Ericsson R380: the first smartphone in history — all you need to know
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When people talk about the first smartphone in history, most people think of the iPhone. But the truth is different: the world's first smartphone was the Ericsson R380, presented at Comdex in Las Vegas in November 2000 and launched in 2001. A device that predated what Apple would later make famous by almost seven years.
Why the R380 is considered the first smartphone
Ericsson was the first company to officially use the word "smartphone" to describe a product. The R380 combined the functions of a GSM phone with those of a PDA (Personal Digital Assistant), had a touchscreen under a protective flip, supported email, calendar, advanced address book, and WAP web browsing.
It was a revolutionary device for its time, even if today it seems primitive compared to what we are used to.
Technical specifications
- Operating system: EPOC (predecessor of Symbian)
- Display: 3.1-inch touchscreen, 360 x 120 pixels
- Connectivity: GSM 900/1800
- Bluetooth: not present (this was the original version)
- Weight: 164 grams
- Dimensions: 130 x 52 x 20 mm
- Memory: 16 MB integrated
- PDA functions: calendar, advanced address book, email, WAP
The protective flip design
One of the most original features of the R380 was its lower flip: when closed, it protected the touchscreen and transformed the device into a normal phone with a numeric keypad. When opened, it revealed the full touchscreen for accessing PDA functions. A clever design that is still copied by some manufacturers today.
Collector's value in 2026
The Ericsson R380 is today one of the most sought-after vintage phones and difficult to find in good condition. Having been produced in limited quantities and having a complex mechanical structure (the flip), many units have been damaged over time.
A working R380 in good condition can be worth between €100 and €300. Units with the original box and complete accessories are even rarer and more valuable.
Where to find an original Ericsson R380
Infosate specializes in the search and sale of rare vintage phones. Consult our Ericsson collection to check the availability of this iconic model. Each piece is verified and tested before shipping.