The history of the mobile phone: from the first mobile to today

Today, your mobile phone is your constant companion – you use it to make calls, send messages, take photos, navigate, play games and even work. But how did it all start? Just a few decades ago, making a call while on the go was a futuristic dream. Since then, the mobile phone has evolved from a bulky gadget for tech enthusiasts into a digital all-rounder you can’t imagine your daily life without. The history of the mobile phone is a story of invention, competition, miniaturisation and constant transformation.

27.06.2025 | Reading time: 7 minutes

Who invented the first mobile phone?

The answer to the question “Who invented the mobile phone?” takes you back to 1973 – a time when phones were still firmly tied to cables. No one could imagine making a call while on the move – until one man made it possible.

Martin Cooper: the father of the mobile phone

American engineer Martin Cooper from Motorola believed that communication shouldn’t be tied to a fixed location. So he developed the first portable mobile phone: the Motorola DynaTAC 8000X. On 3 April 1973, he made the very first call on a mobile phone – from a street in New York, to a researcher at rival company Bell Labs. A symbolic act that made history.

But how did the first mobile phone actually work?

The first mobile phone, the famous Motorola DynaTAC 8000X, was more than just a portable telephone – it was a portable radio device. But how exactly did it work?

In the 1970s, there was no nationwide mobile network like the one you know today. The DynaTAC used analogue radio frequencies in the 800 MHz range to connect to base stations set up in major cities. These base stations were linked to the landline network through a central switching system.

The connection process worked similarly to a two-way radio:

• The phone sent a signal to the nearest cell tower.
• The central system checked if a line was available.
• Only then could the call be connected.

The connection was unreliable, prone to interference, and unencrypted – anyone with the right radio equipment could listen in. The call quality was average at best, but at the time it was revolutionary: for the first time, you could make a call on the go, without cables.

By the way, the battery wasn’t built in – it was an external block that had to be attached to the device. Charging took about ten hours – for a maximum talk time of 30 minutes. And yet, for many, this already felt like pure science fiction.

technical specifications of the first mobile phone

The first mobile phone was anything but practical:

• Weight: approx. 1 kg
• Battery life: approx. 30 minutes
• Charging time: around 10 hours
• Storage: 30 phone numbers
• Cost: around 4,000 USD at market launch in 1983

Still, it was a milestone.

It was the starting signal for a mobile revolution.

From the first call to global breakthrough

The first prototype was just the beginning. It took another ten years before mobile phones were ready for the market. The 1980s and 1990s were crucial for the development of mobile communication.

The first mobile networks: 1G to GSM

The first commercial mobile networks (1G) launched in 1983 in the USA and Japan. But the real breakthrough came in Europe with GSM (2G). GSM – short for Global System for Mobile Communications – standardised mobile technology and enabled international roaming for the first time.

The Nokia 1011 – a European classic

On 10 November 1992, Nokia launched the first GSM mobile phone: the Nokia 1011. It was compact (by the standards of the time), could send and receive SMS – and operated on the new GSM network, which soon became the global standard.

The first touchscreen mobile phone

Today, you control your phone almost entirely through a screen. But who invented the first touchscreen phone? The answer goes further back than you might think.

IBM Simon – the unknown pioneer

As early as 1994, IBM launched the Simon Personal Communicator – a device with a resistive touchscreen, stylus input, fax function and calendar. For many, it was a mini computer with phone capabilities – but it was also the world’s first touchscreen mobile phone. It sold poorly (only around 50,000 units) but was ahead of its time.

Apple and the ultimate breakthrough

It wasn’t until 2007 that Apple perfected the touchscreen concept with the first iPhone. The capacitive touchscreen, the app ecosystem, and the sleek design turned the iPhone into a cult device – and ushered in the smartphone era. Apple showed how intuitive user interaction could be – and set a new standard for the entire industry.

Mobile phones in everyday life in the 2000s

In the early 2000s, the mobile phone evolved from a luxury item into a mass-market product. More and more people – including in Switzerland – could afford a mobile phone. The devices became smaller, cheaper and more stylish.

Iconic models: Nokia, Motorola and more

Who doesn’t remember the Nokia 3310 – virtually indestructible, with the cult app “Snake” and legendary battery life? Or the Motorola Razr V3, one of the most elegant flip phones of its time?

Mobile trends of the 2000s

• Polyphonic ringtones
• Colour displays
• Built-in cameras
• MMS and WAP internet
• Music phones like the Sony Ericsson W800i

The mobile phone became a lifestyle product – and a status symbol.

Smartphones take over: apps and mobile data

With the iPhone and the introduction of Android (2008), everything changed. The phone had now become a mini computer:

• you could write emails,
• stream videos,
• take HD photos,
• and connect with friends on social media.

The app stores exploded – and with them, the possibilities.

Foldable phones and 5G – what’s possible today

The latest innovations show that development is far from over.

Foldable smartphones

With models like the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold, the Motorola Razr (2020), and the Huawei Mate X, we’re witnessing a return to foldable designs – but in a completely new way. You have a compact device that can transform into a tablet. This allows you to work more productively and enjoy content more comfortably.

5G and the future of mobile communication

With 5G, you can reach data speeds in the gigabit range – enabling applications such as:

• Augmented reality
• Cloud gaming
• Autonomous driving
• Smart cities
  
  

Sustainability and digital responsibility

As mobile usage increases, so does environmental awareness. Many users in Switzerland are increasingly turning to:

• refurbished phones
• longer device lifespans
• manufacturers with CO₂-neutral production
• modular devices like the Fairphone

There are even apps that help you measure and reduce your digital footprint.

A look into the future: what will tomorrow’s phone look like?

Soon, you might not even need a visible device anymore. Research projects are already working on:

• implantable chips
• holographic displays
• mind-controlled interfaces

The history of the mobile phone is far from over – it’s just entering a new and exciting phase.

The mobile phone as a mirror of our times

From the first mobile phone to the first touchscreen device and today’s foldable smartphones – mobile phones have revolutionised our society. They’ve changed the way you communicate, work, learn, shop, and maintain relationships.

And even though technology keeps advancing, one thing remains the same: the mobile phone is a symbol of freedom, mobility, and the human desire to stay connected – no matter where you are.