Sentimental Sundays - Nokia 3310
- Tony Fortunato
- Apr 20
- 2 min read
The Nokia 3310, first introduced in 2000, quickly became a cultural icon due to its simplicity, durability, and unmatched battery life. With over 126 million units sold worldwide, it stood out in a crowded market with its robust build and long-lasting battery, capable of 55 hours of talk time and up to 245 hours of standby time. The phone's design was minimalist, featuring an 84 × 48 pixel pure monochrome display and a sturdy frame that could withstand significant wear and tear. Its popularity was not just limited to its practical features; it also offered a range of utilities such as a calculator, network monitor, stopwatch, and reminder function, along with four built-in games, including the iconic Snake II.
In 2017, Nokia reintroduced the 3310, incorporating modern elements while retaining the classic design that fans loved. The new version featured a 2.4-inch color display, a 2-megapixel rear camera, and a microSD slot, making it a blend of nostalgia and contemporary functionality. However, the rebooted model faced criticism for being less of a throwback to the original and more of a sleek, modern device. Despite this, it still offered impressive battery life and the return of the beloved Snake game, appealing to those who wanted a simpler, more straightforward mobile experience. The new Nokia 3310 came in four distinct colors: Warm Red and Yellow with a gloss finish, and Dark Blue and Grey with a matte finish, catering to a variety of personal preferences.
Some trivia about the Nokia 3310 includes its impressive durability, which earned it the nickname "The Unbreakable" in Finland, where it was chosen as one of the country's national emojis. The phone's battery life was legendary, with the original model boasting up to 245 hours of standby time, far surpassing the battery life of modern smartphones. Additionally, the 3310 was one of the first phones to allow users to compose their own ringtones through a built-in app called "the composer," which provided a list of options for each key press. The phone also featured a messaging character limit of 459 characters, three times the standard limit of 160 characters at the time, making it a standout feature for SMS enthusiasts.
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