Known as the Nokia Tune, this melody is based on a phrase from Gran Vals by Spanish classical guitarist Francisco Tárrega. Nokia introduced it as a mobile phone ringtone in 1994, and its repeated presence on widely used handsets made it one of the world’s most familiar electronic melodies. It later spread through remixes, parody calls, retro technology videos, and internet memes. Like the Windows XP shutdown sound, it remains popular because a few notes can immediately evoke an earlier era of consumer technology.
About this sound
The classic Nokia ringtone is a bright, instantly recognizable mobile phone melody used in retro edits, call jokes, nostalgic videos, and tech memes.
This sound features the classic Nokia Tune, a short sequence of clear electronic notes once heard whenever many Nokia mobile phones received a call. Its simple rising and falling melody is immediately recognizable, especially to people who used mobile phones during the 1990s and 2000s. In videos, the ringtone creates an instant sense of retro technology, interrupted conversations, or an awkward incoming call. The crisp monophonic-style tone also works as a nostalgic punch line when paired with an old handset, outdated gadget, or unexpected phone reveal.
