You Win Some and Lose Some
Written: Apr 22 '01
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Pros: Size (sometimes), features, looks, battery life, it vibrates
Cons: Ringing volume, price, small keys, no Express-On Covers
The Bottom Line: If you want something to show off in public or you want more features than another phone like the 5160 can give you, go for it.
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| cdjunkiejr's Full Review: Nokia 8260 Cell Phone |
Very recently I decided to change my previous Nokia 5160 phone. Now keep in mind I loved my phone, but I had some complaints. Well, not really, but I did want to have the greatest phone on the market and the 5160 was getting old. I wanted a smaller size, and a much cuter phone.
When I went up to Cellular One to try out another phone, the sales person brought me to the back room and talked me in to buying the 8260. The price was very high - $250, but you only live once, so that baby went home with me.
At first, I was disappointed in the phone's size. Sure it was small, but holding it at your ear is uncomfortable, feels really weird, and your index finger almost always has to touch the antenna which causes the power lever to go up, the battery life to go down, and the signal bars to decrease really quickly. In some weak areas, this also will drop the call.
I was really impressed how easily it fitted into the tightest pair of jeans I had without being a pain. So the size really has some drawbacks, but it can also be a life saver.
The navigation system is laid out the same as it is on other Nokia phones. There are the usual 5160 features, but also added is a calender, a calculator, and really, those features could have been left out. I have yet to use them. A PDA will work much more efficiently.
The Nokia 5165 introduces the ability to download up to 5 ringtones from the Internet, and you can still do that on the 8260. However, I did find that there are really many ringtones that I loved on the 8260. Some people may find them annoying though.
The volume control (nicely placed where your thumb doesn't quite reach - on the side of the phone) is really hard to press and even on its highest setting is too low. The same can be said for the ringer volume, which is way too low. Some rings can sound like setting number one when it is set to number 5 and others can be the opposite. However, the 8260 does include a vibrate feature, and I love that you don't have to buy a different battery for it.
I have also found that the screen is very weak. One night I had my keys and the phone in my pocket and the key went through the screen leaving the phone and myself traumatized for the evening. But the good news is the insurance company is sending another phone in the mail.
My mom still has a 5160 and I used it the other day. The 5160 feels much better to talk into and use, verses the 8260, which can be a pain in the butt. I've gotten weird looks from people who probably thought I was talking into a deck of cards or something. The phone can be just too small.
The battery life is impressive, but could be better. The battery "meter" seems much more accurate than the 5160 was. When you charge the battery for one minute, it doesn't display full charge. So I think the internal quality is better. But the outside could be stronger.
All in all I like the phone. If you're willing to cough up the dough for it, go for it. Or if you're a big talker on the phone or just want to show it off, go for it. Otherwise, leave this puppy on the shelf.
Recommended:
Yes
Amount Paid (US$): 250
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Epinions.com ID:
cdjunkiejr
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Location: Superior, WI
Reviews written: 9
Trusted by: 3 members
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