While the world excitedly waits for news of the first Nokia Windows Phone and enjoys stunning new releases such as the Nokia 700, a large number of people still don’t want or have access to the latest cutting-edge smartphones. No matter, here we look at how Nokia feature phones keep getting smarter.
With Nokia’s technology constantly evolving to make our smartphones smarter than ever, it’s not just the more expensive end of the market that benefits from the latest developments. With technology continually trickling down to more affordable handsets, entry-level Nokia phones are getting increasingly ‘smarter’ all the time, bringing a range of high-quality technologies and features to even the most affordable Nokia handset.
As the latest features, such as Near Field Communication (NFC) and Microsoft’s Windows Phone 7.5 Mango update, arrive at the top end of the smartphone market, this allows older technologies to become more affordable further down the technology food-chain. So, what were once seen as the cutting-edge mobile technologies can be offered at a much lower price, bringing previously flagship features to affordable handsets, and delivering fantastic value to consumers that aren’t concerned with premium prices or features.
Nokia is consistently proving just how successfully this ‘trickle-down effect’ works, as many of its more affordable handsets now offer an astounding array of technologies at truly low prices. For example, the Nokia 6700 Classic, which was a £270 Series 40 phone back in 2009 now shares many of it's top-tech with the Nokia C3-01 Touch and Type, the difference being this model costs £130 (inc. VAT).
For that price, the Nokia C3-01 Touch and Type serves up a chrome body, 5-Megapixel camera, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth 2.1 and full quad-band GSM, quad-band WCDMA and HSPA connectivity, which we reckon is still pretty cutting-edge at this price point.
It you want a touchscreen device that feels and acts like a smartphone, the Nokia 500 is a great example. Following on from Nokia phones such as the Nokia 5800, the Nokia 500 packs a 3.2-inch touchscreen, 802.11g Wi-Fi, Bluetooth 2.1 and up to 32GB of storage, making it ideal for all but the most demanding smartphone user. And with its switchable, coloured covers, it also looks great and lets you customise the design, depending on your taste.
If we're talking real entry-level devices, however, then the £80 (inc. VAT) Nokia C2-02 is a truly value-packed handset. Its combination of touch and type interfaces makes it a great choice for new smartphone users that are used to using a keypad, while the pre-installed Nokia Maps provide easy navigation, without the need for GPS. Add the eye-catching, icon-based interface and smooth touch usability and you’ve got yourself a fantastic bargain.
With phones such as the Nokia C2-01 costing around £50 and packing in a 3.2MP camera, 4x digital zoom, video recording functionality, Bluetooth 2.1 and full audio and video playback, the average phone user can get everything they need at a staggeringly low price. And Nokia certainly doesn't just re-work its old ideas into new phones, either. For example, the Nokia X1-01 introduces dual-SIM capabilities to a market that has been crying out for an ideal solution.
What do you think your phone says about you? Do you need everything a smartphone has to offer or are you happier to enjoy a more affordable Nokia handset for basic calling and texting? Why not let us know your thoughts in the Comments below.