The Forgotten Phones of Sanyo
![MrMobile [Michael Fisher]](http://yt3.ggpht.com/Bf8B_79jyHxP6CVnjV5WKws93l9Vxlk0d7aPmcBygTBDKzgsGrpazdJRFUrfg1sUNlo8YX8rji8=s48-c-k-c0x00ffffff-no-rj)
ฝัง
- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 24 มิ.ย. 2024
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[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]:
/ the_flipside_story
Jason Rabinowitz / AirlineFlyer [X]:
x.com/AirlineFlyer
app73n3rd [X]:
x.com/app73n3rd
[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]
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[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:
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Additional information concerning MrMobile’s ethics policy can be found here:
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#sanyo #sanyophones #katana #2001 #2003 #2002 #throwback #whenphoneswerefun #mrmobile #retro #flipphone - วิทยาศาสตร์และเทคโนโลยี
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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.
I still have the Motorola MPx200, a Windows Phone, in my collection. Just because of that satisfying hinge “click”.
I still have the Motorola MPx200, a Windows Phone, in my collection. Just because of that satisfying hinge “click”.
@paranoidhumanoid My razr v3 I've had since 2005 still has a satisfying hinge. It has no battery, a bad USB port and model plane fuel spilled on it, but I still pull it out to play with it every so often. Something cool though, I can put my Nokia 3200 battery in it and it'll still power on, the screens have oil spots on them and that battery is about done though and is too small.
Time to do a collab with TechMoan or Technology Connections.
Or Dankpods!
Also,.'SMOOREZ' 😏🤣🤣🤣
Yeah Mr. Mobile can also do a Dishwasher episode
There is also this does not compute youtube channel too. I'm subscribed to techmoan, dank pods and this does not compute since they talk about vintage stuff since I'm really into retro stuff. I wish there were more youtube channels dedicated to products that most people consider relics of the past since certain products are coming back from the past.
Fr
Bro handling a Euclid class SCP like it's nothing
Fr
best comment
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 😊
Sad to hear Pantech is dead, I had one and it was delightfully weird.
They had some genuine delights! Now that you mention it, I wasn't even aware they had disappeared 😢
Time for MrMobile to go hunting for some Pantech and Kyocera goodness. Please make it happens.
Pantech was my first cell phone. Still have and I believe it still powers on! Loved that thing.
@@TheMrMobile Samsung bought them some 6-7 years ago.
Those SCP models are so rare now that after some years.
Those might be included in the SCP foundation.
imagine an euclid-class took form in early 2000s flip phone
6:05 “I wonder if they realized how significant a FOUNDATION they were pouring”
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+)
Hey Michael, make sure you Secure, Contain, Protect these good old devices!
4:15. Michael went all LGR on us. Love it!
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.
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!
Damn, I wish I remembered to mention that! Remember the scene where Damon (or DiCaprio?) swaps out SIM cards from a slot that didn't exist on those phones? 😄
@@TheMrMobile I remember looking for the GSM version of my phone to switch to a network that didn't use CDMA (to no avail)... luckily, there's been some technological advancements since then 🤪
Working for Radio Shack at this time I sold every single one of those phones. Thanks for the walk back!
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
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.
Ahhhh Crab Catcher....I wasted all 20 minutes of my battery playing it on my Sanyo SCP-5000 back in the day
OMG When Sanyo released the Katana on Sprint, I was so excited to have the (almost) RAZR.
Yup I had the katana II
I had the 2 as well. Was great
I usually do not comment on TH-cam 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.
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
How crazy literally chilling out and thought 'Not seen a Mr Mobile drop in a while' and find it just happened 20 mins ago... 😮
You should contact the SCP Foundation in case you where in some anomaly...
I’ve been collecting Japanese cellphones since 2018, and I must tell you that mentioning how advanced and how game changer they were, honours me so much. People doesn’t really know about the whole other level of technology Japanese consumers had back in the day, so yeah, this video is a masterpiece. Thank you! 💌
Great video. Thanks! I loved my 6200, especially for a unique feature that wasn't mentioned. It had the ability to do voicemail on the device itself. Which meant you could screen calls and break in if it was someone you wanted to talk to.
