Will revamped Nokia 3310 create a buzz?
IT’S BEEN listed as one of the best-selling cellphones of all time, with more than 126 million handsets sold before the phone was phased out in 2005.
Now 12 years later, will the newly re-launched Nokia 3310 be as popular as before?
Its manufacturers, Finnish company HMD Global, seem to think so. The much-loved classic – and near-indestructible – phone was released in South Africa this week, with Cell C the first operator to stock the redesigned handset.
The revamped Nokia 3310, which sells for R749, looks similar to its predecessor. Instead of the original display, a monochrome 84 x 84, it has a colour screen.
“Since we first announced the Nokia 3310 at Mobile World Congress, we’ve experienced phenomenal demand and in South Africa it’s been no different,” said Shaun Durandt, HMD Global, Southern Africa general manager.
“The Nokia 3310 is a fun re-imagining of one of the most popular and iconic mobile handsets of all time. It brings unparalleled talk time and standby time in an eye-catching form which builds on what’s gone before.”
Among the impressive features of the new 3310 is its battery life. The phone offers 31 days standby time, with 22 hours talk time.
“Battery life is most people’s greatest concern and the 3310 delivers exceptional battery life and makes for a perfect companion phone as well.”
The phone has also re-introduced its popular mobile game, Snake. However, it has limited internet capabilities, relying on 2.5G connectivity, with users browsing at speeds slower than if they were using 3G.
It also has a single camera which has just two megapixels.
But local tech expert Arthur Goldstuck doesn’t expect the 3310 to set the consumer market alight.
“The phone looks like a toy and, with its bright, plastic colours, only vaguely resembles the original device,” said Goldstuck.