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Nokia 3560 Review

Nokia 9500

The new Nokia 3560 is a refreshing change in a market where it has become difficult to tell one phone from another. Although virtually identical to the 3520 in appearance, both handsets have been given a design that is fresh enough to be distinctive, without putting off the more conservative buyer. The buttons are sensibly designed and Nokia’s Xpress-on covers mean the phone’s appearance can be customised to suit the user.

The phone weighs in at around 108g, and at just under 12cm, it isn’t the smallest handset on the market and should appeal to customers who struggle with the ever-decreasing size of new mobile models. Most of the usual basic functions are available; a phone book (with space for 250 entries), calculator, calendar and to-do list, alarm clock and vibrating alert. Voice recorder, voice commands and voice activated dialling are also present. The 3560 also offers a currency converter, which is not available on the largely identical 3520. However, some users may miss the presence of a speakerphone function, notes, and the ability to send business cards.

The 3560 offers many popular new features as well, such as support for MIDP 1.0 Java applications and games, custom colour wallpapers, polyphonic MIDI ring tunes, two-way text messaging with e-mail support, and built-in WAP 2.0 browser, allowing existing TDMA networks to offer these in-demand features to their customers. The 3560 is a tri-mode handset, capable of communicating using AMPS in addition to 800MHz and 1900MHz TDMA.

The 3560, along with the 3520, represents the first time a full colour display has been used on a TDMA handset. The display is a 4096 colour version, and although a little disappointing that Nokia has gone for this more dated system in favour of a 65,000 colour screen, the inclusion of a colour screen on the 3560 at least sets a precedent for this feature being available on all budget handsets in the future.

There are drawbacks to the 3560, however; mainly in the areas of connectivity and multimedia. The 3560 does not offer Bluetooth or infrared capability, and PC connectivity is not available either, limiting data transfer to the mobile internet function, although TTY/TDD (Teletype/Telecom Device for the Deaf) compatibility is available. Multimedia capability is also limited, with no built-in digital camera, and no option for attaching one as an accessory, and there is no digital music player or radio function either.

In conclusion, the Nokia 3560 is, despite its limitations, a capable basic handset, offering ease of use and a fresh design to customers who aren’t too interested in multimedia and connectivity, and mainly use a mobile phone for keeping in contact.

Main features of the Nokia 3560:

  • Ergonomic design and keypad
  • Java™ games
  • Customisable wallpapers
  • WAP browser
  • Colour display
  • 2-way scroll

Technical Specifications of the Nokia 3560:

  • Weight 108g
  • Talktime 6.5h
  • Standby time 228h
  • Extended Li-lon Battery 950 mAh
  • 5 Games (with the option to download more)
  • WAP 2.0
  • Mobile Java
  • Vibrate
  • Predictive text
  • 30 polyphonic (MIDI) ring tones and 5 picture messages
  • Phonebook 250 contacts, 5 numbers and 4 text entries per contact

Features that the Nokia 3560 is missing:

  • Triband
  • Bluetooth
  • Infrared link
  • Speaker Phone
  • MP3

Accessories available for the Nokia 3560:

Nokia Xpress-on™ cover

Manufacturer:

http://www.nokia.com