Mobile Technology

Nokia 3310 hands-on: A retro moment in mobile phones

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The Nokia 3310 is attracting more attention than many of the modern-day smartphones at MWC
David Nield/New Atlas
Pick one up and it's like the year 2000 all over again
David Nield/New Atlas
The software is basic but you can listen to music... and play Snake!
David Nield/New Atlas
Around the back there's a 2 MP camera (your model won't have this security cable attached to it)
David Nield/New Atlas
The phone measures 115.6 x 51 x 12.8 mm (4.6 x 2 x 0.5 in)
David Nield/New Atlas
Perhaps the biggest disappointment is the phone is 2G only, which might limit its lifespan
David Nield/New Atlas
The Nokia 3310 is attracting more attention than many of the modern-day smartphones at MWC
David Nield/New Atlas
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As if having the Nokia brand back wasn't enough of a nostalgia hit for mobile lovers, new owners HMD Global have also brought back one of the most beloved phones of the past: the Nokia 3310. New Atlas got some hands-on time with it at Mobile World Congress in Barcelona.

If you're of a certain age, you might remember the first time the Nokia 3310 came around – it was one of the coolest phones you could have around the turn of the millennium – but if you're too young to have experienced that phase of tech pop culture, you may be wondering what made it such a hit.

A mobile phone that's limited to texts and calls seems very basic today, but in 2000 the market was a lot different: To have a wireless phone that was so compact (with no aerial antenna), so robust, and so light and ergonomic for its time really made the 3310 (and indeed the 3210 that preceded it) stand out. Excellent battery life didn't do it any harm either.

The software is basic but you can listen to music... and play Snake!
David Nield/New Atlas

The layout of the keys and the moulded shape of the phone made multi-tap typing very fast indeed, and in Snake II it had a game that was actually entertaining even on a monochrome, 84 x 48 pixel screen. The age of digital distraction had begun.

These qualities help explain why HMD Global has decided to bring it back. The 2017 edition of the phone has some modern extras, like a camera, but it mostly sticks to the original formula in terms of look and feel. Even the original ringtone is back.

And having a play around with it at MWC, we feel it embodies an excellent balance between retro cool and modern functionality. The color screen is basic but bright, while the tweaked physical buttons mean you won't miss a touchscreen too much. It's also remarkable how quickly the muscle memory of typing on nine keys returns.

The phone fits snugly in the hand and feels as sturdy as the original – perhaps even more so. We even had a quick game of Snake – which is now in color – and the old addiction started to creep back again.

It's a perfect bit of tech nostalgia (see also the NES Classic Edition) but is anyone actually going to buy one?

Around the back there's a 2 MP camera (your model won't have this security cable attached to it)
David Nield/New Atlas

Those who need a second phone perhaps, or who can live without Snapchatting and Instagramming. Considering these phones are only capable of connecting to 2G speeds (networks that are in the process of being shut off in countries like the US and UK) the real target market seems to be the developing world.

The Nokia 3310 stand here in Barcelona has been packed out all week with interested observers, the HMD reps confirmed to me, but really this seems destined to be nothing more than a retro curio in parts of the world where smartphones are commonplace.

HMD has done a commendable job at updating the classic 3310 for 2017 though, even if it is a marketing stunt, and I'm glad I had a chance to give it a try. If you want to claim one for yourself, it's going on sale for €49 (about US$52) in the near future.

Product page: Nokia 3310

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3 comments
FábioAlvesCorrêa
It will only accepted as a true Nokia 3310 if, dropped from ISS, it re-enters earth atmosphere and keep functioning normally.
FabianLamaestra
Have you seen the competitive smartphones you can buy today for 50 bucks at Walmart or Metro PCS? You can also find OK flip phones at Target for 5 bucks. This Nokia phone needs to be way less than 50 bucks.
IvanTeo
seriously Nokia, you gotta wake up. Nokia was popular because at that time smartphone was not born. With plenty of apps and super low cost hardware, no one will want to go back to the cave.