Nokia 6280 Review

Major features

The phone itself...

· 2G/3G-compatible handset – dual-mode UMTS2100 & GSM900/1800/1900 support Display: 2.2-inch TFT LCD supporting up to 262,144 colours (240x320px screen resolution)

· Internal memory: up to 6MB available for user-based data

· External memory: miniSD card supported (64MB card included)

· Voice and video calling capabilities

· Dedicated video call camera available (primary camera can also be used)

· SMS/MMS/audio/e-mail and instant messaging (IMPS) capabilities

· Ringing tones: 64-chord polyphonic (MIDI-based), digital music files, and video clips

· Handsfree support: headset, speakerphone or Bluetooth audio devices

· Java application compatibility

· Speaker-independent voice system: for calls and phone functions

· Push-to-Talk over Cellular (PoC/PTT) capability (* feature dependent on operator)

· Offline (flight) mode support – for non-phone based functions

Connectivity

· High-speed GPRS (2.5G), EDGE (2.75G) and WCDMA (3G) network data connectivity

· Traditional dial-up data connections (CSD/GSM Data & HSCSD) also supported

· Device-to-device connectivity via Bluetooth, infrared (IR) or USB data cable

· USB mass storage plug-and-play support

· Built-in xHTML/WAP browser

Media capture

· Integrated 2.0-megapixel camera with progressive digital zoom (up to 8X)

· Imaging modes: standard, sequence/burst, self-timer

· Video capture: supports 3GPP recordings at up to VGA (640x480) resolution

· Integrated photo light and self-view mirror

· Post-imaging support – basic photo editor and PictBridge USB printing support

Multimedia

· Playback/streaming of digital audio and video files through integrated media player

· Integrated stereo FM radio receiver with Visual Radio support

· Integrated single loudspeaker for ringtones, speakerphone, FM radio and media player

· Ability to play back multimedia files whilst in offline mode

PIM (personal information management)

· Basics: day/week/month-view calculator, calendar, notes (text-based), to-do list

· Extras: alarm (once/repeat, standard/radio tone, snooze customisation), countdown timer, converter, email (with attachments support), stopwatch, world time

· Internal multi-detail phonebook (contacts) with support for photo caller ID

· Synchronisation: SyncML (support for local and remote connections)

Problems/Issues

· Build quality: most shocking experienced to date for any Nokia phone! (6280 only)

· Design: slider mechanism not even close to perfect…

· Messaging: incorrect (?) T9 capitalisation behaviour

· UI: phone firmware full of problems! (6280 only)