iPhone 6S and 6S Plus, went on to sell around 174 million between them.
Nokia 105 (2013)
Proof that the simple phone never really went away, the Nokia 105 has sold around 200 million units and is still made today. With weeks of standby time, an FM radio and a flashlight, it remains a go-to backup phone and a first handset in markets all over the world.
Nokia 3210 (1999)
If you remember swapping phone covers, playing Snake and texting with actual buttons, chances are you had a Nokia 3210. It sold around 160 million units and became a symbol of the early mobile era. Its mix of durability and customisation made it irresistible, especially to teenagers discovering mobile freedom for the first time.
iPhone 7 and iPhone 7 Plus (2016)
The iPhone 7 series took a bold step forward. It was the first iPhone to drop the headphone jack, a move that sparked plenty of debate but quickly became the industry norm. The A10 Fusion chip delivered faster performance and better efficiency, while new stereo speakers and improved water resistance made everyday use feel more premium. The iPhone 7 Plus also introduced Apple’s first dual-lens camera, with 2x optical zoom and Portrait Mode. Together they sold over 160 million units. You can still pick up a refurbished iPhone 7 today.
iPhone 11 (2019)
By 2019 Apple had found its rhythm again. The iPhone 11 hit the sweet spot, fast, reliable and colourful, with the powerful A13 Bionic chip and a new ultra-wide dual-camera system, all at a more accessible price. It sold around 159 million units and became one of the best-selling iPhones ever, while the 11 Pro and Pro Max added a triple-lens setup and OLED Super Retina XDR displays. The refurbished iPhone 11 is still a smart buy.
Motorola RAZR V3 (2004)
Arguably the coolest phone of the 2000s. The Motorola RAZR V3’s ultra-thin aluminium flip design turned heads everywhere, and it was as much a fashion accessory as a gadget. By the time Motorola discontinued it in 2008, the RAZR had sold over 130 million units and become one of the most iconic flip phones ever made.
Nokia 3310 (2000)
No list like this is complete without the near-indestructible Nokia 3310. It sold around 126 million units and earned a lasting reputation for surviving drops that would shatter any modern phone. Long battery life, Snake II and swappable covers made it one of the best-loved handsets of its era.
Other models that left their mark
Plenty of phones shaped the industry without topping the sales charts. The iPhone 5 brought Apple’s first Lightning connector and a sleek aluminium design. The iPhone 5s introduced Touch ID and the A7, the first 64-bit chip in a smartphone. The Samsung Galaxy S III was the first Android phone to truly rival the iPhone on design and performance. And the Nokia 6600 was one of the earliest camera phones with video recording and downloadable apps, a real glimpse of the smartphone era to come.
From Snake to Siri: how far we’ve come
Looking back at these classics shows just how quickly technology has evolved. Phones once built for calling and texting now replace cameras, wallets and even laptops. Many of these older models paved the way for the devices we use today, and for a lot of us they were the first step into the connected world we now take for granted.
Why choose refurbished?
At The iOutlet, we love a bit of nostalgia, but we’re also passionate about helping people make smarter choices with their tech. You might not be using a Nokia 3210 anymore, but you can still get your hands on modern classics like the iPhone 13, iPhone 14 and the latest models, all fully refurbished and tested by our in-house team.
Every refurbished phone we sell is checked, data-wiped and restored to look and work like new. It’s the same quality you’d expect from buying new, just without the premium price tag. Whether you’re after a refurbished iPhone 17 for top-end performance or an iPhone 8 for great everyday use, buying refurbished is a smart way to save money and reduce e-waste. Got an old handset of your own? You can trade it in towards your next one.
Quick questions
What is the best-selling phone of all time?
The Nokia 1100, released in 2003, is the best-selling phone of all time, with more than 250 million units sold. Its successor, the Nokia 1110, sold around the same number, so the two share the top of the list.
What is the best-selling smartphone of all time?
The iPhone 6 and 6 Plus, released in 2014, are the best-selling smartphones of all time, with over 222 million units sold between them.
What is the best-selling iPhone of all time?
The iPhone 6 and 6 Plus. No other iPhone has matched their combined total of more than 222 million units, which also makes them the best-selling smartphones ever made.
What is the best-selling Android phone of all time?
Among flagships, Samsung’s Galaxy S4 is usually cited as the best-selling, with around 80 million units. Budget models like Samsung’s Galaxy A series and Nokia’s Android phones have sold strongly too, though exact lifetime figures are harder to pin down.
What was the first mobile phone?
The first commercial mobile phone was the Motorola DynaTAC 8000X, released in 1983. It was large, heavy and expensive, but it began the shift to the pocket-sized phones we use today.