Hooray, a new phone history video!!!!!!!! Thank you for the video!!!!!
I have to say, that Michael makes the best videos about phones. You have a gift of professionalism when you edit your videos.
Oh wow this was a treat! I had the SCP-5000 when it released. I remember that awful reflective color screen. But hey it was color. I upgraded when the first Sanyo camera phone (SCP-5300) came out, and of course upgraded to the Blue Video Camera phone SCP-5500. That was when Sprint got all the cool new things. Thanks for making this video. Im 42 now. Time flies.
Just found this channel and instantly loved the content. Working through all the previous videos but loving these types of videos.
Awesome video! One of my favorite phones of all time was the Sanyo M1. It was the first phone I had with 1 gig of memory for music. Good times!
I am so glad this series is back! Awesome work on the video! Can't wait for the next episode!
Yess another when phones were fun video. I absolutely love these. Thank you for making them
Never stop making these videos Mister
Can’t get enough of them!
Man, this series is such a burst of energy with every upload, beyond grateful for the work you put in these!
These retrospectives are top notch quality storytime! Thank you for that
I still have my pink rose Sanyo VI-2300 in a drawer. Still used it a few years ago before CDMA and Sprint died. Got it in 2005 and had a warranty swap in 2006... Been okay since. Still powers on!
I have my Sanyo MM-5600, MM-9000 and Sanyo M1 on my retro phone shelf in my ManCave. I had a dozen Sanyo phones when I switched to Sprint in 2004.
This is my favorite tech series on TH-cam. Keep it coming please 🙏
These videos are so nostalgic. Love it. Reaching my 40s now and start to miss the old times :)
When Sprint was pretty much ONLY Sanyo, Kyocera and LG
Now none even exist anymore 😢
Man, you really got my 90s nostalgia nerves tingling on this one. Talk of mp3 playback on a phone especially, it reminded me of my old Sony Walkman branded phone *looks at the ceiling wistfully*
I absolutely love it when you make episodes like these. I hope someday you make an episode about Siemens, I don't see many people talk about those phones but they were really cool with their industrial designs and awesome features.
You have the best voice on TH-cam! These retrospectives are just next level too!
Appreciate these videos Michael!
Thank you Mr Mobile for bringing back this feel of nostalgia and memories of fun.
When phones WERE fun.
Cheers
7:15 love the collection of Japanese only Sanyo models, including the ODM Nokia J-NM01/02 and a SA001, which I own!
A Sanyo was my first cell phone and one of, if not the toughest phone that I have ever owned. It fell out my dorm window on the 6th floor and hit cement. I raced outside, the battery had popped out, put it back in and aside from a couple of scratches, worked fine. Great phone.
I adore your intelligent narration and the way you express yourself.
Wonderful video, thanks once again Mr. Mobile. Fun fact, Panasonic bought Sanyo for one big reason: Cutting-edge battery technology. Panasonic's huge battery business (their factories famously supply Tesla and other EV manufacturers) was originally *Sanyo's* battery business. Same with the Eneloop consumer line of rechargeable batteries.
I worked for Radio Shack in the early 2000's and sold Sanyo and Sprint PCS. You're absolutely correct. That was a time when phones were fun! Too bad we've gone so far into the smartphone world that people don't know how to just be without a phone...Bring back Nextel and Motorola phones!!
Love this series. Thank you Michael
I have a mini collection of these Sprint Sanyo phones. I LOVED them
Whenever the videos end with "and phones were fun" I get shivers down my skin. Brilliant video, big fan!
Damn, this series just keeps getting better.! I Worked at Sprint from 2005-2009. Sanyo was a hell of a ride!
I owned a 'rugged' Sanyo phone, the SCP-7200 and it was one of my favorite mobile devices, ever. To be perfectly honest, I'm seriously considering moving back to a Kyocera DuraXV Extreme+, while also giving up my iPad and Apple Watch because the distractions are too much. Recently, particular on the heels of reading Jonathan Haidt's new book 'The Anxious Generation' - I'm feeling that I'm truly an analogue man, and that's ok.
