| Nokia rinGo | |
| Manufacturer: | Nokia |
| Released: | 1995 |
| Screen: | monochrome LCD |
| Size: | 152 x 55 x 33mm, vol 160cc |
| Weight: | 235.00g (8.29 oz) |
| Colors: | grey/green |
| Memory: | 60-contact phone book |
| Networks: | TACS, ETACS, NMT-900 |
| Battery: | 900 mAh, NiMH |
| Form: | Candybar |
The Nokia rinGo (named after "Ring and Go") is an entry-level analogue consumer mobile phone from Nokia,[1] originally released for the analogue NMT-900 network in Finland, Norway, Sweden, Denmark and Netherlands. Two revisions were released afterwards.
The first rinGo (code NHX-2N)[2] phone was launched for NMT in November 1995. It had a very simple design and came in either grey or green with a small monochromatic LCD screen. The Nokia rinGo was designed to be easy to use straight out of the box and was cheap to buy,[3] due to special mobile carrier tariffs.[4] An ETACS version of the rinGo with minor design changes was launched in 1997 in the United Kingdom [Spain]] and Austria. It was the UK's first pay as you go Nokia handset through Vodafone's pay as you talk package. It was also sold in Thailand under the name Wave900.[5]
In press releases it was also called a 'concept', a way of easily buying and using a mobile phone without operator registration. Nokia unusually created a unique "rinGo" brand and logo for it.
In September 1997 a new rinGo model (NHX-4N) was introduced for ETACS with a big oval shaped button for accepting and rejecting calls, and was thinner and available in a variety of colours.[6] Later in October 1998 a third (NHX-7) model was released for ETACS in Italy and Spain (both versions 4N and 7 via operator Moviline). It featured the "Navi-key" like on the GSM Nokia 3110 and Nokia 5110 and had its top antenna positioned in the middle.[7]
The phones have the capacity to store about 60 contacts.[8] Calculator, Watch and Calendar were pre installed on the handset.
Nokia marketed original rinGo targeting women and children. However it gained a negative reputation and in Sweden earned the nickname "bimbo phone", leading to low sales.[9] [10] Interest and popularity of the rinGo quickly faded and it has been largely forgotten since.[11] [12]