Background
Siemens AG was founded in 1847 and initially produced telegraph equipment. The company expanded into various industries, including electrical engineering, transportation, healthcare, and communications. In the late 1980s, Siemens began developing mobile phones, which were initially marketed towards business professionals.
Siemens launched its first mobile phone, the Siemens C1, in 1992. The phone was a compact, lightweight device with a monochrome LCD screen and basic features such as SMS messaging and a phone book. Over the next decade, Siemens continued to develop and release new mobile phone models, including the Siemens S1 in 1997, which was one of the first phones to feature a color screen.
In the early 2000s, Siemens cell phones gained popularity due to their advanced features and innovative design. The Siemens S55, released in 2002, was one of the first phones to feature an integrated camera, while the Siemens SL55 was known for its slim, lightweight design. The Siemens CX65 was another popular model, featuring a large color screen and support for multimedia messaging.
Despite its success in the mobile phone market, Siemens faced increasing competition from other manufacturers such as Nokia, Motorola, and Sony Ericsson. In 2005, Siemens sold its mobile phone division to BenQ, a Taiwanese electronics manufacturer. The division was rebranded as BenQ-Siemens, but the brand struggled to compete in the market and was eventually discontinued in 2007.