| Nokia 6610 |
| General |
| Network | Gsm 900 / Gsm 1800 / Gsm 1900 |
| Announced | 2002, 3q |
| Status | Available |
| Size |
| Dimensions | 106 X 45 X 17.5 Mm, 71 Cc |
| Weight | 84 G |
| Display |
| Type | Cstn, 4096 Colors |
| Size | 128 X 128 Pixels, 5 Lines |
| | - Four-way Scroll
- Dynamic Font Size |
| Ringtones |
| Type | Polyphonic (4 Channels), Monophonic |
| Amount | 31 + 20 Custom |
| Customization | Download, |
| Vibration | Yes |
| | - Ascending Ringing Tones
- Personal Alert Tones |
| Memory |
| Phonebook | 300 Names X3 Numbers |
| Call Records | 10 Dialed, 10 Received, 10 Missed Calls |
| Card Slot | No |
| | In Shared Memory:
- Phonebook
- 75 Text Messages
- 250 Calendar Notes
- 6 Java Apps, 64 Kb Each
- 35 Images |
| Data |
| Gprs | Class 6 (3+1/2+2 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 | 2 - Bounce And Puzzle Chess + Java Downloadable, |
| Colors | 3 - Black, White, Grey |
| Camera | No |
| | - Downloadable Java Applications
- Stereo Fm Radio
- 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 780 Mah (bld-3) |
| Stand-by | 150 H - 300 H |
| Talk Time | 2 H - 5 H |
|
Nokia - 6610Nokia released the 6610 shortly after the 7210. While 7210 was built on fashionable looks, and innovative design, the 6610 is aimed towards the businessman. Clean lines, classic looks, and a familiar design is what the 6610 is all about.
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Design
The 6610 business phone is Nokia's answer to the widely popular color phone market. Nokia jumped in after Sony Ericsson and Samsung already released their phones to an audience craving for color. The T68i and SPH-A500 were huge successes.
Nokia raised the bar when they released the 7210 instantly before the 6610. the 4096 color 128 x 128 px screen blew the T68i out of the water, and the lack of an infrared port left the SPH-A500 extremely vulnerable. Its inability to transfer files from a computer to your phone was a huge let down.
The 7210 was a good phone with a great set of features. However, some people didn't like the 7210's radical design, especially the keypad. Perhaps too much flare.
Well Nokia has released the 6610. It's built upon a successful platform of the 7210, and toned down the eccentric looks to cater to the business community. The 7210 is for image, what the 6610 is for professionalism. On the inside, the 6610 and 7210 are virtually identical. However based on looks, they couldn't be more different. Some of the problems we've faced with the 7210 were fixed, while other problems will come back to haunt us.
Overall, if you've read the 7210 review, a lot of the 6610 review will look very familiar. Much of the same stuff is in this review.
As a phone the Nokia 6610 is approximately the same size as the Sony Ericsson T68i, and slighting taller and wider than the 8310. The dimensions of the 6610 are exactly the same as the 7210, and a whopping 1 gram heavier.
Screen
The 4096 color screen is one of the best we've seen. The 6610 has a resolution of 128 x 128 px. The display shows 5 lines of text and a service line. When messaging, 8 lines of text and 2 service lines are displayed due to scaling. The screen is bright and clear in dim conditions. However in sunny weather, the screen becomes washed out. Ghosts have been a problem where you see residual images that fade out when the screen changes. But it isn't all that noticeable. Overall though, the screen is considerably better than the T68i screen. The resolution is higher and you can have bigger pictures as wallpaper.
Audio
Polyphonic ring tones are all the rage these days, and the 6610 definitely delivers. Ring tones are played through a speaker rather than an ordinary buzzer. This means you get improved sound quality for music, alerts, and games.
Proof of the better sound can be heard through the included FM headset. It needs to be plugged into the 6610 in order to access its menu. Once plugged in, its menu lets you present 20 channels or tune to stations. The excellent sound quality is in stereo, and the same headset can be used as a handsfree device.
One of our favorite feature is the loudspeaker mode. It's loud enough so people can hear you clearly while you're within 1 to 2 feet. After 2 feet you'll have to speak up a bit. The incoming voices are loud and clear too. It works great for talking in a moving car, or writing down from a call without having to hold the phone. Only works in quiet places.
Controls
When you use this phone, it'll feel familiar. Its design was conventional, unlike the 7210's keypad. We definitely like this better. The 7210 scarified functionality for form, making it difficult to message. Not a problem with the 6610. The buttons are sturdy and messaging is a breeze.
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The 6610 is also equipped with a 4 direction keypad for scrolling through menus and playing games. While there's nothing bad with it, after using Sony Ericsson's 5 way jog dials, its hard to go back.
Battery
A 720 mAh Li-Polymer battery (BLD-3) is used with the 6610. Nokia claims the battery will work for 5 hours of talk time and 300 hours of standby, however those numbers are maximum times. Realistically the times are much lower.
Minimum Rated Standby Time: 175 hours
Minimum Rated Talk Time: 225 minutes
Many variables, including carrier signal strength at your location, signal consistency (including incoming and outgoing calls), display and ringer settings, and battery charging methods and history, will affect performance.
