The 6288, another let down from Nokia (compared to 6230i) (Nokia 6288)

Member Name: bikerchris

Product:	Nokia 6288
Date:	19/01/07 (1920 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: "Looks shiny", big screen, Active Standby, free 512MB card included

Disadvantages: Word suggestion missing, difficult to move texts/contacts, lame.

BIT OF A LET DOWN....

I'm comparing this phone with a the 6230i from which I upgraded, and I have used Nokia's for the past 8 years.

The immediate differences:

-Phone book holds 500 not the quoted 1000+ on the vodafone website.

-The predictive 'word suggestion' has been removed, shame.

-The 3D car game controls freeze upon execution of the game (no biggie).

It's probably going to be these issues that will make try a N93 instead. It's a shame as it was a great deal of hassle to get this phone and it's been 18 months since I got the 6230i which, although boring to most, did it's job very well. I added to this functionality by installing a 1GB memory card. The 6288 uses a micro SD card so it's not interchangable.

In order to migrate I used the nokia software, incidentally the PC Suite provided with the 6288 is dated around Mid 2006 - this would suggest it's had quite a few problems and recalls, a local Vodafone shop confirmed this.

NOW FOR THE GOOD NEWS:

-One feature I do like is the Active Standby screen, this provides you with information relating to the calendar, notes and status of the radio and music players (slightly odd, as you should know whether they're on!). It also has shortcuts which can be interchanged for many other functions much like the 'go to' button which thankfully hasn't been removed. The only minor downside to this is that it looks like an after thought as the resolution/sharpness of the text is a bit poor.

-The main navigation button feels and responds in a much easier way compared to the 6230i.

-I like that you can operate the phone without exposing the keyboard - convenient for receiving calls or browsing information in the calendar or text messages.

-Audio quality for making calls is very good.

-The use of the camera is very easy, a button on the side allows instant photos and for a 2MP camera, the quality is very good (note standard settings are used by default).

-The keypad is very easy to use, although that 'clear' button (top right) is a lot further away than a 6230i.

-Temporary Bluetooth visibility is a good idea, allows you to be 'unhidden' for 2 minutes or so.

-The screen

A BIT OF BAD NEWS LEFT...

-I'm not too impressed with the one pixel wide reception indicator as unlike the past solid blocks to display signal strength, these are slightly difficult to see, even for young eyes.

-The mains charger has a smaller diameter plug fitting into the phone, so you won't be able to use your previous charger.

-creating new text messages is a hassle due to the new layout. This is minor but to compare phones to the 6230i a slight irritation. It relates mainly to how you have to retrieve a contact numbers' mobile number.

-For what is supposed to be a newer phone, it takes as long if not longer to access a small 512MB card compared to 1GB installed in a 6230i.

-Any performance advantage is practically omitted due to the big screen.

-Migrating contacts loses information if you use the 'restore' option in the PC Suite. Images and groups associated or lost and postal addresses are lost.

-To use up more memory / performance they have programmed extended voice tag function. This means in theory you no longer need to use voice tags as it can say the names in your phone book already. Now I have some foreign friends and it has no clue how to say they're name, more over it's restrictive for those with strong regional accents.

-You only have a restricted amount of dial tones to suitably embarrass you in public...or make you look like a 'cool' 8 year old.

CONCLUSION:

Nokia have excelled at original thinking, but sadly aren't prepared to iron out problems or look at what they have got and improve it. They remind me of a small child - more interested in starting a new lego house than improving the one they've already built...

I'M GOING OFF ON ONE NOW...:

I would hope one day that they would consider existing Nokia users rather than trying to attract new customers, making it easier to upgrade, instead of a pain. The best way to advertise is through the end user, i.e. If I tell my friends how great my phone is AND show them, it's far better and easier than them going through some overly flashed website. I really can imagine employee's at Nokia in the design department being whipped until they can think of some random and pointless function for a phone.

Summary: A long awaited phone just wasn't worth the wait.

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