Chapter 1: The Era of Nokia

Back in the days before the fierce smartphone competition between brands like Samsung and Apple, there was Nokia. My initial device was the Nokia 3220, which I believed to be the epitome of coolness—an essential gadget for anyone considered part of the "in" crowd.

The Nokia 3220 was designed with young users in mind, or at least I liked to think so. I fondly recall customizing my phone with unique cases long before phone cases became mainstream. I would carefully store them in a drawer and switch them out based on my mood or outfit.

My phone plan was originally intended for texting my family and friends, but instead, I dedicated my funds to purchasing ringtones from my favorite rock bands, which I listened to on repeat without ever tiring of them. Bonus points if I used those earphones that became painfully uncomfortable after just a few hours. You know the ones—the type that subjected fellow passengers to my endless loop of Simple Plan’s "Welcome To My Life."

The 2000s' iconic earphones / Berthold Werner, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons

The vibrant lights of the phone were what truly convinced me to persuade my parents into buying it. Let me elaborate.

These weren't just ordinary phone lights. Positioned on the sides, they would illuminate and change colors. I can't help but chuckle as I write this, but as a ten-year-old, I thought it was the coolest feature ever. Phone designs back then were remarkably inventive.

Today, manufacturers often try to stand out with advanced features such as superior cameras, longer battery life, and larger storage. But back then, the focus was entirely different. The competition revolved around who could produce the most eye-catching designs. New models seemed to debut every month, and I vividly recall flipping through catalogs, imagining myself as the standout at a party, reapplying lip gloss using the mirror on the Nokia 7280.

The Nokia 7280, famously referred to as the "lipstick phone" / Pål Berge, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons

The creativity of those design teams was truly remarkable; they consistently outdid themselves with increasingly outrageous designs. The Nokia 7280 was just one among many innovative models. Others, like the Siemens Xelibri 6, were designed to resemble the compact mirrors women often carried in their bags.

Yet, my enduring favorite will always be the Nokia 3220. Long before it became associated with the "indestructible phone" meme, it was my first true love. Is this what nostalgia feels like? Perhaps.

But now I’m curious: what was your first mobile phone experience?

Chapter 2: A Love Letter to My First Phone

This video titled "A Letter To My First Love" shares heartfelt stories about first phones and the emotions they evoke, making us reminisce about simpler times.

The second video, "Love Letter to My First Love," further explores the connections we have with our first mobile devices, capturing the essence of nostalgia.