Nokia 6500 Classic - Mini Review
I’ve been using a new mobile phone, the Nokia 6500 Classic, for a few days now. Overall, I can say it’s the best mobile phone I’ve ever used. Here’s why…
Pros:
- Supremely pocketable - a mobile phone should be easy to carry around. This phone is only 9.5mm thick and 45mm wide; and weighs 94g
- Fantastic user interface - SMS texting in particular has never been so easy; and the integration of SMS and MMS messaging into a single unified interface is really elegant
- Fantastic screen - QVGA resolution, and beautifully bright and sharp
- Great keypad - the keys are small, but the design means that you never hit the wrong key by mistake; and the 4-way navigation ring and large select button work a treat
- Amazing web browsing experience using Opera Mini versions 3 and 4 beta (I’ll be blogging about the state of mobile web browsing another time)
- 3G - fast data downloads
- Value for money - available free with contracts from providers offering good cost-effective tariffs
- The new OS (S40 5th Edition, Feature Pack 1) seems pretty robust - it hasn’t crashed on me once
- Great build quality - the metal case feels really solid and well-engineered
- A Java ME implementation that’s bang up-to-date. It includes support for JSR-248, an important standard that aims to address the issue of fragmentation of Java on mobile handsets. It is enabling developers to build applications that will work predictably across hundreds of millions of handsets in the next couple of years. With that kind of market size, expect some amazing applications to be built for phones that support JSR-248
Cons:
- The camera works well enough in good light, but photos become rather noisy in even modest light conditions. The flash helps, but colours are not completely natural in that case. The lack of autofocus and macro settings mean it’s rather a long way from the standard of the best mobile phone cameras. The camera falls into the category of “just about good enough” for quick snaps, but don’t expect good results in low light. Video capture is OK, but as with the still shots, you need good light conditions to get reasonable quality results.
- Battery. The phone is rather a victim of its own success as a multi-function device. With so many useful features, especially the great data-related features such as the superb web browsing (and apps like Google Maps, which works well on the phone), people will want to use this device a lot. If you use the phone a lot, you should expect to have to charge it every night
If you’re in the market for a new mobile phone, I recommend you audition the Nokia 6500 Classic.
Asam Bashir wrote:
No WIFI and no VOIP. What’s the point of having fast web browsing, if the web browsing experience itself sucks. Have both the Nokia Browser and Opera on my E65 and they’re both horrible to use, typing in a URL using the keypad is very annoying, sure you can make a few bookmarks for regular sites, or even access my dot mac synced Safari bookmarks, but after a few days I’d be very surprised if you even bother opening the web browser again. Nice to play with for a few days, then the reality dawns.
Also, would be interested in hearing about the specific Java apps you use daily and how long it takes you to get bored with them.
Posted 22 Oct 2007 at 4:00 pm ¶
Asam Bashir wrote:
PS Battery tip, keep the Bluetooth off if you’re not using it.
Getting about 5-6 days without charging now on my E65 since I’ve been turning off the wifi and bluetooth..
Posted 22 Oct 2007 at 4:04 pm ¶
simon wrote:
Yes, no Wi-Fi and no VOIP on the 6500. Obviously, those would be great to have; and for some, they’re necessary in a phone. If someone *needs* Wi-Fi and VOIP, then clearly the 6500 isn’t the device for them.
As for Opera, I’m using the Opera Mini 4 beta 2. I can’t agree that it’s horrible to use. Quite the reverse in fact; it makes the mobile web browsing experience super-usable. I’ll be writing a blog about what I think is so great about it soon, but I’m waiting for the next beta which is due out this week. It’s is supposed to have some interesting new features.
Java ME apps I’m currently using every day are:
1. Opera Mini 4
2. I’m playing a couple of casual games - a 3D golf game called Golf Tour, and quite a nice version of the old classic, Tetris
Other Java apps I’m using pretty regularly are some utility apps that are useful to me.
1. A neat unit converter (metres to feet etc.)
2. World clock - to check timezones before making calls esp to places like China where I’m always forgetting the time difference.
3. Google maps. You need it when you need it.
Think that’s about it at the moment as regards Java apps on the phone….
Posted 23 Oct 2007 at 7:07 am ¶
Asam Bashir wrote:
Have been using this,
http://www.mobimate.com/
WorldMate 2007 - not sure if you mean the same one - agree it is very handy and have it set to get local weather reports which it downloads over wifi ready for me in the morning.
