Fascinating Look Back at the Nokia 7280 ‘Lipstick Phone’, a Stylish Device Without a Traditional Keypad

First announced on September 9, 2004, the Nokia 7280, dubbed the “lipstick phone,” was a bold, stylish mobile phone as part of the company’s “Fashion Phone” line, which also included the 7260 and 7270. Its unique design and unconventional interface made it stand out in an era dominated by flip phones and candy-bar designs.

This device was more a fashion statement rather than tech powerhouse. Its lipstick-shaped, Art Deco-inspired design (crafted by Tej Chauhan with Grace Boicel and Tanja Fisher) was unlike anything else, blending high-gloss polycarbonate ABS, suede, and metal for a luxurious feel. Skipping a regular keypad and using the Navi-Spinner wheel instead was a bold choice, kind of like the iPod’s Click Wheel but for picking numbers and letters on the screen.

The Navi-Spinner went with a shiny, mirror-like screen and a fancy carrying pouch, making it a trendy pick for people who love style, sold with catchy lines like “Darling, I match your purse.” When you slid the phone open, it showed a red interior and a camera, giving off a lipstick feel, and things like voice control and Bluetooth were pretty high-tech for such a niche phone.

It came out at about €600 (around $1,154 USD in 2025), a premium price back then, like buying a luxurious phone or a small computer. That made it a fancy treat, aimed at rich, fashion-loving folks rather than everyone.