The unthinkable has happened. In February it was confirmed the iconic
Design - Retro But Updated
Take one look at the new Nokia 3310 and you’ll see how it remains largely faithful to the original handset. That said it has definitely hit the gym over the last 17 years:
- Nokia 3310 (2000) - 113 x 48 x 22mm, 133g
- Nokia 3310 (2017) - 115.6 x 51 x 12.8mm, 79.6g
Yes the 2017 model is a whopping 53g (1.87oz) lighter, despite being fractionally longer and wider. The big change is the thickness, which has been reduced by over 40%. There are also softer curves to the corners and more rounded buttons which give it a gentler look than the bullish original.
The 2017 Nokia 3310 retains the original’s removable back for direct access to the battery and it’s still a plastic chassis. From new you’ll have red, yellow, blue and grey options though expect endless customisation via official and third party covers.
Display - Bigger(ish) and Better(ish)
The new Nokia 3310 isn’t just dramatically thinner and lighter than its predecessor, it features a much bigger and better display as well:
- Nokia 3310 (2000) - 1.5-inch, 84 x 48 pixels, 65 ppi, monochrome LCD
- Nokia 3310 (2000) - 2.4-inch, 240 x 320 pixels, 167 ppi, colour LCD
The obvious caveat here is that this upgrade remains very low tech by today’s standard of jaw dropping monsters like the Galaxy S8 Plus, but that’s not the point. This is about producing a practical and useable phone and to this end the new Nokia also has a polarising layer so it should remain every bit as readable in bright sunlight as its monochrome predecessor.
Camera - A Step Up On Nothing
It’s easy to forget the original Nokia 3310 came from an era where most phones did not have cameras. Being 2017, the new Nokia 3310 has fixed that but it remains about as basic as you’re going to get.
Inside the new model you’ll find a 2MP rear camera with LED flash, basic video recording and no camera on the front (this phone isn’t targeting the self generation). Owners are unlikely to use it and, with these specifications, that’s probably a good move.
Connectivity - Still Dumb
We may be in an era of smartphones, but the new Nokia 3310 hasn’t forgotten its roots and - like like its predecessor - it is limited to 2G connectivity and there’s no WiFi, though you do get a few basic perks elsewhere:
- Nokia 3310 (2000) - Dual band GSM 900/1800MHz, proprietary Nokia power connector
- Nokia 3310 (2017) - Dual band GMS 900/1800MHz, Micro USB connector, Bluetooth 3.0, 3.5mm jack, microSD (cards up to 32GB), FM radio
Those put off by a lack of high speed mobile connectivity or even WiFi are missing the point of this phone. It’s designed to be a phone (you talk, you text) and nothing more.
Battery Life - The Big Pay-Off
When you give up so many power hungry features, there’s one major goal behind them: battery life. And here the new Nokia 3310 runs rings around every modern smartphone on the market:
- Nokia 3310 (2000) - 900mAh removable battery, 2.5 - 4 hours talk time, 55 hours standby
- Nokia 3310 (2017) - 1200mAh removable battery, 22 hours talk time, 31 days standby
Yes, the 2017 Nokia 3310 can last up to one month between charges, around 30x more than you’ll get out of your iPhone 7 and Galaxy S8. You’ll be able to go on a two week holiday and not even need to pack a charger, mindblowing by today’s high powered smartphone standards.
Also contributing to this is the Nokia 3310’s software. It runs Nokia’s Series 30+ platform rather than Android, and this minimalist operating system is purely for the basics and lightning fast. And it does indeed include a reworked version of Snake made by Gameloft.
Price and Availability - Pocket Change, Coming Soon
At around $169 in 2000, the original Nokia 3310 was not a cheap phone when you allow for inflation (circa $260 today) but whereas that phone made the best of the technologies available at the time the new model certainly does not. And that is good news for the price with Nokia charging just €49 ($52) for the 2017 version.
As for availability, the new Nokia 3310 is expected to go on sale in late April/early May. Remarkably there are no plans to release it in the US or Canada because both countries have switched off the 2G frequencies it uses, but should the phone prove a hit elsewhere in the world a variant could yet arrive.
Nokia's 3310 is a smart and respectful update to the classic original, but is its limited network... [+]
Early Verdict
Nokia (via HMD) has stayed true to the traditions of what made the original 3310 great. It hasn’t tried to reinvent it into a cutting edge Android smartphone, it has keep it compact, practical and extremely long lasting. And that price tag makes it tempting even for smartphone owners as a backup.
The only major misstep I see is the omission of globally usable phone frequencies. I realise that impacts battery life, but I’m sure a compromise of a week between charges would’ve been acceptable to most for a phone that could be used anywhere.
___
Follow Gordon on Twitter, Facebook and Google+
More On Forbes
Galaxy S8 Vs iPhone 7: What’s The Difference?
Galaxy S8 Vs Galaxy S8 Plus: What's The Difference?
Galaxy S8 Vs Galaxy S7: What's The Difference?
iPhone 7 Vs iPhone 7 Plus: What's The Difference?
iPad 9.7 (2017) Vs iPad Pro Vs iPad Air 2 Vs iPad Mini 4: What’s The Difference?
