Camera Phones Plaza

Sony Ericsson phones are like wine, more attractive with time. At the official launch, these phones really lack something, anything that might just make you buy them. If you are a Sony Ericsson fan, then your answer will be quite violent at least in vocabulary, but for the rest of the sane people out there with some brain activity the above mentioned will be understood. The main reason for why Sony Ericsson doesn't succeed in selling from the beginning its products is bad management and marketing.


You see, their products are not all that great, let's say average (however average is good, a lot of people need and buy average products) but released on market for higher price ranges. Therefore, the obvious solution for the careful customers is to wait a few months (six months is the average time, and nine months will successfully bring you a bargain) before purchasing any Sony Ericsson phones. This is the case of Sony Ericsson Walkman W595.

Announced in July 2008, and released on September 2008, the W595 is currently offered for what it is really worth. This phone sports some key features like the 2.2 inches OVGA TFT display, the 3 megapixel digital camera, accelerometer sensor, multi tasking, stereo speakers, and the 3.5 mm audio jack. Unfortunately you can also find main disadvantages, such as the lack of auto focus, cheap plastic design, no office document view or edit, and a few more others.

Because the Sony Ericsson phones usually don't have a direct competitor, the W595 is hard to be included in a specific range. The most logic choice would be the middle audio orientated mobile phones. Even so, only Nokia has to offer a few middle range phones with audio features (with the Xpress Music), but overall the Xpress Music phones defeat by far the Walkman phones (as an overall result, while in the music department the walkman phones are with a step ahead the Xpress Music phones). With a height of 100 mm, wide of 47 mm, deep of 14 mm, the W595 weights about 104 grams.


Therefore, this phone is easy to carry around (not the smallest or lightest), featuring average dimensions and weight. For a phone made almost 70% out of plastic the W595 weights maybe a little too much. Even so, beside the plastic body, you still get a few nice finishes such as the side metallic finishes and the rubber feeling plastic on the back cover. The design is by far impressive or stylish. The phone looks normal, and the build quality is at best average.

The phone doesn't just look a little cheap but also feels so, when handled without patience. On the front cover, above the display you get beside the earpiece, an ambient light sensor, while below the display you can find the navigational pad and the dedicated music keys. Therefore, you get the four way directional keys (up, down, left, and right), centered by the okay button. The center button also has another function, the play or pause function, while the left key involves the rewind function and the right key the forward button.


You also get the call key, the end call key, the back key, two soft keys, and the menu key. Once you slide the phone you get the alphanumerical keys, which are easy to use and nice built. The keyboard is well sized and offers enough feedback for an average user. You should have no problems even if you are used to text more than call. On the right side the W595 sports the dedicated Walkman key, and the volume controls. On the other side you can find the branded connector port. On both top and bottom sides, Sony Ericsson included a stereo speaker. On the back cover you get, either opened or closed, on the upper left corner the 3 megapixel camera lens and that is about all you get, no LED flash, no Xenon flash whatsoever. This camera lacks even protective cover.

The operating system is not exactly full of business applications mostly because it is Walkman branded. Therefore, you have to expect of excellent music features and basic features in rest. This phone runs in both 2G network with GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 and 3G network with HSDPA 2100. Sony Ericsson included in the W595a 2.2 inches TFT display with 240 x 320 pixels resolution with 256000 colors, and a built in accelerometer sensor in order to enable the auto rotate function.


Even if the W595 sports an ambient light sensor, its display will not offer sufficient brightness under direct sunlight. In terms of memory, the W595 has a small onboard memory of 40 MB, expandable with Memory Stick Micro memory cards up to 8 GB. The connectivity is ensured by the GPRS Class 10 (with the common by now 4+1 / 3+2 slots) with a varying speed between 32 Kb per second to 48 Kb per second, HSCSD, EDGE Class 10 with 236.8 Kb per second, 2.0 USB connectivity, Bluetooth version 2.0 with A2DP, and HSDPA with 3.6 MB per second. On board the W595 you can find a 3.15 megapixel camera with a maximum resolution possible of 2048 x 1536 pixels.

