The classic phone of the early 2000s has made another comeback after being unveiled at the MWC 2017 through HMD Global, after the unsuccessful attempt Microsoft did by converting it into a smart but ugly Windows phone in 2014.
A fair warning to those who did not know what the Nokia 3310 was, the 2017 iteration of the old classic is a "dumb phone." For those old enough to know or have owned the original, there are changes to it that might leave some disappointed yet evoke that sense of nostalgia because of name recall.
No doubt, the Nokia 3310 would shamelessly appeal more to the feeling of nostalgia in today's connected generation; a public relations gimmick that attempts to give a familiar name a fresh start. Whatever the reason, the Nokia 3310 sold at $50, is still irresistible.
The modern Nokia 3310 include features not present in the original. It has a 2MP camera, it has a USB port, a headphone jack, it is slimmer, sports a low-res color screen and a microSD slot. On the software side, it has a new version of Snake, a dumbed-down Opera browser. It's battery lasts a reported 22 hours talk time and lasts a little over a month on standby. No smartphone today can match that.
Classic Nokia 3310 was a tank, almost indestructible even when dropped from a significant height. All one has to do, is collect all the scattered parts, put it all together like a jigsaw puzzle, and it is good to go. It is a wonder if the new Nokia 3310 can endure the same type of abuse as that of its predecessor.
The current trend in retro devices has got a lot of marketing gurus scrambling to get a classic device, give it a fresh coat of paint, throw in some new features, create hype for it and send it out, hoping nostalgic individuals will pick them up. The good news is, they have, and they do, and the market is growing, according to ABC.
People went crazy last Christmas when they cannot find the NES Classic. Modern PlayStation units were just given a retro color and markings, sold like pancakes. There is a resurgence of vinyl records and cassette tapes and many more. Nokia 3310s place is secured, for it is the only one in its class, being in the right place, and at the right time, more importantly most people are responding positively to it.
According to Wired, a device like the Nokia 3310 has a huge appeal in emerging markets, where money, data, and battery life are precious commodities. Some might consider it a burner phone, a secondary device, and yet for some, even a primary device solely for communication.
However, one thing is certain, the rebirth of Nokia 3310 already served its purpose in giving an old name take some of its swagger back, and view the company again with interest on what it will offer next that is more attuned to the times.
