The Forgotten Phones of Sanyo

[WHEN PHONES WERE FUN: SANYO'S FORGOTTEN PHONES]

If you were choosing a cellphone in the United States in the early 2000s, the options seemed limitless. Sure, prolific stalwarts like Motorola and Nokia preserved their dominance by churning out model after model, but with cellular plans finally dropping low enough in price for the middle class to afford them, the mobile market was suddenly large enough for players of all sizes to dip their antennae into. Companies like Pantech and Panasonic came and went; brands like Sony and Ericsson floundered separately ... then together ... and then separately again; while LG and Samsung laid the groundwork that would make them goliaths.

In the midst of all this, a company known mostly for its appliances quietly began to bring the best of the Japanese cell phone scene to the States. Sanyo was behind the first US phone with a color LCD; the first with an integrated camera; and one of the first with video recording – alongside strong fundamentals like RF reception, in an era when counting bars on a signal meter mattered a lot more than it does today.

But in 2024, Sanyo is gone – done-in by the double indignity of two acquisitions, with precious little record of the trailblazing devices that set the tone for the way we would use mobile phones for the next two decades. Today on MrMobile, let’s take a look at a handful of the handsets that make Sanyo a name worth remembering.

[ABOUT WHEN PHONES WERE FUN – SANYO]

This is the 25th 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 2013.

When Phones Were Fun: Episode 25 was produced with devices donated from Christian of The_Flipside_Story; Jason Rabinowitz of AirlineFlyer; and app73n3rd.

MrMobile does not offer manufacturers the opportunity to preview, edit or approve content before publication. Neither Sanyo nor any other manufacturer provided compensation in exchange for this coverage. The lone sponsor of this video is Surfshark.

[LINKS]

The Flipside Story [Instagram]:

Jason Rabinowitz / AirlineFlyer [X]:

app73n3rd [X]:

[CHAPTERS]

00:00 A name worth remembering
01:57 SCP-6200 "The Slim"
04:07 SCP-5000 – First US color-screen phone
07:37 SCP-5300 – First US camera phone
11:14 Surfshark
12:12 The Katana (and beyond)
17:01 Acknowledgements & disclosures

[SOCIALIZE]

[DISCLOSURES]

This post may contain affiliate links, which afford Future plc a commission should you make a purchase. This does not affect MrMobile’s editorial content. See Future's disclosure policy for more details:

Additional information concerning MrMobile’s ethics policy can be found here:

#sanyo #sanyophones #katana #2001 #2003 #2002 #throwback #whenphoneswerefun #mrmobile #retro #flipphone

[paranoidhumanoid]

The hinge mechanism for Japanese flip phones (especially from Sanyo and Sharp) is still superior even now with the surge in foldables. That snap-click and cushioned thud is so satisfying.

[jackf]

I've never left a comment probably, but I've been watching your stuff for years, since pocketnow. And as a fellow 757 native it's always cool to see this stuff and bring back the nostalgia.

In short - I always appreciate your content (for the past decade+)

[kkm]

Those SCP models are so rare now that after some years.
Those might be included in the SCP foundation.

[kdmtw]

Working for Radio Shack at this time I sold every single one of those phones. Thanks for the walk back!

[Jindalrae]

Glad you mentioned Pantech
Used to be one of last Korean phone manufacturers besides LG and Samsung and I was sad when they shut down
I hope you review Pantech devices too one day 😊

[anushtechreviews]

Only one youtuber who perfectly scripting his content and delivering it to the viewers. I already gone to my childhood. Thank you so much for the effort that you put on this.

[marzuqahmed]

I like how personal you make these videos. It be one thing just to explain why the were important and just list off the specs and cultural impact. But using your own experience and photos, puts it into perspective. You're a good storyteller.

[KinGizzard]

10:34 OMG I was a T9 MASTER with the 5500! I loved that I could literally type with the phone in my pocket or under a table due to the quick setting features and how tactile the keys were. No eyes necessary.

[SmoochyRoo]

Bro handling a Euclid class SCP like it's nothing

[TomGreen]

Time to do a collab with TechMoan or Technology Connections.

[Sonal_Mobile]

Sanyo SCP-2300 one of the best phones I had. Martin Scorsese used these phones in The Departed and accentuated that hinge snap (made the phones sound like a switchblade/weapon). Great phone and great video, Mr. Mobile!

[fk_tech]

Thanks for taking me back in time. I wish there was a time machine. I'd love to go back there and stay there forever. It was so peacefully in early 2000's

[krishnaadhaduk]

I usually do not comment on YouTube videos but Michael your videos are pure poetry. Right from your affection for alliteration, to your dedication to detail to your unparalleled commitment to your craft, every single video of this series has been like a short film. Thank you for what you are doing and never stop this series, it is absolutely delightful to see your love for old tech and crafting impeccable stories around it.

[TommyCrosby]

Hey Michael, make sure you Secure, Contain, Protect these good old devices!

[vividthespis]

4:15. Michael went all LGR on us. Love it!

[RMILLSMMA]

How crazy literally chilling out and thought 'Not seen a Mr Mobile drop in a while' and find it just happened 20 mins ago... 😮

[ThisCurrentCulturePodcast]

Ahhhh Crab Catcher....I wasted all 20 minutes of my battery playing it on my Sanyo SCP-5000 back in the day

[michaelw]

OMG When Sanyo released the Katana on Sprint, I was so excited to have the (almost) RAZR.

[harleywasthere_]

Just made my day with this! Sanyo was king of flip phones in New Zealand in the early-mid 2000’s believe it or not

[DanielWoike]

My first cell phone was my older brother's hand me down Sprint Sanyo MM-8300. Loved fidgeting with the antenna and flipping it open and closed.

I have been watching you for over a decade. Thanks for covering these phones.