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In the era of cutting-edge mobile technology, using feature phones alongside their android peers evoke the memory that old customs die hard.
The emergence of cellphone technology speaks of feature phones primarily which gradually transformed into today’s stage when life without a smartphone is hardly imagined.
Sources said the market penetration of Nokia feature phone is alone 45 per cent, and is still recognised as one of the most popular mobile brands all over the world.
Nokia earned a massive popularity in Bangladesh market since its direct operation on June 4, 2006.
The renowned Finnish telecommunications company -- HMD Global and Nokia -- launched “Made in Bangladesh” smartphones on November 25 last year.
With this, there are 13 other brands which manufacture cellphones from their own factories in Bangladesh.
Though Nokia’s journey along with other smartphone makers is going smooth, a large multitude of phone users yet opt for previous feature phones of Nokia series because of their viability, long-lasting battery, small but attractive shapes and sizes, easy-to-carry and other features.
Once, Nokia 1100, 1110, 1200, N8, 2600, E71, 6610, 6630, N70, 3310 were the market killer button phones from Nokia brand.
In 2022, Nokia has made a comeback in the market with some old models of feature phones like Nokia 105, Nokia 106, Nokia 110, Nokia 6300, Nokia 3310, etc.
The price of Nokia 3310 is Tk 4,990 while Nokia 106 is Tk 1,899 and Nokia 110 is Tk 3,799.
The cheapest Nokia feature phone is Nokia 105 which is priced at Tk 1,749.
Business Insiders predict that in this era of latest technology, Nokia feature phones are still occupying 45 per cent of market share while the rest by android phones of Nokia or other brands.
Most cellphone users are interested in keeping an optional or backup phone beside their smartphones and undoubtedly Nokia is their top priority.
CMPL (Cellular Mobile PTE Ltd) is the only National Distributor of Nokia in Bangladesh, and from there, dealers of Nokia phones collect devices and make distribution among retailers all over the country.
Talking to The Business Post, CMPL Operation Manager Md Fahim said, “As we have launched Nokia Made in Bangladesh smartphones very recently, we are optimistic about this device. The feature phones of Nokia have grabbed a giant portion of the market.”
“I have a target to deliver phones to a considerable number of retail shops in Gulshan zone in the capital. From real market dealing experience, I have observed that the demand for Nokia button phones is up to 45 per cent more than other devices,” said Sheikh Miraz, a dealer of Nokia phones.
Sajid Ahmed, owner of Alive Gadget Mobile corner at Police Plaza in the capital, said, “Like me, most mobile shop owners in the shopping mall are getting a huge number of customers asking for button phones of Nokia.”
Apart from local markets, Nokia button phones are also available on online platforms like Daraz.
According to Tajdin Ahmed, chief marketing officer of Daraz, “The order for Nokia feature phones is balanced in comparison with its smartphones.”
Ahsanul Islam Romeo, a 3rd year student of Titumir College, told The Business Post, “My first phone was Nokia 3310, and after that I bought two android phones of different brands, but I am drawn towards Nokia 3310.”
“No matter how many online games like free fire or pubG I play on my android phone set, the snake games and the old polyphonic ringtone of Nokia attracts me till today.”
“I want to buy a Nokia phone again because it is Nokia which I consider second to none,” opined Romeo.
Many a denizen in the city plus a whole cross-section of professionals prefer buying Nokia feature phones for their old parents living in villages because they are easy to operate, durable, and have the best networking system.
CMPL (Cellular Mobile PTE Ltd) is the only National Distributor of Nokia in Bangladesh and its Operation Manager Md Fahim said as Nokia is an International brand, there is no point in competing with local brands like Symphony, Walton etc.
He said Nokia started producing ‘Made in Bangladesh’ smartphones three months ago. So, getting visible profit from this is quite impossible so early. Almost 99 per cent of Nokia’s yearly turnover comes from feature phones, he added.
“Half of Nokia’s targeted customers for feature phones are aged 40 to 60. The other 35 per cent customers, aged 30 to 35, buy feature phones for their parents or senior citizens and other 15 per cent of young generations buy feature phones as backup phones,” Fahim explained.
