MY PHONE HAS BUNGEE JUMPED A MILLION TIMES (Nokia 3310)

Member Name: Stroody

Product:	Nokia 3310
Date:	31/10/07 (789 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Durable - Cheap - Value for money - Does the basics superbly

Disadvantages: Lack of modern features

There are not many mobile phones on the market that can bungee jump out of your hand countless times , hit all kind of surfaces and still be in good working order. The old classic Nokia 3310 is a phone that simply cannot be killed off that easily. A dinosaur of a handset that is robust and durable. Yet despite its lack of features and technology this Nokia model continues to serve its purpose and does it very well. So for all you gadget freak people out there I advice you to stop reading now and move onto another review. For the Nokia 3310 may not be up there with modern technology such as Bluetooth ,camera , video recording ,colour screen not to mention all the other irrelevant features that most mobiles come with nowadays that we simply don’t need or use.

Who in the right mind would buy this phone now when there is so much more out there I hear you say- Yes, I agree. There is much better choice on the market when comparing it features but the Nokia 3310 which was well ahead of its time when it first came out still remains the most robust, basic and user friendly handset around and despite on the verge of extinction it still has plenty to offer. A phone that is reliable, affordable and serves its purpose - which is making and receiving calls as well as text messaging .This is what phones are all about.

I cannot understand those people that get all bothered and fussed over their mobile phones - get a life if you are so absorbed on what features your phone has. The important feature you should be worried about is the making & receiving calls. So this review is aimed at the consumer who is looking to buy a mobile phone that is fuss free, stylish , simplicity , user friendly , durable , cheap and more importantly does all the basics but does them very well indeed. - A solid and reliable handset. So without further ado lets all get a closer look at this classic antique that has managed to sell extremely well as well as being one of the most successful phones ever. - Proud owner of a Nokia 3310 mobile phone for three years now and I refuse to part with it. It beats the majority of modern handsets hands down and this is why this Nokia model hasn’t been traded in for an up-grade and nor will it ever. - I am simply not interested!!


[Company Name:] - Nokia

[Model Handset:] - Nokia 3310

[Network Frequency:] - GSM Dual band

[Price:] - Start Price £8.00 or as high as £25.00 - Hunt around.


•[Style & Features]•

Please ignore all those that haven`t a clue when they describe this Nokia model as a “BRICK” - You will hear this countless times when people talk about this phone. The Nokia 3310 is no brick I can tell you that now - those tiny mobile phones the size of a thimble are a waste of time. This handset is a good compact size - it’s not too big or too small. Its rounded contour shape is perfect whilst using, a size and design that when held in the palm of the hand is not so easy to dislodge. You can make & receive calls with confidence - knowing full well that a good firm grip on the handset is what this model offers. A feature that is worth boasting about these days, when compared to some of the more modern mobiles on the market - a basic essential that is needed yet so many lack. I don’t want to be talking on a phone that only allows me to use two of my fingers because the phone is too small not to mention struggling to keep my hand in place, and all because it comes with a camera. - All I can say to this, create your own trend don’t be following the trend.

A small minor negative this model has is the weight (133g) of the handset - the Nokia 3310 is somewhat heavy. Having said that I personally do not think the weight is neither a negative nor a problem whilst using the phone. On the contrary, the weight of the phone is its lifeline - As I mentioned in the opening paragraph this Nokia model cannot be killed off that easily. It is so hardy & robust that it can withstand a lot. I much prefer a strong and somewhat heavy phone that looks good than a light and hollow phone that once dropped on the floor there is instant damage. The Nokia 3310 can handle all forms of abuse and still be there when you need it - Reliable as ever. I am going to have to rub this is your noses a bit more so it sinks in. Do not dismiss this important quality in a phone - durability and robust are features that should be paramount when looking to purchase a mobile. Phones get dropped & smashed all the time what with our hectic schedules not to mention the clumsy accidents that seem to involve our handsets. - The Nokia 3310 can handle the rough treatment & not be fazed.

For all those mobile consumers that are always in seek of style & looks over substance then look no further. There is no mobile model/make out there that can match the Nokia 3310 on the versatility of designs and looks. The interchangeable covers allow you to customise your phone to how you want it to look - the flexibility is endless as there are thousands of different designs & images to pick from. So why opt for an expensive stylish phone when you can buy a good, cheap & affordable Nokia handset and style it how you see fit - Chorus coming in again & all because it doesn’t have a camera. lol

The non-colour mobile screen (84x48 pixels) is a fraction of the size when compared to some of the more modern handsets. However, the display size is sufficient and big enough when reading and sending text messages as well as reading other sources of information relayed on the screen. A screen that also displays a clear image when dialling digits - easily readable and user-friendly. No need to worry about fancy icons or coloured screensavers creating a distraction here. The Nokia 3310 fascia style and keypad buttons have been designed so the handset can be easily operated with restricted hand movement. - Phone held in the palm of the hand whilst operating buttons with the thumb. Making navigation easy, responsive and quick.

[A quick re-cap on the external features of the Nokia 3310:]

•Style & Looks:Handset looks good
•Weight: - 133g - Somewhat heavy
•Display Screen Size: - 84x48 Pixels - Big enough.
•Keypad: - Stylish & user friendly.
•Display Colour: - Black & White

Having looked closely at the external features of this Nokia model and as a regular user of this phone I can gladly say that I am a satisfied customer with the overall image of the handset. The simplicity of the design, shape & keypad makes this phone so user friendly and a pleasure to use.


