View source for Nokia 3210

{{short description|1999 cell phone model}}
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{{lead too short|date=May 2025}}
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{{Infobox mobile phone
| name = Nokia 3210
| logo = Nokia 3210 logo.svg
| image = Nokia 3210 3.jpg
| imagesize = 100px
| manufacturer = [[Nokia]]
| series = [[List of Nokia products|Nokia 3000 series]]
| networks = [[GSM]] 900 / 1800
| released = Q2 1999
| discontinued = <!-- {{End date|YYYY|MM|DD}} -->
| unitssold = 160 million
| predecessor = [[Nokia 3110]], [[Nokia 5110]]
| successor = [[Nokia 3310]], [[Nokia 5510]], [[Nokia 210 (2019)]], [[Nokia 3210 (2024)]]
| related = [[List of Nokia products]]
| form = [[Form factor (mobile phones)#Bar|Candy bar]]
| size = {{convert|123.8|x|50.5|x|22.5|mm|in|abbr=on}}
| weight = {{convert|151|g|oz|abbr=on}}
| os = [[Series 20]] UI<ref name="touchit" />
| cpu = [[Texas Instruments]] MAD2PR1
| memory = SIM card only – up to 250 names in phonebook
| battery = Removable BML-3 ([[Nickel–metal hydride battery|NiMH]]) 1250 [[Ampere hour|mAh]]
| input = Alphanumeric [[keypad]]
| display = 1.5-inch backlit monochrome graphic [[Liquid-crystal display|LCD]] display (84×48 [[pixel|px]], 64 [[Pixel density|ppi]], 5 lines<ref name="Henry" />)
| sound = [[Ringtone#Types|Monophonic ringtones]]
}}

The '''Nokia 3210''' is a [[GSM]] [[cell phone]], announced by [[Nokia]] at the [[CeBIT]] fair on March 18, 1999, alongside the [[Nokia 7110]].<ref name="Nokia-PR-1999-03-18" /> Succeeding the [[Nokia 5110]], the 3210 handset was competitively priced and targeted specifically at teenagers and young professionals, adding a number of capabilities such as T9 [[predictive text]].<ref>{{Cite web |date=March 18, 1999 |title=Nokia unveils a mobile phone for ultimate convenience and personalization |url=http://press.nokia.com:80/PM/777102.html |access-date=2025-05-19 |publisher=[[Nokia]]|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20000816160443/http://press.nokia.com:80/PM/777102.html |archive-date=16 August 2000 }}</ref> It was notably the first consumer-grade mobile phone without a protruding external [[Antenna (radio)|antenna]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=Stanley |first=Manoj |title=Mobile Phone Antennas for MIMO and 5G Millimetre Wave Communications |url=https://livrepository.liverpool.ac.uk/3031149/1/201125972_Nov2018.pdf |publisher=[[University of Liverpool]]}}</ref>

== History ==
The 3210 was designed by Alastair Curtis at Nokia's Los Angeles Design Center.<ref name="Curtis" /> The development was led by [[Frank Nuovo]], who had designed the sleek and curvy [[Nokia 8110]] in 1996. The team aimed to create an "expressive" and customizable handset that went beyond the typical business-oriented mobile phone market, drawing inspiration from the [[Casio]] [[G-Shock]] and [[Walkman|Sony Walkman]] designs. As a result, the phone became highly influential.<ref name="Oremus" />

== Design ==
{{multiple image|align=left|total_width=300
| image1   = CSIRO ScienceImage 2935 Nokia mobile phone.jpg
| caption1 = A Nokia 3210 with a black keypad
| image2   = Nokia 3210 --.jpg
| caption2 = Nokia 3210 fitted with an [[Automotive aftermarket|aftermarket]] fascia
}}

The Nokia 3210 has a total weight of 151 g. The handset measures 123.8 × 50.5 × 22.5 mm and features customizable fascias that clip on. It was thinner than previous Nokia models.{{citation needed|date=September 2021}}

It was the first mass market phone with an internal antenna, a feature that had been introduced by Nokia on the luxury phone Nokia 8810 in 1998.<ref name="Mobile Phone Museum" />

== Features ==
Three [[Video game|games]] came preinstalled: [[Snake (1998 video game)|Snake]], [[Concentration (game)|Memory (pairs-memory game)]], and Rotation. The inclusion of these games contributed to high sales within a rapidly expanding youth market. Some versions of the 3210 included the "hidden" games React and Logic, which could be activated by special software using a data cable.

The 3210 was the first device to come preloaded with Nokia's Composer software, allowing users to manually "compose" monotone ringtones. It was also possible to send ringtones to another Nokia phone.

Picture messages sent via the SMS texting service were implemented on the handset, enabling users to send preinstalled pictures to one another. These included a "Happy Birthday" picture, among others.

