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Nokia Classic

Nokia 6720 Classic Is Entry-Level S60 Device With Enough Talents To Entice

by Noel on August 22, 2009 · 2 comments

g720classic

Nokia has been killing it recently with their Classic range, which marries finely-shaped lines with no-nonsense phone capabilities.  The Nokia 6720 Classic is not my first or second choice from this particular line of phones, but it does many things right that might make it a good option for budget-conscious, older users.

Physically, I love the way this phone looks.  The overall aesthetic is actually more appealing and more rugged than other phones in its line (e.g. 6700 Classic).  Finish is subdued and understated, while build is very sturdy (as long as you keep the steel-plate battery cover on, which seems to hold the whole phone).

The phone's most pressing problem is the screen.  While being tiny at 2.2-inches (with QVGA resolution) can't really be taken against it, image quality is just not up to par with other devices in Nokia's range. Color seems off (right out of the box) and fonts just look too small.

A pleasant surprise is the fact that it's running Symbian S60, which makes it a workable smartphone of sorts, along with a good set of default apps, especially the very handy universal search facility (that actually works "universally," unlike the Palm Pre's).  Phone reception is great with natural sounding voices, although the speakerphone falls a little short of expectations.  Messaging, as always, is spot-on.  There's SMS, MMS, great support for a wide variety of email protocols and IM (Ovi Contacts, which supports many popular IM platforms, comes by default).

Feature set is good for a phone in this price range.  It comes with a 5.0 megapixel camera module that offers a good range of settings, including sequences shots and panorama mode.  On the downside, the onboard LED flash isn't all that usable unless you're doing close range shots and the shutter lag is very noticeable.  Image quality, however, is above average, easily besting many 5-megapixel shooters.

For internet connectivity, the 6720 is armed with HSPA speeds and a full HTML browser.  It comes with full Flash and Java support, a mini-map function and adjustable zoom.  It's a little difficult to use on such a small screen, but it will do.

Media player and music quality are surprisingly rich, hinting at the kind of audio hardware Nokia has been fitting their mid-range phones.  Video is also decent, with a TV-out option, in case you find the screen too small (and you will, I bet).  Other features include an FM radio, stereo Bluetooth and GPS.

If you can live with the sub-par display, the Nokia 6720 Classic is a fast and powerful phone, with plenty of features at your disposal.  Currently priced at around $320 unlocked, it's an undeniably awesome value.

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Nokia 6303 Classic Is As Attractive As A Basic Phone Can Get

by Noel on August 20, 2009 · 2 comments

nokia6303classic

Like other phones in their Classic line (e.g. Nokia 6700 Classic), the Nokia 6303 Classic marries style with basic handset capabilities.  Elegant and simple, it's the kind of phone we would have been be drooling for just a few short years ago.

The 6303 sports an interesting design that curves inwards at the lower end, right where the T9-style keypad is lined across.  It creates a fascinating effect that makes it look like a slider handset from some angles - a nice touch on an otherwise regular form factor.

Sturdy and well-built, it's decked with a stainless steel case, making it feel considerably better in the hand than most plastic-bodied basic phones.  Screen is a bright and sharp 2.2-inch panel that manages to give even small fonts and icons plenty of detail.

Voice calls are topnotch, with a great sound quality and no interference.  The onboard speakerphone is decent too, with loud volume.  Messaging features are standard for basic phones, with support for IM and email.  What makes it standout for the 6303, though, are the use of larger-than-usual keys, which makes texting just a tad easier, overall.

Features, as you can expect, aren't high end, but Nokia splurged on the 3.2 megapixel camera, throwing in a dual LED flash and a dedicated shutter button.  Image quality is great (accurate colors, nice detail) for a basic phone, although the shutter lag can be frustrating.  Other details include an onboard music player, FM radio, stereo Bluetooth and microSD card expansion.  There's no 3G, Wi-Fi or GPS support.

Even with the dearth of features, the Nokia 6303 Classic manages to be a very attractive phone.  It's good-looking, easy to use and works better than the glut of basic handsets out there.  It's even (mildly) extensible, as it supports downloads from the Ovi Store.  Priced at around $100 unlocked, anyone looking for a basic cell phone should place it high up in their consideration.

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