Multi Media Mobile (Nokia 6280)

Member Name: nickwock

Product:	Nokia 6280
Date:	30/06/08 (73 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Loads of features, especially if you want a good work phone

Disadvantages: Bulky & a bit heavy, especially by todays standards

Before you start reading, please be warned - I'm not the most technological minded of people so this review is based more on my opinion and feelings about this phone, but I have scoured the handbook and had a good play with my phone so I can try and give a thorough review!

I chose this phone from the wide choice on the Vodafone website. I've owned a few makes, Sharp, Sony Erricson, Samsung and Nokia and found the Nokia holds battery life longer, gets a stronger signal in our area and the calls are clearer. My only requirements were for a camera and for a free phone as up to date as possible (I knew 18 months is a long time by mobile standards), this phone ticked these boxes.

It is a slide style, the front panel slides up a couple of inches to reveal the keypad, although many features can be used without sliding it 'open' by using the main control buttons on the front lower panel. The main options such as 'menu' and 'vodafone live' are shown on the bottom left, right or middle of the screen and you just press the buttons directly under the option you require. Easy! The sliding mechanism is nice and smooth with an audible click when it's in the correct position, and there is a handy little 'ledge' just under the screen you can use to open and shut the slider although it is quite thin, anyone with large fingers or without nails would probably accidentally press the buttons which are directly underneath.

The front of the phone has a large screen measuring 4.5cm x 3.5cm approx. Above the screen is a tiny lens, for the video call camera. The on/off button is on the top. On the side is the camera button, although this can also be accessed from the menu. The 2 mega pixel camera has a digital zoom and although it's not a fantastic camera it's not too bad, the large screen helps. Press once for photos and press and hold for video. You will need the memory card though as the phone itself does not hold much memory. The slot for the memory card is on the side of the phone, along with the volume controls.

The phone can be locked, when sliding shut, an option to lock appears on the display. To unlock, the command is the usual 'select & top left control button' or just slide the phone open. Handy for when in your bag or pocket, but not to stop a child playing with it as they seem to think the sliding up and down is great fun!

It is a 3G phone, which means you can make video calls (although I never have), download music, games and video, either through the computer or Vodafone Live on the phone. The USB cable and headphones are included in the box along with a CD through which you can download the all the software needed. I haven't downloaded any video, but I found the music easy to do through vodafone live. The sound quality is no where near as good as my husbands Ipod, I wasn't really expecting it to be, but good enough. Although I don't use this function as much as I thought I would due to the phone being fairly large.

The menu is easy to navigate around and has the usual options, to include: messaging, applications (games and memory card), media (music & video files), organiser (calendar, to do list, notes), contact list, items (photos, themes, tones), audio message, call log, settings, web access (which I have never used).

Battery life is about average. I'm not a heavy mobile user, probably about 5-10 calls a day and 10-20 texts and the battery lasts me 5-7 days. Obviously it runs out much quicker if you are using the media functions.

The phone is quite heavy and thick, especially by todays standards. It looks quite nice, a silver front with a black surround with a very thin silver edge. The sides are black and have a very firm rubbery kind of feel. Its kept it's condition really well, all but for a few scratches on the screen which are more noticable when it is turned off and the back which is hard black plastic is sporting some scratches and grazes. I've had my 6280 for 14 months, this is the longest time I have ever kept a phone as I usually get bored, the truth is that I'm locked in to a 18 month contract and can't get a new one yet! I'm looking forward to something thinner, lighter and maybe a bit more feminine!

This phone is still available new, the cheapest price on Amazon was £104.99, surprising really!

Main features:

3G
Bluetooth
Infrared
2mp camera 8x digital zoom
Fast WCDMA and EDGE connections for broadband-speed browsing plus tri-band GSM phone with global roaming capability (sorry i have no idea what that means!)
Multimedia
MP3/AAC/eACC+ music player with stereo audio

Summary: Multi media mobile phone that slighlty resembles a brick

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