THE RETURN OF THE KING
If the Lord of the Rings was about a cellphone which could only be destroyed in the fires of Mt Doom, the Nokia 3310 would be the device cast for the role. While the running joke that it cannot be destroyed by a mortal man brings a smile to the face, the foundation of the meme was a serious dedication to quality and toughness by Nokia during the height of the brand’s popularity.
The original 3310 was unveiled in September 2000 and sold over 126 million units worldwide during its time. Its durability helped it earn its place in history, and now Nokia, through HMD Global, plans to take advantage of the phone’s previous popularity.
HMD Global, which acquired the rights to manufacture Nokia handsets, unveiled a modern version of the 3310 at Mobile World Congress at the start of 2017. By modern standards, the device is almost as simple as the original it is based on - featuring a 2.4-inch QVGA display, 2G network support, a removable 1,200mah battery, and the Nokia Series 30+ operating system.
Making it a success
Making a modern version of the Nokia 3310 was done to “reward loyal Nokia fans” and to make “a real statement” according to the company behind it, but the question is: who will buy it? Modern smartphones boast a range of features, of which most users require at least a handful of in a single device. Whether you use your phone’s high-end camera for work or personal photography, email clients and web browsers to work while on the move, or a range of apps for transport or banking – the new Nokia 3310 cannot offer much to a user in 2017.
One of its potential weaknesses is the operating system, Nokia Series 30+. Most companies focus on their Android and IOS apps, with favourites like Whatsapp discontinuing support for older/low-popularity operating systems.
The 3310’s small screen and low-resolution camera are also potential drawbacks, as consumers have come to expect high-end specifications in these smartphone components. That being said, the room for success is large. Consumers who will find a need for a new 3310 are varied – from individuals looking for a “burner phone” for when they go camping, to those who have a limited budget and need a device which is strong and has a long battery life.
The Nokia 3310’s affordable price point – pegged at an average of £49 worldwide – and its optional dualsim functionality make it an ideal solution in multiple scenarios. Whether you buy one because you need it as a secondary device, a primary device, or as a souvenir of an era of Nokia dominance, it is good to see the king of cellphones back in the market. ■