The Nokia 3210 was a highly popular cellular phone, first launched in 1999. A combination of cutting-edge features such as built-in antennas, vibrating ring alert and T9 (predictive text) ensured the 3210 huge commercial success especially across North America and Western Europe. The 3210 can also attribute much of its success to an advertising campaign which was aimed predominantly at young people, a first in the mobile phone industry. The inclusion of 3 games, changeable fascias, customisable ringtones and competitive prices led to the handset's huge popularity with those aged 15-25.
User Interface
Pressing the Power button on the top of the handset powers up the phone. Providing no PIN security measure is in place, the handset Graphical User Interface will be displayed, indicating signal strength (1-4 bars), battery level and Network Operator. Pressing the (-) button calls the Main Menu of the handset, which features the following elements:
01) Phone Book
02) Messages
03) Call Register
04) Settings
05) Call Divert
06) Games
07) Calculator
08) Clock
09) Tones
10) My services (depending on SIM configuration)
Dimensions
The Nokia 3210 had a volume of 104cc and had a total weight of 153g. The handset measures 123.8mm x 50.5mm x 16.7mm (min), 22.5mm (max) and features customisable fascias which clip on.
Notable Features
3 Games came preinstalled: Snake (becoming a cult classic), Logic (pairs-memory game), and Rotation. The addition of such games encouraged high sales within a youth market which was enlarging at a very fast rate. Some versions of the 3210 included a "hidden" game, React. It is said that React is activated when a headset is inserted into the 3210's headset jack.
The 3210 featured an internal antenna: a first for a mobile phone. This distinguished the handset from others which featured large, awkward and unsightly antenna. Reception, although poorer than that of its predecessor, the 3110, was still very good.
The handset featured vibrating alert, another first in a Nokia handset.
'Picture messages' sent via the SMS texting service, were implemented in the handset, allowing users to send preinstalled pictures to one another. These included a 'Happy Birthday' picture amongst others.
The handset was competitively priced and aimed particularly at teenagers and young professionals. This was at a time when few young people had access to a mobile phone, which was generally identified with older professionals and business people.
Nokia 3210 
Linear Mode
