Welcome to the future, or at least the version of it where we all have a “WAP” browser in our pockets. The Nokia 7110, launched in late 1999, is the world’s first phone to bring the internet to the palm of your hand. It’s been dubbed the “Matrix Phone,” and while the one Neo used was actually an 8110 with a spring-loaded mod, the 7110 gives you that satisfying “click-thwack” action for real with a spring-loaded slider that reveals the keypad. It’s the ultimate executive toy, featuring a massive (for 1999) 96 x 65 pixel screen and a “NaviRoller” scroll wheel that makes navigating the menus feel like using a tiny computer mouse.
The technical specs are equally impressive, this is the first phone to run the Series 40 interface and features T9 predictive text for those marathon texting sessions. The WAP browser uses CSD to dial into the “mobile web,” and while it’s about as fast as a tectonic plate, being able to check the news or weather on your phone feels like pure sorcery. It’s got an infrared port, a 1,000-entry phonebook, and an improved version of Snake II with more levels and mazes. At 141g, it’s a substantial bit of kit, but with its dark green, light-shifting finish and that spring-loaded slide, it’s the most desirable phone on the market for anyone who wants to feel like they’re living in a cyberpunk thriller.