Fun Fridays: The Indestructible Icon: Remembering the Nokia 3310
- Tony Fortunato
- May 16
- 2 min read
In the early 2000s, before the rise of smartphones, one mobile phone reigned supreme — the Nokia 3310. Launched in 2000, it quickly became a cultural phenomenon, celebrated for its durability, long battery life, and no-nonsense design. It was the kind of phone that could survive being dropped, stepped on, or even launched across a room — and still function like new. For millions of users, it was their first mobile phone, and it left a lasting impression that modern smartphones haven’t quite replicated.
The 3310 wasn’t flashy, but it was highly reliable. With its simple monochrome screen, tactile keypad, and a battery that could last up to a week on a single charge, it offered everything users needed at the time: calling, texting, and a few fun extras. Among its most memorable features was the game Snake II, which became a global pastime and helped define early mobile gaming. Its customizable covers also gave users a chance to personalize their phones long before apps and wallpapers became the norm.
Today, the Nokia 3310 is remembered fondly and even revived in a 2017 modern version with updated features and color screens. But for tech enthusiasts and nostalgic users alike, the original 3310 stands as a symbol of simpler times — when phones were tough, batteries didn’t need daily charging, and the biggest concern was beating your high score in Snake.
Trivia About the Nokia 3310:
Over 126 million units of the Nokia 3310 were sold worldwide, making it one of the best-selling phones of all time.
The phone was so durable that it inspired countless internet memes about its "indestructibility."
Its battery could last up to 260 hours on standby — over 10 days.
The 3310 included four pre-installed games: Snake II, Pairs II, Space Impact, and Bantumi.
Nokia released a 3G-capable remake of the 3310 in 2017, targeting nostalgia-driven consumers with a modern twist.
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