When Phones Were Fun: Motorola StarTAC (1996)

[WHEN PHONES WERE FUN: MOTOROLA STARTAC]

To understand why the Motorola StarTAC became one of the most popular cellphones of all time, it helps to remember that before it came along … “mobile” phones? Well, they were basically bricks with sticks attached. And not too long before that, they were literally the size of a suitcase!

So when the Motorola StarTAC hit the scene in 1996 (twenty-five years ago!), sporting a footprint smaller than an audio cassette and a design straight outta Star Trek? Well, to say it upended the entire industry would be a massive understatement. From clip-on accessories to unauthorized sequels to lawsuit-spawning knockoffs to branded companion products to bizarre revivals as late as the mid-oughts … it’s no exaggeration to say, 60 million sales later, that the Motorola StarTAC launched the era of fun phones.

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[ABOUT WHEN PHONES WERE FUN – MOTOROLA STARTAC]

This is the fourteenth in a series of MrMobile videos exploring the mobile tech world's most vibrant period in design and experimentation. In “When Phones Were Fun,” Michael Fisher re-reviews cellphones from the golden age of mobile, the decade-long span from the turn of the century to approximately 2009.

When Phones Were Fun: Episode 14 features several Motorola StarTAC devices: one model 7868W from MrMobile’s family archives (thanks, bro); one apparently authentic Rainbow StarTAC 70; one counterfeit/re-engineered Rainbow StarTAC 130; and a variety of StarTAC-themed accessories purchased by MrMobile / Future plc. Motorola arranged an interview with Glenn Schultz, Product Development Leader, as a courtesy, but did not pay a fee or otherwise offer compensation in exchange for this coverage (nor did it preview or approve this content before publication). The lone sponsor of this video is Surfshark.

[LINKS]

Mobile Phone Museum:

Vintage Mobile Phones on Reddit:

Remember when we wore cell phones on belts? This Motorola phone started the trend [CNet]:

Motorola says Q copies StarTAC [RCR Wireless News]:

Qualcomm Wins Judgment in Motorola Design Patent Case And Files New Claims for Infringement Against Motorola [Qualcomm]:

Retro Tech: DynaTAC [MKBHD - YouTube]:

Palm Ad: Holiday [Mashby - YouTube]:

Lot 354 Star Trek: Enterprise (TV 2001-2005) - Communicator [thepropstore - YouTube]:

Star Trek Prop Enthusiasts [Facebook]:

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[DISCLOSURES]

This post may contain affiliate links, which afford MrMobile / Future plc a commission if you make a purchase.

#startac #motorola #whenphoneswerefun #retro #throwback #retrotech #retroreview #moto #mrmobile #dynatac #oldphones #nostalgia

[jameswoll]

I remember vividly when my dad got the StarTAC. I thought it was so cool. I was so happy for him and I was like proud of him for the purchase. I think he knew I wanted him to get it. I wonder how much the purchase was just to impress me, or to have something to talk about, if only for a minute. I liked the idea of my dad being tech savvy. We had built a computer together way back when, and maybe he was trying to keep the tech vibes going. I never really knew. A year or so later, he suddenly passed away, and I remember coming back home to an empty house and his keys, wallet, and StarTAC were still sitting on the table like he would be right back, like he wasn't really gone.

Sorry for the sad story. The StarTAC was dope and so was my father.

[rxptrs]

This series has made me appreciate all the effort and the quirks involved with tech back in those days. Crazy how much things have changed!

[SoftSpokenShank]

Motorola US : No! You can't just make a colourful StarTac

Motorola EU : *Das Auto*

[mmckechnie]

That PDA accessory is essentially a Moto Mod years before Moto Mods were a thing for the Moto Z

[guidopetruolo]

The click of the StarTAC closing is just an iconic sound. Like the sound of the early phone based modems, they are sounds of the 90s that can’t be forgotten

[jishan]

Another "when phones were fun video"??! Just what I needed.
Gotta say this is one hell of a underrated channel! Wish you had a billion subs.

[SpaceWithSam]

I don't know why, but I just enjoy Michael videos than any other YouTuber, the editing is so fun and entertaining to watch, fantastic content!

[JuanCAraujoS]

My very first phone was a Motorola StarTAC 8500, back in 1998. It was handed down from my father, who switched to a Samsung 411 with the new CDMA technology. I has two extended batteries, one flat one and one monster battery that attached to the back of the phone just like that PDA you showed, so I could be all day (and more) without a charger. I love that "Beam me up, Scotty!" vibe, specially when most of my friends were rocking TeleTACs (the smaller brick, it was like the MicroTAC, but without the flip).

I switched a couple of tears later to my father's Samsung 411, when he switched to the smaller Samsung 620. It was like that until I could buy my own phones (the first I bought was a Motorola v810, If I'm not mistaken).

[Tarantulah]

I've always found phones intensly boring, but your content has made me realise there's a lot to love about them and their history

[georgie]

Mr. Mobile videos are always so well written. It's like reading a really good article and feel so inspired and satisfied after reading it.

[SimonRockman]

The Korean version was part of a programme called The Icons. The four phones were Razor, Pebble, Tattoo and Retro. This was before Razor became Razr (legal action). Retro was the Startac reboot driven by the trend for things like the new VW Beetle. It was supposed to have US and GSM versions. They were market segmented. Razor was for men, Pebble for women and Tattoo for kids. Then when Razr was a huge hit nothing else had any traction. While I worked on the strategy for Icons I've never seen the Korean phone that shipped so thank you for that Michael.

[os]

“StarTAC" sounds like the name of a special forces unit from the cheesiest sci-fi fiction imaginable...which is why I like it so much.

[popcultureforever]

Whenever I see videos about any old Motorola cellular device, I immediately remember some of the fondest memories with my father. I remember teaching him how to send SMS using his phone and how we compare our phones (I owned a Nokia during the time). Motorola was the only brand of cellular he ever owned. I miss my father everyday, and 11 yrs after he passed, I still smile whenever I see a Motorola phone, let alone watching videos about the brand.

[vintagemobilephones]

Thanks for including our subreddit in the "special thanks" section, we're flattered! It's always a pleasure helping you do some research for upcoming #whenphoneswerefun episodes. This series is, without a doubt, one of the most professional and detailed programs about old phones. Belated congratulations on 1 Million subscribers! Sincerely, _ITX_

[gumpter]

fun fact .i helped build the benneton tacs. I worked for motorola in 1998-2001 in their scottish factory in Bathgate . They where made in secret and stored in buldlank boxes so no one could leak them . great job.

[filmcriterion]

The only tech reviewer who has some sort of culture and ability to write exciting prose. While others get too lost in the thingamzigs, this guy reminds why techs are fun in the context of time.... Good stuff

[koncomartalegawa]

I remember that HUGE fullsize SIM 'CARD' sliding inside. Aw geez this video brings back memories..

[xrslive]

No way! That was my first cellphone back in 2000, I remember me and my mother had to go to the phone company offices here in Mexico, we had to leave the phone there for two days to get activated, and then it was a blast, I remember at school it was like having something magical in your hands lol

Great times and great memories

[Spo]

I absolutely love this series. A fantastic mix of nostalgia and a genuinely useful look back at the kinds of things phones have always been trying to do, regardless of the limitations of their day.

[Simon_Said]

It's a shame there aren't 2 'Thumbs Up' buttons for videos like this. Well-researched, warm, informative and entertaining. Absolute masterclass!