A man finds his Nokia 3310 after 22 years—and it still works

The Nokia 3310 was synonymous with reliability, indestructibility and battery life as demonstrated by this episode: unlike the cell phones of today made to be changed after a very short time

This man from Pontypridd, Wales, has unearthed something from his past that is blowing minds and building nostalgia: his lost Nokia 3310 from an astonishing 22 years back.

But the most surprising fact was that not only did he find the device, but it even turned on, and with one bar of battery left. In an instant, it went viral, bringing up old discussions regarding how legendary this iconic phone truly was in terms of build and battery.

The never-ending legend of the Nokia 3310

First released in the year 2000, the Nokia 3310 was one of the most popular mobile phones of its era. Famed for its exceptional robustness and a battery that could go for days, if not weeks, on a single charge, it became synonymous with technological reliability. This case in Pontypridd is not an isolated incident; over the years, similar stories have cropped up, reinforcing the phone’s unrivaled longevity.

Pictures and images of the fully-functional Nokia 3310 spread on social media. Social media users reacted in jest and amazement, joking that the Nokia 3310 could rival the power bank industry of today and praising how better older mobile phones were built than today’s smartphones.

A time before planned obsolescence

This episode has also triggered a broader debate on technological evolution and planned obsolescence. None of today’s devices—smartphones with high-resolution displays and ever more powerful batteries—seem to match the longevity and simplicity of older devices.

The Nokia 3310 is from an era when phones were built to last, not be replaced frequently, with its minimalist design and essential yet effective functionality. That shift has fired up both the tech industry and the growing problem of electronic waste.

Even in the world of smartphones with ultra-high-definition cameras and advanced apps, such findings bring us back to the fact that simplicity and durability will always be in style.

The story of the old Nokia 3310-a muse that brings a smile but also reflection on how important longevity is in these times of rapid and continuous consumption. Perhaps one day the Nokia 3310 will return, not as a nostalgic vintage item, but rather as a harbinger of times when technology meant just uncompromising reliability.