After my dear Panasonic G520 departed from this world after an encounter with my over-active puppy, I had the heart breaking decision of deciding on it's successor. Now many people had recommended the Nokia 3210, but with mobiles going as cheap as £30, what justifies paying an extra £50? Well, anyay, I took the plunge, and I have to say I love it.
Now available to us pay-as-you-talk folk and a more wallet-friendly £80, compared to last year (£WHAT?!?!) the Nokia 3210 has become somehat of a fashion accessory, but more on that later. First, a look at the functions of the phone.
Now have you ever held a Nokia 3210? I suggest you do, it's the comfiest phone there! Slips straight into the palm of your hands and all the buttons are sensibly placed, basically, I could stroke it all day. The keys are also very reliable, they make a satisfying click as you press them, but there's none of that 'hammer the button until you actually get a response, á la Nokia 5110. Nokia is well known in the mobile world for it's quality, and the Nokia 3210 definately does not lack qaulity. The menu system is also helpfully set out, due to the bigger pixel quality on the screen, the images are a lot clearer, and everything appears very ligible, meaning less eye strain that you can encounter on some phones. Calls are comfortable, but the call length time is not displayed on the screen, meaning you can drain all of your calling credit/rack up a massive phone bill. A bit naughty Nokia, be fair to us poor folk. Therefore you'll have to resort to the phone's clock and just keep an eye on how the time goes. However, although this option is lacking, there are plenty to keep phone buffs happy. You get an on-screen clock, alarm, phone book, text message option, diverts, calculator, and of course, Snake (the other to game's aren't worth bothering with.) So overall, this definately carries on Nokia's reputation for quality phones, this baby won't break easily, that's for sure. But does this warrent £50 extra?
Well, for some people, the extra's available definately warrent the higher price tag. Nokia has recognised that the 3210 has grown into a very successful brand. With this comes the fact that everyone will have a similar phone, and these people like to feel like an individual. Phone covers have been knocking around for some time now, and now the latest phase has arrived - downloadable ring tones and picture logos. I recommend www.boltblue.com, but many websites or phone services can offet nearly any tune you can think of, from Britney to Eminem, and the theme tune of Men Behaving Badly to The Simpsons. In replacement of your network display, you can have a logo of your choice. Basically, Nokia's plan is that no two people should have the same phone, even if it the same brand. It is a novelty, but a very successful novelty at that. And there's no sign of the craze ending.
In conclusion then, yes, the phone is pure quality, the options are there, but with all these crazes of phone covers and downloadable tones available, is it all just a novelty, or is the £80 price tag warrented? The answer is yes, Nokia phones are quality, it has more features and extras than a pen knife, and there's no chance of this baby breakinbg for a longg time. Besides, you've always wanted to answer your call to the tune of 'Bob The Builder'.