Nokia 3310 2017 Philippines Price and Release Date Guesstimate, Specs, Snake Game Demo, Actual Unit Photos

Isn't it amazing how HMD Global was able to become one of the most talked about companies at MWC 2017 simply by announcing a basic phone that doesn't even have WiFi connectivity support? It's quite something, really.

For me, though, what's truly impressive is that it didn't happen by accident; The 'New Home of Nokia Phones' couldn't have chosen a better feature-phone model to announce at the important tech event.

Bearing the name of one of the most popular and best-selling phones of all time, this cute 2017 refresh certainly has a lot to live up to.

I mean, during the early 2000's, the Finnish Giant was able to sell more than 126 million units of Nokia 3310 - thanks to its pocket-friendly antenna-less design and legendary durability - and until today, this model still appears in social media memes whenever conversations about tough objects arise. That's heavy.

Supplementary Reading: The Top 10 Best-Selling Nokia Phones in History

What's good is that many tech websites and respected tech bloggers seem to be fond of this 2017 update, praising its design among other intangibles. I actually find this phenomenon pleasantly surprising in this era of powerhouse smartphones, a time when handsets with less than modest specs are usually frowned upon and even maligned.

I guess it must be the respect that long-time tech writers and gadget enthusiasts still has for the legend that is Nokia. Or maybe, it's the overwhelming nostalgia that the phone's name, alpha-numeric keyboard, and U-shaped white accent in front bring.

Whatever it is, HMD Global would do well to spend the entirety of 2017 and beyond making the most of it.

I got to play with an actual working unit of the Nokia 3310 2017 at the company's booth in Mobile World Congress 2017. And if you were to ask me to describe the phone in three words, I'd say it's cute, practical, and solid.

It's cute because it's small and it comes in several fun colors, including Warm Red, Yellow, and - the classic - Dark Blue. Also, with dimensions of 115.60 x 51.00 x 12.80 millimeters and weighing just 80 grams, it's certainly more pocket-friendly and lighter than its predecessor from 2000, which measures 113.00 x 48.00 x 22.00 and weighs 133 grams.

Donning an SRP of 49 Euros or around Php 2,600 with current conversion and before taxes, Nokia 3310 2017 is certainly a practical choice for budget-conscious consumers who are on the look out for a primary or secondary feature-phone from a trusted brand that would allow them to make calls, send text messages, snap photos, play 2D games, and listen to music or radio on the go.

Nokia 3310 2017 is equipped with a 2.4-inch 240 x 320 pixels colored display panel, 2 MegaPixel fixed focus camera at the back with LED flash, Dual SIM (Dual microSIM) Dual Standby capability, Series 30 operating system, microUSB charging and data sync port, and a microSD card expansion slot for music tracks and other content.

Finally, I think this model is solid in terms of build and battery life -- just like the original 3310. While I didn't really do a drop test at the booth, holding the phone, I could feel that it has reassuring heft and that it's polycarbonate shell could take the ravages of everyday use. As for uptime, according to HMD, this new release can stay on for 30 days on standby and deliver up to 22 hours of talk time.

Probably the most fun feature of the new Nokia 3310 is the updated version of the popular Snake game from the late '90s to the early 2000's! The refresh is made by Gameloft and now has a fatter snake and - of course - a colorful interface. Watch me play the game here:

Thanks to Mr. Patrick Henchie of HMD Global for giving us a fine description and features round-up of the Nokia 3310 2017.
Until today, Nokia still has millions of fans and followers in the Philippines. If you're one of them, I'm sure you're wondering just when you can finally purchase this model local and how much it will be. Well, as of writing, we haven't heard official word from HMD Global, its PH HQ, nor its agencies on the exact release date and pricing details of Nokia 3310 2017. However, I'm guessing it should hit store shelves in Pinas within Q2 2017 with SRP of around Php 3,000.

Update as of June 8, 2017: The official suggested retail price of the new Nokia 3310 in the Philippines is Php 2,490 and it will be available nationwide by the end of June 2017.