If the pricey, complicated smartphones of today have you yearning for simpler times, Nokia may have the solution. Their popular 3310 was discontinued in 2005, but earlier this month, news broke that a new-and-improved version of the old-school device would debut at the Mobile World Congress tech show in Barcelona.
As CNET reports, the rumors are true: The 3310 is back, with a sleek redesign and a few technical upgrades.The phone’s relaunch comes courtesy of HMD Global, a start-up formed by former Nokia executives. They acquired the necessary intellectual property (including branding and technology) to make the Finnish company’s iconic phones, according to CNBC.
"We were interacting with consumers and asked what was the best ever Nokia device that you have ever had and out of that questionnaire it was the 3310,” HMD Global CEO Arto Nummela told CNBC. “And then we thought, ‘OK, what the heck, let's have some fun and create this.’”
The original Nokia 3310 was beloved for many reasons: It entertained us with games like Snake II, came equipped with a stopwatch and calculator, and was impressively durable and long-lasting. For the most part, the new 3310—an Android device—is similar to its predecessor (there's even a new version of Snake), but with several key improvements. For example, the phone now has 22 hours of talk time—10 times more than the original—and its battery lasts a whole month on standby mode. The device also has a tiny, 2-megapixel camera, and a thinner, rounder design. You can purchase it in the original midnight blue and grey color schemes, or opt for a bright red, yellow, or grey phone. (Sorry, you can’t swap the case with one you purchased from a mall kiosk.)
What the Nokia 3310 isn't is a smartphone. It’s 2.5G, so you can technically get online, but if you’re obsessed with apps and social media, it likely isn’t the phone for you. On the other hand, it may be your best friend if you’re looking to disconnect from the digital landscape but don’t want to forsake the convenience of owning a mobile device.
The new Nokia 3310 is priced at around $50, and is slated for release later this year. Get an up-close look at the revamped device below.
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