Nokia 8000 Series: Complete Guide — 8110, 8210, 8310, 8800, Sirocco, Arte, 8910i and All Models 2026
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The Nokia 8000 Series is Nokia's luxury range — phones that didn't compete on technical specifications but on design, materials and the sensation of holding something extraordinary. From the Nokia 8110 of 1996 — the "banana phone" immortalised by The Matrix — to the Nokia 8800 Arte Gold of 2008 with an 18-carat gold-plated body, the 8000 Series tells twenty years of Nokia luxury. This is the most complete guide ever written in English on the entire Nokia 8000 Series.
1. The History of the Nokia 8000 Series
The Nokia Premium Philosophy
Nokia was the first mobile phone manufacturer to understand that a market segment existed where price was not the main factor — people accustomed to Italian cars and Swiss watches, who wanted a phone matching their lifestyle. This project was entrusted to Frank Nuovo — Nokia Chief Designer from 1995 to 2006, also responsible for Vertu (Nokia's ultra-luxury division).
Nokia 8000 Series Timeline
1996 — Nokia 8110: the first, "banana phone" 1997 — Nokia 8110i: first SSMS (Smart SMS) phone 1998 — Nokia 8810: first integrated antenna, ultra-slim 1999 — Nokia 8850: stainless steel housing, lighter 2002 — Nokia 8910: titanium alloy, Bluetooth, $1500 launch price 2003 — Nokia 8910i: colour display added 2005 — Nokia 8800 (RM-13): the most iconic, Ryuichi Sakamoto ringtones, €750 2006 — Nokia 8800 Sirocco: update with Brian Eno ringtones 2007 — Nokia 8800 Arte: OLED display, €1000 launch, Nokia's most expensive phone ever 2007 — Nokia 8800 Sapphire Arte: synthetic sapphire stone, leather panels 2008 — Nokia 8800 Carbon Arte: carbon fibre panels, 4 GB 2008 — Nokia 8800 Gold Arte: 18-carat gold plating, 4 GB — final model
2. Nokia 8110 — the Matrix Banana Phone (1996)
Announced: 9 September 1996 | Form factor: Slider | Nicknames: Banana phone, Matrix phone
The Nokia 8110 was the first high-end model in the 8000 Series — and the first Nokia slider. The pronounced curve of the case, particularly when open, immediately earned it the nickname "banana phone". It was also the first Nokia with a monochrome graphic LCD display.
| Specification | Detail |
|---|---|
| Year | 1996 |
| Network | GSM 900 |
| CPU | ARM7 |
| Battery | 400 mAh slim Li-ion / 900 mAh extended Li-ion |
| Mechanism | Manual slider — opening answers incoming call |
The Nokia 8110 in The Matrix (1999)
The Nokia 8110 was used in the 1999 film The Matrix (Wachowski, Warner Bros) — Morpheus had a Nokia 8110 modified with a spring mechanism that opened automatically. In reality the spring mechanism did not exist on the original 8110 — it was a modification for the cinematic effect. Nokia then introduced the spring mechanism on the Nokia 7110 (1999) as a real product feature — officially not as a Matrix replica but the timing was not coincidental.
Nokia 8110i (1997)
The improved 8110i was the world's first phone with SSMS (Smart SMS engine) — announced March 1997.
Nokia 8110 4G Revival (2018)
At MWC Barcelona 2018, HMD Global presented the Nokia 8110 4G — banana phone revival with 4G LTE, KaiOS (Firefox OS-derived OS), updated Snake, Google integration (Maps, Assistant, YouTube from firmware 11), WhatsApp from firmware 15. Price: €79.
Telling the original (1996) from the 4G revival (2018): the 4G has a colour display, is smaller and lighter, has a modern microUSB port. The original has a monochrome display, is larger and weighs 152g.
👉 View Nokia 8110 available at Infosate
3. Nokia 8210 — the Smallest and the Kenzo (1999)
First available: November 1999 | Designer: Frank Nuovo in collaboration with Kenzo
The Nokia 8210 was designed by Frank Nuovo in collaboration with Kenzo — the French fashion house — for the brand's 30th anniversary. It was the first time Nokia officially collaborated with a fashion house for a phone.
| Specification | Detail |
|---|---|
| Networks | GSM 900/1800/1900 (tri-band) |
| Weight | 79 g — exceptionally light for the era |
| Dimensions | 101.5×44.5×17.4 mm |
| Battery | 650 mAh Li-Ion (BLB-2) |
| Covers | Xpress-on interchangeable — 6 official colours + many third-party |
Nokia 8210 4G revival (2022): like the 8110, the 8210 also received a 4G/KaiOS revival in 2022.