The 3210 was originally designed with a vibrate alert function. However, Nokia decided not to implement this feature on some handsets in certain jurisdictions. A few months after its UK release, some mobile phone repair shops offered customers an upgrade to the vibrate function for a small fee.{{original research inline|date=September 2021}}

== Handset specifications ==
* Standby time (h): 55–260
* Talk time (min): 180–270
* Charge time (h): 4
* Ringtone composer
* [[Dual band]]: Yes
* Vibrating alert (optional)
* Speed dialing
* 3 games: Yes (note some models, like 3310)
* Internal antenna
* Green backlight
* Interchangeable [[Fascia (phone)|fascias]]

== Reception ==

A combination of cutting-edge features, such as internal antennas and [[T9 (predictive text)|T9 text entry]], ensured the 3210's huge commercial success. Much of the phone's success can also be attributed to an advertising campaign aimed predominantly at young people, a first in the mobile phone industry. The inclusion of three games, [[Mobile phone accessories|changeable "Xpress-on" covers]] (as seen on the previous [[Nokia 5110]]), an internal antenna, customizable ringtones, and competitive prices contributed to the handset's massive popularity among those aged 15–25.{{citation needed|date=March 2018}}

With 160 million units sold,<ref name="Telegraph" /><ref name="Walker" /> the 3210 is one of the [[List of best-selling mobile phones|most popular and successful phones in history]]. It is considered one of the most significant handsets Nokia ever developed.<ref name="Wired" />

== Revival ==
{{main|Nokia 3210 (2024)}}
In 2024, [[HMD Global]] released a new phone inspired by the Nokia 3210 as part of the [[Nokia Originals]] line.<ref name="HMD" />
== See also ==

* [[Nokia 3110]]
* [[Nokia 3310]]

== References ==
{{commonscat}}

{{refs|refs=
<ref name="touchit">{{ cite web|url=https://touchit.sk/zaspominajte-si-s-touchit-legenda-menom-nokia-3310/63706|title=Zaspomínajte si s TOUCHIT: Legenda menom NOKIA 3310 &#124; TOUCHIT|date=9 August 2016|website=touchit.sk }}</ref>
<ref name="Henry">{{ cite web |url=https://en.henry-engineering.com/4115646-nokia-3210-a-phone-from-the-past-description-features-and-advantages |title=Nokia 3210 – phone from the past: description, characteristics and advantages |website=Henry engineering |language=en |access-date=2019-09-13 }}{{dead link|date=May 2025|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}}</ref>
<ref name="Nokia-PR-1999-03-18">{{ cite web|url=http://company.nokia.com/en/news/press-releases/1999/03/18/nokia-unveils-a-mobile-phone-for-ultimate-convenience-and-personalization|title=Nokia unveils a mobile phone for ultimate convenience and personalization|work=Nokia|access-date=7 July 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140714125614/http://company.nokia.com/en/news/press-releases/1999/03/18/nokia-unveils-a-mobile-phone-for-ultimate-convenience-and-personalization|archive-date=14 July 2014|url-status=dead }}</ref>
<ref name="Curtis">{{ cite web|title=Alastair Curtis Bio|url=http://press.nokia.com/wp-content/uploads/mediaplugin/doc/1-alastair_curtis_bio.pdf|publisher=Nokia Press|access-date=3 June 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131213001708/http://press.nokia.com/wp-content/uploads/mediaplugin/doc/1-alastair_curtis_bio.pdf|archive-date=13 December 2013 }}</ref>
<ref name="Oremus">{{ cite web|url=https://slate.com/technology/2016/09/the-development-of-the-nokia-3210-the-cellphone-that-started-the-mobile-revolution.html|title=The 1999 Handset That Finally Made Cellphones Cool|first=Will|last=Oremus|date=20 September 2016|website=Slate }}</ref>
<ref name="Mobile Phone Museum">{{Cite web|url=https://www.mobilephonemuseum.com/phone-detail/nokia-3210|title=Nokia – 3210|website=www.mobilephonemuseum.com}}</ref>
<ref name="Telegraph">{{ cite web|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/finance/newsbysector/mediatechnologyandtelecoms/telecoms/8465809/Nokias-best-selling-phones-in-pictures.html?image=2|archive-url=https://archive.today/20130505160411/http://www.telegraph.co.uk/finance/newsbysector/mediatechnologyandtelecoms/telecoms/8465809/Nokias-best-selling-phones-in-pictures.html?image=2|url-status=dead|archive-date=5 May 2013|title=Nokia's best-selling phones: in pictures|work=The Telegraph|access-date=31 October 2012 }}</ref>
<ref name="Walker">{{ cite web|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/life-style/gadgets-and-tech/features/nokia-the-giant-with-its-fingers-crossed-6263275.html |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220621/https://www.independent.co.uk/life-style/gadgets-and-tech/features/nokia-the-giant-with-its-fingers-crossed-6263275.html |archive-date=21 June 2022 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live|title=Nokia: The giant with its fingers crossed|first=Tim|last=Walker|work=The Independent|date=17 November 2011|access-date=31 October 2012 }}</ref>
<ref name="Wired">{{ cite magazine|url=https://www.wired.co.uk/article/the-nokia-3210-was-the-greatest-phone-ever-made|title=The Nokia 3210 was the greatest phone ever made|magazine=Wired }}</ref>
<ref name="HMD">{{ cite web |title=Nokia 3210 mobile |url=https://www.hmd.com/en_int/nokia-3210?sku=1GF025CPD4L02 |website=HMD}}. Retrieved 2024-07-11</ref>
}}

{{Nokia phones}}

{{use dmy dates|date=March 2018}}
[[Category:Nokia mobile phones|3210]]
[[Category:Mobile phones introduced in 1999]]
[[Category:Mobile phones with user-replaceable battery]]