Even more this camera is capable of video recording but only in QVGA mode with only 15 frames per second. as any other phone camera the 3.15 megapixel camera sports some nice features such as geo tagging, or editing settings, like effects, white balance and others. Sony Ericsson ships the W595 with a BST 33 Lithium Polymer battery with 950 mAh power. This battery should be enough for about 385 hours of standby time in 2G network and 365 hours of standby time in 3G network. This battery should also offer about 9 hours of talk time in 2G networks, and about 4 hours and 30 minutes in 3G networks.


Because this is a music orientated phone you should know that this battery will allow you to listen to almost 26 hours of music playback. Sony Ericsson provides the W595 with a good balanced retail package, including the USB cable, mandatory charger, a two ear piece headset with remote and two 3.5 mm audio jacks, and a 2 GB Memory Stick Micro card. Overall, after the current price drop, the Sony Ericsson W595 is more attractive than ever in terms of music. If you are looking for a music phone in the first place, then the W595 might just be what you are looking for. However, if you also want some business features or a good camera then you should keep on looking to other mobile phones because W595 is not the phone for you.

Constantly changing and updating the portfolio is a necessary step for each and every manufacturer once every two years. We can easily see this process in the Nokia 2009 - 2010 plans, in Samsung's rebranding process, or even in the LG family. It is not necessary to change specs. The most important is to change the design making it more new and including the new brand's design. It is very likely to find average tech phones with new design, which are at its core older high tech phones.

By doing so, the manufacturers not only save important money (which in normal marketing strategy a completely redesigned core tech would cost extremely much in development), but they are also capable of releasing phones in a smaller time frame. The same goes for the Sony Ericsson, which is always releasing new phones in smaller lines with the seam specs found on higher model lines. A true example of this process is the Sony Ericsson C901. Believe it or not this C9xx phone delivers only a 5 megapixel digital camera.

Even so, the C901 still has some key features, beside the new upgraded Sony Ericsson design, to offer. Some of the key features included in the C901 are the LED and Xenon flash; cover lenses, extremely high connectivity, and Quad band GSM support. On the other extreme, in the main disadvantages department you will discover that C901 lacks document viewer, that its retail box content is somewhat disappointing, memory card slot under the back cover, and a small video recording resolution. If you don't mind this few disadvantages, and you are looking for a 5 megapixel camera phone then you should take a closer look at the Sony Ericsson C901. Because this phone is branded "C" you have to expect excellent image quality.

In rest, you might find the old looking Sony Ericsson mobile phones. With a height of 105 mm, wide of 45 mm, deep of 13 mm, the C901 weights about 107 grams. These values prove once again that Sony Ericsson always tries to deliver small factor phones, easy to carry around. As a Sony Ericsson phone, the C901 obviously sports a black matte plastic. As you can imagine this doesn't exactly improves the C901 design. Even more, you will probably be disappointed since the C901 is a fingerprint magnet, and is also very easy to scratch. In rest the design could have been better build. Sure, you get no flex, but you do get weird noises when you press the phone to much (the all plastic body cause such of disadvantage).


You can choose from three different available colors, Silver, Black, and Precious Peach. On the front side, above the screen you get the earpiece with the ambient light sensor right next to it. Below the display you can find the navigations keys. Sony Ericsson added about six control keys (with two soft keys, clear button, call key, end call key, and activity menu). Even more, you can find the four way directional keys (up, down, left, and right) with the Ok centered button. Unfortunately, all these keys have small sizes, making the usability not too great at all. If you get a sense of how to use them, then you will find good feedback buttons. Under the navigational keys, you get the alphanumerical buttons. Some off this buttons have at least two functions (used for special features in camera mode). The keypad is made out of plastic.


Even so, it is easy to use and the typing will not be a problem at all. On the left side of the C901, you can find the Sony Ericsson port (uncovered), while on the right side you get the dedicated camera keys, the volume controls, and the shutter key. On the top of the C901, Sony Ericsson included the battery cover lock. The back cover of the C901, sports the cover for the 5 megapixel camera with Cyber Shot logo. This cover is located on the upper top of the C901. Once slide it open you get the 5 megapixel camera lenses and the LED flash, and even more, the Xenon flash.

