2000–2024: The Most Popular Smartphone Every Christmas
Over the last two decades, smartphones have completely transformed the way we connect, work, play and capture our memories. But long before iPhones and Androids dominated every Christmas wish list, the early 2000s were packed with quirky devices, sliders, flip phones and keypad classics.
In this roundup, we’re taking a nostalgic journey through the years — highlighting the most popular handset (or phone trend) during every Christmas from 2000 to 2024. Whether you owned these phones yourself or remember them from the adverts, this list is a trip down memory lane.
If this inspires you to pick up a modern classic, take a look at our range of refurbished mobile phones, all fully tested and ready for their next owner.
2000–2004: The Age of Nokia
2000 – Nokia 3310
The icon of the early mobile era. Unbreakable, long battery life and Snake II — what more could anyone want?
2001 – Nokia 8310
Smaller, sleeker and packed with features like FM radio. Often called the “premium” Nokia of its time.
2002 – Nokia 3510i
Colour screen nostalgia at its finest. Affordable, cheerful and everywhere by Christmas.
2003 – Nokia 6600
One of the first phones that felt like a small computer. A huge hit for business users and early smartphone fans.
2004 – Motorola Razr V3
Nokia finally met its match — the ultra-thin, futuristic flip phone that everyone wanted.
2005–2009: The Shift Toward Smart
2005 – Sony Ericsson W800
The Walkman phone era was huge. The W800 brought quality music playback to the mainstream.
2006 – LG Chocolate (KG800)
Touch-sensitive buttons, glossy black finish — the trendsetter of stylish mobiles.
2007 – Apple iPhone (1st Gen)
The phone that changed everything. Multi-touch, apps and design simplicity made it THE Christmas must-have.
2008 – BlackBerry Bold 9000
Email on the go, physical keyboards and BBM. BlackBerry ruled the business world.
2009 – iPhone 3GS
Faster, smoother and more polished. Many people’s first real iPhone experience.
2010–2014: The Rise of iPhone & Samsung
2010 – iPhone 4
The redesign everyone loved — glass back, Retina display and that iconic flat-edge feel.
2011 – Samsung Galaxy S2
Samsung’s breakout hit. Lightweight, fast and a real iPhone challenger.
2012 – iPhone 5
Tall, slim and ridiculously popular. This was on nearly every Christmas list.
2013 – Samsung Galaxy S4
Feature-packed, bright display and perfect for Android fans.
2014 – iPhone 6
Apple’s biggest iPhone launch at the time. The larger screen size made headlines everywhere.
2015–2019: Premium Phones Take Over
2015 – Samsung Galaxy S6
Metal and glass design, excellent camera — Samsung was back on top.
2016 – iPhone 7
No headphone jack controversy aside, this phone still flew off the shelves.
2017 – iPhone X
Face ID, OLED and the notch — revolutionary at the time and massively hyped.
2018 – Samsung Galaxy S9
A refined, smooth and reliable flagship that sold incredibly well globally.
2019 – iPhone XR
Colourful, affordable and brilliant battery life. A massive Christmas hit.
2020–2024: 5G, Foldables & Flagship Power
2020 – iPhone 12
5G, MagSafe and a vibrant design. A huge seller despite a challenging year.
2021 – Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra
A powerhouse with next-level zoom and excellent battery life.
2022 – Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra
Built-in S Pen revived the Note experience and made this a top choice at Christmas.
2023 – iPhone 15
USB-C arrived at last, along with camera improvements and a lighter titanium design.
2024 – iPhone 16
A18 chip, Apple Intelligence and a redesigned camera layout made it one of the most-searched phones at Christmas.
Which Popular Phone Should You Buy Today?
If you’re feeling nostalgic or simply want an affordable upgrade, you can find many of these Christmas favourites in our refurbished phone selection. Every device goes through a full 90-point test and is a more environmentally friendly way to upgrade your tech.
And if you’re replacing your current device, you can also trade in your phone with Envirofone and put its value towards your next smartphone.
