It’s happening. The icon of the 2000s – Nokia 3310 – is actually going to make a debut in Malaysia, if leaked information from Mdroid.my is accurate. The re-imagined piece of nostalgia made a show-stealing appearance at MWC17, and it looks like it isn’t vapour-ware after all.
[UPDATE] HMD Global has officially launched the Nokia 3310, retailing at MYR239. Available starting first week of June 2017. Available in Warm Red and Yellow (gloss), and Dark Blue and Grey (matte). The Finnish “New Home of Nokia” also introduced the Nokia 3, Nokia 5 and Nokia 6 to the Malaysian market.
Millennials will go “WTF?” but for those who grew up with the hardy brick, it’s one acid trip down memory lane.
It looks familiar, without a doubt, but injected with more modern lines. It’s shed much of its bulk and weight, yet still looks unmistakably like the original.
We used to joke about the 3310’s tank-like build, “you can throw it at a dog and the dog will die” The new one isn’t quite as robust, and feels unassumingly light.
Retro cool?
Old is gold, as they say. However, Nokia did throw in some modern enhancements to its much-loved retro icon.
Firstly, out goes the monochrome display – replaced with a QVGA panel measuring 2.4 inches. Microscopic by today’s standards, but hey, enough to enjoy Snake on.
Talking about Snake, there’s a new version, so you’ll never be bored waiting on your internet connection.
Nostalgia taken too far?
And wait you may have to do a fair bit. While Nokia took the liberty to modernise its old champion, it didn’t think it was worth to upgrade its radio. The 3310 is 2G only. IKR, but really no kidding. No 3G. Not even 2.5G.
So, if you’re in countries like Singapore, Australia and Japan, you’ll be carrying a paper weight. As you may be aware, growing number of countries have shut or are shutting down their old 2G networks to make way for more modern 3G and 4G ones. Incidentally, as I reported in an earlier post, the 3310 alongside other 2G devices, are banned in Singapore.
Disappointingly, there’s also no Wi-Fi although you do get Bluetooth, FM radio and surprise, surprise, a 2MP camera with LED flash. Built-in storage is 16MB, with an option to upgrade via microSD (up to 32GB).
The removable (yay!) Li-Ion 1200mAh battery gives you a talk time of 22 hours, and a standby time of 31 days.
One glaring omission in the 2017 Nokia 3310 is the lack of interchangeable covers. You do get a choice of colours – Warm Red, Dark Blue, Yellow and Grey.
The comeback kid
It is unclear when the Nokia 3310 will hit officially the Malaysian market, but it shouldn’t be long. And btw, Nokia is expected to introduce the mid-range Android-powered Nokia 6, too. Allegedly priced at MYR1,299.
So, what do you think? Are you ready for a throwback?
For more info, visit the official Nokia 3310 product page.
Source: Mdroid via Soyacincau