However there are too many logos on the back cover of C901, the Sony Ericsson logo, the Cyber Shot logo, and the 5.0 megapixel camera logo. The design lacks nice features because of the logo "traffic". Overall, Sony Ericsson delivers an average looking phone, for some a jewelry, and for others something rather boring. The design is, however, a matter of taste, while the build concerns anyone. The build quality is average, and you might need to accept some compromises if you are going to purchase this phone.


In terms of software, you are not going to find anything new, within the C901. Even so, the organizer, music player, calendar and web browsing are included and work just fine offering a good user experience. Sony Ericsson included in the C901 a 2.2 inches TFT display with a QVGA resolution (240 x 320 pixels). This TFT display will render about 256000 colors. Even more, the C901 includes an accelerometer sensor, for a better photo experience. The display offers sufficient brightness even under direct sunlight. You should have no problems with this display in any light conditions. The C901 runs in 2G network with GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 and in 3G network with HSDPA 900 / 2100.


The onboard memory value is about 110 MB, expandable with Micro Stick Micro memory card up to 8 GB value. The connectivity is well ensured in the C901. However, it lacks Wi-Fi. Even so, you get GPRS Class 10 (4+1 / 3+2 slots) with a vary speed form 32 Kb per second to 45 Kb per second, HSCSD, EDGE Class 10 with a maximum speed of 236.8 Kb per second, 2.0 USB connectivity, 2.0 Bluetooth with A2DP, and HSDPA with 3.6 MB per second. Also featured in the C901 is the 5 megapixel digital camera with 2592 x 1944 pixels, with auto focus, xenon flash and LED flash.

Because this is a Cyber Shot camera, you can easily find features like face and smile detection and geo tagging. The quality photos taken are remarkable. Even with only 5 megapixels the C901 can easily compete with other 8 megapixel phone thanks to the excellent lenses. This camera can also record videos.


However the quality of these videos is not high, with only QVGA resolution at 30 frames per second. Sony Ericsson included in the C901 a BST 33 Lithium Polymer battery with 950 mAh. This value battery will only provide about 430 hours of standby time, and about 9.5 hours of talk time in 2G network. For an average user all these values mean about three days of autonomy (however, depending on the usage you can even get five days of autonomy). In the shipping retail box, Sony Ericsson included beside the C901 unit and battery pack, a mandatory charger, one pair of headphones, user guide, and that is about all you will get. No CD software, no memory card included, no cable, no nothing (sad but true).


Overall, the C901 is not better than C902, not in design or specs. If you are looking for a Cyber Shot phone, then chose C902 (now even more because you can certainly find it with a smaller price tag). However, if you are interested in comparing the C901 with other manufacturer phones, then you should keep on moving. The C901 is the best 5 megapixel digital camera without touch screen, with an asking price of $350 - $400, on the market with no direct competitor, because Nokia 6700 classic and Nokia 6720 classic are not camera orientated phones.

It seems like Samsung is still rebranding and repositioning every phone in their portfolio. It's not just the camera phone orientated, or multimedia phones, or even the business phones that are getting a rebranding over the limit. It's quite clear that Samsung is mostly trying to put on the market some brand new lines. And yes, some of these lines do contain products with the same overview but different feature approach and distinctive price tag.

On a previous occasion I wrote about the Samsung entry level audio orientated phone, which delivered under average and average performances for a small price tag. There were two sliders and one clamshell. These three phones were announced in June this summer, and released two months later in August. However, Samsung didn't release the "M" line for cheap music orientated phones.

The first of its kind was released this year in February and by know it still the proud owner of an excellent design. The Samsung M7603 or Samsung M7600 Beat DJ also known as Samsung Platine includes an excellent design. Although, it clear that packs the same strange colors found on the three cheaper models, the M7600 Beat DJ looks more attractive and successfully integrates several designs, because at a first glance you can't really understand that this is a phone. It might look like jewelry, or a mobile game platform, but M7600 Beat DJ is at its core a mobile phone.

