Nokia 6280 - The Big Picture

The 6280 is one of Nokia’s newest and most in demand phones at the moment. When you look at the features it isn’t hard to understand why. With 3G capability and video calling, it seems to have the total package at first glance.

Technologically, the 6280 handset is as modern as you get. It boasts a 2 mega pixel camera, video streaming and calling, a built in MP3 player and MP4 capability, FM radio, Internet, bluetooth, infra-red and an expandable memory. It also has a USB hub to enable data sharing with a PC. In short, it has everything that a mobile phone user could ever ask for.

The camera deserves a special mention. The size of the phone actually works with you to enhance the quality of pictures. A specialist side key gives direct access to the camera function, whilst the menus are easy to navigate and incorporate a range of options. The pictures taken are also of a high quality with a 1600×1200 resolution.

The handset itself has great functionality, but can only be described as ugly. It certainly breaks away from the fashionable slender, more compact design of its predecessors, most notably the N70. The chunky appearance may be off-putting, but it makes it infinitely easier to handle than other models. The larger buttons make it incredibly easy to text and are also very responsive without being too sensitive.

The screen is a real gem. It is 320×240 pixels and displays an awesome 260,000 colours. The sheer size of the screen, at 2.2 inches, is impressive, without the actual quality of the image.

The 6280 has some distinct advantages over the competition. It is extremely practical, despite its size. The slide mechanism is smooth, although it is not necessary to use it to navigate the menu, which is also user-friendly. The layout of the features is excellent and everything is easy to locate. The music options are especially impressive. You can transfer music files from your PC or access download service via the Internet and then choose your own equalizer settings for every track.

The handset, however, is not without its problems. The main gripe seems to be the memory. It is billed as expandable, and is with a MiniSD card, but is otherwise poor. The extra memory is a must if you do want to make the most of the music capabilities, but that doesn’t excuse the relatively small built-in memory. The other notorious flaw is the problematic video calling. It regularly falters via poor reception and sound distortion. The screen also has a tendency to freeze. If you don’t make video calls then this won’t pose a problem though.

Personally, I love the features on this phone. The range of options it gives you and the ease of use make it one of the best phones around, even for a novice! I would choose this phone many other popular models.

You might also be interested in: Nokia 6300 and other Nokia mobile phone deals