4. Nokia 8310 (2001), 8810 (1998), 8850 (1999)
8310: successor to the 8210 with FM radio (one of the first on Nokia), GPRS data.
8810: first Nokia with a fully integrated antenna — revolutionary in 1998 when all phones still had external antennas. Chrome finish, ultra-slim.
8850: successor to the 8810 with stainless steel housing, lighter, even more refined design. 8890 variant for USA networks.
5. Nokia 8910 and 8910i (2002-2003)
Nokia 8910 (2002): body in titanium alloy, Bluetooth (rare in 2002), unique mechanism that slid the phone out of its titanium shell. Launch price: $1500.
Nokia 8910i (2003): same but with colour display — more luxurious.
6. Nokia 8800 (RM-13) — the Most Iconic of All (2005)
Type: RM-13 | Codename: Q | Announced: 7 April 2005 | Available: October 2005 | Launch price: €750
The Nokia 8800 sold over one million units by February 2006 — an extraordinary result for a €750 phone. CNET described it as having a "sexy, eye-catching form factor" with excellent build quality.
| Specification | Detail |
|---|---|
| Type | RM-13 |
| Operating system | Nokia Series 40 (not Symbian) |
| Internal memory | 64 MB NAND flash |
| Display | TFT, 208×208 pixels (square!), 262,144 colours, scratch-resistant glass |
| Networks | GSM 900/1800/1900 + EDGE |
| Camera | VGA (640×480 px) — 0.3 MP |
| Bluetooth | Yes |
| Weight | 134 g |
| Battery | Li-ion 600 mAh |
| Manufactured in | Germany |
| Slider mechanism | Ball bearings from same manufacturers as high-performance car bearings |
| Ringtones | Composed by Ryuichi Sakamoto |
The Details That Make the 8800 Unique
The ball-bearing slider mechanism: Nokia explicitly stated that the ball bearings of the opening mechanism were produced by the same suppliers who make bearings for high-performance racing cars. This isn't just marketing — the tactile sensation of opening an 8800 is genuinely different from any other slider phone.
The square 208×208 display: almost all phones in 2005 had rectangular displays. The 8800 had a perfectly square display — unique in its class, chosen for aesthetic rather than functional reasons. It was the only Series 40 v3 phone with a square display.
Ryuichi Sakamoto: the pre-installed ringtones on the original 8800 were composed by Ryuichi Sakamoto — the legendary Japanese composer and pianist, winner of Grammy, Oscar and Golden Globe awards. Not generic ringtones: original compositions by a world-famous artist.
Made in Germany: almost all Nokia phones were manufactured in Finland, Hungary or South Korea. The 8800 was made in Germany — a detail communicating premium manufacturing quality.
How to Tell an Original Nokia 8800 from a Fake
The Nokia 8800 is one of the most counterfeited vintage Nokia phones on the market.
Physical checks:
- Weight: exactly 134 grams with battery. Fakes often weigh significantly less — 100-115g
- "Made in Germany" on the back — present on all genuine units
- Slider mechanism: smooth, precise stop both open and closed, no squeaking
- Display: perfectly square 208×208 — fakes often have slightly rectangular displays
Software checks:
*#0000#→ must show RM-13 for the original 8800*#92702689#→ serial number must match the number on the back of the phone
Red flags (signs of a fake):
- Weight under 120g — almost certainly fake
- "Made in China" on the back
- Slider that's stiff, squeaky or too slow
*#0000#doesn't respond or shows anomalous type- Price far below market average
Nokia 8801 — the American Version
The Nokia 8801 (RM-33) was the American variant of the 8800 — same design, frequencies adapted for the USA market (850/1800/1900 MHz instead of 900/1800/1900). Sold on T-Mobile US.
Nokia 8800 Aston Martin Edition
A limited edition Aston Martin Edition existed with pre-installed Aston Martin content and a laser-etched Aston Martin logo on the body. Rare and very sought-after by collectors.
