Nokia has sold 1.5 billion S40 phones

Landmark reached ten years after launch of 7210.

Series 40 is the platform powering Nokia's entry-level devices. Nokia says the first Series 40 phone was the Nokia 7110, which was developed in 1999, but we think it's actually the 7210, launched in 2002.

Anyhow, S40 has evolved and is still going strong as a 'Smartphone Lite' platform powering - among others - the new Nokia Asha range targeted at emerging markets.

Series 40 phones add to the confusion around what is and what is not a smartphone. Most people would describe them as feature phones, but the new versions offer Nokia Maps, browser, web apps, Nokia Money and Nokia Life Tools.

The 1.5 billionth device was purchased from a Magazine Luiza store in São Paulo by 21-year-old Mayara Rodrigues.

Mary McDowell, EVP for mobile phones at Nokia, said: "We are incredibly proud to reach this milestone. Having 1.5 billion Series 40 devices sold is a hard-to-reach mark, let alone one attainable in a single line of products.