Nokia 6020

Discontinued
2nd November 2004

For some time we've been hoping to see a good replacement for the old Nokia 6230i handset, and at first glance the Nokia 6020 looks like it might be it. However, a closer look shows that the 6020 is just another case of the muddle in the middle of Nokia's handset range.

It's a useful if unexciting communications device, with EDGE support in addition to GPRS, Push-To-Talk (PTT), tri-band GSM (there's a US version and a worldwide one), instant messaging, POP3/IMAP/SMTP support for email and a unified inbox for all message types. There's also an XHTML web browser and PC synchronisation. All of this looks quite good for a business phone.

However, when you look closer, it all starts to go wrong. The feature set looks like a business phone to begin with, but it turns out that the Nokia 6020 doesn't support Bluetooth. And it rather pointlessly has a VGA resolution digital camera included, a no-no for many businesses. The 128x128 pixel screen is almost laughably small these days. And worst of all the talktime is only 3 hours, so this is completely unsuited to most businesses. And it's not really attractive or interesting enough for most personal buyers.

Sure, it's an attractive phone and at 90 grams it's not too heavy. Size and layout look to be easy to use too. But we just don't think there's a clearly identified market for this phone, and it's a little like Nokia have reached into the parts bin and come up with yet another bland handset with no real redeeming features.

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