Dec 23, 2003 03:45 PM
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(Updated Dec 23, 2003 03:45 PM)
The newly-released Nokia 3315 is unlikely to impress many with its plain-Jane features, but this handset plugs a gap in the market leader's portfolio.
Nokia has a wide range of products that cover much of the mass market. For instance, it offers the 8855 and 8910 for high-end users. At the same time, its 3300 series caters to students and no-frills users.
But when it comes to the bottom end of the market, Nokia has been less prolific. The Finnish giant has rarely released new products for those looking for low-priced handsets with bare-bones functions. Instead, this audience has had to rely on depreciated aging Nokia models to fulfill their needs.
The 3315, now available at a launch price of S$168 (with a two-year plan), suggests that Nokia intends to change that. Although some companies such as Samsung have shunned the low-end, low-margin market, other phone makers, including Motorola and Siemens, have exploited opportunities in this area. For instance, last October, Siemens gave away free units of its A40 in a tie-up with mobile operator SingTel and beverage chain Quickly.
The 3315, first unveiled in Melbourne in March, leaves out some standard features such a WAP (Wireless Application Protocol) browser.
However, its existing functions should satisfy the basic user. For instance, it comes with a Picture Editor for making picture messages and logos, as well as a ringtone composer. It also supports downloaded ringtones and graphics. Other features include a timer-controlled keypad that locks the keypad after a specified time, currency converter, and countdown timer. With the included Lithium-ion battery, Nokia expects the 3315 to last up to 260 hours on standby or more 4 hours of talktime.
