HMD Global is capitalising on the growing “dumb phone” trend by reintroducing a beloved phone that was ubiquitous 25 years ago. While HMD has recently launched a range of mid-tier smartphones, it hasn’t abandoned its penchant for Nokia nostalgia.
This “dumb phone” trend has sparked numerous nostalgic products, often seeming like marketing ploys. One example is the Boring Phone, a collaboration between Heineken and Bodega, showcased at Milan Design Week. Despite its transparent shell and large buttons, it featured an unattractive puke green screen reminiscent of Heineken’s branding. Aimed at “zillennials” (caught between Gen Z and millennials), it targets those weary of social media and multifunctional devices.
A Blend of Nostalgia and Modern Design
Originally released in 1999, the Nokia 3210 became a household staple, with seemingly everyone owning one at the time. HMD hinted on X (formerly Twitter) about reviving a classic Nokia phone, and now, the iconic 3210 has made a return.
The new Nokia 3210, officially launched on May 8 and available for purchase since May 15, sports a more colourful design than the original’s utilitarian grey. While the new design doesn’t replicate the original exactly, it bears a closer resemblance to the early 2000s Nokia 3310. Notable colour options include cyan and yellow, and the updated model features some modern enhancements to appeal to today’s users.
A Reimagined Nokia 3210
Leaked specifications reveal a 2.4-inch QVGA colour screen, a significant upgrade from the original’s 1.5-inch monochrome display. Additionally, it features a 2MP f/2.8 camera capable of shooting 720p video. The device also runs on the S30+ operating system with Cloud Apps support, powered by a Unisoc T107 chipset, 64MB RAM, and 128MB storage expandable up to 32GB via a microSD card slot.
Despite these upgrades, the 3210’s battery life won’t match the legendary endurance of the original, but the 1,450 mAh battery should still provide ample longevity. And crucially, HMD has confirmed that the classic game Snake will be included.
Why Was the Nokia 3210 So Popular?
This isn’t HMD’s first venture into resurrecting popular Nokia models. They’ve recently released a series of tributes to early 2000s candybar phones. Yet, the Nokia 3210 holds a unique place in the hearts of many. Celebrating its 25th anniversary last March 18, the 3210 hails from a period when Nokia dominated the mobile phone market – it really was the iPhone of its time.
The 3210’s primary functions were calling, texting, playing Snake, and enduring weeks on a single charge. It was also among the first mainstream phones to eliminate the external antenna. Its design, influenced by Casio G-Shock watches and the Sony Walkman, was utilitarian yet stylish.
HMD’s modern remake may not be a precise replica, but it serves as a fond reminder of a simpler time before the advent of endless doom scrolling.
