Brick (Nokia 7650)

Member Name: samjc1

Product:	Nokia 7650
Date:	14/05/06 (149 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Good operating system, large screen, can sychronise calendar with windows

Disadvantages: Size and weight, sms menu clunky

I inherited this phone from my hubby when he got a free upgrade on his contract phone. He had been using it for a couple of years, but the chassis is robust, so it still looks in pretty good condition.

APPEARANCE
Ths first thing that you notice is the size and the weight of the thing, it's pretty hefty! I refer to it as "the brick" (approx dimensions just measured with my thumb, 5 in long, 2 in across, 3/4 in deep with keypad extended. Sorry metric types, my thumbs only do imperial.) Warning, this phone is incompatible with dinky hanbags! (I speak from experience here girls.)
The keypad slides out from the phone. On the fascia there are two operating buttons, a small joystick and a button which always reminds me of a paperclip, which accesses the main operating system. The joystick is great, operates easily and is in constant use. It seems very robust which is vital as the phone could not operate without it. The buttons on the keypad are quite small and flat, and can be a bit fiddly to use.

OPERATION
The phone switches on and off via a quite small red button on the top right. The phone fires up with a nokia welcome screen, then asks for the lock code. (You may be able to bypass this, but I can't figure out how. If anyone knows please tell!) My hubby had it because the phone was on contract but I am a low value pay-as-you-goer and so I don't usually bother with lock codes.

Once that is input you reach the main screen, where you can access all the phone's features. The camera and the calendar are directly accessible via the buttons at the bottom of the screen, everything else via the paperclip. Pushing the joystick in accesses your contacts.

The phone has too many features to fully list here, so I've concentrated on the ones I use.

MAKING CALLS
This is pretty straightforward using the searchable contacts list. Volume can be adjusted during the call.

TEXT MESSAGING
I find this a little clunky to get to, as you have to use the paperclip, then move the joystick to Messaging, then select inbox to read any new messages. It has all the usual sms features, predictive text etc. The large screen means you can read your text messages easily.

CAMERA
Pretty low res by current standards, but ok for quick snaps.

CALENDAR
For me, the most useful addtional feature. This can be synchronise with outlook via bluetooth, infrared or modem (and I imagine also via good old cable). I use this all the time, saves me carrying a diary.

GAMES
It comes with a couple of games, you can download many more if that's your thing. Squinting at the screen to play a game isn't mine, but it keeps small boys amused when they have to wait in the car.

WAP ENABLED
The phone is WAP enabled, which I have used very very rarely. It works fine.

OTHER USEFUL FEATURES
It also has an alarm clock, you can select different profiles for ring volume etc, and of course you can download polyphonic ring tones.

BATTERY LIFE
My battery is obviously nearing the end of it's life now, as it drops from 3 bars to no bars in the time it takes to ring. When it is fully or nearly fully charged there is no problem. The battery charge lasts for about 4 or 5 days on standby (which mine mostly is).

Thank you for reading and rating this review, I'm off to ebay now for a new battery!

Summary: Dependable but ever so slightly dull (and bricky)

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