Great choice! Let us know if you have any questions about DuraXV Extreme+.
@@kyoceramobile Is there a way to purchase a DuraXV Extreme+ that's unlocked? I'm switching to Ting Mobile (they use the Verizon network) but their representative stated that any device I wish to use must be unlocked and capable of accessing the Verizon network.
Top notch content as always, thank you so much! Love the WPWF series!!
It’s absolutely crazy to think back on how much phones have changed since I got my crusty old Samsung slide phone aged 9 as a hand me down in 2008.
I just love the variety of your content.
I'm so happy you finally did talk about japanese cellphones, my absolute favorite!!!
I honestly missed this when phone were fun series I'm glad it's back and with a bang to boot 😁
What a trip down memory lane. I actually owned several of those phones featured AND stayed with Sprint throughout. My cellphone experience in the early 2000s was interesting. Thanks for reminding me of that fact.
I just love seeing you carry the torch for the old techy gadgets that we grew up with. We appreciate you Captain, and we salute you good sir 🫡
I had worked for Sprint from 00 to 04 and Sanyo was the most trusted brand of phone with our customers. The disaster that was the Samsung SCH3500 (which you show in this video) led customers to almost abandoned the carrier.
Now the main reason for the merger was because of the great customer service nextel had. Also the Sanyo 5500 used a PTT called Ready Link that Sprint really tried to use as a Nextel killer.
Had the SCP 4500, 5000, 5150, VM4500/5500 and the 6000. Apone of the best phones I've ever had!
Kyocera devices were really cool and different. I miss the vast variety of tech we used to have.
As a former Shacker from the late 90’s in to the mid 2000’s, these SprintPCS phones are always a fun trip down memory lane.
Bonus points for the G4TV mention. God I loved that channel.
Never stop making fun vids MrMobile!
I find this type of videos, more entertaining than the videos of a new phone review
Excellent video. I have to dig into those Sanyo/Nokia branded phones. Somehow those were never on my radar. I didn’t know they existed.
Yes! Another video from my favorite TH-cam series. *settles in with a cup of coffee*
Disappointed the SCP Wiki didn’t make SCP 5000… the SCP 5000
I can remember my dad and me going to our local phone in 2003 trying to sell his sanyo sprint. The phone was small clam but the charger was a black block. The owner was wondering why it wasn't even damaged or had look like fresh out of the box and my dad told him " kept it in the house. On my counter" the guys literally had this wow amazement face. I laugh because I was a kid and wasn't tech savvy unless it was VHS or walkman cassette
I had a Sanyo Incognito and I loved that phone. It was hinged on the side with a full QWERTY keyboard inside. The outside was a mirror finish (I even used it as a mirror) and the keys lit up on it once the power key was pressed.
Had both the thin Sanyo candybar phone. It worked so well, great reception, battery life, color change backlight and 8 bit like ringtones. Also had the sony cmz-100. Felt so futuristic back then.
Again very nice video, thanks 👍
I would also love to see the history of SHARP phones as well. I think it has formed many milestones in the mobile industry..
One of the first camera phones, first Mpx cameras & optical zoom, first built-in DVB-T receiver, first frameless phone (Aquos Crystal) etc.
So I will be very happy if you create a video about the history of this brand as well, thanks and I wish you continue to make lots of interesting videos 🙂
The MM-7400 was my absolute favorite. Loved this episode.
Dude, I LOVE these videos
At last a new episode of my favorite channel
i love the sanyo hinge sound
I had an SCP-4900 and that thing was a tank. I was selling phones at Best Buy when Sprint Vision launched, and my LG flip phone "conveniently broke" right around the launch and I replaced it with the Sanyo under the extended warranty (that we weren't allowed to call an extended warranty). I loved that phone.
Absolutely legendary reception on that model. AMPS too!
You had an SCP?
Please inform the Foundation immediately.
Maybe they just *might* not issue a memetic kill agent then.
