Nokia 3210: Nostalgia reimagined for 2024
HMD Global Nokia 3210 for 2024. Picture: Noel Campion.
Celebrating a milestone anniversary, the Nokia 3210 marks its 25th year with a modern twist. This beloved mobile phone, now refreshed for 2024, still holds a special place in my heart, as it marked a golden era of mobile phones, especially for fans of the Nokia brand. HMD Global has re-released this classic âdumb phoneâ, updated yet retaining its iconic charm.
Picking up the Nokia 3210 is a trip down memory lane. Weighing just 88 grams, itâs impressively lightweight and compact. The back cover is removable, and you get a USB-C instead of the original barrel-style charge port.
Available in three coloursâScuba Blue, Grunge Black, and Y2K Goldâthis phone is as much about nostalgia as it is about utility. The design is a faithful nod to its predecessor, with a modern twist. Of course, the fantastic plastic body is prone to scratches, especially the front, which protects the display.
The Nokia 3210's packaging is a throwback to the days when unboxing was straightforward. Inside, youâll find the phone itself, a power adapter (something thatâs increasingly rare with todayâs high-end smartphones), and a quick start guide.
The updated Nokia 3210 features a 2.4-inch TFT screen, a significant upgrade from the original's monochrome display. The full-colour screen is vibrant, making the simple S30+ OS look lively.
Navigating the interface brings back memories, yet it's intuitive enough for todayâs standards. The phoneâs simplicity is its strength. It is marketed as a perfect device for a digital detox, so no social media apps are installed, but you can access them via the pre-installed Opera mini browser. However, the experience of getting logged onto any social platform via the stripped-back browser isnât worth the effort. The same is true of general browsing, too â it reminds me of how dull the internet was 25 years ago compared to today's rich experience that begs to grab your attention while robbing you of your precious time.
Customisation is limited but adequate for a phone designed to be dumb. You can change the wallpaper from a selection of pre-installed backgrounds or use a photo from the camera roll.
The connectivity options include 4G support but no Wi-Fi, requiring a SIM card for internet access. Itâs a stark reminder of how weâve grown used to constant, high-speed internet access. You have dual SIM slots and an additional slot above SIM1 for a microSD card, providing extra storage.
The Nokia 3210 includes essential apps for basic functionality, such as making calls and sending texts, yet when I inserted my SIM card, I noticed that none of my contacts were present. This also means that without pre-saved contacts, you wonât be able to identify callers unless you can recognise their numbers. You can manually input contacts or save them as you receive calls.
Interestingly, the call app features call recording. The recordings are saved to the internal memory and can be played back later.
The app selection is sparse, focusing on essential functions rather than entertainment. However, Snake is back, the classic game we all wasted countless hours on. Itâs still as addictive as ever, providing a delightful escape from the complexities of modern mobile gaming. There are a few other games, like Crossy Roads, but you only get to play them a few times before you have to buy them to continue playing.
The Nokia 3210 can also function as an MP3 player. It includes a headphone jack and Bluetooth 5 support. With 128MB, yes, megabytes of internal storage, thereâs not much memory left for anything else â I had a little over 11MB free. It is expandable via microSD up to 32GB. However, not all music file types are supported, only MP3.
The FM radio feature adds another layer of old-school charm. Youâll need a pair of wired earphones, which act as the aerial.
The 2024 Nokia 3210 sports a 2-megapixel rear camera with a flash. While it wonât replace your smartphone camera, it can capture almost acceptable snapshots in good light. Selfies were not a thing 25 years ago, and thereâs no front-facing camera in this 2024 edition.
The camera app includes essential editing tools and filters, allowing you to get creative with your photos. Video recording is also possible, but donât expect high-definition quality here. Unless youâve got a microSD card onboard, you wonât be able to take many photos or videos before the internal storage runs out.
The Nokia 3210 shines in battery life. Its 1450mAh battery offers up to 10 hours of talk time or nearly a week of use. And, of course, just like the original, the battery is user-removable and replaceable. There are also battery optimisations, including power saving mode and limiting charging to 80% capacity to reduce battery ageing.
For those who remember the original and have fond memories, youâll find the nostalgia wears off, and youâll be glad you still have a smartphone. However, the Nokia 3210, 2024 Edition, is a delightful blend of nostalgia and practicality for those looking for a dumb secondary phone, a festival companion, or a digital detox device. If youâre looking for a break from the relentless pace of modern technology, the Nokia 3210 offers a charming retreat.
HMD Glabal Nokia 3210 âŹ80 HMD Global
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