| Nokia 6100 |
| General |
| Network | Gsm 900 / Gsm 1800 / Gsm 1900 |
| Announced | 4q, 2002 |
| Status | Available |
| Size |
| Dimensions | 102 X 44 X 13.5 Mm, 60 Cc |
| Weight | 76 G |
| Display |
| Type | Cstn, 4096 Colors |
| Size | 128 X 128 Pixels, 8 Lines |
| | - Adjustable Display Brightness
- Four-way Scroll
- Dynamic Font Size |
| Ringtones |
| Type | Polyphonic (4 Channels), Monophonic |
| Amount | 21 Polyphonic And 10 Monophonic |
| Customization | Download, |
| Vibration | Yes |
| | - Ascending Ringing Tones
- Personal Alert Tones |
| Memory |
| Phonebook | 300 X 3 Fields |
| Call Records | 10 Dialed, 10 Received, 10 Missed Calls |
| Card Slot | No |
| | In Shared Memory:
- Phonebook
- 150 Text Messages
- 250 Calendar Notes
- 30 Todo Entries
in 725 Kb Memory Pool
- Mms, Max 30 Kb Each
- 20 Gallery Ringtones
- Up To 35 Images
- Up To 6 Java App |
| Data |
| Gprs | Class 4 (3+1 Slots), 24 - 36 Kbps |
| Hscsd | Yes, 43.2 Kbps |
| Edge | No |
| 3g | No |
| Wlan | No |
| Bluetooth | No |
| Infrared Port | Yes |
| Usb | |
| Features |
| Messaging | Sms, Mms |
| Browser | Wap 1.2.1 |
| Clock | Yes |
| Alarm | Yes |
| Games | Puzzle Chess + Java Downloadable, |
| Colors | 3 - Dark Blue, Light Blue And Yellowish Beige |
| Languages | Major European Languages |
| Camera | No |
| | - Downloadable Java Applications
- T9
- Calculator
- Calendar
- Infrared Transfer Of Data Between Compatible Phones
- Temperature, Currency, And Measurement Converter
- Built-in Handsfree
- Xpress-on Covers
- Profiles |
| Battery |
| | Standard, Li-ion 760 Mah (bl-4c) |
| Stand-by | Up To 150 - 320 H |
| Talk Time | Up To 2 - 6 H |
|
Nokia - 6100Ding-dong with the Nokia 6100
Major features
Tri-band GSM phone (GSM 900/1800/1900 MHz)
4096-colour LCD screen
Four-way navigational key
WAP over GPRS
Built-in electronic wallet feature
Java (J2ME) application support
Polyphonic ringing and message tones support (SP-MIDI)
Handsfree speakerphone feature
Background (wallpaper), screen saver and colour scheme features
Text and multimedia messaging capabilities
Pop-Port connector design
IR and data cable connectivity
Basic organiser features - with synchronisation capabilities (via Nokia PC Suite)
Improved dynamic memory support
New slimmer battery design used
Problems/Issues?
Cannot use custom ringtones for caller groups and message tones
Lacking in voice features
Sales package (should contain):
1 x Nokia 6100 handset
1 x lithium-ion battery @ 720 mAh (BL-4C)
1 x fast travel charger (ACP-12 type)
1 x boom headset (HDB-4)
1 x Nokia 6100 user manual
1 x Nokia 6100 application CD-ROM (containing Nokia PC Suite and modem drivers)
Overview
There are quite a number of similarities in Nokia’s current colour handset line-up - but the looks department is always an exception (this is probably what Nokia does best for each of their models!) The new 6100 model follows this same tradition - having nearly the same built-in features as the 6610 and 7210 models but looking very much different. Oh, and not forgetting to mention that the 6100 is Nokia’s lightest and smallest phone (based on overall volume) ever made!
New/outstanding features
Alike the 6610/7210, the 6100 comes with the new feature sets supporting colour (4096-colour LCD screen and menus), polyphonic tones and speakerphone, multimedia messaging (MMS), tri-band support (GSM 900/1800/1900) and the new 4-way navigational key. In addition to infrared (IR), it also comes with Nokia’s new Pop-Port proprietary interface connector allowing accessory connectivity as well as a data cable connection with the PC via USB.
If you are already familiar with both the 6610 and 7210, what you may want to focus on here is the slightly-more-different physical characteristics of the phone plus the replacement of the FM radio option with the electronic wallet feature, which was similarly available on the 6510.
Physical aspects
Considered as being one of the smallest Nokia phones ever made (based on its overall volume), I did find the 6100 to have quite a comfortable hold in my hands. Its sizing is proportionally smaller to that of the 6610/7210 - and if you are concerned about size when choosing your next phone, the 6100 will probably be the better pick of the three.