Beside the unique design, the Samsung Platine also sports other key features such as the WQVGA AMOLED touch screen display, 3.2 megapixel digital camera, 8 GB memory card included in the retail package, GPS receiver, 3.5 mm audio jack, Office document viewing, and excellent music player. Even so, this Samsung model also includes several main disadvantages, such as the slightly slow interface, and no full keyboard either mechanical or digital on screen.

With the new M7600 Beat DJ Samsung is trying to improve its music line, and this phone might just be a strong competitor for that matter of fact. Samsung M7600 Beat DJ can easily fight Sony Ericsson Walkman phone models and Nokia Xpress Music phone models. Even so, it is impossible for the Platine to be compared with the iPhone (especially the 3GS model), or the new X6 from Nokia which is certainly a new instance in this game. Even if, the M7600 Beat DJ sports an excellent design, the materials used in the build are all plastic. These plastics are painted in three different colors (the M line colors). However, Samsung included in this design nice finishes like the metallic frame and the glossy surface that surrounds the touch screen display. So, the metallic frame with black glossy cover and dark grey with vibrant violet might be something that only a few users are looking phone.



Again, Samsung is not conservative at all and included in the market a strange looking with strange colors phone. I am just going to say it. It frustrating not to know which the bottom side is and which is the top side of this phone. You probably have to look on the back cover to see where the camera lens is to understand how you should hold this phone. Even so, above the display you get the small earpiece and the ambient light sensor. Beside these two elements, Samsung also included a second digital camera for enabling the video calls. Below the display you will find a dark grey looking line. Believe it or not that line actually contains both the call key, the end call key, and centered between them the back key.

Unfortunately a point in minus is the fact that these keys are not visible at all. Even more frustrating is that between this keys line and the display you get the virtual keys for controlling the music. Not even these keys are noticeable. Better read the user manual before starting to use the M7600 Beat DJ. On the left side of the phone you get the volume controls, the lock display switch and the micro USB port which is covered by a purple plastic (what else). On the other side you can easily find the memory card slot (micro SD), and the special camera key. On the top, Samsung added the 3.5 mm audio jack, also covered by a purple plastic cap, while on the bottom you get the stereo speakers. Everything with this phone is symmetrical.

If you enjoy geometric figures and element like median and other special features then this phone might just surprise you day by day with something new. On the upper center of the M7600 Beat DJ you get the 3.2 megapixel digital camera lenses with a dual LED flash. Overall, if we let the design apart, this phone is extremely well built, and it proudly caries on the Samsung quality build. Samsung M7600 Beat DJ runs in 2 G network - GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 and in the 3G networks UMTS 900 / 2100. Because of its dimensions, this phone doesn't sport a 3 inches display. With a height of 112 mm, wide of 51 mm, deep of 13.9 mm, the M7600 Beat DJ weight about 99.7 grams.

Samsung included in this phone an 2.8 inches AMOLED capacitive touch screen with a maximum resolution of 16 million colors and a resolution of 240 x 400 pixels and an included accelerometer sensor for a better usability.  The display is great, offers vibrant colors, and it delivers good brightness even in direct sun contact. Samsung included in this phone about 50 MB onboard (small unit for a music oriented phone). Therefore, the memory card was necessary to be part of the retail box. The Platine is compatible with micro SD memory cards (Trans Flash memory cards) up to 16 GB. The connectivity is ensured by the BPRS Class 10 with 4+1 / 3+2 with a various speed starting from 32 Kb per second to 48 Kb per second, HSCSD, Class 10 EDGE with a maximum speed of 236.8 Kb per second, version 2.0 micro USB connectivity, Bluetooth 2.0 with A2DP, and HSDPA.

However, this phone lacks Wi-Fi. Therefore, it lacks a full connectivity package. The digital camera included has a value of 3.15 megapixels and can take pictures with a maximum resolution of 2048 x 1536 pixels. It sports auto focus, LED flash, face and smile detection and Geo tagging. Although this camera is not state of the art, these features with the quality pictures taken provide excellent user experience. You can also use this camera to record some videos in VGA mode with 15 frames per second.

