Nokia 3310 is a modern take on a classic phone

It was considered indestructible, the battery lasted an entire week on a single charge, and it was an epitome of simplicity. The Nokia 3310 was the first mobile phone that many used, and it is perhaps the only phone which can bring back a wave of nostalgia, a reminder of the simpler days where communication requirements superseded all other smartness aspects. HMD Global, the Finnish phone maker, which now has the license for making Nokia phones, has answered the wishes of many—the 3310 is back.

The reboot of the 3310 is all about going back to the basics. It is still a feature phone, and not a smartphone. It still runs the Series 30 software, has a 2.4-inch polarized curved display, a 2-megapixel camera and a microSD slot. It only offers limited internet capabilities—it works on 2.5G networks, and not 3G or 4G. Opera Mini web browser is preloaded on the 3310, for basic web browsing.

The real selling point remains the battery life. HMD Global claims that the standby time on the Nokia 3310 is 31 days, and talk time of 22 hours. That sort of battery life is unprecedented in the age of smartphones—but then again, you won’t be wasting the battery charge on Facebook or Twitter. But before you worry, the Snake game is still very much around.

That is where the links to the past pretty much end. Unlike the brick-like solidity of the older 3310, the modern avatar is slimmer, lighter and slightly more compact. And it has a more colourful persona as well, including yellow and red colour options. There is the glossy finish, as well as the less shiny matte colours too. But giving credit where it is due, HMD Global has given it a very distinct design, and it is instantly recognizable as a Nokia phone.

HMD Global says that the new Nokia 3310 will be available in Q2, with a price tag of $52.