OK, so my title is sexist. But the most annoying thing about this phone is that everyone thinks it is a ladies phone. It looks chic and fits nicely into a handbag. Problem is that I am a guy!!! HOwever I could not resist but get my hands on such a sexy phone.
I have had a Nokia 8850 for a year now. I was so impressed that soon after I got mine I bought another for my girlfriend. Since then Nokia have brought out the 8890, a triband phone (which means you can use it in the USA as well as Europe) which tends to costs an extra 50 quid or so. Here is why I like it my 8850 so much :-
1. Size. The 8850 weighs on 91 g, and is 100 x 44 x 17 mm in dimensions. This is very small and light compared to rivals.
2. Looks. This is one sexy
looking phone. Chrome coloured, with a nice sliding panel to protect the keyboard. It looks real good, and often catches peoples eye when you use it. I personally do not think that there is a better phone on the market.
3. Battery life. 50 - 150 h standby time is what Nokia claim. Well I am a heavy user and after a days heavy use need to charge it. But when usage drops I guess the 50 - 150 hours is probably reasonable and achievable. One hint is that the phone comes with a vibrate alert, useful for meetings etc, but this really runs down the battery. Use vibrate only when you need to!!!
4. Memory. The internal phonebook stores up to 250 names and phone numbers of up to 20 characters and 30 digits respectively. This is much better than many rivals.
5. Games. The 8850 has four games - Memory, Snake, Logic and Rotation - I often use these on long journeys or to fill a bored moment.
6. Voice tags. This is a great feature, which is becomingh more common on all phones now. The 8850 can store up to eight voice tags within the phonebook. The voice tags enable a number to be called simply by saying the voice tag added to the desired name and phone number. The voice tags are dependent on the speaker’s voice. The tags are also sensitive to background noise - idealy they should be recorded in quiet surroundings.
7. Ring tones. The 8850 holds 35 ring tones with additional capacity for five personal tones received by SMS or infrared/cable connection. Personally I have Glory Glory Man Utd on mine - doesn't always win you many friends though!!!
8. SMS functionality (short message service i.e. text messages!!). OK, so this is essential for any phone, but the 8850 has Picture messaging. This lets you send small pictures with a text message to nayone who also has picture messaging capability on their phone too. There are 10 built-in pictures and a blank space for another one that may be sent/received via SMS. The sms also has predictive text input. This will let you key in characters by a single key press with the text input based on the editable built-in dictionary. This is difficult to describe and takes some getting used to, but is a real time saver when you get used to it. It is very useful on the 8850 as, being such a small phone, the keys can be fiddly and this means that you have to type less to get the words into the sms.
9. Calendar & Calculator - I don't use them that much much good to have on hand!!
10. Alarm clock. I use this lots and lots - well every morning actually. It even comes with a snooze button. The alarm clock will work even if you switch the power off, but you have to make sure hat the battery hasn't run down. I travel a lot and this saves me relying on alarm calls in hotels, which can be unreliable!!
11. Infra red capability. Swap business cards and play games with owners of other 8850's. Because this phone is slightly expensive you tend not to meet many other 8850 owners however!! C'est la vie!
12. Radiation. This is one of the best phones for protecting against radiation. Emissions are much lower than for many rivals. Of course, we don't know if emissions are harmful, but given that there is an element of uncertainty I feel happy knowing that I am using one of the safest phones on the market.
Any downside? Well for people with fat fingers it is probably to small. And I don't like the female image that the phone portrays. And also it is quite costly - shop around and if you are lucky you may get it for just under 100 quid. Norm is 150 quid. I think that the networks charge a premium for this phone simply because it looks so good.
Overall, though, I am very happy. Buy it if you can!!
How helpful would this review be to a person making a buying decision? Rating guidelines
Yep, I love my 8850 to bits even though it gave me screen trouble, and a new battery cover cost £15. All fixed now though and its a wee gem. Like it better than the Ericsson T68 I had then got stolen.
REDRAVEN 11.11.2001 00:19
I agree that this phone is not for ladies, its a phone for anyone who can afford.
wulise 22.10.2001 18:48
I am on the lookout for a new phone and this sounds very interesting. Cheers. Louise
Advantages: Size, look, amazing battery life, relative exclusiveness, range of features Disadvantages: High Price, not available across all networks, backlit screen can be hard to read in partial light conditions
AndyConnolly 22.03.2001 (23.03.2001)
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Review of Nokia 8850
Advantages: Features, charisma, style, lots of power tightly compace, and according to the scientists one of the safest phones out there Disadvantages: cost
butler_sophie 14.12.2000 ·
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Review of Nokia 8850
Oct 22nd, 2001
very helpful by (88%):
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