Nokia 8110i with lid  closed

Nokia 8110 was cellular phone released by Nokia in 1996. In phone advertisement they featured phone "natural" curved shape. Nokia 8110i was released in 1997 and it added Smart Messaging/TextWeb support.

That feature was one kinda of predecessor to WAP service, instead CSD it used regular short messages along with menus to create simple information service. In Finland atleast Radiolinja (archive.org) offered services to Nokia 8110i (archive.org) and Nokia 9000i communicator (archive.org). Even though Nokia DCT2 platform 8110 used was going to superseded by Nokia DCT3 platform that was going to be released in 1997, most likely Nokia 8110 was chosen as test platform for Smart Messaging/TextWeb platform, because at the time it had older and more robust platform. DCT3 based Nokia 6150 released in 1997 had same feature included. Popularity of this feature faded when WAP phones came along. Smart Messaging kinda lives even today in some tele carriers SIM cards in form of SIM ATK/Carrier menus, which can be for example query weather or phone numbers using simple menu. Feature uses short messages to send request.
 
 

Lid partially and fully open

If I would not create these articles based on long testing and research I would most likely say here: "Nokia 8110 phone spring loaded lid came popular by movie Matrix and new Nokia 8110 4G released in 2018 had this opening lid too", but luckily for you I have done my research and also used this device regularly for last few years as daily driver and I can say that popular belief on Nokia 8110 lid is wrong, not even 8110i model had spring loaded lid and it did not came until in Nokia 7110 in 1999. Reason for this is simple: there is microphone in the lid and idea is that you can open it while calling into desired distance from your mouth like shown in pictures above and animated picture below.
 
 

How the lid actually works

I have tested phone in question during last 2 years reguarly and I can say that considering it's era Nokia 8110i is very fine device. It is based on Nokia 8110 released in 8110 and only difference is formely mention Smart Messagin feature and custom ringtone. Like other DCT2 phones 8110 does not have full graphics display rather parts of display are fixed, for example GSM signal strenght, battery charge indicator and fax/message/voice mail indicators.
 
 
 

Nokia 8110i display with new message notification

Phone got few features UI wise that may come as problem for user of newer Nokia phones. First of all "muisti/memory" button opens contact list. When you see title "name" press arrow key once down to browse saved names. If you wish to add custom ringtone for contact browse into contact and select option>ringtone. If you open call log from green button and you only see numbers, press the ABC-key to show names.

When writing short message you can change between upper and lowercase letters by long pressing key button after selecting desired character until size is changed. If you want space it is not 0  key unlike in new phones rather # key, to get numbers press ABC key so that ABC text disappears from top corner, press same button again to write text. To delete text press the C key.
 
This phone requires it own tricks and because of that I have attached both Finnish and English user guides into end of this article

I bought this phone along with rebuilt battery, it lasts 2-3 days in my use (atleast 30 mins of calls between charges) which is very good compared to many other small GSM phones of the era, of course it is no match in battery life for 6110 that is one year newer, but in newer DCT3 series had notable improvements in power management and it can't be directly compared to older DCT2 phone.

If you want get Nokia 8110/8110i for hobby/daily driver there is few things you should be aware of: first of all you cant find new batteries for this phone. You should buy extended battery BLJ-2 and have someone replace old cells to get best experience. Second limitations is related to sim cards. Device requires either 5v or dual voltage SIM card. Some newer cards atleast in Finland do not support that voltage. Only Finnish carrier that cards I had luck with been Saunalahti/Elisa cards. If some other carrier either in Finland or elsewhere got dual voltage cards please email to me and I shall add information into the article.

I would recommend getting Nokia 8110/8110i for daily driver only if you are either experienced hobbyist or person who is ready to adapt many limitations of DCT2 platform, 61xx series that is year newer will offer much softer landing into technology of old Nokias. If you want spring opening lid buy 7110, that had that feature. If despite all this you want use 8110 as daily driver like I do regularly and you got compatible SIM and rebuilt battery go ahead, it is pretty stylish and nice phone from the golden era of Nokia.

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