The 'banana phone' is BACK: Nokia's $87 (£69) curved 8110 handset made famous by The Matrix finally goes on sale this week

[Matrix]

• Nokia will release a revamped version of the classic 8110 phone on Wednesday
• The company has confirmed a price of £69 for a SIM-free version of the device 
• New 8110 'banana phone' is, like the original, curved to fit the shape of the face
• It supports a limited range of apps, including Facebook, and has a colour screen
• Nokia also announced a series of new handsets, including the entry-level Nokia 1, mid-range Nokia 6 and 7 Plus and a new version of its flagship Nokia 8

Nokia's 8110 'banana phone' is about to hit the shelves.

The firm is set to release the 8110 on Wednesday - more than five months after the revamped retro phone was first unveiled. 

HMD Global, the Nokia brand licensee, has brought back a few classic Nokia feature phones in the past year, including the beloved 3310.

Nokia's retro 8110 'banana phone' is back. The firm is set to release the 8110 on Wednesday - more than five months after the revamped retro phone was first unveiled

Now, the firm is giving the classic 'banana phone,'  made famous by 'The Matrix,' a new lease on life.     

Prospective buyers were able to place a pre-order for the device starting on Aug. 9. 

The company has confirmed a price of £69 ($87) for a SIM-free version.

The updated phone features 4G support, 25-day battery life and the iconic game, Snake. 

HMD first announced that it was issuing a revamped 8110 at technology trade show Mobile World Congress in Barcelona earlier this year.  

HMD chief executive Florian Seiche said the company wanted to 'create a unique identity for the brand' and the range of new devices was to 'expand and refresh' the Nokia portfolio. 

The revamped 8110 is, like the original, curved to fit the shape of the face and has a snap cover that is used to unlock the phone or answer calls.

The revamped 8110 is, like the original, curved to fit the shape of the face and has a snap cover that is used to unlock the phone or answer calls

WHAT FEATURES DOES THE NOKIA 8110 HAVE?

- The slider handset now supports VoLTE calls and 4G connectivity

- It runs on Smart Feature OS, and is powered by the Qualcomm 205 dual core processor, 4GB storage, 512MB LPDDR3 RAM and 1500mAh battery

- It has a 2.4-inch QVGA curved display and comes with a 2MP rear camera  

- Like the original, curved to fit the shape of the face and has a snap cover that is used to unlock the phone or answer calls

- Instead of being black and white, the screen is now colour and it has a 25 day battery life

Nokia's retro 8110 'banana phone' is back. The firm revealed an updated version of its curved mobile phone first seen in 1996 and made famous by 'The Matrix' at Mobile World Congress

Dubbed the 'original slider phone', the updated 8110 now comes with 4G support.

Instead of being black and white, the screen is now colour. 

Using HMD’s Smart Feature OS, the phone can handle a selection of apps including Facebook, Mail for Exchange, and Snake.

The tech firm also announced a series of new handsets, including the entry-level Nokia 1, mid-range Nokia 6 and 7 Plus and a new version of its flagship Nokia 8 called the 8 Sirocco.

The company's new flagship phone, the Nokia 8 Sirocco, comes with a 5.5-inch curved 2K OLED display as well as dual rear cameras and wireless charging.

The device is Nokia's attempt to entice users away from the likes of Apple and Samsung.

The firm revealed an updated version of its curved mobile phone first seen in 1996 and made famous by 'The Matrix' at Mobile World Congress. The updated version of the phone is yellow and, unlike its predecessor from the 90s, has a colour screen

Using HMD’s Smart Feature OS, the phone can handle a selection of apps including Facebook, Mail for Exchange, and Snake. Pictured from left to right: Nokia 6, Nokia 8 Sirocco, Nokia 8110, Nokia 1 and the Nokia 7 plus

At the other end of the scale is the company's new Nokia One, a budget device, but one that runs a streamlined version of the latest Android software, called Android Oreo Go Edition.

Mr Seiche said the phone combined the 'durability of a feature phone with the latest software experience'.

HMD also announced two new mid-range devices for its line-up – the Nokia 6 and Nokia 7 Plus.

The 6 features a rear camera containing optics technology by camera specialists Zeiss and supports fast charging, while the 7 Plus has dual rear Zeiss cameras and Nokia claims a two-day battery life.

 

Source

[vitorio]

I do not think they have a chance to compete against the big three:

Apple

Samsung

Google (pixel)

[Matrix]

24 minutes ago, vitorio said:

I do not think they have a chance to compete against the big three:

Apple

Samsung

Google (pixel)

big three come with big price I think they mite do ok seeing the price is rite

[vitorio]

1 hour ago, DonyMach1 said:

big three come with big price I think they mite do ok seeing the price is rite

I agee with you, but remember  the all saying, "you get what you paid for".

[Matrix]

16 minutes ago, vitorio said:

"you get what you paid for".

Agree with you to m8 although I have to say I have never been convinced of the benefits of paying hundreds of dollars for a telephone cheap androids have served me well?