Is that a Nokia 3330 in your pocket or... (Nokia 3330)

Member Name: benniash

Product:	Nokia 3330
Date:	22/01/04 (166 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Reliable , Plenty of features for the average person

Disadvantages: Bulky

I have had my Nokia 3330e for ages now and in truth I wouldn't part with it.

Let's set the record straight, I'm not the sort of guy who changes his phone every five minutes, all I want to do is make calls and send texts at the cheapest possible rate - if the phone looks good and has loads of features then that?s a bonus.

Buying a phone these days is the complete opposite of finding a needle in the haystack. There's so many to choose from but it's almost impossible to weigh up which one is best for you. Added to the fact that you never know which shops are pushing which phone I'm always sceptical of taking the shop assistants advice.

When I actually purchased my phone it was more by chance. Some guy sold me Virgin gas and electricity and also asked me if I was interested in a new mobile (he had seen my old Sagem when completing the deal). It turned out he was a student who promoted loads of companies and got paid commission on sales - fair play to the guy. Anyway, he produced the Nokia 3330 from his bag, which at the time was one of the latest models, and asked me if I'd be interested. I had been looking for a phone so checked it out...

It had plenty of features...

Predictive Text messaging: not essential but a good extra. Basically predictive texting is just what it sounds like; as you type a word it predicts what you are writing and, once mastered, can speed up your text social life.

Messaging extras: include pictures, smileys, symbols, sending by set and templates. Again not essential but all of which I have benefited from.

Call reviewing: basically a function where you can check the last few numbers dialled, calls received, etc. Good to check who called when or prove to your girlfriend that you DID call her bang on seven but she just didn't answer!!

Call options: speed dialling is available by saving phone numbers as a number on your keypad, so you only have t

o press that number. Saves time scrolling through your phone book (on your phone) to find the people you call on a regular basis. Voice dialling is also available but a feature that I have grown to hate. Basically this is a feature where you record the name of the person onto their profile and when you say their name into the phone it dials their number. Sounds good but the theory is that in trying to call Kim you get Jim, or simply the phone fails to recognise your voice. It doesn't make you look cool saying to your phone "Mum" every three seconds in the middle of a supermarket!!

The phone comes with the usual call divert setting which but also the option of a second line. This could be good to distinguish calls - it's easy to set up through your phone and is offered at a reduced monthly charge.

One of its top features is WAP (Wireless Application Protocol to those less in the know). This gives you access to loads of things from weather to sports results - good for people on the go.

On the fun side you get 35 ring tones, as well as vibrate (no jokes!) and also you can install more by downloading from the Internet, etc. My personal tip is to use a normal ring, it makes picking your phone out when it rings in the office a lot easier because everyone else seems to have the latest pop tune or their favourite film soundtrack!! The phone also has five (highly addictive) games and similar to the ring tones others can be downloaded from the Internet.

Other features include reminders to keep help keep your diary in order, an alarm clock and, well believe it or not, you can also make calls from it - now that?s technology for you!

The one disadvantage is that since I bought it the newer versions of phones are much smaller - although it makes a great paperweight on a windy day!

For contract buyers the phone is usually free but expect to pay around £75 for a pay-as-you-go version.

The phone ha
s cha
ngeable covers to keep up with the latest trends and it's durability has been tested to the max when dropped on several occasions. It lasts for ages when charged and comes with the standard Nokia charger.

So if you, like me, just want to make calls and text your friends then the Nokia 3330 is the phone for you. If however you want it to do your washing, feed the cat and put the kids the bed, look elsewhere.

Summary: