The new Nokia 3310 wasn’t a one off. We now have the second installment in what HMD (the agency that produces Nokia branded smartphones) is looking the ‘Nokia Originals’ sequence. 

Say howdy to the very yellow (but additionally accessible in black) Nokia 8110 4G, which launched alongside quite a few Android smartphones from the model at MWC 2018.

It takes its title and inspiration from the traditional slider which shot to stardom within the 1999 blockbuster The Matrix, though within the movie the slider was modified to be spring loaded. 

Sadly there is not any Hollywood makeover right here, and you will have to manually pull the keypad cowl down similar to we needed to when the unique 8110 launched in 1996.

HMD says the brand new 3310 was its finest promoting function telephone in Europe in 2017, proving the Nokia Originals endeavour is greater than a easy advertising and marketing gimmick that performs on nostalgia. 

So can lightning strike twice with this second nostalgic blast? We’re not so positive.

Take a look at our transient video arms on with the Nokia 8110 4G under

Nokia 8110 4G launch date and worth

It is a function telephone, which suggests the Nokia 8110 worth is a good €79 (round £70, $100, AU$120).

That’s, nevertheless, costlier than the 3310 reboot. There are a few causes for this.

Firstly the design is extra pricey, with a particular banana-like curve to the handset and the sliding part.

Secondly, it packs 4G connectivity, giving the 8110 extra scope for options and apps.

You should have slightly little bit of a wait to get your arms on one although, because the Nokia 8110 4G launch date is about for Could. 

Design and show

The unique 8110 wasn’t nicknamed the banana telephone for nothing. Like its predecessor, the brand new Nokia 8110 4G has an apparent curvature to its physique, permitting the microphone and earpiece to sit down snugly in opposition to your face when taking a name.

It sits much less properly within the pocket although, with the chunky design and bend inflicting issues when making an attempt to slip it into skinny denims. Much more forgiving pockets do not fully clear up the consolation situation. Perhaps there is a purpose this design did not catch on extra…

The plastic physique is strong, so it ought to be capable to rise up to a couple knocks, however it’s the sliding keypad cowl which has stolen our coronary heart slightly. 

Certain, it is a bit of a gimmick, however there’s something deeply satisfying when sliding the duvet up and down. The clicking it makes because it docks and undocks from under the display and the graceful sweeping movement as you run it up and down its tracks is nearly hypnotic. 

A pleasant contact is that the duvet wakes the display when slid down, and turns it off while you return it to its closed place. 

You may nonetheless illuminate the display with the duvet up, by urgent the facility key on the proper aspect of the handset, however you will not be capable to really use the telephone. 

That is as a result of the two.Four-inch QVGA (160 x 120) show is not contact delicate and all of your navigation keys are hidden beneath the duvet. 

The display is okay for studying textual content and viewing primary pictures and video games, however you will not be having fun with artworks or motion pictures on this telephone. 

As we have already alluded to, the Nokia 8110 4G comes on black and an especially vibrant ‘banana yellow’. 

It additionally includes a headphone jack and FM radio app, together with 4GB of storage, permitting you to take heed to music with a set of headphones.

Nokia 8110 4G arms on galllery

Digicam and battery

The Nokia 8110 4G does function a digital camera, however it’s a primary as they get today. 

A 2MP snapper adorns the rear of the telephone together with a single LED flash, a function the unique did not have, and there is not any entrance going through possibility. 

It is actually solely good for the very occasional snap, and also you’re restricted in what you are able to do along with your photos after taking them when it comes to social sharing and sending, due to the essential function set.

The place the Nokia 8110 4G will shine is battery life, and HMD claims the 1,500mAh energy pack contained in the handset is sweet for as much as 25 days on standby. 

It additionally says you may make an eight.5 hour LTE voice name on a single cost, though that looks like an terrible very long time for one name. Would not you run out of issues to say?

Anyway, due to its lengthy battery life the 8110 4G can invoice itself as a competition or emergency telephone, as you do not have to fret about consistently charging it (which is completed by way of a microUSB port). 

Efficiency and interface

It will come as no shock that the Nokia 8110 4G is not packed to the rafters with energy. As an alternative you get a Qualcomm 205 chipset and simply 512MB of RAM. 

That is all that is required to run the essential function telephone OS although, and the up to date model of Snake that debuted on the rebooted 3310 performs simply advantageous right here as properly.

The fascinating half is what the addition of 4G connectivity can do for a easy handset like this. 

HMD says that it expects to have a wealthy app ecosystem for the 8110 4G within the coming months, though for now the one confirmed apps are Fb, Twitter, Google Maps and Google Assistant.

The improved high quality and velocity of the information community signifies that apps can do extra, offering options the brand new 3310 may solely dream of. It isn’t clear what these can be, however it’s one thing to maintain and eye on when you’re contemplating a low-cost second telephone. 

You can too harness the improved information connection on your different units, making the 8110 4G right into a WiFi hotspot so you’ll be able to join your telephone, pill or laptop computer to it. 

Early verdict

The Nokia 8110 4G is a little bit of enjoyable. It takes a playful traditional and brings it updated, however it does really feel slightly overpriced. 

Its rebooted 3310 sibling is cheaper, and if HMD supplied the 4G model globally it may have the identical potential because the 8110 in a extra person pleasant design. 

That mentioned, for these in search of a second handset, or an emergency machine the 8110 4G provides one thing totally different with out breaking the financial institution. 

MWC (Cellular World Congress) is the world’s largest exhibition for the cell trade, stuffed filled with the latest telephones, tablets, wearables and extra. TechSwitch is reporting stay from Barcelona all week to carry you the very newest from the present ground. Head to our devoted MWC 2018 hub to see all the brand new releases, together with TechSwitch’s world-class evaluation and shopping for recommendation about your subsequent telephone.