The 6100 does share several design similarities with the 6510/8310. For a start, it adopts a very similar keypad layout especially in the shaping, locality and angling for each button (with the exception of the 4-way key) - while being illuminated by a light-blue backlight similar to that used on the 6510. Additionally, the 6100’s main body design follows very closely with that of both 6510 and 8310 - its antenna section at the back of the phone is not covered by its Xpress-on cover (being white on the
6100, instead of black on the 6510/8310), and the IR port is located on the phone’s right side.
Remember that complaint I had with the 7210’s power and volume buttons being hard to press? Well, both of these sets of buttons have been made extremely easy to press on the 6100! Love the big size of the volume buttons, which controls both earpiece and speakerphone volumes… :)
And finally, yes - you can replace the snug-fit front Xpress-on cover of the 6100 to be of another colour. Simply remove the back cover from the phone, which locks-in the front cover in place, and push the two clips on each sides in to raise the front cover from the 6100’s body. Removal and replacement of the Xpress-on cover is very much easier than that of either 6610 or 7210!
User Interface & display
The 4096-colour LCD display of the 6100, used similarly on the 6610/7210, goes a good job with displaying simple colours and graphics - like those used for each of the sub-menus. But once you have too many or variations in colours displayed on-screen, the screen has a hard time in coping and to provide a sharp and high-definition image. This is one of the disadvantages in using an STN-based LCD screen - while on the other hand, out of most colour LCD screens available, it is one the most economical to power.
If you’ve seen the 6610/7210 menus, you will notice that the 6100 carries a different genre of icons for each menu item. There’s no difference in how the menu items are ordered, it’s just all about cosmetics really.
Making and receiving calls
Probably the only comment I have to make about the 6100 in terms of voice calls is the improved speakerphone performance.
Since Nokia first introduced this feature onto the 7650, there have been problems where the speaker’s volume was just too soft to feasibly conduct a handsfree conversation. On the 6610/7210, this problem was addressed - but on the 6100, you could say that the speakerphone system has finally been perfected. One can now conduct a handsfree conversation loud and clear!
Messaging
All the new colour Nokia models come with support for concatenated SMS messaging, as well as the ability to send and receive MMS messages. The 6100 is no exception, offering a comfortable keypad layout for words to be quickly typed out (with T9 enabled) for either basic SMS, picture and MMS messages.
A new feature available on the 6100, which is not included on either 6610 or 7210, is the ability to create and manage distribution lists for SMS messages. This becomes a handy feature if you send SMS-based messages to a group of people on a frequent basis. For each distribution list (a maximum of 7 lists possible), you can have up to 20 numbers or recipients.
For some of those quick T9 typists out there, the 6100 reacts sufficiently to every keystroke and buffers those that cannot be displayed in time. But I did find that the 6100 was very marginally slower than that of either 6610 or 7210 in this area (and in one or two normal standard phone browsing situations as well), which should not be a problem.
Build quality
Most of the new Nokia models have improved build quality both in the actual body of the phone and how snug the Xpress-on covers are when on the phone. The 6100 not only boasted a solid build - but had easy-to-exchange Xpress-on covers while keeping overall rigidity.
However, as the back cover didn’t encase the phone’s entire backing, there was a bit of squeaking when I depressed the top-centre of the back cover. Other than that, it fitted securely to the back of the phone and did not budge unless I pressed the release button.
Battery life
Using a new battery design that helps minimise the depth of the phone, the 6100 also performed quite well performance-wise gaining around 2-3 hours talk time and 3-4 days standby time.
Major features...
Tri-band GSM phone (GSM 900/1800/1900 MHz)
Needing to possibly carry two phones on your next round-the-world business trip may now be a thing of the past! With the 6100, it supports the three major GSM bands used throughout the five continents of the world - GSM 900/1800 in Asia/Africa/Europe/Oceania continents, and GSM 1900 in North America. No matter where you may be, the 6100 will always be ready!
4096-colour LCD screen
The colour LCD screen on the 6100 provides for up to 4096 colours (similar to the 7210) - allowing for pictures or graphics to be displayed in more than just black and white, while at the same time enriching the already easy-to-use Nokia user interface.
Four-way navigational key
The new four-way navigational key provides for that extra dimension of movement - which becomes especially important when you have to go through more information on the phone’s high-res screen. This added ability becomes that much more useful either when you want to edit a composed message, or just move through the month-view calendar quickly.
WAP over GPRS
The 6100 offers both the standard GSM Data, dial-up connection to Internet and other communication services that can be accessed at CSD (up to 9.6 kbps) or HSCSD (up to 43.2 kbps) speeds - while high-speed GPRS connections can also be established. All these can be accessed via the 6100’s internal WAP browser, or using an external PC device linked up via IR or data cable.
Built-in electronic wallet feature
Similar to the 6510 predecessor, the 6100 comes with a wallet feature that provides its user with the ability to store sensitive information, such as credit card details and passwords, and use these to access certain WAP sites or just simply keep them handy. This information is kept secret on the 6100 by a password, where it cannot be retrieved unless the correct password is entered.
