Iconic new edition

Nokia 8110: How the “anti-smartphone” performs

(Bild: HMD Global, krone.at-Grafik)

Not everything was better in the past, but many features of earlier cell phones would definitely be (re)desired in current models, as the new edition of the Nokia 8110 from 1996 shows. What the "anti-smartphone" has over many a flagship is revealed in the - not always entirely serious - test.

It is crooked.
We don't know why, but the curved shape is flattering to the hand and cheek. The Nokia is also ideal as a gyroscope when things take longer. Or as brand owner HMD Global puts it: "Its unique shape means (...) that the smartphone can be rotated in unimaginable ways."

It is small.
With its dimensions of 133.45 x 49.3 x 14.9 millimeters, the Nokia does not meet the EU requirements for import bananas (14 cm long, 27 mm thick), but it fits all the better in any trouser pocket. And at 117 grams, it's light anyway.

It's cool.
The sliding mechanism, aka slider, not only protects the keypad from dust, but is undoubtedly the coolest way to unlock the phone. Keanu Reeves aka Neo already knew this when he used the original in the "Matrix".

It runs and runs and runs.
The Nokia 8110's 1500 mAh battery promises up to 25 days of standby time. To be honest, we stopped counting after just seven days. In times when modern smartphones don't last longer than two days at best, anything longer than that can be celebrated as a success.

It is sustainable.
By the way, speaking of the battery: it can be replaced. Without the need for a cell phone repair service or special tools. Simply remove the plastic back and you're done. Crazy, isn't it?

It has Snake.
Who needs "PUBG", "Fornite" or "Clash of Clans" when you can have "Snake ", probably the most legendary of all mobile games? Exactly. And in color, too - on the original from 1996, the first Nokia with a monochrome LCD display, this was unthinkable.

(Bild: Nokia)

It has a headphone socket.
headphones or earbuds with cable can be used as usual. 3.5 millimeters, just like before. No adapters necessary. For those who still prefer wireless, a Bluetooth 4.1 connection is available.

And a microSD slot.
That's more luxury than some premium smartphones offer. Huawei, for example, has rationalized away this inexpensive form of memory expansion in its flagship models P20 and P20 Pro, while Apple's iPhone never had it in the first place.

It is charged via micro USB.
And not via the newfangled USB-C. So all you have to do is reach into the drawer where the charging cables that have piled up over the years are stored and you're guaranteed to have the right one to hand. Always.

Nokia 8110

(Bild: Nokia, krone.at-Grafik)

It doesn't have a front camera.
Front cameras have brought us nothing but trouble, especially selfie deaths, narcissists, influencers and narcissistic influencers. If you want to take a photo of yourself with the Nokia, you do it just once and then live with the result. No filters, unadorned.

It offers space for over 5000 photos.
Admittedly: Four gigabytes of internal memory is not much by today's standards. But neither is the camera's two-megapixel resolution. As we all know, minus times minus equals plus - so you can fit around 5000 photos on the Nokia.

It makes acoustic statements.
Accidentally adjusted the volume and missed a call or embarrassed bystanders because the embarrassing "Crazy Frog" ringtone sounded at full volume? Impossible with the Nokia 8110: The volume can only be changed via detours in the settings, there are no corresponding buttons. If you decide on a certain volume, you are making a clear statement. Listen up, here I am!

(Bild: krone.at)

It has buttons.
Touchscreens may be intuitive, fast and convenient. But at the end of the day, they are covered in fingerprints. Lots of glass also means more scratches and an increased risk of breakage. The Nokia 8110 therefore relies on conventional buttons. If you don't believe it and press the display in vain, consider yourself lucky: The small 2.45 inch QVGA screen can be wiped clean in no time.

It's smarter than you think.
The new Nokia 8110 has little in common with the cell phones of yesteryear. Apps for YouTube, Google and Google Maps are pre-installed, as are a browser, e-mail client and calendar. An FM radio, calculator, unit converter and a recording function round off the offering. And because buttons are no longer quite in keeping with the spirit of the times, voice commands can also be used thanks to Google Assistant.

It gives you certainty.
When the Nokia 3110 was first released, we criticized the fact that it came without Wi-Fi, let alone 3G. (HMD has since made improvements and now offers a 3G version.) With the Nokia 8110, which is fully internet-capable thanks to WLAN (802.11 b/g/n) and 4G, we now know that it doesn't need any of that. Because if we're honest, we look at Facebook & Co. too often anyway. And scrolling through the pages using the buttons on the mini display isn't exactly the most convenient way to navigate. In the end, we are left with the certainty that we could access the Internet with the Nokia 8110 if we had to. But less is more and "digital detox" is currently very much in vogue anyway.

(Bild: krone.at)

Conclusion: At a price of currently 60 euros at best, the Nokia 8110 is more "smartphone" than you would initially expect. However, the small, non-touch-capable display does spoil the Internet experience on the go, and the mobile operating system KaiOS - a platform based on FirefoxOS and developed by Google - lacks apps. However, the necessary tools to cope with everyday life are available, and the 8110 also shines - as you would expect - with an enormous battery life by today's standards. Internet deniers and all those who are looking for a robust and durable second device (whether for traveling abroad or for sports) can therefore use it without hesitation.