The Touch Wiz interface is good. The phone works not extremely fast, but it does the job in optimal time. This interface it is fully customizable. Also the operating system includes excellent features such as the media player, the Office document reader, the organizer, calendar, phone book and many others. Samsung included in this phone a rather small battery for a touch screen device, a Lithium Ion with 960 mAh, which should provide about 400 hours of standby time in 2G networks and 300 hours of standby time in 3G networks.

Also, the talk time vary from 7 hours in the 2G network to 4 hours and 30 minutes in the 3G network. For an average user these values mean about 3 days of battery autonomy. In the retail box, Samsung added beside the phone and battery, the charger, the 3.5 mm headset with remote, the CD software, the USB cable, and the 8 GB memory card. Overall, the M7600 Beat DJ is a solid phone with a nice retail box. Probably the decision factor over to buy it or not will remain the "love it or hate it" design, which is found on every phone in the "M" line from Samsung.

It is no surprise that manufacturers are continuously trying to improve all the phone ranges, in order for their portfolio to be up to date. Unfortunately, this is not always good for some of the mobile phone manufacturers. To understand the bigger picture, let's take two manufacturers, Nokia and Samsung. As you might have noticed by now, Nokia is more conservative when it comes to entry level models. It never really released a true entry level range. However, Nokia does include in its portfolio several entry level models, which provide (depending on their price tag) different features for all the potential customers.

Most of this Nokia phones carry the logo "classic" end are labeled as being part of "2xxx". Samsung, on the other side, is trying desperately to improve its leadership positioning by adding on the entry level phone range not only middle range features but also a complete line with different form factors phones. One of this new lines, released by Samsung this summer, is the M2x10. It contains three models, M2310 a clamshell mobile phone, M2510 slider phone, and M2710 also a slider. The Samsung M2310 can be considered the entry level in this new line.

Its design respects the line's pattern providing a nice silver finish (plastic) with purple on the outside, while once opened the M2310 sports a matte black plastic with a purple keyboard. The design is either lovable or hate able. Basically, it is up to you if it worth even looking at it. The dimensions and weight makes the M2310 ultraportable and easy to slide into any pocket. This phone has a height of 93 mm, wide of 45 mm, deep of 17.6 mm; the M2310 weights about 84.7 grams. The build quality is good, not exceptional, due to too much plastic used, but good. All the keys offer a nice feedback, but they feel kind of cheap when you touch them.

Samsung enabled only GSM calls within this device, with the 2G network GSM 850 / 900/ 1800 /1900. The external 1.1 inches display is too small with only 96 x 96 pixels resolution. Compared with the lid's height a 1.1 inches display is way too small for a 2009 phone. The internal display sports a 2 inches diagonal screen with TFT technology rendering up to 256000 colors on a 176 x 220 pixels resolution. Nice features are the dedicated music keys, the integrated 3.5 mm audio jack, and not only the MP3 - WMA - eAAC player but also the MP4 and 3GP player. However, the small internal memory (9 MB) won't be enough not even for your pictures. Therefore, Samsung added in the spec list a memory card slot, compatible with micro SD memory card and Trans Flash memory cards up to 8 GB.


The connectivity is ensured by GPRS Class 10 with 4 + 1 / 3 + 2 slots, 32 Kb per second to 48 Kb per second, HSCSD, Class 10 EDGE (up to 236.8 Kb per second), version 2.0 micro USB connection, and Bluetooth version 2.1 with A2DP. Both 3G and WLAN lack from this phone. Samsung included in the M2310 an 800 mAh Lithium Ion battery which should provide about 350 hours of standby time and 7 hours and 30 minutes of talk time. For an average user these values mean about 2 and half days of autonomy. Another feature of the M2310 is the built in VGA camera which can take pictures at a maximum resolution of 640 x 480 pixels (video recording is also available in QCIF with 15 frames per second). Overall if you like the design Samsung M2310 is an entry level music oriented phone.

The second phone model available in this line, M2510 provides a different form factor design, but keeps the same colors and curve lines. Therefore the phone is made out of black plastic (on the front cover and keyboard, this plastic will be a little slippery, but by far glossy) with several purple finishes. Just like the M2310, the M2510's design sports the "love it or hate it" motto. The build quality is the same as the one found in the M2310. The M2510 runs only in 2G network, GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900. With a height of 99.5 mm, wide of 46.5 mm, deep of 15.7 mm, the M2510 weights about 90.5 grams, making it, just like the M2310, very portable and easy to handle.


