With billions of devices in use globally, Android stands as the leading mobile operating system. Yet, its path to dominance was fraught with challenges. When the first Android phone entered the market, the platform was rough around the edges, missing key features, and still working to attract app developers.

Android was not alone in the market; it faced stiff competition from Apple's newly launched iPhone OS (later renamed iOS), the corporate-preferred Blackberry OS, Nokia's Symbian, Palm OS, and Windows Mobile.

The early days of Android were marked by growing pains and several flops that failed to capture consumer interest. However, certain early Android phone releases managed to break through and propel the platform ahead of its rivals.

These pioneering phones played a crucial role in shaping Android into the powerhouse it is today. Their impact on the platform's growth and success cannot be overstated. Without these key devices, it's difficult to envision Android achieving its current level of success.

1. T-Mobile G1, also known as HTC Dream

Announced on September 23, 2008, the T-Mobile G1 was the inaugural commercially available Android phone. Manufactured by HTC, which has since largely exited the smartphone arena, it was also released as the HTC Dream in various global markets.

With its slider design, the G1 aimed to appeal to BlackBerry users with its landscape QWERTY keyboard and touchscreen fans (following the iPhone's debut) with its 3.5-inch HVGA LCD touchscreen. Though not a blockbuster, it enjoyed reasonable popularity, with T-Mobile reportedly selling over a million units within a year.

The G1's design was markedly different from the sleek first-generation iPhone and was somewhat basic in terms of features. Nonetheless, it effectively demonstrated Android's potential, especially in terms of customization and flexibility.

Had the G1 failed, it would have been much tougher for subsequent Android phones to gain market traction.

2. Motorola Droid, also known as Motorola Milestone

One of Motorola's initial Android offerings, the Motorola Droid, was launched in collaboration with Verizon in the US. The phone created significant buzz thanks to Verizon's aggressive "Droid Does" campaign, which directly targeted the iPhone by showcasing features the Droid had that the iPhone lacked.

The Droid boasted one of the best displays available at the time and was powered by a 550MHz Cortex-A8 processor, which was considered fast. It also benefited from Android 2.0, which brought a faster web browser, free turn-by-turn navigation, and native Microsoft Exchange synchronization.

Thanks to Verizon's extensive marketing efforts and the Droid's strong performance, it was a major success in the US, with estimates suggesting over a million units sold in just 74 days. Many believed the Droid should have been the first Android phone.

While earlier US releases like the T-Mobile G1, HTC Magic, and HTC Hero saw moderate success, the Droid marked Android's first major hit and thrust the platform into the mainstream.

The Motorola Droid was also released as the Motorola Milestone in Europe and Asia, where it attracted considerable attention.

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I thought I had moved on.

Samsung released several Android phones in 2009, such as the Galaxy, the Moment, and the Galaxy Spica, but it was the 2010 Galaxy S that truly elevated the company's Android profile. The Galaxy S came in numerous variants, especially in North America, where all major carriers offered a version with slight modifications. For instance, AT&T released the Captivate, T-Mobile the Vibrant, Verizon the Fascinate, and Sprint the Epic 4G. The Galaxy S also served as the foundation for Google's Nexus S smartphone.

The Galaxy S and its variants achieved immense popularity, with over 24 million units sold within the first three years. This not only solidified Android's position but also established Samsung as a major player in the smartphone market. Following the Galaxy S's success, it became evident that Android was here to stay.

Subsequent Galaxy S models have continued to be among Samsung's top sellers, marking a significant chapter in Android's history.

4. Google Nexus One

Google's first venture into self-branded smartphones was the Nexus One, though it was manufactured by HTC with input from Google. It featured stock Android and high-end specs.

The buzz around the phone, fueled by leaks and rumors, significantly boosted interest in Android. It was often referred to as the "Google Phone," though not officially marketed as such.

Despite positive reviews at launch, it didn't achieve commercial success. A major drawback was its availability only through Google's Web Store, with no initial option for physical interaction. It also lacked support for Sprint and Verizon initially. Later, it became available at I Wireless, a T-Mobile affiliate, but by then, it was too late.

Despite its commercial shortcomings, the Nexus One was instrumental in promoting Android. It showcased the stock Android experience, served as a developer device that received updates before others, and laid the groundwork for Google's future hardware endeavors.

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Initially, the focus was on high-end and flagship Android phones, justified by the poor performance of early budget models due to their low-end hardware. However, ZTE's Blade demonstrated that Android phones could excel without being premium. Launched in September 2010, the Blade sold over 8 million units worldwide by 2011, surpassing 20 million by late 2014.

As ZTE was not well-known among consumers, the Blade was often recognized by its carrier or rebadged variants, such as Orange San Francisco, Dell XCD35, and SoftBank 003Z.

It was also a favorite among the modding community, allowing those who couldn't afford or didn't want to pay for a premium Android phone to experience the platform. The Blade effectively introduced Android to a new segment of users.

6. Bonus: LG Optimus One

LG's entry into the Android market came later than that of HTC and Samsung, and its initial launches didn't make much of an impact. However, the Optimus One, a budget Android phone released in late 2010, proved successful. Like the ZTE Blade, it helped bring Android to entry-level and mid-range consumers.

Though not particularly exciting, the Optimus One was a solid choice for budget buyers, offering decent performance, a capacitive display (when resistive screens were common in budget phones), and nearly stock Android.

Major US carriers released the Optimus One under different names: the Phoenix on AT&T, the Optimus S on Sprint, the Optimus T on T-Mobile, and the Vortex on Verizon.

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Phones weren't always boring slabs.

While the T-Mobile G1/HTC Dream is often cited as the phone that kickstarted Android, HTC's subsequent releases, the Magic and Hero, tend to be overlooked. The Magic (also known as T-Mobile myTouch 3G) and Hero built on the foundation laid by the Dream, shaping the early Android ecosystem. The Magic was, in fact, the first fully touchscreen Android phone. Both phones featured a more mainstream and sleek design that appealed to a broader audience.

The HTC Hero introduced Sense UI, HTC's heavily customized interface, demonstrating how manufacturers could distinguish their devices from other Android offerings.

Though not overwhelming successes, the Magic and Hero were well-received.

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Bring 'em back.

Android has been featured in countless phones, but the ones highlighted above are pivotal milestones in its journey. Each played a crucial role in Android's growth and its achievement of widespread adoption, a feat many of its competitors could not match or maintain.

For more insights into Android's history, you might be interested in exploring the history of the Android robot, the top 10 versions of the platform, and the various Android Easter eggs.

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