When HMD Global launched the Nokia 3310, last year, we all thought that the company has just selected one phone from Nokias glory days for nostalgia. However, that was just the beginning as HMD Global went on to bring back the ‘Banana Phone’ that also featured on the famous movie, The Matrix. The Nokia 8110 has been brought back to life with better features and it is now smarter than ever, better than what HMD Global sampled with the Nokia 3310.
The Nokia 8110 4G is not your token feature phone, as the name itself suggests, the phone supports 4G VoLTE for calling and has a slew of apps in the app store to make it better than a just a basic phone. The device even supports Google Assistant, Google Maps, Twitter, Facebook and other apps. Users can sync Google account for emails, and there is also a new version of the popular game, Snake.
But the Nokia 8110 is not alone in the league, at least for the users in India. It has competition in the form of Jio Phone that packs in similar features including Google Assistant. While the Nokia 8110 is yet to launch in India, the Jio Phone is readily available for purchase all across the country and is effectively free of cost, thanks to Jio’s cashback offer.
Let’s take a look at what the two phones offer and what makes them competitors concerning the design, display, connectivity, and more.
Nokia 8110 4G vs Jio Phone: Hardware Comparison
The Nokia 8110 4G is powered by a 1.1Ghz dual-core Qualcomm 205 SoC paired with 512MB of RAM and 4GB internal storage, which can be further expanded via microSD card. The phone does not lack on camera, it features a 2MP rear camera. Powering it is a 1500mAh battery, which is touted by the company to deliver a talk time of up to 9.32 hours on a 4G VoLTE connection and up to 25 hours on standby.
On the other hand, the Jio Phone comes powered by a Qualcomm 205 mobile chipset clubbed with 512MB of RAM and 4GB internal storage with microSD card support, just like the Nokia 8112. Unlike the Nokia 8110, the Jio Phone does not miss on the front camera, it features a 0.3MP front camera and a 2MP rear camera. It is backed by a 2000mAh battery, which is claimed to offer up to 48 hours of battery life.
Notably, none of the two are geared with batteries that can offer extended battery power. Of course, they are not standard feature phones that do not have much in hardware and software, which makes them last for days.
The Jio Phone also allows users to pay via Jio Money, but the Nokia 8110 does not support any payment app. However, the Nokia 8110 ranks up with one feature, i.e. Wi-Fi hotspot that is missing on the Jio Phone. We wonder why Reliance refrained from adding Wi-Fi hotspot feature on the Jio Phone, but it can be paired with a TV via cable to watch mobile content on it.
Nokia 8110 4G vs Jio Phone: Design and Build
The Nokia 8110 retains the iconic design of the Banana Phone, with its curvy back and a slider to cover the keypad. Users just need to press a button to open the slider and answer the call. It was quite a rage back in the day when the movie Matrix made it cool. The phone is launched in Banana Yellow and Classic Black colour variants.
The Jio Phone loses in this segment as it sticks to the conventional feature phone design. It has an old T9 keyboard and a thick body, which makes it quite durable.
Nokia 8110 4G vs Jio Phone: Software and Features
Both the Nokia 8110 4G and the JioPhone run KaiOS that is a toned down version of the Firefox OS. While they are somewhat identical in hardware and software, they are quite different when it comes to features.
The Nokia 8110 4G comes with its own app store, which offers access to apps such as Google Maps, Google Assistant, Facebook, Twitter, and a new version of the popular game, Snake. It also allows users to download third-party apps except for WhatsApp, which the company has promised to add later. On the contrary, the Jio Phone comes with a slew of its own entertainment apps such as JioCinema, JioMessaging, Jio Video Call, JioTV, JioMusic, and JioExpress. As for other apps, the phone also supports Facebook and Google Assistant.
Nokia 8110 4G vs Jio Phone: Pricing
The Nokia 8110 4G is yet to launch in India. HMD Global launched the phone in Europe at EUR 79 (approx. Rs 6,300). If it gets launched at the same pricing in India, then there are very slim chances that buyers would spend that much for a feature phone. There are better options like the Xiaomi Redmi 5A that packs in better hardware, software, camera, and more.
The Jio Phone, on the other hand, can be deemed as free of cost. The buyer just needs to make an initial payment of Rs 1,500 that will be refunded after three years. To avail the refund, the buyers should recharge the phone with a specific amount for three years, and then get a full refund after three years that will also include the token amount paid for buying the phone.
If you are looking for a feature phone with 4G connectivity and don’t want to spend much on it then the Jio Phone is the best you can get. But if you don’t have any budget constraint and want a stylish and sleek feature phone riding high on the nostalgia factor, then the Nokia 8110 is hands down a better one to pick.
