The Nokia 3310 will forever be lovingly remembered, not only as some people’s first cell phone but also for the fact that it was a near-indestructible piece of technology - the very antitheses of today’s smartphones, many of which smash far too easily. But it seems that a rebooted version of Nokia’s classic handset is on its way, and will be announced at Mobile World Congress in a couple of weeks.
Back in December, it was reported that the first Nokia-branded smartphones running Android would arrive in the first half of this year, the result of Finnish company HMD Global Oy's licensing deal that gives it exclusive rights to the Nokia name for the next decade.
Now, VentureBeat’s reliable leaker, Evan Blass, says HMD will launch four Nokia handsets at the company’s press event on February 26. In addition to the Nokia 6, which is already available in China, the Nokia 5, and the Nokia 3, a modern version of the classic 3310 will be unveiled.
The updated handset will reportedly cost just €59 (around $63). Its functionality will be limited, but the extra-long battery life, cheapness, and ruggedness could see it become a popular emergency backup phone, especially among retro fans.
The other Nokia devices on show are aimed at the lower to mid-range end of the market. They all run Android 7.0 and will cost from €150 up to €250 for the Nokia 6 ($160 to $266).
The new 3310 is being primarily targeted at European consumers; no word on when or if it will come to the US. But should it prove successful on launch, expect to enjoy games of Snake on an homage to the toughest phone of all time soon enough.
