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The phones of CTIA: A look back (pictures)

As we begin CTIA 2013, join CNET for a journey through the handset highlights that the show has brought us.

Kent German
Kent was a senior managing editor at CNET News. A veteran of CNET since 2003, he reviewed the first iPhone and worked in both the London and San Francisco offices. When not working, he's planning his next vacation, walking his dog or watching planes land at the airport (yes, really).
Kent German
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1 of 13 Roger Cheng/CNET

It's that time again

On Tuesday, CTIA 2013 opens in Las Vegas. As someone who's been attending the show since 2004, I can't help but get a little misty-eyed that this will be last CTIA to occur in the spring. Starting next year, the wireless trade group is consolidating its two annual mobile conferences into one big bash in the fall. It's a good idea, but it is the end of an era.

So as we jet off to Vegas (of course, CNET will you bring you full coverage), join me for a look back at some of the top handsets introduced at CTIA. This list only scratches the surface of the devices we saw on the show floor, and I'm only going back as far as 2008, but you can see just how far smartphones have come five years.

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2 of 13 Josh Miller/CNET

2012: Samsung Focus 2

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3 of 13 Sarah Tew/CNET

2012: HTC Droid Incredible 4G LTE

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4 of 13 Josh Miller/CNET

2012: Kyocera Rise

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5 of 13 Josh Miller/CNET

2011: T-Mobile G2x (LG Optimus 2x)

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6 of 13 Sarah Tew/CNET

2011: HTC Evo 3D

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7 of 13 Josh Miller

2011: LG Thrill

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8 of 13 Josh Miller/CNET

2010: Motorola i1

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9 of 13 Sarah Tew/CNET

2010: HTC Evo 4G

10 of 13 Corinne Schulze/CNET

2009: Samsung Impression

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11 of 13 CNET

2009: Nokia E71x

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12 of 13 Josh Miller/CNET

2008: Samsung Instinct

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13 of 13 Corrine Schulze/CNET

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