Nokia 3210 (2024) Offers Digital Detox, 25 Years After the Original

HMD has announced the launch of the new Nokia 3210 (2024), its latest in a long line of reimagined classic Nokia phones. The iconic original Nokia 3210 was launched in 1999, and was one of the earliest cellular phones to prioritise design for the mass market rather than professional business users. It was seen as sleek and futuristic at the time, and its most notable feature was its lack of a protruding antenna. Swappable front and rear colour covers, games (including the original Snake), and picture messages made this phone incredibly popular with younger buyers.

Reviving the Nokia 3210 name, HMD, which currently holds the rights to Nokia’s brand name and legacy products is targeting the same audience, though for a different reason now. The company points out that basic feature phones are gaining popularity in developed markets where people are feeling fatigued by their smartphones and the pressures of being constantly online. HMD thinks people, particularly in the 16-24 age range, are looking for a “digital detox” from apps and services while still being able to be reachable. 

To appeal to older buyers, HMD is also pitching this phone as a Y2K-era throwback. While the phone will be marketed as helping people stay free of apps, the company has also stated that smart features such as news and weather updates, videos, and games will be supported through a Cloud Apps service in India and some other countries in Africa, the Middle East, and Asia Pacific.  

The new Nokia 3210 carries forward the original’s general design, with a slightly bulging upper half. It has been updated with current-day specifications, though still offers only basic functionality, such as a 2-megapixel rear-facing camera, 4G network connectivity, and Bluetooth 5.0. The phone runs on a Unisoc T107 processor with 64MB of RAM and 128MB of internal storage. MicroSD card support goes up to 32GB. There’s a 2.4-inch QVGA (320x240 pixel) colour LCD screen, and a removable 1450mAh battery that’s rated for 9.8 hours of talktime. You also get support for MP3 files and FM radio reception, and there’s a 3.5mm audio jack. 

The Nokia 3210 (2024) runs HMD’s S30+ operating system, and yes, there’s a Snake game. It’s available in Y2K Gold, Scuba Blue, and Grunge Black, and there’s no word yet on aftermarket colour covers. It is priced at EUR 79.99/ GBP 74.99 (approximately Rs. 7166 - 7,810 before taxes). Official pricing and availability for India have not yet been confirmed. Interestingly, the phone appears in a listing on HMD’s India website with only the Blue and Gold colour options shown, but clicking on it leads to an error page at present, possibly hinting at a launch here very soon.

HMD has previously revived the classic Nokia 3310, 8110, 5310, 6300, 8210, and 2720 Flip, and continues to sell featurephones such as the popular Nokia 105, 110, 150, and 215 for entry-level users. The company recently unveiled its first non-Nokia branded smartphones, under its own name, and is expected to launch those in India soon.