Works well AND nice looking
Written: Dec 21 '00 (Updated Dec 17 '01)
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Product Rating:
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Pros: keypad cover, ease of use, reception
Cons: No internal vibrate alert - must use vibra-battery
The Bottom Line: In all, I like Nokia phones and this is a great example of them. I recommend it - especially to cellular ‘newbies’ because of its ease of use.
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| Edmondo's Full Review: Nokia 6161 Cell Phone |
Truthfully, I bought the cellular service before I thought about the phone much, but this phone has been quite nice and I'm very happy it was part of the package.
Ease of use is outstanding
- Keys are quite responsive with the possible exception of the very bottom row and that is only because you can sometimes run into the keypad cover hinge. But that only takes a little getting used to.
- It operates very much like all Nokia phones - I had a 5100 series before this and it was very, very easy to change phones.
- The screen is lucid and easy to read with both signal strength and battery meter visible at all times. When in a call you see the call time elapsing.
- Calls are time AND date stamped which is really handy and an improvement over the older Nokia phones which only stamped the time.
- Numbered menus make it easy to change stuff without actually navigating too long. In addition, the menus are logical and well arranged.
- Having separate talk and end buttons makes this phone a bit easier for older (meaning less technically comfortable!) folks to use. My parents really like this method more than the multi-function button found on the 5100 series.
- The keypad cover flips open and answers the call as well which is a preference for me.
- You don't have to pull out an antenna each call. I really like not having to do that step.
- This phone has decent heft (the good kind, I dislike super-light stuff you can't feel well - am I getting old?) and feels good against your ear. Much smaller and I wouldn't like it as much. Be careful about phones that are too small to actually use.
Technical stuff
- Clarity of calls seems to be outstanding - certainly better than my older Nokia 5120.
- Roaming has been quite seamless for me - both regionally and nationally. I have yet to experience a dropped call either.
- This is the first phone I've used that I might consider dropping traditional 'wired' telephone service with.
- Battery life is outstanding. This is one area I will not compromise on. If I have to charge the battery more than once every 4-5 days I won't buy a phone. I leave the phone on 24 hours a day and use an average of 400 minutes a month, so you can get an idea of my use.
- There are tons of accessories for the Nokia phones - check out Ebay for some good deals.
- Virtually all 5100 series accessories are reusable with this phone. Saves money.
- I really like the profiles. Utilize different rings for various callers. Set the phone up to be quiet in a meeting and loud outside and somewhere in the middle for at home use.
- I have experienced no durability problems as yet.
--- 17dec01 --- UPDATE! One bad thing I've noticed is that the battery seems to become disconnected from the phone every time your drop the phone. Not so bad at first, but it gets worse over time... Not a tough enough battery lock.
Recommended:
Yes
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Epinions.com ID:
Edmondo
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Location: Iowa
Reviews written: 3
Trusted by: 0 members
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