Does the new Nokia retro phone have internet access? Because we love the ’90s, but we love Insta, too
Love the ’90s? Then you’ll probably love the soon-to-be-released Nokia retro phone. HMD, Nokia’s parent company, announced that Nokia’s beloved banana phone — now called the 8110 Reloaded — will be available soon. But, um, can we still use our apps?!
Thankfully we are living in a post-dialup modem world, and the new Nokia 8110 phone, known as the “banana phone” because of its curved shape, does have WiFi and a 4G modem. Phew.
That means the Nokia retro phone can connect to 4G internet as a WiFi hotspot, so you’ll definitely be able to browse the internet.
But just be aware that not all websites will be totally mobile-friendly, and reading your fave sites on such a small screen (the display is just 2.4 inches) can be a little bit of a challenge, especially when we’re so used to using giant smartphones.
Don’t get too excited about taking pics with this phone, either — its rear camera is just 2 megapixels, which is pretty terrible compared to the 12-megapixel camera on the iPhone X.
All that said, this is wayyyyy better than Nokia’s refreshed 3310 phone that was released last year from HMD, which not only kept the original 2G compatibility but also came without a WiFi antenna, making it practically useless in the U.S.
The available data connection in the new Nokia retro phone means you’ll (most likely) be able to connect with some of your go-to social media apps, like Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter.
Florian Seiche, CEO of HMD Global, the start-up that acquired the intellectual property rights required to make Nokia’s phones, told CNBC that the company is working with Google and Facebook to bring apps to the device.
However, let’s be honest: Nostalgia, not apps, is what will drive most people to purchase the Nokia 8110, which will retail for $97 and be available in May. The newer version will come in black or yellow, and is smaller and lighter than the original version, but unlike its ’90s counterpart used in the ultra-’90s movie, The Matrix, it does NOT come with a spring-loaded slider (or Keanu Reeves, for that matter).
Also, since HMD now has two re-issues, it’s apparently going to start calling them Nokia Originals, which means we can probably expect more Nokia flashbacks. Like maybe your Mom’s Mobira Cityman 900 that weighed almost TWO POUNDS. As long as it has internet, though, we’re good.
