History's Best Selling Tech of 2006

Make way for the hits of 2006! This remarkable era stood as a testament to the turn-of-the-millennium pop explosion and the march of first-rate tech. Crowd-pleasers such as Sony Ericsson W800 shared the spotlight with mega-bestsellers LG Chocolate and Research in Motion BlackBerry Pearl. Brought to you by top-notch makers from industry leaders like Sony Ericsson and LG, these trailblazing products dominated airwaves and playground buzz alike and earned a permanent place in cultural lore. Check out the complete rank-ordered ledger below to relive the finest releases of the year.

1. Sony Ericsson W800 (W810)

   Released in 2006 by Sony Ericsson

   On January 10, 2006, Sony Ericsson announced the W810, a pivotal update to its wildly successful Walkman phone line. This announcement was significant as it came just six months after the launch of the revolutionary W800, signaling the company's aggressive strategy to dominate the music phone market. At a time when dedicated MP3 players like the iPod were king, the W810's debut reinforced the viability of a converged device. The announcement showcased a refined product that responded to consumer feedback, featuring a sleeker black design, a more conventional joystick, and quad-band support for global users. For tech enthusiasts and music lovers, this date marked a clear statement that the phone was evolving into the central entertainment hub in a person's life.

2. LG Chocolate

   Released in 2006 by LG

   On May 3, 2006, LG Electronics held a lavish launch event in London to introduce its KG800 'Chocolate' phone to the European market. This date is significant because it marked the beginning of a global push for a device that had already become a sensation in its home market of South Korea. At the time, the mobile phone landscape was dominated by utilitarian designs from Nokia and Sony Ericsson. LG's event signaled a strategic shift, positioning the Chocolate not merely as a communication device, but as a premium fashion accessory. The high-profile launch underscored LG's ambition to compete on design and desirability, setting the stage for one of the most iconic and successful pre-iPhone era feature phones.

3. Research in Motion (RIM) BlackBerry Pearl

   Released in 2006 by Research in Motion (RIM)

   On September 12, 2006, Research in Motion (RIM), a company synonymous with corporate email and bulky, keyboard-clad devices, made a significant pivot. On this day, RIM officially unveiled the BlackBerry Pearl 8100, its first major foray into the mainstream consumer market. This launch was a strategic masterstroke, aiming to break the BlackBerry brand out of the boardroom and place it into the pockets of everyday users. The Pearl was a departure from everything that defined BlackBerry before it; it was slim, stylish, and packed with multimedia features. The announcement signaled a new era for RIM, one where the addictive 'CrackBerry' experience was no longer exclusive to business professionals, fundamentally altering the smartphone landscape just before the dawn of the iPhone.

4. Nokia N95

   Released in 2006 by Nokia

   On September 26, 2006, at its Open Studio event in New York City, Nokia unveiled a device that would define the pinnacle of the pre-iPhone era: the N95. The announcement sent ripples through the tech world, as Nokia wasn't just launching a phone; it was introducing what it boldly called a 'multimedia computer.' In a time when phones were just beginning to get smart, the N95 was a glimpse into a truly converged future. It promised to be a high-quality camera, a GPS navigator, a music player, and a high-speed web browser all in one pocket-sized package. This date marked the moment Nokia showcased its engineering zenith, setting a new benchmark for what a mobile device could be and firing a definitive shot across the bow of all competitors.

5. Nokia 5200 (5300)

   Released in 2006 by Nokia

   On September 27, 2006, Nokia held a music-focused event in New York City, unveiling its new XpressMusic sub-brand. Headlining this launch were the Nokia 5300 and its more budget-friendly sibling, the Nokia 5200. This date marked a significant push by Nokia to capture the burgeoning music-on-the-go market, directly challenging dedicated MP3 players like the iPod. The announcement emphasized dedicated music keys, expandable memory, and a youthful, vibrant design, positioning these phones not just as communication devices, but as portable music hubs for the masses. The event showcased Nokia's strategy to integrate entertainment deeply into the mobile experience, making the 5200/5300's debut a key moment in the pre-smartphone era of feature phones.

6. Samsung E250

   Released in 2006 by Samsung

   On October 1, 2006, Samsung officially unveiled the E250, a device poised to redefine the mid-range mobile phone market. At the time, slider phones were often considered premium, a design reserved for more expensive models. The announcement of the E250 signaled a strategic shift by Samsung to democratize this popular form factor. By launching a stylish, feature-rich slider at an accessible price point, the company aimed to capture a massive audience that desired modern aesthetics and functionality without the high cost. This move was a direct challenge to the dominance of competitors in the feature phone space, setting the stage for the E250 to become a global bestseller and a key product in Samsung's mobile history.

7. LG Shine

   Released in 2006 by LG

   On October 18, 2006, LG Electronics unveiled its next major design statement to its home market in South Korea: the LG Shine (model SV420). This announcement came at a pivotal moment in the mobile industry, during the zenith of the feature phone era and just months before the smartphone revolution would begin. Coming off the massive global success of the LG Chocolate, the Shine was launched as the second handset in LG's prestigious 'Black Label Series.' This date marks the official debut of a device conceived to fuse high fashion with technology, leveraging premium materials and a unique 'magic mirror' screen to capture the hearts of style-conscious consumers and solidify LG's reputation as a leader in industrial design.

8. Nokia 6300

   Released in 2006 by Nokia

   On November 28, 2006, Nokia officially announced the Nokia 6300, a device that would perfectly capture the pinnacle of the feature phone era. Unveiled at a time when consumers craved style but demanded practicality, the 6300 was presented as a mid-range marvel. It was a strategic release for Nokia, designed to bridge the gap between their basic utilitarian models and their high-end N-series smartphones. The announcement highlighted its sophisticated design, characterized by a slim profile and stainless steel covers, promising a premium feel without a premium price tag. This launch set the stage for one of Nokia's most beloved and commercially successful handsets, showcasing the company's ability to deliver quality and elegance to the mass market.