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Nokia 7650
Price: £249

Features
Performance
Ease of use
Value for money
Overall

Reviewed By: Andy Shaw

This review updated: 18/09/2002
Featured in magazine:
Issue 38, page 36
Manufacturer Contacts:
Supplier: Orange
Tel: 0500 801080
Web Address: www.orange.co.uk


The Nokia 7650 is one of the first models Orange is offering with its multimedia messaging service (MMS), which comes complete with a built-in digital camera so you can snap a picture and send it on to a friend. The phone's camera can take pictures at resolutions of up to 640x480 pixels, which you can then either send to a compatible phone or to any email address.

The phone itself has a screen size of 176x208 pixels, which offers bright and clear pictures and does a great job of everything from previewing your photos to playing games. If you're a news junkie you can also get updates mailed to you along with an appropriate picture for 25p per message. The phone also has a voice recorder, can handle voice dialling for up to 25 friends and has both Bluetooth and infrared ports in case you want to connect it to any other devices.

On the downside the phone is bulky – at 154g, you'll never have to pat your pockets to check that it's still there. However, adding size and weight has paid dividends in terms of picture quality and the camera takes significantly better shots than the one that comes with the Sony Ericsson T68i, especially when the light is poor. The hidden keyboard means that the huge screen is easily accommodated, but it would still be nicer to have a more pocketable device.

There's no denying that this Nokia model is far easier to use than its rivals. It feels like everything on this phone has been set up to be as easy and simple to use as is possible. For example, if you need to insert a symbol in a text message, you get a different set of options than if you were inputting a symbol into an email address. It's small touches like this, as well as a good level of intuitive design, that make this phone so great to use.

Although more expensive than the T68i, we were far happier with the resulting pictures taken from this phone and its improved ease of use. Orange's pricing plans seem more sensible than T-Mobile's, charging a fee of 40p for each picture message you send over the network, rather than T-Mobile's monthly rate of £20. Until you know how much you're likely to use a service, it's preferable to pay as you go rather than shell out upfront.

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