Business Lunch
Written: Sep 20 '01
|
Product Rating:
|
|
| Durability: |
 |
|
| Clarity: |
|
|
| Portability: |
 |
|
| Battery Life: |
|
|
|
Pros: Ease of use, the strength, name storage capacity.
Cons: When compared to more modern handsets, the antenna, the weight, no T9 predictive messaging.
The Bottom Line: This phone is a milestone mobile phone, but it does now have some problems competing with newer more modern technology.
|
|
|
| airspring's Full Review: Nokia 6150 GSM Cellular Phone |
The Nokia 6150 is one of the most highly regarded top end mobile phones from the last few years. Although this phone’s not the youngest of machines on the market, it is still highly praised for its huge range of features and its ease of use. But does it still have the edge on more modern phones available.
The physical attributes of the phone bares all the hallmarks of something designed in yesteryear when compared to the likes of the new Nokias and Sonys. As the phone was originally launched in 1998, it was probably being developed by Nokia some time before that, meaning the phone has older certain characteristics, such as an external antenna-modern technology allows for antennas to be built internally-and a small display screen as the phone predates WAP. The weight is reckoned to be about 147g, which by today’s standards labels it as a portly heavy weight. The sizing is good however, and does fit comfortably into most people’s hands and pockets, though the matter of the external antenna can make for discomfort when placed in the pocket of tight trousers. The main problem with the outside of this mobile phone is the looks. It’s not a pretty little thing by any stretch, so much so owners may wish to consider some sort of leather case to mask its devilish looks.
Inside the software of this phones is nothing more than a slightly older version of the Nokia 8210/8260 software, now rather old. The menu structure and layout is exactly the same, the graphics are the same, everything is identical expect for the lack of the small animation when a menu it is selected. The software allows the user fast and accurate selection of menus, with short-cuts available, handy if you get use to it.
The features of this phone are the major selling points, and considering its age they’re are plentiful. As this is a ‘business phone,’ Nokia has packed it full of well thought-out handy features that do well at aiding the user, rather than hindering. Firstly the phone has a function known as Caller Groups, allowing entries in the phonebook to be slip up into various categories, work, business, family, VIP etc. Entries within these designated groups can have differing ringing tones assigned to them, so you’ll be aware of a person from calling you at any point by the specific ring tone you set for those entries within your phonebook.
The 6150 also allows you to pre-program various settings or ‘Profiles’ on the phone, dictating how the phone will behave within certain environments. Different profiles can be set dictating to the phone the when it shall make sounds, and when it shan’t. For example, when in a business meeting or using public transport, the phone profile can be set to ‘Meeting’ mode, meaning the phone will not make any sounds in the event of an incoming call or SMS. Then when the phone is in a noisy environment, a profile can be changed, instructing it to ring very loudly for all voice calls, and, say, only beep once at the arrival of a fax or data call. This Profiles function does sound a little complex and longwinded, but when you get used to the function, and utilise it fully, you may find it useful for segregating areas of your life. The Caller Groups function and Profiles function can also be inter-linked to allow call screening, allowing only certain pre-selected people to reach you when the phone is set to certain Profiles.
The battery of this machine is really quite remarkable considering it’s relative age. The battery is Lithium Ion, one of the most advanced battery technologies used in mobile phones today, this means the battery is capable of huge stand-by times, better than many available at present with more resent phones. Stand-by times of a week (without using the phones that much- are not that uncommon, with about 5 days being the usual.)
Another one of the useful features of the 6150 is capable of is fax and data. If you’re lucky enough to have access to a PDA, laptop or computer with an infrared interface this Nokia is capable of ‘talking’ to it for data transfer. Aside from the fax capability the data connectivity happens in more than one way. Firstly with a Nokia Data Suite-which must be purchased separately to the phone- this includes a data cable and software allowing the phone complete link-up for data transmission and modem use. Secondly there is the easier method, via the infrared link on the top of the handset. Data can be transmitted between the phone and computer via this port provided it has a similar infrared link. Assuming data connectivity is correct, and your GSM network allows it, you can sit in the park on a summer’s day with your 6150 and Psion PDA and go on the Internet. All you need for this is a compatible computer, one with an infrared link, and your Nokia. The two machines can sit there happily on the grass in front of you with their infrared ports sending invisible data between them.
Users may also like to benefit from having their faxes sent directly to the phone- network permitting- handy if you spend a lot of time out of the office, and need to have access to incoming faxes.
Some of the other less noticeable but still extremely useful features of this phone are the ability to store 150 names and numbers as well as the phone SIM card. This means the phones its self has the ability to store a phone book as well as the SIM card, handy if you must store the details of many ‘contacts.’
Another noticeable feature is the overall strength of the phone. Now this is not as strong as a Navy battle ship, but it will comfortably withstand a drop onto a concrete floor from hand height without any problem.
It does support SMS text messaging if your GSM network allows for it, however as the phone is now a little aged it doesn’t have T9 predictive software for speed typing, nor does it have the facility to store any more than ten sent or received messages. These facts can be very frustrating, especially for those who spend a lot of time messaging to others.
This phone, -along with the Nokia 702- has often been regarded as the best mobile phones money can buy. Although this statement can no longer be accepted with the prospect of new technologies on the horizon, this is the original ‘business phone.’ It’s a benchmark at which all other ‘business’ mobile phones are judged. The fact this phone is almost completely indestructible, and easy to use, is a huge advantage over other such machines of this age.
Recommended:
Yes
Amount Paid (US$): FREE!
|
|
|
|
Epinions.com ID:
airspring
|
|
Member: Mark O'Shea
Reviews written: 8
Trusted by: 3 members
|
|
|
- Add to My Yahoo!: 
- Add to Google Homepage: 
© 1999-2009 Shopping.com, Inc.