Plain and simple. (Nokia 3100)

Member Name: icetsunami

Product:	Nokia 3100
Date:	18/06/09 (17 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: All essential funtionality present and correct.

Disadvantages: Lacks Bluetooth, maybe too basic for some.

I recently started using this handset as a supplied work phone. (No Blackberries here!). It's a small and sturdy little phone in the traditional candybar design. There are no end of X-press on covers, both official and 3rd party, to change the phone to suit your personality, choice or even mood.

Under the cover:

The phone is 10.2*4.3*2cm and weighs 85g. It's fairly small and discreet and slips easily into a pocket or bag. The phone is tri-band and supports GPRS, Wap 2.0, Java and XHTML.
There is also vibrating alert to accompany the polyphonic ringtones. 31 are supported by the limited 484kb memory which is non expandable. The handset does come with a pc cable for data synchronisation, there is support for e-mail via SMS and the phone supports data and fax. In terms of the contacts there is space for up to 300 names and numbers.
There are 6 profiles to choose from including loud and silent and some which can be customised to your preference. Basic games and some organiser apps such as alarm and calendar complete the deal.

Interface or two face?

Hooray! You can't fault Nokia for sticking to the same menu systems as most of their other phones use.

Boo! Sometimes it's nice to have something a little different.

The menu is colourful and icon driven with clear descriptions of what they represent. Handily they are all logically numbered too so you can refer to the manual quickly if you get stuck. Having said that it is fairly intuitive to use which is probably why Nokia maintain their simple navigation interface.

Give it to me straight:

This is a basic phone for someone with basic phone needs, simple as. Ideal as a second or work phone and easy enough for your granny to use. If you have a modern phone you'll miss some features like a camera perhaps but you'd expect to at entry level.


Value for money?

I have seen some online retailers still selling this phone for in the region of around £70-£80 which is no doubt very steep. Shop around and you may pick one up for as little as £30. If you do pay the lower price you are getting a dependable phone with very little to criticize. The only omission which I would have liked to have seen would be Bluetooth for safe hands free calls.

Summary:

It's very good! Basic yes, but still very good. I have never encountered a problem with Nokia handsets and it's tough enough to stand some heavyish knocks. If you can get it at a realistic price then you will be buying a good little phone.

Summary: For the right money you can back a winner.

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