Dumbing it down: 3G version of Nokia 3310 coming to the U.S. for $60
When Nokia earlier this year unveiled the revamped 3310, a reimagining of the classic candybar phone from the turn of the century, fans of the venerable brand waited with anticipation for its release. However, nostalgic North Americans were disappointed to learn that HMD Global, the company that now licenses the Nokia brand on their own devices, would not be selling the phone overseas. That changes today; a new 3G version of the Nokia 3310 is now available for pre-order in the United States via Best Buy.
The 3310 is an updated version of the classic Nokia phone with which it shares a name. Many adults have fond memories using the older device (which was several people’s first mobile phone) to call friends, send simple texts, and play a round or two of Snake. The new Nokia 3310, released earlier this year by HMD Global, tries to reclaim that nostalgic feel by reimagining the design, but there are a few (somewhat) modern features. The original release supported 2G networks only, allowing for very limited web browsing and internet connectivity. However, the version coming to the States has been updated and will be compatible with 3G GSM networks, like those offered by AT&T and T-Mobile (sorry, Verizon and Sprint customers).
Don’t expect the 3310 to offer anything close to the experience of a modern-day smartphone. The operating system is incredibly basic and has more in common with flip phones from the mid-aughts than the Android- and iOS-powered smartphones of today. This is a basic, or “dumb,” phone in every sense of the word, with calling and simple SMS texting (read: no emojis) being the main functions. Web browsing is absolutely barebones, and while there are some features like an email client, they are also minimal in nature and may take some adjustment. But hey, there’s an updated version of Snake, and it’s in full color, too!
The Nokia 3310 is available for pre-order through Best Buy now and is available in Azure (blue), Charcoal (black/gray), Warm Red, and Yellow. The phone can be had for a penny short of USD $60 and will be officially launched on October 29th.
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