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The Nokia 9000 Communicator, what many consider to be the first-ever smartphone, was released in limited quantities back in August of 1996. It included a keyboard, a lengthy LCD panel, and the ability to browse the internet, giving power-lunching executives easy access to their email. The sticker price at launch was $800. That same $800 30 years ago when adjusted for inflation comes to just over $1,700 in 2026. That's enough to buy a top-of-the-line smartphone, or the product's presumed successor, like the foldable iPhone Duo or a slightly more affordable Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 8 .

Nokia phones haven't been on the frontier of mobile communications for decades now. In fact, new models aren't sold in the U.S. anymore . A Nokia 3210 4G candybar feature phone from 2024 on Amazon will only set you back $70. In India, you'll find the Nokia Asha 305, an entry-level smartphone, for the equivalent of $85.…