👉 View Nokia 8800 available at Infosate
7. Nokia 8800 Sirocco (RM-165) — 2006
Type: RM-165 | Announced: 4 September 2006 | Name from the Scirocco wind blowing from the Sahara — symbol of sleek, dynamic design
| 8800 Original | 8800 Sirocco | |
|---|---|---|
| Camera | VGA 0.3 MP | 2 MP |
| Keypad | Original design | Redesigned |
| Ringtones | Ryuichi Sakamoto | Brian Eno |
| Series 40 | 2nd Edition | 3rd Edition FP1 |
| Colours | Silver, Dark | Queen Black, Silver, Gold |
| Type | RM-13 | RM-165 |
Brian Eno: legendary British music producer and ambient artist, famous for producing U2, Talking Heads, David Bowie. Like Sakamoto on the original 8800, Eno on the Sirocco guaranteed ringtones that were original compositions by a globally significant artist.
Sirocco Gold Edition: version with 24-carat gold plating — the most luxurious of the entire Sirocco range.
👉 View Nokia 8800 Sirocco available at Infosate
8. Nokia 8800 Arte (RM-233) — 2007
Type: RM-233 | Codename: Gina | Announced: 13 November 2007 | Launch price: €1000 — the most expensive Nokia phone ever sold
| Specification | Detail |
|---|---|
| Type | RM-233 |
| Display | OLED 240×320 QVGA, 2.0", 16.7M colours |
| Networks | GSM 900/1800/1900 + UMTS/3G |
| Camera | 3.2 MP with autofocus |
| Internal memory | 1 GB |
| Accelerometer | Yes |
| Ringtones | Brian Eno |
| Weight | 134 g |
Arte Gesture Functions
The integrated accelerometer in the Arte enables two unique functions:
Turn-to-mute: when receiving a call, turn the phone over (screen facing down) to silence the ringtone without answering or rejecting the call.
Tap-for-time: tap twice on the phone body with your finger — the OLED display lights up for 3 seconds showing the time, then switches off automatically. Like a luxury watch that activates at a touch.
These functions became standard on many Android smartphones years later.
Nokia 8800 Sapphire Arte — 2007
Announced alongside the standard Arte, available Q1 2008. Codename: Virginia.
- Colour: brown with leather panels imported from India
- Confirmation key: synthetic sapphire stone
- Same functionality as standard Arte
- Higher price for exclusive materials
Nokia 8800 Carbon Arte — August 2008
- Carbon fibre panels with etched 3D patterns
- Internal memory quadrupled to 4 GB
- Same functions as standard Arte
- Same type RM-233
Nokia 8800 Gold Arte — December 2008 (last model)
- Body plated in 18-carat gold
- White leather panels
- Internal memory 4 GB
- The most luxurious and rarest model of the entire 8000 Series
- Same type RM-233
Important technical note: all Arte models (standard, Sapphire, Carbon, Gold) share the same type RM-233 — they differ only in materials and colours, not in hardware.
👉 View Nokia 8800 Arte available at Infosate
9. Nokia 8000 Series Secret Codes — Complete List
Nokia 8110, 8210, 8310 (DCT3/Series 20)
| Code | Function |
|---|---|
*#06# |
IMEI |
*#0000# |
Software version |
*#92702689# |
Warranty Data — serial number, production date, call hours |
*#3283# |
Production week |
*#7760# |
Production serial number |
*#746025625# |
SIM Clock status |
*3370# / #3370# |
Enable/disable EFR |
*4720# / #4720# |
Enable/disable Half Rate |
*#7780# |
Reset settings |
*#7370# |
Full reset ⚠️ |
Nokia 8800, 8800 Sirocco, 8800 Arte (Series 40)
| Code | Function |
|---|---|
*#06# |
IMEI |
*#0000# |
Firmware version — format V XX.XX / DD-MM-YYYY / RM-13 or RM-165 or RM-233 |
*#92702689# |
Warranty Data — serial number, production date, call timer |
*#2820# |
Bluetooth MAC address |
*#7780# |
Reset settings (requires security code) |
*#7328748263373738# |
Reset security code to 12345 ⚠️ |
The
*#7328748263373738#code: this Series 40 specific code resets the security code to 12345 when you've forgotten it. Different from*#7370#used on Symbian. If you've forgotten your 8800's security code — use this.
