Get Visible as low as $20/mo for 1 year!

Did you know that James Bond's phone had a fingerprint scanner long before the iPhone or the ATRIX did?

18
Nanko Rusev
By Nanko Rusev
iPhone
Add as a preferred source on Google
Did you know that James Bond's phone had a fingerprint scanner long before the iPhone or the ATRIX did?
Think your iPhone 5s is so cool with its fingerprint scanner? Well, it was beaten to it by the Motorola ATRIX 4G (released in 2011), which had one embedded in its power key. Sure, it didn't really work quite as well, but that's another story. 

But did you know that one particular phone – an Ericsson JB988 modified for the needs of one and only James Bond – had a fingerprint scanner back in 1997? The high-tech gadget made an appearance in the movie Tomorrow Never Dies featuring Pierce Brosnan as the fearless secret agent. A 20,000 volt stun gun had also been added to his personal phone, along with a remote control for his gorgeous BMW 750iL. If only this humble Ericsson handset could do all of these things in real life...

Now feel free to enjoy the video below where James gives his new toy a try. The phone part begins at the 1:54 mark.

Video Thumbnail

via YouTube user TimeLordTrekkie96

Get Visible as low as $20/mo for 1 year. Limited time offer with code: FRESHSTART

$20 /mo
$25
$5 off (20%)
Offer Ends 6.1.2026 at 11.59pm ET. New members get $5/mo off the $25/mg Visible plan, $35/mo Visible+ plan, or $45/mo Visible+ Pro plan for the first 12 months. Promo code FRESHSTART required at checkout.
Buy at Visible
Google News Follow
Follow us on Google News
Recommended For You
COMMENTS (18)
Latest Discussions
Galaxy S26+ Dial Pad
by readdriver • 2
Huawei Mate XT on T-Mobile Call echos
by ECPirate37 • 1
Dual Sim Whatsapp Iphone
by menooch18 • 2
Discover more from the community
Readers’ Favorites
T-Mobile learns the hard way not to make things difficult for consumers
T-Mobile learns the hard way not to make things difficult for consumers
T-Mobile is announcing four new eSIM plans starting next week
T-Mobile is announcing four new eSIM plans starting next week
iPhone 18 Pro display is so advanced that Apple may break a tradition
iPhone 18 Pro display is so advanced that Apple may break a tradition
Verizon rumored to make big announcement this week
Verizon rumored to make big announcement this week
The new AirPods prove Apple is still the king of design
The new AirPods prove Apple is still the king of design
Amazon's Galaxy Buds 4 Pro launch offer has somehow returned, but there's a catch
Amazon's Galaxy Buds 4 Pro launch offer has somehow returned, but there's a catch
Latest News
Apple Watch Series 11 becomes even more tempting after $100 price cut
Apple Watch Series 11 becomes even more tempting after $100 price cut
2nm chipsets will steal the show, but here's why we should pay attention to the 3nm Dimensity 8600
2nm chipsets will steal the show, but here's why we should pay attention to the 3nm Dimensity 8600
Compact size, hyper power: the Iniu P63 can charge a laptop!
Compact size, hyper power: the Iniu P63 can charge a laptop!
Adventurous Galaxy S26 series users will get their first taste of One UI 9 goodies 'this week'
Adventurous Galaxy S26 series users will get their first taste of One UI 9 goodies 'this week'
It’s not too late to score a Galaxy S26 with a tempting discount
It’s not too late to score a Galaxy S26 with a tempting discount
The Galaxy Tab S11 suddenly became even cheaper at a huge $250 off
The Galaxy Tab S11 suddenly became even cheaper at a huge $250 off