Nokia Resurrecting Its Iconic, Unbreakable 3310 ‘Brick’ Phone

February 17, 2017 5:00 am
JAPAN - FEBRUARY 15:  Launched on the 1st September 2000, the Nokia 3310 featured advanced messaging, personalisation with Xpress-on covers and screensavers, vibra feature, time management functions, voice dialling, picture messaging, predictive text input and games. It also introduced �mobile chat� using the Nokia Friends-Talk service, which allows users to have conversations using SMS (Short Message Service). This is a globally accepted wireless service that enables the transmission of messages between mobile users and external systems such as e-mail, paging, and voice-mail.  (Photo by SSPL/Getty Images)
JAPAN - FEBRUARY 15: Launched on the 1st September 2000, the Nokia 3310 featured advanced messaging, personalisation with Xpress-on covers and screensavers, vibra feature, time management functions, voice dialling, picture messaging, predictive text input and games. It also introduced �mobile chat� using the Nokia Friends-Talk service, which allows users to have conversations using SMS (Short Message Service). This is a globally accepted wireless service that enables the transmission of messages between mobile users and external systems such as e-mail, paging, and voice-mail. (Photo by SSPL/Getty Images)
Nokia 3310
Launched on the 1st September 2000, the Nokia 3310 featured advanced messaging, personalization with Xpress-on covers and screensavers, vibra feature, time management functions, voice dialling, picture messaging, predictive text input and games. (SSPL/Getty Images)

 

The Nokia 3310 “brick” is back.

The primitive mobile phone with supernatural strength never really disappeared, despite “retiring” in 2005 after reportedly selling some 126 million units. But avid users of the indestructible phone refused to power down, noting the convenience of the long-lasting battery and a screen that doesn’t easily shatter. Now, the rest of the world is gearing up for the “Chuck Norris” of cell phones to return to shelves.

VentureBeat, citing an anonymous source, was first to report that HMD Global Oy—the company who owns Nokia brand rights—will release a “modern version” of the “classic workhorse” later in the month for a little more than $60.

An HMD Global spokeswoman told NPR the company does “not comment on rumors or speculation,” but we already have our hopes up.

 

—RealClearLife Staff

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