Java (J2ME) application support
The 6100 comes with support for Java MIDlets (J2ME - CLDC 1.0/MIDP 1.0 compliant), which allows for these small applications to be used off the actual handset. Three Java applications are pre-loaded with the 6610 - including two games (Bounce, Chess Puzzle) and one productivity application (World Clock II). Additional applications can be downloaded off various web sites that offer these Java-based applications, or can be obtained at the Nokia Software Market.
Polyphonic ringing and message tones support (SP-MIDI)
The days of using those boring monophonic ringtones are over - thanks to the added support for polyphonic tones. These types or ringtones allow for multiple music instruments to be played at the same time, thereby creating a more total effect than with previously-used mono tones. Standard MIDI files can be converted to the supported format used by the 6100 (SP-MIDI) and transferred to the phone using the Nokia Sound Converter software - included in Nokia PC Suite v5.0 (downloadable from the Nokia 6100 product support site). Oh, for those who can’t part with their old ringtones, you’ll be rest assured to know that the 6610 is compatible with ringtones composed with older Nokia phones too!
Handsfree speakerphone feature
With the 6100’s handsfree speakerphone feature, this allows its user to conduct phone conversations while the handset is close by (for example, in front of you on a desk). Out of all Nokia models with this feature, the 6100 offers the best-sounding speaker so far.
Background (wallpaper), screen saver and colour scheme features
Having a colour screen does come with its benefits. The 6100 provides both a background (or wallpaper) feature allowing the user to choose a specific picture or image saved on the phone and have that displayed during standby. Finally, a screen saver feature, which displays the current time when active, can be used to save battery life and not just the screen!
Text and multimedia messaging capabilities
The 6100 comes with a range of messaging features - including concatenated (long) SMS messages, SMS chat, picture messaging, and multimedia messaging (MMS) support. Messages of all kinds can be stored in the phone’s dynamic memory area, as well as saving bits and pieces from an MMS message into the “Gallery” feature of the phone.
New Pop-Port connector design
Designed with a forward-looking mentality, the 6100 comes with a new proprietary interface connector at the base of the phone. Named Pop-Port, it provides support for high-speed data connections over USB (for example, a data cable), true stereo audio support for devices such as music players or radio, power output functionality, and the ability to uniquely identify accessories - digitally - and setting optimised parameters in the phone.
IR and data cable connectivity
The 6100 comes with the ability to communicate with an external phone or computing device via either the built-in IR port or by using the optional USB data cable accessory (sold separately).
Basic organiser features
As with most Nokia phones, the 6100 comes with a list of PIM-based applications - including a dynamic phone book supporting up to 300 name entries (with multiple details), month-view calendar, to-do list, calculator, and currency converter. Information from the phone book, calendar and to-do list can be backed up and/or synchronised with the Nokia PC Suite v5.0 software, downloadable from the Nokia 6100 support pages.
Improved dynamic memory support
Slow-paced memory access and missing phone book entries could be a thing of the past! Anyone with an 8310 and have managed to fill up the phone’s memory by cramming in all the phone numbers and messages you can save, you will be glad to know that the 6100 (and some other recent Nokia colour models) seems to have improved its dynamic memory management significantly. For example, on a 8310 it may take up to 10-15 seconds to open the messages folders containing up to 100+ text messages - now this operation is less than 2-3 seconds!
New slimmer battery design used
To have the design of the 6100 as slim as possible, Nokia introduced a new, slightly slimmer battery design that will be used on some of their upcoming models. The BL-4C lithium-ion cell will provide somewhat similar battery power as its sister models, the 6610 and 7210 - which also uses a 720 mAh battery too.
Problems/Issues?
Cannot use custom ringtones for caller groups and message tones
When is Nokia going to fix this so-called “problem” up with their latest colour screen models? Since my first complaint regarding this problem back in early October, two newer Nokia models have been released based on similar software - but none of them seems to have addressed this issue.
For those who are unaware of this problem, it seems that the 6100, 6610 and 7210 - all sharing somewhat similar software, cannot assign custom downloaded ringtones as their caller group or message tones. So much for having the ability to download new ringtones!
Lacking in voice features
Another thing that may bother some existing Nokia users, who are considering upgrading to the latest colour screen models, is the missing voice functions (with the exception of the 7650, that does come with voice dialling). If you’ve accustomed yourself with this feature, you’ll either have to live without them this time round on the 6100 or consider looking at other colour-based models that doesn’t go around discounting this feature on their product simply it has colour.
In Summary
Although the recently-released Nokia models may not carry many differences on the inside, I guess the whole point of having three different models is to sell primarily on the look-and-feel factor. In honest fact, the 6100 is indeed different to the previous two models reviewed (6610 and 7210) - while I also found that all three sported a different genre as well.
So if you’re out there and narrowed your probable choices to any of these three Nokia models, remember that they all share very common features but with the 6100 having its FM radio feature replaced with the Wallet function instead. Once you have that in mind, their looks now become your primary concern… :) |
| Common misspellings on this brand: nokiua |
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