You basically get the same resolution of the M2310 (176 x 220 pixels) on a 2.2 inches display found on the M2510. The display has the TFT technology sporting about 256000 colors. Also present on this phone, are the 3.5 mm audio jack and the dedicated music keys. The onboard memory is in the M2510 about 15 MB; expandable using the micro SD memory cards (Trans Flash memory cards) up to 8 GB. The connectivity is ensured by the Class 10 GPRS  (4+1 / 3+2 slots) with a various speed from 32 Kb per second to 48 Kb per second, HSCSD, Class 10 EDGE with a speed up to 236.8 Kb per second, micro USB connectivity and 2.0 Bluetooth with A2DP.

The 1.3 megapixel digital camera included in the M2510 provides even with the maximum resolution of 1280 x 1024 pixels mediocre pictures. Samsung included in the M2510 the same battery as in the M2310, the Lithium Ion with 800 mAh, offering about 360 hours of standby time and 8 hours of talk time. Overall, the M2510 doesn't bring many changes that M2310. The main difference is the form factor. The last phone in this line, M2710 sports a clearly better design. You get nice plastic materials, that don't feel cheap. The black really works with the blue, and the keyboard has a nice metallic finish.


The build quality was improved, and the functionality was raised with the improved feedback of all the keys, either navigational or alphanumerical. Unfortunately, M2710 lacks 3G, and runs only in 2G in GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900. With a height of 96 mm, wide of 46 mm, deep of 16 mm, the M2710 weights about 95 grams, keeping a small profile. Samsung included in the M2710 a 2.1 inches TFT display with a resolution of 240 x 320 pixels capable of rendering about 256000 colors, and featuring an accelerometer sensor. This phone also includes the dedicated music keys and the 3.5 mm audio jack. However, the built in memory (of only 20 MB) has to be expanded using micro SC memory cards, Trans Flash memory cards with the highest accepted value of 16 GB.

The connectivity is basically the same, sporting the Class 10 GPRS with 32 Kb per second to 48 Kb per second, Class 6 GPRS with 177.6 Kb per second, HSCSD, Bluetooth version 2.0 with A2DP and micro USB connectivity. The same Lithium Ion battery is included in the M2710. Overall, Samsung created an interesting cheap music orientated phone line. However, it lacks conservationism, trying too hard to look attractive (while in fact for some M2310 and M2510 might look horrible). For now, Nokia still offers better entry level phones with its "2xxx classic" phones.

Not everyone needs or wants a high end phone. Sometimes you need a basic model for call and texting. The reasons can vary, from just needing a second or third phone, to not needing a multimedia phone (maybe you own a solid player such as iPod). The manufacturers know that basic phone range has to be well represented into their portfolio, after all not everyone is willing to pay in these uncertain times $400 to $600 for a high tech phone.

Even more, many customers understood that the merged products (phones with media players and digital cameras) have a tendency to break more often than the basic models. Therefore, if you are looking to protect your investment you should definitely buy a basic phone, a nice point and shoot camera, and a great media player, by all means an iPod if you can (the quality is extraordinary, and the value seems to be kept in time).

Nokia knows what customers want, and also knows how to deliver it. In the beginning of 2009, Nokia launched a few entry level models to cover the market demands in this range. The first model is Nokia 2323 classic. The name inspires Nokia's future plans regarding 2323, probably a slider or other form factors in future. The Nokia 2323 classic sports a nice design with a grey with a plastic grey cover. The look doesn't inspire luxury but it is conservative and works just fine. The front cover also sports a glossy black plastic surrounding the display. Above the display you only get the earpiece, while below it you get the navigational keys, also inserted in the glossy finish.

