Motorola StarTAC

Motorola StarTAC

A StarTAC 8500 (AMPS model)
Manufacturer	Motorola
First released	January 3, 1996; 29 years ago (1996-01-03)
Predecessor	Motorola MicroTAC series
Successor	Motorola V3620/V3688 Motorola V60
Compatible networks	AMPS, cdmaOne, TDMA, GSM
Dimensions	94 mm × 55 mm × 19 mm (130)
Weight	88 g
Display	Digital: LCD AMPS (analog): Segment LED, Alphanumeric LED

The StarTAC is a series of clamshell-style cellular mobile phones developed and marketed by Motorola beginning in 1996. The first notable flip phone, the original StarTAC model was uniquely at the time the size of a pager and weighed 3.1 ounces (88 g), making it the smallest and lightest cell phone up to that point.^[1] Officially, Motorola marketed the StarTACs as "wearable".^[2][3]

The StarTAC's groundbreaking design was a development from Motorola's MicroTAC, a semi-clamshell design first launched in 1989.^[4] Whereas the MicroTAC's flip folded down from below the keypad, the StarTAC folded up from above the display. While often cited as the world's first clamshell/flip cell phone,^[5][6] NEC of Japan had already developed and released such products as early as 1991.^[7][8][9]

The earliest StarTAC models were made for analog AMPS networks, although less common digital GSM models also existed, while the first CdmaOne and TDMA models were released in 1999. The StarTAC was followed by the Motorola 'Vader' V series which reduced the size further, and later succeeded by the Motorola V60 as the company's flagship offering. Beginning in late 1999, new StarTACs were sold rebadged under the Timeport and Talkabout names.^[10][11]