•[Nokia 3310: Internal Features]•

Like all mobile handsets not all the features are revealed visually - Behind the fascia of your phone lays much technology that we either hate or embrace. The Nokia 3310 is no different. But what is different about this model is that the limited technology it does have will not intimidate the user - instead you will get to grips with this phone fairly quickly. You will be able to navigate the handset with ease and confidence and it won’t be too long before you fully understand how all the features on your phone work. How many mobile owners out there can say they fully understand how their cell phone operates? - Not many I bet - all those features going to waste & all because the phone has a camera lol.

The dual band Nokia 3310 comes equipped with utilities such as:

•Calculator
•Stop Watch
•Basic games (4)
•Voice Dialling
•Quick Dialling
•Text Messaging & Picture messaging
•Ring tones
•Animated Screen Savers
•Vibration Alert.
•Reminder Function
•Phonebook

Despite the lack of advanced features this handset has, the basic features it does have are still very useful & handy and at some point, when need be, can easily be put into practice. Any electronic dummy can operate this mobile phone and aided with good menu button makes navigation quick & easy - taking you straight to the source you wish to operate.

Text messaging is huge now and the 3310 is made for messaging its that easy to operate. So regardless of the limited memory this handset has - One can only store 10 text messages at a time and use no more than 450 characters on one text message. The small memory it provides is no obstacle for me when receiving, sending & storing texts. I find that 450 characters is more than enough to say what I have to say , most of my text messages are short, sweet and straight to the point - not forgetting that most text words nowadays are abbreviated.

[Example:]

•Before - b4
•Mate - m8
•Straight - str8
•Love - Luv
•Tomorrow -2moro
•You - U

As for only being able to store 10 text messages at a time, more than enough I feel and besides most of my text messages get deleted after being read, the odd one or two may be stored for a while but that’s it. The inbox needs a good clean up and these modern handsets make you lazy by allowing you all this storage space. By putting a restriction on the amount of text messages you can store, it gives me a better and more organised control over my phone and I also find it’s safer. Text messages are meant to be private and can reveal much about you - lose your phone with say 20 plus stored messages and then it falls into the wrong hands the consequences could be bad. So the text format for this model suits my needs and easily meets my criteria when using. These are factors that one should be looking at when purchasing a phone - a phone that suits your needs and lifestyle as well as how practical are the features. Will you benefit from them or not?

So to sum up the overall external and internal features of the Nokia 3310 I would have say there is absolutely nothing wrong with this handset no matter how ancient some of you may think it is. It does the basics but does them very well. It cannot be that bad if people are still using this phone. - A good mobile that is reliable and dam easy to use.


•[Battery Life/Reception/Charger]•

The Nokia 3310 GSM phone has a lithium ion battery - a battery that holds the charge well and I can easily go two or three whole days without having to charge my phone. It uses up far less memory than the modern handsets due to the less features it has therefore less strain is put on the battery life. Equipped with a mains charger the handsets life is soon replenished when needs be - charging your phone either at home or in your car. The mobile display screen clearly shows the battery life & reception signal at all times - visible to the user and all formatted in a basic & friendly way. My reception signal is superb, I am with Orange and for me they are the best network company when it comes to picking up strong signals throughout the UK - reception problems are virtually non-existent.

However, if you do feel that the battery life is depleting quickly when using your phone then buying a new lithium ion battery is relatively cheap for this Nokia model. I have yet to change mine but knowing they are available at low-cost gives me peace of mind. Talk time is up to 2h 30 mins - 4h 30 mins


•[I am a Phone Gadget Freak]•

This little bit of insight is for all those consumers that may have got to this point of the review and still would like to know if the Nokia 3310 has the following features: The Nokia 3310 DOES NOT have the following features so take note:

•Integrated Camera
•Bluetooth
•Internet Browser
•WAP
•GPRS
•Fax Data Transmissions
•Infra Red
•Java Technology
•Email
•Downloadable Games
•Video Recording

The above features is more than enough to me off any phone that is why I like my basic Nokia 3310 - Simplicity yet an effective handset. I don’t need any of the above features to be able to make & receive calls as well as text messaging and in doing so I never experience any problems whilst using my handset not matter now old this model is.


•[Value For Money]•

Oh gosh yes - YES!

I am very familiar with the modern & latest handsets that are equipped with all this modern technology hence the more reason why I appreciate and treasure this basic Nokia model. The 3310 is more than value for money and after three years of use and constant nagging from my girlfriend to up-grade to a newer model I refuse to part with it. It’s affordable, durable and such a reliable handset - a handset that has a sound history unlike many of the newer models which have yet to be truly tried and tested. You know exactly what you are getting from this Nokia model and so why not reap the returns and purchase an older handset that provides excellent value for money. You can buy one of these mobiles real cheap - Prices do vary though, start price around £8.00 and as high as £25.00 max. You just have to hunt around because they are still on demand they are that good.


•[Final Verdict]•

Yes the phone is ancient, yes the phone is somewhat heavy and yes the phone lacks modern features but when looking at the bigger picture the Nokia 3310 has quality phone attributes that soon compensate for all of that. The scales quickly weigh in favour as it balances out all the negative features into positives. A handset that is so user friendly it’s unreal, a handset that can take all forms of abuse and still be in fine working order, a handset that does the basics but does them very well indeed, a handset that is affordable and reliable.


A handset that is not quite ready to kick the bucket yet……..



Highly Recommend!!



Thanks for reading …. © Strood @ 19.00hrs 31/10/07

Summary: Hands off my 3310 - Not interested in an up-grade

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