The four way keys (down, up, right, and left) surround the OK button. Also, you get two soft keys (fully customizable) with both call key and end call key. Under the navigational pad you get the alphanumerical keyboard which is basically integrated in the matter grey cover. All the keys are well build and provide good feedback. With a height of 107 mm, wide of 46 mm, deep of 13.8 mm, the 2323 classic weights about 78 grams. The overall design is quite good for this price range. Nokia 2323 classic runs in 2G network - GSM 900 / 1800 and in the US 2G network - GSM 850 / 1900.


Nokia included in this model a 1.8 inches TFT display with a resolution of 127 x 160 pixels, sporting up to 65000 colors. As you can imagine this display is not state of the art, but it does its job even outdoors. Unfortunately, you get no EDGE or 3G, WLAN or USB connectivity, but you do get Class 10 EDGE with 4 + 1 / 3 + 2 slots with a speed from 32 Kb per second to 48 Kb per second, and you also get HSCSD.  No other features are on board, but you do get an inbuilt radio. In terms of battery, you should know this phone pack a great battery for its features, Lithium Ion 1020 mAh the BL 5C model. This battery should be enough for a standby value of 528 hours, and a talk time of almost 5 hours.

The second phone in the basic range, launched by Nokia in their rebranding process is the Nokia 2330 classic. As you have noticed this phone also carries the classic logo. Basically the 2330 classic is the slightly improved version of 2323 classic in term of design and features. You get a nice look like aluminum silver cover to replace the matte plastic grey. The display, the navigational keys and alphanumerical keyboard remain almost the same. The only difference you might find is in the keyboard which looks a little different. Even so, the design feel solid and all the keys provide the same excellent feedback as the ones from the 2323 classic.

The compatible networks were kept the same (both versions of 2G networks, GSM 900 / 1800 and GSM 850 / 1900). The 2330 classic sports even the same 1.8 inches TFT display with a 128 x 160 pixels resolution. The connectivity was left the same. The only hardware difference is the integrated digital camera found on the 2330 classic, a VGA camera, sporting a maximum resolution of 640 x 480 pixels, also capable of video recording in CIF resolution with 15 frames per second. You get the same battery capacity, but with a standby value of 528 hours and a talk time up to 4 hours. The "high end" basic phone model released in July 2009 is the Nokia 2700 classic.


This phone sports a very nice design for its price tag. The front cover is made out of glossy black plastic, which is a fingerprint magnet, but on the other hand looks great. Above the display you get the earpiece, while under the TFT display, you get the navigational keys with the five directional keys (up, down, left, right, and OK in center), two fully customizable soft keys, and the call key and end call key. The alphanumerical keyboard is nicely built and the keys offer good feedback.

The only main disadvantage is the glossy finish which makes the keys feels slippery. The back cover is made out of matte black plastic. In the upper center side you get the 2 megapixel camera lens. On the bottom of the phone you get the loudspeaker. The build quality is average. The materials look nice. Unfortunately, the phone doesn't feel as nice as it feels. The overall quality is average. The 2700 classic runs in 2G networks - GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900. This Nokia phone has a height 109.2 mm, wide of 46 mm, deep 14 mm, the 2300 classic weights about 85 grams. Nokia included a 2 inches TFT display with a 240 x 320 pixels, which sports up to 256000 colors. The internal memory has a value of 64 MB, expandable with micro SD memory cards or Trans Flash memory cards, up to 2 GB.


The connectivity is ensured by the Class 32 GPRS, HSCSD, Class 32 EDGE, Bluetooth version 2.0, and the second generation of micro USB connection. The 2 megapixel camera found on board the 2700 classic sports a maximum resolution of 1600 x 1200 pixels, with the maximum resolution for video recording, CIF at 15 frames per second. Even, more Nokia embedded a MP 3 player and a MP 4 player. The same battery included in both 2323 classic and 2330 classic is found on the 2700 classic, the Lithium Ion 1020 mAh BL 5C model, which offers for the 2700 a standby value of 288 hours and a talk time up to 6 hours (in continuous audio playback mode the battery lasts for about 12 hours).

Overall, these three Nokia phones offers exactly what the entry level phone users might want, good design for less money, solid call and text features, maybe a camera for some small fun, and an excellent battery life. Because every purchase is subjective and depends on the potential customer, each and every one of you should decide which of these basic phones the best in its range is.