The classic '90s "banana phone" is back with 4G and apps on board. First launched in 1996, the original Nokia 8110 popularised the "slider" phone -- and of course, in 1999, it appeared in the iconic Keanu Reeves sci-fi action movie "The Matrix". This new model is the second revival of a classic Nokia phone, following last year's upgraded Nokia 3310.
We got our first look at the rebooted classic alongside a deluge of new phones from Nokia and other manufacturers at annual phone fiesta MWC in Barcelona.
Like the original 8110, you can answer calls on the new 8110 4G by flicking open the case, and hang up by snapping it shut -- which is, for anyone who wasn't around in the '90s, the most satisfying thing.
The classic model's curved case also earned the nickname "banana phone", which Nokia alludes to in the bright yellow colour of the new model. Or you can go for a black option if your tastes are less banana, more Keanu.
The Nokia 8110 runs on the Smart Feature OS, so this is a basic featurephone and you’re not going to get access to the Android apps found on other Nokia Android smartphones.
However, HMD is creating an app store for the device, which will include Facebook so there’s a chance other third parties might create their own apps for this.
Unlike the 3310, the 8110 will ship with LTE support across Europe, with dual-SIM versions available too. Inside there’s a Qualcomm 205 Mobile Platform processor, 512MB of RAM, and 4GB of storage.
While the banana phone looks big in pictures, it’s relatively small with just a 2.4-inch QVGA display and a 2-megapixel camera at the rear. You’ll even get access to a revamped Snake game, and an impressive 25 days of battery standby.
