Nokia 6220 Classic: Wolf in a (plastic) sheepskin?
I apologize for turning this post into much more of a rant than was originally intended. I started it last week as a not-very-structured collection of initial Nokia 6220 Classic impressions, but accidentally deleted it. I have tried to recreate parts of the post from memory, but it sort of took on a life on its own.
These are some initial impressions of the brand new Nokia 6220 Classic. I only received it last week (it became available last Monday here in Denmark) so obviously, I have not had the time to play with it much.
What time I have been able to spend with it seems to confirm my suspicion that the 6220 Classic is something of a wolf in a sheepskin. Like its predecessor - the 6120 Classic - the 6220C packs a punch underneath a somewhat bland exterior. Also, like the 6120C, the 6220C does not really seem to fit in…
Plastic It's Fantastic
Like the 6120C, the 6220C is all plastic - nothing fancy or exclusive about it. Thus, the phone is quite light weight (90 g) and it is kind of "squeaky" the way plastic can be. The keypad goes click-clack when used, but it is very nice. The 6220C has larger keys than the 6120C, which makes for fast and pleasant texting. Also, the keypad has a aesthetically pleasing, curved design - which for some reason makes me think of something reptilian.
The 6220C is a bit longer and a bit wider than its predecessor, the 6120C. Nothing too bad and the increase is probably necessary to accommodate the larger "2.2 screen (a most welcome improvement) and the bigger keypad.
Damn, the speakers are loud!
OS and Applications
The 6220C is one of the first handsets that feature Symbian OS, 3rd edt., Feature Pack 2 (phew!). I have not had time to really dig into it, but FP2 seems to come with many improvements and tweaks. I am not too crazy about the UI animations, though.
Compared to the 6120C or N95, menu navigation seems a bit slower, but it is not too bad and it can probably be improved on in a future firmware upgrade.
The camera appears to be on par with N95, N82 (should be, it is the same camera, yes?). When the camera focuses, it makes sort of a whirring sound - quite cute.
The gallery application (images, video, music etc.) comes across as a setback when compared to the 6120C gallery. As you can see in the images below, the 6120C media gallery (left) shows file sizes and file names (very useful because I use date to name images), and also enables you to quickly switch between images, videos, music, and sound clips. The 6220C media gallery (right) just lists a bunch of image thumbnails - with no roll over effect (why not display file size and file name? At least provide it as an option!). Sure, more images can be displayed on the screen this way, but a lot of information has become harder to get at.
6120C Media Gallery.
|
6220C Media Gallery.
|
The way individual images are displayed is nice - the display auto rotates and changes to full screen. A tool bar is optional and enables display of image details.
I really like how it is no longer necessary to choose between SMS and MMS when creating a new message - just create a new message and if a file is added to the message, it turns into a MMS - clever.
Several of the applications preloaded on the 6220C are indicative of Nokia's focus on the mobile phone being the primary media capture and sharing device. The brand new Nokia Maps 2.0 (including map data for Scandinavia); Nokia's "Share Online" v.3.1.08.20 (so new, it is not even available on the "Share Online" download site at the time of writing); and Nokia Podcasting all come preloaded on the phone. I am also very happy to see the addition of the "Active Notes" application. "Active Notes" is a beefed up version of the "Notes" applications - it originates from the Nokia E90 and enables you to insert media files into notes. It is very nice.
I do not recall seeing the "Dictionary" application (located in the "Office" folder) before. An English dictionary file is preloaded and the application informed me I could download two additional languages for free. I tried the download link, which opened a Nokia site in the browser - site without any references to dictionary language files and explored it no further.
But It Doesn't Really Fit In
I am pretty sure the 6220C's predecessor, the 6120C, was an experiment along the lines of "Let us take cheap handset hardware, equip it with dual band HSDPA and our top notch OS so it can execute the exact same applications as our top-of-the-line models … and see what happens". Plus make it cheap. I paid $185 for my 6120C.
I think the 6120C served two purposes: First, as a secondary "light weight" handset to users that already have a larger, higher end handset (e.g. N95 users). Secondly, as a "transition" handset for users of "dumb" handsets - i.e. the 6120C slipped a lot of advanced features into the hands of users, that would not specifically go for a smartphone.
I think the 6220C is both similar and different. Actually, it is quite a strange beast…
Despite its plastic build, the 6220C is not a cheap handset. In any respect. Features are rich: Dual band Turbo 3G (HDSPA); Assisted GPS; 5 megapixel camera; Zenon flash; Video and audio out; and not to forget: the latest version of Symbian S60 OS - the 3rd edition, feature pack 2. It does not come cheap, either - I coughed up $600 for my 6220C specimen.
So, I am not sure the 6220C will serve the same purposes as the 6120C. Price must come down (e.g. through subsidies) to attract "ordinary" buyers - with the current price, only aficionados will be attracted to 6220C feature set. Especially since it is nothing fancy to look at - there is no "bling-effect".
The N78 - another S603rd, FP2 phone launched concurrently with the 6220C - belongs to Nokia's "N" series - the handset line for the "digital" lifestyle. The N78 only costs $50 or $60 more than the 6220C and to be sure, the N78 has a few additional features: WiFi, fancy multimedia gallery etc. However, the 6220C outperforms the N78 on a few key features. The N78 "only" comes with a 3.2 megapixel camera and only has a LED flash (The 6220C has 5 mp w. Zenon flash). So it is not really clear to me which handset is the media-rich one?
I am sure all of this makes sense in some Nokia carpet-bombing-the market strategy.
It is Interesting to see how the reorganization of Nokia's phone divisions now seems to make its mark on product designs. The 6220C both features "Destinations" (a revamped version of "Access Point Groups" from E series) and the "My Own Key" (by default maps to the "Maps" application, but can be customized by user - "Settings" | "Phone sett." | "General" | "My own key" | "My own key")- also an E series concept.
If you enjoyed this post, make sure you subscribe to my RSS feed!
June 23rd, 2008 at 10:40
I really like the look of this handset. The lack of Wifi is the only thing that’s stopping me from making the jump.
Nice review.
Cheers.
June 26th, 2008 at 09:53
Thanks, James - I had some doubts re:lack of WiFi, but I have kind of decided to use HSDPA more. Data tariffs have (finally) started to come down here in Denmark.
July 7th, 2008 at 15:48
I’m buying this phone for sure. WiFi, when available, can be used with my N810 or laptop. And remember kids, the best photos are taken with the camera that you have with you.
May 29th, 2011 at 07:49
Just want to say thanks for the informations you gave us! Me and my wife is searching for a brand new model of this phone here in the Philippines! I haven’t noticed this phone before i bought may 5320xm now ill try to get one!