For every N95 there's also a 7380. Although the majority of cell phones launched are variations on a theme, every now and then a manufacturer will let its design department's collective imagination run wild and chuck out an oddball option, with fashion efforts and designer team-ups most often to blame for such mobile monstrosities. We look at ten such phones that will make your eyes — and brains — boggle. 

 

1. Nokia 7380

The 7380, a long, thin phone from the Finns, saw the introduction of Nokia's "Navi Spinner" — a kind of scroll wheel that enabled "keyless dialling" with various degrees of success. The device, firmly aimed at the female fashion market, also got a mirror display for quick lippie checks and the boast that it was an "innovative fashion statement to complement your eclectic style". Hmmm... 

 

2. Motorola Aura

A more recent offering from Motorola, the $2000 "Aura" suggests that the company did not see the economic slowdown coming. Complete with a circular LCD display — apparently a world first — over 700 different components make up the Swiss-made swivel bearing while the etched enclosure is said to take over two weeks to sculpt, etch and polish. Didn't take us that long to work out we're not going to fork out $2k for it. 

 

3. Siemens Xelibri X1

Siemens' designer "Xelibri" range was dubbed "Space on Earth" and that alone gives a clue as to what you might expect from the 2003 debuts. The overall range makes most phones on this list look almost normal. The X1 was said to be inspired by Star Trek (presumably more accurately by the Communicator?) and offered a retro monochrome display. Trekkies-only we think.

 

4. Bang & Olufsen Serene

Created from a team-up between Samsung and high-end audio co Bang & Olufsen, the Serene, launched back in '05, was an odd-looking option. Although high-end in construction — and high fashion in looks — there weren't many highs on its specification list to justify the $1000-plus price tag. The unusual design saw the screen on the bottom half of the clamshell that opened with an internal power assist motor for those too posh to push.

5. Nokia 3650

Another entry from Nokia, a phone company that's chucked us a few curveballs over the years, the curvaceous candybar-shaped 3650 was another attempt at moving away from the traditional keypad. Instead, this model introduced push buttons in a bizarre rotary dial-style layout. Actually designed to make mobile messaging easier, the result was confusing and — sorry Nokia — just plain wrong.

 

6. Levi Strauss phone

Levi Strauss' entry into the cell phone market — with the help of French firm Modelabs — was tenuous to say the least. As well as plastering the Levis logo on the stainless steel backed handset, it came complete with the oh-so-obvious denim case, as well as a dog chain that attached the blower to your jeans. Feature-poor, the ill-advised creation came in silver, black and — oh dear — brown.

 

7. Toshiba G450

Is it a phone? Is it an MP3 player? Is it a USB dongle? Does anyone care? Toshiba's G450 is sort of a USB mobile broadband modem with phone functionality built-in and a dash of portable storage with media playing abilities. If that sounds confusing then wait until you try and use the thing, with its tiny screen and bizarre split-into-two keypads. As nice as it is to see someone thinking outside of the box, we'd shut the lid on this one. 

8. Vertu Boucheron

Most of Vertu's luxury phones fit into the seriously fugly category, but we think it's fair to say the Boucheron model created a whole new category of vulgarity in mobile phone design. A partnership with the designer jewellery makers the House of Boucheron for its 150th anniversary, this model was dripping with jewels thanks to that nasty blinged snake. This phone proves the only place snakes have in the phone category is as a mildly addictive mobile game.

 

9. Original Nokia N-gage

Nokia again, but no kerazy phone round-up can be considered complete without a mention of the good ol' "taco" phone. Nokia's first N-gage phone enjoyed a truly flawed design — not only did users have to remove the phone's cover but also the battery in order to insert a game, but the position of the speaker and microphone meant the phone had to be held on its side edge to chat, giving life to the now-famous phrase "side-talking".

 

10. Samsung P300

It's fair to say that Samsung's P300 divides opinion with some considering it a modern classic with its brushed metal finish and slimline dimensions. We however, think it looks like a freakin' Casio calculator and prefer our phones a little less retro and a little more mobile. And what's with that flappy leather-look case? That's not going to get annoying after about a millisecond...