World’s first camera phone: do you know where it was launched?

Some people may not remember the design of old phones, but they were far from the models we have today. One of the main points of change is the addition of cameras.

Previously, one of the main purposes of devices was to enable communication, whether through voice calls or text messages. Below, we highlight an interesting fact about this subject. Learn more about the first cell phone with a camera.

Retro cell phone

Over the years, technology has expanded, allowing many changes to the mobile phone system. Today, most smartphones have as many features as a computer or a professional camera. However, previous versions did not have all of these features.

For example, the first cell phone with a camera was the VP-210 model, which began sales in 1999. Its design resembles common devices of the time, but what drew the most attention was the presence of the camera.

Unlike what we are used to seeing nowadays, the item was highlighted on the device. With a glass front, it was called by the market as a “mobile videophone” and had an image resolution of 0.11 MP.

In addition to its photographic advantage, it had a simple system with a 2-inch TFT screen, which supported only 65,000 colors. Its functionality was based on Japanese technology, then known as PHS. The user could send two images captured per second, and as for storage, he could save 20 photos and forward them by email.

The product was offered at launch for 40,000 yen, around US$325 (approximately R$1,625).

Other models

Samsung also launched its own version of the camera technology. Called the SCH-V200, it was launched in early 2000. It delivered a 0.35 MP quality capture, which could only be viewed on computers. To transfer the image, a USB cable was required.

In the same year, Sharp released the J-SH04. It contained improvements, such as sending photos via electronic transfers.