A Decent Bargain. Review on Nokia 6255 CDMA

I have purchased this phone last week. I have been looking out for a CDMA mobile handset capable of Bluetooth connectivity, having colorful screen, memory expansion capabilities along with Camera that too affordable price range. If you are one of those who has similar desires, you may go for this phone.

I have paid INR 12,600 for this handset which comes with Radio headset, charger, 32 MB MMC and mobile handset.

If any one is looking out for complete feature descriptions please refer the following link:

https://nokia.co.in/nokia/0,,77929,00.html#5

Over all:

This phone is really a cute handset. I like its style. There are two color display panels. One is mini front side and the bigger inside. The phone does look smaller and it may appear slightly “bulky” in your pockets when it is folded. The antenna is really annoying. Key pads are really smoother. I do not like the five way navigation key instead I would prefer joystick. User interface is similar to any other mobile phone. Display is pleasing. Over all the phone look and feel is good.

Important Features:

1. Call clarity is good. I really like the ring tone sounds. If the volume is increased sound lacks clarity. I like the Speaker phone facility again the same problem if you increase the volume.

   
   




2. I have not tested out the Battery life so far. But the phone gets heated up if you use the phone for dial-up internet connection. Battery life must be decent if not great.

   
   




3. Camera is a useful function but the pictures are not really great to view it in your high-resolution monitors. In-built flash, video recorder is all supplied to address market forces. There are limitations with recording video images and recording voice etc…I have not tested it out whether we can record unlimited (within the capabilities of Memory cards) video or voice.

   
   




4. Memory expansion slot is a good one but the internal memory seems to scale up to 32 MB and rest of the Memory Card will be used as a secondary media. If any thing needs to be used, it needs to be copied to the internal memory then only you can use it. The Memory card is not used as an extended memory.

   
   




5. Bluetooth connectivity is a very useful function for connecting to internet and headset. But I am yet to establish connection with my SonyEricsson HB65 Bluetooth headset using Nokia 6255 phone. For some reason, the phone is not synchronizing with headset.

   
   




6. Internet connection speed is decent if not great. It promises 115 Kpbs of speed but Reliance internet Tariff is prohibitively high and I really doubt whether internet option will be explored properly by any Reliance customers. I really doubt if we can increase the speed thru USB ports which seem to have limitation of speed up to 115 Kpbs.

   
   




7. WAP functionality is there using R World. I have not tried out different WAP Sites but based on what I see, it may not be possible to visit WAP sites other than what is provided in the R World. This will limit your options.

   
   




8. Lots of Call functions seem to have been disabled by Reliance. Like Call timings etc…Though, you can find out the time consumed on all the calls made from the mobile, this may not be accurate. Reliance is a one provider which seems to be charging customer from the time we start dialing the number. In GSM phones the clock ticks only after the receiver starts talking.

   
   




9. There are few PDA Functions which may be useful for people who are busy and keep forgetting their appointments.

   
   




10. Display is really good. I really like the twin display panels; one small front and bigger inside display panels.

    
    




11. Lots of features like MP3 ring tones, FM Radio, Voice Command, MMS message capabilities, Speed dial, Voice Dial etc…I have already converted an MP3 song as my ring tone using the Nokia PC Suite (Which is not supplied along with the package for strange reasons).

    
    




12. Nokia PC Suite is really an useful tool for managing the contacts, sending messages, editing Ring Tones etc…But you need to be careful before installing this PC Suite. Make sure to establish internet connection thru Bluetooth before installing PC Nokia Suite.

    
    

I am not a great fan of Mobile video games and other applications which are less than useful.

Downside:

1. Reliance has toned down some of its useful functions such as call timer etc…

   
   




2. May be the last couple of phones in the Nokia R&D before completely moving towards 3G Technology.

   
   




3. Limited in memory expansion.

   
   




4. Limited video capturing even after adding 1 GB MMC.

   
   




5. Prohibitive Internet Tariffs may prevent Reliance customers to go for Bluetooth enabled phones for connecting to internet. This may not be anything to do with the phone but as a customer I will look at everything.

   
   




6. Obviously, you can not use this phone other than Reliance which is a major road-block for any CDMA customer after spending 12.6 K

   
   

Verdict:

There are few downs ofcourse, but looking at the current CDMA market, this phone probably offers more than what others are already offering with price advantage. But for those who do not have necessity to change phones may skip this one but for those who fancy new sleek clam-shell, Camera phones may go for this. There are significant usage-wise advantages but one has to decide whether it may worth 12.6K? Price may fall significantly, once 3G comes into force.