A former soldier could have one of Britain’s oldest working mobile phones after revealing the Nokia 3310 he bought in 2000 is still going strong 17 years later.
Dave Mitchell, who took the trusty handset on military tours of Iraq and Afghanistan, says it is indestructible and only needs charging once every ten days.
The 49-year-old claims the phone has been put through the washing machine, stamped on and submerged in curry sauce – but is still in perfect working order.
Whereas as most people could not live without selfies and apps, Mitchell admits he would be ‘distraught’ if he was forced to give up his old handset.
Mitchell, of Withernsea, East Yorkshire, said: ‘I bought it in 2000 when I needed a phone to call home when I was away. I haven’t needed another one since.
‘It’s been through a lot with me. I have dropped to on numerous occasions, on the floor, in curry sauce, and it’s been through the washing machine.
‘Each time I’ve just cleaned it up, dried it off, turned it on again and it’s worked. It’s like it’s made of kryptonite – it’s indestructible.
Mitchell served in the Army for 29 years, completing several tours of the Middle East, including Iraq and Afghanistan, before moving into administration.
When he left in 2010 he put his phone away in a drawer and did not touch it several years.
However, his family eventually persuaded him to keep a phone on him, and Mitchell took his Nokia out of retirement.
His son tried several times to get him to upgrade, but despite people cracking jokes about his phone, Mitchell resolutely stuck to his choice.
He insists there is a ‘freedom’ in not being connected to the internet and that it helps him to be more sociable.
The only real hassle he has with the 3310 is that mobile phone companies force him to pay for data he cannot use.
Courtesy: Daily Mail