@@utubrGaming I don't know how there aren't more SCP foundation fans in the comments
Interesting you touch on sustainability and the fact you don’t talk about it much. Is it something you often consider? How hard is it to balance sustainability concerns against the constant need to review new products?
Would love to hear more about it. And love your work, as always.
They had a plant here in Arkansas I had a tv made less than 50 miles from me that definitely doesn’t happen anymore 😢
I love this series. Reminds me of when I worked for Rogers AT&T in Canada.
I love this series. Let's see where this Nostalgia train takes me...early 2000s? That was the Nextel era in New York for me in college...ah, the constant chirping at the bar across the street from south street seaport that got so bad that you had to shut your phone off to drink there. They were THAT fed up with it. That said? I remember seeing this phone...had an eye for it but I opted for something else.
Ha! I'm sure I walk by the former location of that bar several times a week! What was it called?
@@TheMrMobile no clue why I'm blanking here lol. I text a buddy from college I went there with just now. I'll edit this comment as soon as he texts me back. Lol.
I had an SCP-5500 as my first phone. The first phone I got to choose on my parent's family plan was the Katana XL. I remember being so mad when I couldnt use the phone as an MP3 player (stuck having to carry a PSP around for most of my time in college for media).
Mike, I don’t know how you have such fond memories of Sanyo phones, but for me… growing up with them, I just hated them. They felt like cheap imitations of more popular phones from Motorola and Nokia. I wanted to have a Razr, a Nokia N95 8GB, any Nokia N-series phone honestly! I loved Sony Ericsson’s designs and always loved seeing a few of them in some 007 Bond films. It got my young imagination going! “Wow, I could use the same phone James Bond used to save the world!”
The regional town/city I live in, Wodonga actually used to have a Sanyo factory until 1987 when it closed. They made TVs. We've actually got a Sanyo Drive still.
I'd like to see a history on Kyocera. My dad was a die-hard Kyocera user until Telstra shut down the Australian CDMA network in 2006. He always used to brag about the network coverage and superior Qualcomm radios.
I remember him having something similar to the blue 2135, then the SE47, the super cool Koi/KX2, and finally the KX5 was his last.
I would lovee to see a video on the history of Sony Ericson. Those were the phones I grew up with and I absolutely LOVED them.
My dad definitely had that SCP-5000 and I remember it being so cool!
You brought back sooooo many memories of my employment at Sprint. Good times until the merger.
been looking forward to a new one of these, just as fun as all the others.
oh, wow, the belt clips. I remember those. 🤣 We need a T9 typing speed test! 😝
I would genuinely love to do a video exclusively about the belt clips of the early oughts 😆
Love these videos!
I still have my Katana Eclipse X. Favorite phone by far just from the flashing lights alone.
In my younger days, I wasn’t aware Sanyo made phones until the Katana was announced. In my mind then I immediately saw it as a bootleg Razr.
I’m glad though I got to learn more about their more innovative offerings. The phones we use today are built on the backs of many creative people.
4:40 ah, 500 max contacts saved. I remember my dad upgraded his SIM card so that he could save up to 250 numbers.
There was also an Italian phone called Telit Mobile, not sure if you heard about it as it was sold only in few European countries. Worth an episode about it.
I used to LOVE those old Sanyo phones. I had so much fun with the PM-8200 back in middle school.
Love this series.
8:27 Mmm, that hp compaq era styling always gets me, my first desktop PC was one haha
Sanyo.. That is a classic! Now I remember Kenwood with those dope like silver and blue stereos and speakers. 🔥
The extendable antenna! I miss those days when reception was prioritized!
Another great video, still waiting for a video on the LG Env and Voyager series
I was all about my feature phones back in the day but I cant recall ever owning a sanyo.. definitely had LG, Moto, Sony Ericson, Samsung, Siemens, and so on. Part of me really does mis those days, especially, having a macbook with me all the time, I rarely use my iphone as a smartphone aside from camera, maps and I guess some occasional browsing/ youtube. I also now work with kids young enough to only know them as "dumbphones" I actually just told one about the "feature phone" designation the other day when the brought up the idea of getting one!
Ooh, now I have a nice video to admire! :D