Nokia 3310 release date: Classic phone available to buy in UK from 24 May

The new model stays true to its roots, but makes changes where changes needed to be made

The new Nokia 3310 will be available to buy in the UK from 24 May.

HMD Global has just announced that the handset will cost £49.99, which is slightly more than initially expected, and will be sold by "a number of retailers and operators", including Carphone Warehouse and Vodafone.

EE is also offering the feature phone, though O2 and Three have both said they have no plans to stock the handset.

It's been written off by some as a trip down memory lane that's gone too far, but the new features introduced by HMD Global make the 2017 version of the 3310 an ideal secondary phone, perfect for the upcoming festival season.

The original’s small 84 x 84 monochrome display has been replaced by a larger and sharper 320 x 240 colour screen, and Nokia has also included a very basic 2-megapixel camera and LED flash around the back.

It looks slicker than the original too, though the new design has divided consumers, and it offers an extraordinary 22 hours of talk time off a single charge.

And, of course, Snake comes pre-loaded.

The updated version of the much-loved classic from 2000 was launched at Mobile World Congress in February, and has attracted more interest amongst consumers than a number of brand new flagship smartphones.

It’s available in glossy red and yellow colour options, as well as those familiar grey and dark blue matte schemes.