Totally disagree about Opera Mini 4 - might have been acceptable as a browsing experience before iPhone Safari but data/URL entry is a major issue.
Posted 23 Oct 2007 at 5:12 pm ¶
simon wrote:
Well, data entry is not really a big problem on a numeric keypad compared to other mobile devices. In fact, I suspect that a phone numeric keypad might be faster (or not much slower) to use than the iPhone keyboard; although people’s mileage will obviously vary there. Clearly, though, there’s a long way to go before data entry on mobile devices is as easy as on a computer keyboard. Also, in regard of Opera Mini vs iPhone Safari, i think Opera Mini does some smart stuff that Safari doesn’t; things that are really useful for mobile browsing.
Posted 23 Oct 2007 at 6:03 pm ¶
moe wrote:
simon, you have any idea when the bronze version of this phone is coming out?
i just bought the black after hearing feb, ‘08 rumors.
Posted 08 Nov 2007 at 2:32 am ¶
simon wrote:
Moe - I don’t know about planned release dates - these things are always subject to change, anyway. However, I think bronze edition might be out in some European markets in two or three weeks (beginning of December).
I may be wrong on this, but the bronze 6500 may be exclusive to Vodafone in the UK, where it will be called “6500 Havana Gold Edition”.
Posted 08 Nov 2007 at 10:32 am ¶
moe wrote:
Very interesting.
Thanks for getting back so quickly. I absolutely love the blog! i found it by googling your 6500 review.
All the best.
Posted 08 Nov 2007 at 1:10 pm ¶
moe wrote:
Hey Simon. I was wondering if you’ve had any issues using google apps w/ your phone? I’m having trouble manually setting up a proxy using the Access Point configuration setup. There’s no place to enter a proxy address for some reason. It’s really odd.
BTW, I’m in the US using T-Mobile.
Posted 10 Nov 2007 at 11:13 pm ¶
simon wrote:
Moe, this kind of thing is more often due to the carrier (in your case, T-mobile US) rather than the phone. Google apps work fine with my phone, btw.
I’d suggest joining somewhere like HowardForums.com - hopefully you’ll find people with the same phone on the same carrier… and they’ll be able to tell you the solution.
Posted 11 Nov 2007 at 8:47 am ¶
robin wrote:
Hi Simon, My Wife has just got the new 6500 classic and desperately wants an original type tetris game? Could you tell me where you got it from please?
robincooke@hotmail.com
Thanks
R
Posted 20 Nov 2007 at 5:52 pm ¶
milo wrote:
Dear Simon.
Yesterday I bought the 6500c and I do agree on the beaty of the look and feel of the 6500 classic.
But there are two things I can’t stand or I just don’t know how they works on this phone.
Maybe you can help me out ?
1. If i want to send a sms I have to enter the number of the person I want to send the sms to. With the other nokia devices I am used to enter the first letters of the name and then my address book will be used by the phone to find the right person.
Of course you can use the addres book of the 6500 but it takes two extra clicks to get there.
2. I can not open the attachments of my emails. So far I haven’t found a solution for this.
Hope you can help me.
thanks,
Milo
Posted 14 Dec 2007 at 9:11 pm ¶
Patrick wrote:
Hey,
Can anyone tell me if the nokia 6500 classic Bronze is avalible to optus users and when its avalible.
Posted 15 Dec 2007 at 6:47 am ¶
simon wrote:
Milo,
1. SMS
As far as I know, the SMS recipient method you want to use isn’t implemented. However, by clicking in the “To” field, you have routes to very fast selection of contact. A good tip is to set up favourites, to minimize the number of clicks.
2. Opening e-mail attachments
My recommendation is to setup a Google gmail account, and forward your mail to that. Then, install the gmail Java mail mobile app. This will let you open some attachments.
Posted 15 Dec 2007 at 11:19 am ¶
milo wrote:
thanks
Posted 17 Dec 2007 at 7:30 pm ¶
Mark wrote:
Hi Simon,
I’m also having trouble with google apps on my 6500. I had a nokia 5500 sport before this one and (yes it had its own set of problems!) google maps & gmail worked perfectly. it’s a real pain without google maps now, i’m with vodafone UK, any ideas why it won’t work?
Posted 28 Dec 2007 at 2:34 pm ¶
Ramsey Assal wrote:
Hi Simon - just bought to 6500 classic. Grat phone. I can access the web and have downloaded the Google Mail application from Google site. However, this will not work and when I try to access emails it just hangs and does not open. Any suggestions?