Identifying the Exact Model via *#0000#
| Display shows | Model |
|---|---|
| RM-13 | Nokia 8800 original |
| RM-165 | Nokia 8800 Sirocco |
| RM-233 | Nokia 8800 Arte / Sapphire / Carbon / Gold |
| RM-33 | Nokia 8801 (USA) |
10. Complete 8000 Series Comparison
| Model | Year | Material | Display | Camera | 3G | Ringtones | Launch price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 8110 | 1996 | Curved plastic | LCD mono | None | No | Standard | — |
| 8210 | 1999 | Premium plastic | LCD mono | None | No | Standard | — |
| 8310 | 2001 | Premium plastic | LCD mono | None | No | Standard | — |
| 8810 | 1998 | Chrome | LCD mono | None | No | Standard | — |
| 8850 | 1999 | Stainless steel | LCD mono | None | No | Standard | — |
| 8910 | 2002 | Titanium alloy | LCD mono | None | No | Standard | $1500 |
| 8910i | 2003 | Titanium | Colour | None | No | Standard | — |
| 8800 | 2005 | Stainless steel | TFT 208×208 | 0.3 MP | No | Sakamoto | €750 |
| 8800 Sirocco | 2006 | Stainless steel | TFT 208×208 | 2 MP | No | Brian Eno | — |
| 8800 Arte | 2007 | Stainless steel | OLED QVGA | 3.2 MP | Yes | Brian Eno | €1000 |
| 8800 Sapphire | 2008 | Leather + sapphire | OLED QVGA | 3.2 MP | Yes | Brian Eno | >€1000 |
| 8800 Carbon | 2008 | Carbon fibre | OLED QVGA | 3.2 MP | Yes | Brian Eno | — |
| 8800 Gold | 2008 | 18-carat gold | OLED QVGA | 3.2 MP | Yes | Brian Eno | — |
11. Nokia 8000 Series Collector Value 2026
| Model | Good condition | Mint with box |
|---|---|---|
| Nokia 8110 (1996 original) | €40-80 | €100-200 |
| Nokia 8210 | €20-40 | €50-80 |
| Nokia 8310 | €15-30 | €40-70 |
| Nokia 8810 | €30-60 | €80-150 |
| Nokia 8850 | €40-80 | €100-180 |
| Nokia 8910i | €50-100 | €120-220 |
| Nokia 8800 (RM-13) | €80-150 | €200-400 |
| Nokia 8800 Sirocco | €100-200 | €250-500 |
| Nokia 8800 Sirocco Gold | €200-400 | €500-900 |
| Nokia 8800 Arte | €150-300 | €400-700 |
| Nokia 8800 Sapphire Arte | €200-400 | €500-900 |
| Nokia 8800 Carbon Arte | €250-500 | €600-1200 |
| Nokia 8800 Gold Arte | €400-800 | €1000-2000+ |
| Nokia 8800 Aston Martin | €200-400 | €500-1000 |
Verified eBay prices (June 2026): Carbon Arte used €599, Sirocco Black new €899, Carbon Arte sealed £1,699 (~€2000). Prices vary significantly — always verify completed transactions, not asking prices.
12. The Nokia 8800 in Popular Culture
The Nokia 8800 was the preferred phone of business executives, politicians and celebrities in the years 2006-2010. In Russia and the Middle East it became a cultural phenomenon — the Nokia 8800 was the phone of oligarchs and successful businesspeople, with parallel markets for gold and gemstone accessories. It appeared in several European films and TV series as a symbol of power and luxury.
13. Pre-Purchase Check for Used Nokia 8000 Series
Nokia 8800/Sirocco/Arte:
- Weigh it — 134g (8800/Arte), 139g (Sirocco), 150g (Arte/Carbon/Gold) — if significantly lighter, likely fake
- Check "Made in Germany" on the back
- Test slider — smooth, precise, no squeaking
*#06#— IMEI*#0000#— verify RM type matches declared model*#92702689#— serial number must match back of phone- For Arte models — test OLED display (should be bright, deep blacks)
- Test accelerometer gestures: turn-to-mute and tap-for-time
Original Nokia 8000 Series at Infosate
At Infosate you'll find a selection of original Nokia 8000 Series phones — 8110, 8210, 8800, 8800 Sirocco, 8800 Arte and other Nokia luxury models, all verified before shipping.