Rediscovering the Nokia 3210: A Journey Back to the ’90s
If you were a phone-buying age in 1999, chances are you came across the Nokia 3210. This iconic brick of a mobile device was the epitome of social status, instant communication, and the addictive game Snake. Now, in the era of dumbphones and TikTok’s obsession with the ’00s, HMD and Nokia have resurrected the Nokia 3210, complete with a few modern updates. The new version boasts Bluetooth, 4G connectivity, a USB-C charger, a 2-megapixel camera, and a 2.4-inch screen. While undeniably gimmicky and priced at £74.99, this nostalgic revival has struck a chord with many.
For some, it was actually the Nokia 3310, which replaced the 3210 in 2000, that left a lasting impact. The reboot of the Nokia 3310 in 2017 caused quite a stir, leading Mashable’s senior editor Stan Schroeder to ditch his smartphone for a week. Nokia is capitalizing on Y2K nostalgia with these reboots, offering colors like “Y2K Gold” and “Grunge Black.”
The throwback joy of using the Nokia 3210 masks the reality of how much we appreciate our smartphones today. Technological advancements over the past 25 years have put a literal computer in our hands. This article is not a review of the phone but rather a ’90s kid reconnecting with a reboot and reliving memories of Impulse Spice and suppressed nostalgia.
Here are five things that took us straight back to our ’90s selves with the Nokia 3210:
1. I’m still terrible at Snake: The first thing that comes to mind with the Nokia 3210 is whether it has Snake. Well, it does! The updated version of the game serves as a reminder that some things never change, and our Snake skills are still subpar.
2. Tactile texting brings back instant high school anxiety: As fast typists on smartphones, we may have gotten used to speedy texting. However, the Nokia 3210’s raised, tactile buttons and predictive text take us back to a time when each word had to be carefully selected. It’s a different beast altogether, and it feels like regressing into a tween freakout mode.
3. The phone actually fits in your pocket: Remember when phones fit comfortably in your pocket? The Nokia 3210’s dimensions of 122 millimeters by 52 millimeters make it compact enough to fit in jeans pockets. Carrying it around feels slightly nostalgic, like having a burner phone.
4. The camera is low key: With its 2-megapixel camera and 2.4-inch screen, the Nokia 3210’s camera experience is reminiscent of the Game Boy Camera. While it may not offer the best photo quality or storage capacity (only 128 MB), it adds to the overall nostalgia factor.
5. You can play the radio on it: The Nokia 3210 also features a radio function, which is a rarity on modern smartphones. For radio enthusiasts, this is a welcome feature that takes them back to the days of tuning in to their favorite stations. It even supports MP3s, adding to the nostalgia trip.
After spending a week with the rebooted Nokia 3210, it’s clear that while it serves as a sweet reminder of an old mobile, it cannot replace our smartphones. We rely on apps like Maps, Spotify, and WhatsApp for everyday functionality. Although the Nokia 3210 does have internet access through Opera Mini, it can be quite challenging to connect reliably. Ultimately, this reboot is a testament to the power of nostalgia as a marketing tool, but it cannot compete with the capabilities and convenience of modern smartphones.
