Reliance Jio took the laurels for becoming the first ever brand to offer 4G VoLTE connectivity on a feature phone with its JioPhone last year.
Now, HMD Global follows the cue after Micromax to become the first global brand to enter the 4G VoLTE feature phone segment.
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And they have done so with the added nostalgia of reviving the Nokia 8110 phone, which now supports 4G, announced at the ongoing MWC 2018 in Barcelona.
Both JioPhone and the Nokia 8110 4G are running on the same operating system, ie Kai OS, but what else is there to talk about these two? We find out.
Design
No, these devices aren’t going to appeal consumers with their design, but for what it’s worth, the buyers aren’t too keen on it either. The JioPhone gets a candybar design, with a physical keyboard blocking most of the front. It also has a cursor-like joystick for navigating.
In comparison to that, HMD Global is bringing back the slider design, and the Nokia 8110 is fondly remembered for its appearance in the popular sci-fi movie, Matrix. Because of its design profile, the Nokia 8110 4G is longer yet leaner at 117 grams, than the JioPhone, which is definitely on the thicker side (with a big-size battery in tow) but still lighter at 109 grams than the Nokia 8110 4G.
We have used the JioPhone already, and more than anything else, this device has sold because of its ultra-affordable price tag. But nevertheless, this is the product which has resulted in the awakening of a segment, that still has over 1.3 million users globally.
Display
Apart from the form size, both these devices are clearly part of the same product portfolio and reference design. JioPhone and Nokia 8110 get a 2.4-inch QVGA screen with a resolution of 320x240 pixels.
This quality won’t get you dazzled or impressed, but better than what these devices used to have back in the old days. It’ll be good for basic phone use, and work out nice enough for apps like Facebook and Twitter among others, as we’ve seen with the JioPhone recently.
Hardware and Software
The fact that both these devices are made around the same hardware and software blueprint, ensures there’s isn’t much to differentiate between them. JioPhone and Nokia 8110 4G pack Qualcomm 205 processor, paired with 512MB RAM and offering 4GB onboard storage, expandable further up to 128GB.
There are some features available on the Nokia 8110 4G that haven’t made its way to the JioPhone.
Interestingly, Nokia 8110 4G is a dual-SIM enabled device, that’ll let you connect via 4G VoLTE and share the data with others via Wi-Fi hotspot. You also get Bluetooth and GPS among other options. JioPhone comes fitted with a 2000mAh battery, while Nokia 8110 gets a smaller 1500mAh unit, but it can be removed.
On the software front, Kai OS is the common factor between both these products. Because of which, Nokia 8110 4G will run apps like Facebook, Twitter and we even spotted Google Maps on the device, during the product unveiling on Sunday. Google Assistant also makes its way to the Nokia feature phone, and we’ll be keeping an eye on other new additions to the app store.
So, clearly HMD Global has done its homework with the Nokia 8110 4G, but a longer wait for the launch indicates that some leg work with the software is likely to be done.
Which One is Worth Buying
Yes, the big thousand rupee question now, which of these 4G smart feature phones is worth your buck. While JioPhone has made its mark in the market with its effectively free price tag of Rs 1,500, Nokia 8110 4G could offer a sense of deja vu for HMD Global in 2018, after its similar doing with the Nokia 3310 last year.
The rekindled Nokia phone supports dual-SIM, offers 4G VoLTE and lets you share data via Wi-Fi hotspot too. It’ll be seen running on Kai OS, which already supports Google Assistant, Facebook and many more apps. But all this will come down to zilch, if HMD Global puts a price marker upwards of Rs 5,000.
JioPhone is now available with Amazon in the country, while Nokia 8110 4G will be launching in the later part of 2018. So, the buying decision comes down to one thing; are you ready to pay a premium to own a piece of Nokia’s glory in the age of smartphone?
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