Need help identifying and old cell phone using only the broken lens

[nasmeyer]

I am trying to find a website that might have a database of early mobile devices to help identify a broken glass lens that is likely from an early cell phone. It appears to be at least 2004 or earlier. I figured if I knew what device it once belonged to, I might be able to match it up to a missing person. All I have is a few pieces of the lens that show the LCD layout, but no device pieces. Most photos of early cell phones I find online show the phone when it is off, and this doesn’t show the LCD numerical layout which will be the only identifying feature for me.

 

[CoverMeCagney]

We have a UK based hazmat/forensic guy who specialises in phones, though more the crime scene element of it. Long shot but you never know, he might be able to help as he's examined a fair few!

@Peak12345 Could you possibly help @nasmeyer with this?

 

[Laughing]

@nasmeyer a picture of the parts might help us?

 

[nasmeyer]

It looks like the phone had two lenses. The upper pieces don’t have any identifiable LCD characters, but the larger and somewhat thicker lower pieces do. They both have fire damage residue on them which block out some possible identifying characters, but I don’t want to chip the burn residue away for concern I might also rub off other characters. The upside down V used in the word "roam" reminds me of 1990's cell phones, as well as the "no svc" characters.

 

[Peak12345]

Send me a pic

 

[Peak12345]

Size ?

 

[nasmeyer]

The smaller screen at the top= Height 15mm. Width 35mm but likely wider due to missing pieces.
The larger screen at the bottom= Height 19mm. Width 46 but again, pieces are missing.

 

[Peak12345]

Uk ?

 

[nasmeyer]

US

 

[CoverMeCagney]

I'm sure Peak will be back in a few hours, it's past 1am here now. I hope you manage to work it out between you, keep us posted!

 

[BigCityAccountant]

Not sure if this will help, but I found this...the physical size is in CM, instead of MM. I couldn't match up any size but I'm certainly no expert.

Screen Sizes | Viewport Sizes and Pixel Densities for Popular Devices

Web images are measured in pixel dimensions – also referred to as PX – so 600px X 450px means 600 pixels wide by 450 pixels high (typically, width is quoted first).

Resizing Images + Video Tutorial - Knowledgebase - Purple Dog

 

[Presley78]

My ex husband was a phone technician back in the late 90’s-early 2000’s before moving up to sales and eventually management. We had BOXES of phones in our house and I literally had every model they made those days. This looks like an old Motorola RAZR The Evolution of Cell Phone Design Between 1983-2009 | Webdesigner Depot

 

[nasmeyer]

I have spent many hours now looking for photos of vintage cell phones online. I realized most photos, whether they are original advertising photos or photos of a bricked phone, don’t show me the digital character location, size or layout. But even more disappointing I have not found one that has two screens as I have assumed my mystery phone had! Wouldn't a cell phone be the only small device that would use a screen that has the words "in use, no svc and roam"? Can anyone can think of a possible device other then a cell phone with this description? I guess the two lenses could be from two different devices, so getting an ID on the bigger screen is still my goal. Thanks for your help.

 

[CoverMeCagney]

Could it be from a digital landline phone, the screen size might make more sense? Or a pager perhaps?

 

[CoverMeCagney]

Or some kind of dual answerphone set up like this?

 

[BigCityAccountant]

I have spent many hours now looking for photos of vintage cell phones online. I realized most photos, whether they are original advertising photos or photos of a bricked phone, don’t show me the digital character location, size or layout. But even more disappointing I have not found one that has two screens as I have assumed my mystery phone had! Wouldn't a cell phone be the only small device that would use a screen that has the words "in use, no svc and roam"? Can anyone can think of a possible device other then a cell phone with this description? I guess the two lenses could be from two different devices, so getting an ID on the bigger screen is still my goal. Thanks for your help.

What about a Nintendo DS? They have 2 screens and they connect to the internet.... I cannot locate my son's right now...(can you imagine...hahaha)

Nintendo DS - Wikipedia

Hope this helps.

 

[carbuff]

I used to have a Samsung-clone flip phone that had two screens like that. The big one was inside with the keyboard, and the small one showed outside when the phone was closed, so I could glance at it to see where a call was coming from without having to open the phone. I think it would have been in the late 1990s but could have been later. I don't think the layout was identical to what yours shows, though, and I don't remember the brand.

 

[nasmeyer]

Could it be from a digital landline phone, the screen size might make more sense? Or a pager perhaps?

I'm thinking a digital landline wouldn't have the wording for "roam" but a pager might, not sure.

 

[nasmeyer]

I found a website dedicated to cell phone collectors here Mobilecollectors.net which has over 16000 photographs of mostly old phones! Its going to take me forever, but I'm sure I will be able to identify my phone using these photos. I've narrowed it down to a 1990's "Bag phone". The reason it has two screens is that the actual LCD screen sets down into the phone body a few MM's, and then is covered by a second clear glass lens. I'm still open to any help or suggestions, but thanks for the replies.

 

[zenzen]

a wild swing in the dark
LG Double Play?