12 years after it vanished, Nokia’s ‘dumbphone’ is back ( )
...and the best news of all, it costs just £49.99
WITH text messaging, miniature games and a range of ringtones, the Nokia 3310 was the iPhone of its day.
Now, in a world saturated with social media, video streaming and HD cameras, the faithful, old Nokias are seen as outdated.
But 12 years after the tech giant phased out the 3310, a modern version of the iconic ‘dumbphone’ has gone on sale.
And it’s proving to be a hit with those yearning for a touch of nostalgia in their lives, as retailers have seen a huge number of preorders for the retro phone.
Consumers are also attracted by the price tag of £49.99, making it a relatively cheap spare device.
More than 126 million of the original handsets were produced between 2000 and 2005.
The mobile was considered a technological breakthrough as it became an essential for millions. The latest incarnation is the antidote to the bells and whistles of the modern smartphone, with countless apps from Facebook to Snapchat and Instagram.
It has a small screen, a clunky two megapixel camera, and relies on 2.5G connectivity, so it gets limited internet access. This means users will not spend their days browsing the web and responding to emails, when they could be living in the moment.
Its powerful battery allows users to talk for up to 22 hours, and the Nostalgia: The Nokia 3310 doesn’t have a touchscreen, apps or high-speed internet
‘We have already sold out’
phone can last up to a month in standby mode. There is also an updated version of the popular game Snake, in which a snake gets longer as it moves around the screen by consuming food.
And importantly, there is no touchscreen which is likely to crack at the slightest knock.
Reviewers at the website Techradar said: ‘For those who fondly remember the Nokia 3310 the new model will almost be a no-brainer of a purchase.
‘Its low price, pleasing feature set and long battery life make it appealing for anyone looking for a back-up handset, festival phone or just a simple retro buy.’
Carphone Warehouse said it had seen a phenomenal response from customers. A spokesman added: ‘We have already sold out of very limited stock online.’
Industry expert Ben Wood, from technology consultancy CCS Insight, said: ‘If you put this in the hands of a millennial who’s addicted to Snapchat, of course it’s the wrong phone.
‘But with over 20 million mobiles in the UK, approximately one million are “dumbphones” if you want to call them that. This is still a sizeable market.’
The 3310 is being released by Finnish company HMD Global, which has a licence from Nokia to use its name on its phones and tablets.