Posted 04 Jan 2008 at 9:49 pm ¶
Jacque wrote:
Hi Simon, do you know how to get the numbers working to enter them in sms? I can’t get my classic 6500 to toggle into a __123 for me to type a ‘0′ so I’m having a devil of a time trying to enter 10 as a date.
Thanks!
Posted 22 Jan 2008 at 2:15 pm ¶
Lukas wrote:
Dear reades, dear Ramsey A.
have you solved problem with Google Mail application for your Nokia 6500? I have the same problem. I used Gmail app on my old 6021 with no problem. Thanks for help!
Posted 12 Mar 2008 at 7:22 pm ¶
Justin wrote:
Hi, can anyone tell me exactly about the battery? I have read a lot of people reviews about this phone. They complained that the phone battery life doesnt last long for a day of even half of the day. I don’t think it’s that bad. If I dont use blue tooth or 3gb how long it could last for stand by? people keep saying this is the worst phone ever, some even say the phone just automatically turn off after 12 hours and they can’t charge it again. Does anyone has experience about this?
Thanks
Posted 31 Mar 2008 at 6:46 pm ¶
simon wrote:
My battery lasts a several days between charges if the phone isn’t used for hours of voice calls (with Bluetooth radio off).
Posted 31 Mar 2008 at 8:30 pm ¶
Justin wrote:
Thanks Simon, but do you have any other about the battery? such as it wouldnt charge anymore if you let it runs flat out?
Posted 01 Apr 2008 at 11:11 pm ¶
Justin wrote:
any other problem*
Posted 02 Apr 2008 at 3:56 am ¶
simon wrote:
When the battry runs flat, I’ve found that it takes about ten minutes or so on charge before the phone “comes to life” and the screen gives an indication that it’s charging.
For information, I’ve never left the phone battery flat for a long period. On occasions it’s run flat, I’ve always put it on charge right away.
Posted 02 Apr 2008 at 6:43 am ¶
Justin wrote:
Thanks Simon, just one more question about the phone. Is there anything or experience about the phone that I should know? because you use it already so you probably know what should we do and shouldn’t with this phone.
Thanks again
Posted 02 Apr 2008 at 3:43 pm ¶
simon wrote:
Can’t think of anything. The only thing I’d say is that camera is quite poor compared to many mobiles.
Posted 02 Apr 2008 at 4:26 pm ¶
Justin wrote:
oh thanks, it’s alright. I’m using the nokia 6103 now, and i dont think the nokia 6500 classic’s camera is worst than 6103
Posted 02 Apr 2008 at 9:26 pm ¶
Justin wrote:
I got it yesterday, so far its not as bad as people say about it
Posted 04 Apr 2008 at 4:36 am ¶
Pat wrote:
I’m currently on my 2nd phone after the first would freeze randomly, only way to fix this was to remove and replace the battery which results in a time and date reset. The replacement handset i received about 10 days ago is now suffering from the same problem. Avoid…
Posted 19 May 2008 at 5:29 pm ¶
Linda wrote:
i just got an upgrade to the Nokia 6500 today and am now dismayed to see in many postings that many people are having the same trouble I am having trying to get googlemail for mobile on this phone - login page asks for details then redirects to page saying “click here to continue” then just loads back the login page again, and so on, I am really not happy - have used gmail for mobile on all my other phones successfully for years! GUTTING. Anyone found a solution. thanks
Posted 26 May 2008 at 8:20 pm ¶
andy wrote:
Just bought a Nokia 6500 and inserted the battery but can’t get the damn thing back out of the phone. Help!
Posted 28 May 2008 at 7:04 pm ¶
lisa wrote:
is it true the screens r cracking
Posted 02 Jun 2008 at 10:17 pm ¶
chito wrote:
use a tape to pull the battery out.
That’s pretty easy. Learned it the hard way.
Posted 15 Jun 2008 at 11:07 pm ¶
Kyran Jones wrote:
How do i know if the phone is charging?
Posted 28 Jun 2008 at 5:57 pm ¶
Angelika wrote:
HI,
I have a question. I’, with T-mobile in the US and can’t send or receive any picture messages. My t-moblibe phone did that just fine. I got the phone from Germany. Are there any settings I have to chance in order to make the MMS work?
Thanks
Posted 15 Jul 2008 at 2:03 am ¶