|
Available now
4th November
2009
 Nokia
1616
A step up from the ultra-basic Nokia
1280, the Nokia 1616 is a very low cost colour phone that Nokia
intend to sell for just €24.
The 1.8" 128 x 160 pixel screen is large enough to be useful,
and as it's a TFT display it should be very easy to read. Although
this is a very limited resolution compared to most mid-market European
phones, the Nokia 1616 doesn't really do anything that would merit
a higher resolution display.
Like the 1280, the Nokia 1616 has a dust resistant keypad, although
the 1616 has a somewhat sleeker look. The phone also comes with
a flashlight, an FM radio (although an external headset is required),
MP3 grade ringtones, a speakerphone, multiple phonebooks and in
some markets it will ship with Nokia Life Tools.
This is a basic Series 30 handset, but the larger colour screen
does make it a more enjoyable experience than the 1280. Underneath
this is a dual band GSM phone, in either 900/1800 or 850/1900 MHz
configurations. The BL-5C battery supplies enough power for up to
8.5 hours talktime and 22 days standby time, and the whole thing
comes in at a lightweight 79 grams.
 Four
euros extra is not a lot to pay for a colour screen, but given the
choice you might still want to go for the 1280 over the 1616 because
of the 1280's different keypad arrangement.
Nokia say that the 1616 should be available during Q1 2010 with
black, blue, gray and red interchangeable covers.
Nokia 1800
Visually very similar to the Nokia 1616, the Nokia 1800 is pitched
at €26, and in fact all of the specifications are identical, including
the screen size and battery life.
The primary difference between the 1800 and the 1616 is that
the Nokia 1800 comes with a wired headset in the box, which is ideal
for use with the built-in FM radio.
Strangely it is only available in a GSM 900 / 1800 configuration,
which restricts the possible market. Another odd feature is
that the Nokia 1800 is due in Q2 2010 rather than Q1.. quite why
there is such a long wait is a mystery.
Nokia say that the 1800 will be available with grey, red, blue
and black changeable covers.
|
