[6][7] In 2005, PC World named the StarTAC as the 6th Greatest Gadget of the Past 50 Years (out of a list of fifty).

During its initial launch, magazine ads for the phone would include an actual size cardboard facsimile that could be pulled from the page to demonstrate the diminutive nature of the device.

[12][13] The StarTAC name was revived in 2004 for a new model designed for the South Korean market.

It had: In addition, a version with an 18K gold directional keypad and brightwork was released as StarTAC 2004 SE.

The regular edition was released without the Mobile Banking function as the Motorola V628 in China.

The base model, which lacks the side volume controls, the smart button, and the contacts for an auxiliary battery.

This would enable fans of the Rainbow series to have the features of the 85 such as the alphanumeric LCD display, or one which would operate on GSM 1900.

The StarTAC D was a GSM 900 model based on the 85 which allowed users to make mobile payments.

The phone accepted a 2FF mini SIM card behind the battery for mobile network connectivity.

In France, goods and services could be purchased by inserting the card into the slot and contacting the retailer.

Motorola eventually partnered with Giesecke & Devrient in Germany to offer similar services with their Geldkarte product.

The StarTAC 130 was released as a GSM 900 phone, although similar models that operated on the ETACS network were also produced.

The cosmetically identical StarTAC X and Xe (it had a different TAC number) was sold in Asian markets.

It was common practice at the time for Orange to release their own variants of popular phones with different model names.

These Orange-specific models would generally be the same cosmetically but would often include Orange branding, boot logos and be modified to operate on GSM1800 instead of GSM900 (providing the handset was single-band only).

This model had some minor cosmetic changes compared to the original with a different keypad design.

Due to the popularity of the StarTAC, it has gained a cult following by enthusiasts and vintage mobile phone collectors.

Despite its age, many models can still be used to this day in regions where cellular providers still operate a compatible network.

Often these phones will first need to be unlocked to allow the use of SIM cards from modern cellular providers.

Motorola did produce a prototype tri-band StarTAC 130 compatible with GSM900, 1800, and 1900 which would have made it the only model capable of working in both North America and Europe.

With the exception of the 130 which takes a 2FF mini-SIM, GSM StarTACS accept a standard (1FF) SIM card.

Network providers do not advertise that these are 1FF size SIM cards as the format is considered obsolete.

Due to the original price of these phones, the majority were purchased with a contract rather than directly from Motorola.

When purchased with a cellular plan, the phone will come with a network lock meaning it will not accept a SIM card from another provider.

Once this code has been entered, it will accept any SIM card and connect to any network providing it is compatible.

Internally, Motorola developed a SIM card which when inserted would place the device in a service mode, allowing a technician to change parameters on the handset itself including the lock status.