Storage
The 6610 comes with 725 kb of internal memory for storing pictures, ring tones, text messages, and Java applications. The max size for a MMS message is 45 kb each.
If there was a drawback in the 6610, this would be it. 725 kb is definitely not enough for a phone that supports all these features. With all the extras Nokia put in, polyphonic ring tones, higher resolution wallpaper, and Java applications, you would think they would give you enough memory to store it.
The internal memory lets you store up to 300 phone book entries, 150 text messages or 50 picture/concatenated messages, 250 calendar notes, and up to 30 To-do list entries.
Connections
On the top of the phone you'll find an infrared port for transferring files between your computer and phone. On the bottom is the outlet for charging your phone, and a system connector, Pop-port.
This is Nokia's next innovation. Pop-port can automatically identify accessories attached to the 6610. It also offers stereo sound with the use of headphones. Lastly, its also where you can charge your accessories with a single USB cable (Supplied) without the use of separate power sources. Pop-port transmits up to 230 kb/s.
Unfortunately the 6610 doesn't come with Bluetooth technology, for most people this wont be a problem, since it has an infrared port. If wires on your headsets don't bother you, or you don't have a PDA to connect to, then you'll be fine with the 6610
One thing we loved about the 6610 was the package included with the phone. PC Suite has an excellent package of tools for the 6610. One of the best support software packages we've ever seen. Most companies focus on the phone and neglect the software that supports the phone. Nokia definitely outdid itself this time. PC Suite includes:· Nokia Application Installer - Lets you install Java software on the 6610.
· Nokia Image Converter - Edit pictures for wallpapers or MMS.
· Nokia Sound Converter - Convert midi files to polyphonic ring tones.
· Nokia Content Copier - Backup your phone to a PC.
· Nokia PC WAP Manager - Configure WAP settings.
· Nokia Phone Editor - Edit contacts or SMS messages.
· Nokia PC Sync - Synchronize with applications like Microsoft Outlook, Lotus Organizer, Lotus Notes, and more.
· And much more...
Sound Quality
The Nokia 6610's sound quality is average when it compares with other phones in the market. Incoming calls had good tonal qualities. Voices were clear and clean, which is expected of phones nowadays. Hiss was also present. One thing we tested that bugged us was a boost in low frequency audio. Nokia probably did this to boost sound for the loudspeaker volume so it could carry farther, however the drawback was that hisses are more noticeable. No problems with outgoing calls either.
The loudspeaker sound quality was excellent. Not much can be expected for speaker quality. But for its purpose, the loudspeaker works well. Speech can be heard on the receiving end without raising your voice within a couple meters. And incoming calls come in loud and clear. With the FM radio, you could also listen to the radio through the loudspeaker.
RF Performance
The 6610 has very good RF. its ability to hold small signals and keep them has been excellent. It's definitely one of the better phones out there. That's a great accomplishment for a phone with an internal antenna. If this phone doesn't get reception where you live, don't expect many other phones to get better reception. Overall the Nokia 6610 gets a rating of:
Above Average
Pros
· Vibrant 4,096 color display. At 128 x 128 px the resolution blows the current competitors away.
· Good messaging software. Supports MMS, and concatenated SMS. A plus for messaging maniacs.
· Excellent list of multimedia options. Large 128 x 128 px wallpaper, polyphonic ring tones, color schemes to customize your phone.
· Cool downloadable games. With the 6610, you're no longer limited to the games they put on the phone for you. Bounce and Triple Pop are pretty fun too.
· Incredible sound quality. What makes the sounds so great for FM radio, games, and ring tones, is the mini sound card this phone has built-in.
· Built-in FM radio. Definitely a major plus. Stereo sound and the ability to save up to 20 radio channels. Also a headset that's functional and pretty cool. One of the best we've seen.
· Loudspeaker that's loud. At first we were afraid you would have to talk practically with your head next to the phone. However, that's not the case. Excellent range and clarity for a loudspeaker.
· GPRS support. With all the downloading this phone can do, it's good to know you won't be waiting a lifetime.
· Good reception. This phone can hold a signal. It doesn't sound like much, but many phones can't even do that.
· Great bundle of software for the Nokia 6610.
Cons
· No voice dialing or commands. C'mon Nokia, even cheap phones are starting to have this.
· Small memory. With Java applications and games, you'd think they would have put more memory on it.
· No Bluetooth. If you don't need it then its no big deal. I just like using my Bluetooth headset.
· Weak vibrating option. You might miss calls if you leave it in silent mode.
Conclusion
Like the 7210, the 6610 is a good phone. What we didn't like about the 7210, such as the keypad, we loved in the 6610. Overall, I liked the 6610 better than the 7210, but that's me. Others might like the unconventional design and look. That's why Nokia has the different phones. Inside, the phone has the same great features as the 7210, Java applications, polyphonic ring tones, color backgrounds, and a FM radio.
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Options such as voice commands and a larger memory were left out. We felt these options should have been included. They're not extraordinary features, as a lot of cheaper phones have them. Another option we would have liked was Bluetooth. But with infrared, it's not essential.
Overall, it's a good phone. The RF reception is great, and the software bundle is top of the line. It's definitely not a bad phone, but it's not the best in its class. The 6610 slightly edges out the 7210 and gets a rating of:
Above Average |
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