NOKIA 6300: The new phone on the (mono)block

When I first saw the Nokia 6300, I smiled.

Finally, I whispered to myself. Slim, block-like and matte silver: Perfect combination for a Nokia cellphone that makes yet another statement with a strong and modern look.

It was in Amsterdam late last year that the Nokia 6300 made its first appearance. We were told that this baby, when it becomes available on the market, will be among the mid-range models of the Nokia phones hereabouts.

But what this new cellphone from Nokia represents is an evolution of the modern monoblock design. Think about it: The phone weighs a mere 91 grams and measures less than 13.1mm thin. Of course, I couldn’t help but admire the quality materials that are part of the Nokia 6300s makeup.

There’s more to this phone than just its "slimness." It all begins with a great and ergonomic keypad with keys that are a pleasure to press and an easy-to-use menu. "Like an impeccably tailored suit, the Nokia 6300 is perfectly proportioned, always in style, but best appreciated for its attention to detail," said Kai Oistamo, executive vice president and general manager of Nokia Mobile Phones, in a press statement. "The Nokia 6300 has been developed for consumers who want a mobile phone that offers an uncompromised set of features with highly desirable, sophisticated design. We are confident that the Nokia 6300 will be among our best-selling models in 2007."

I love cellphones that I can dress up to match the quirks I have. This means I look for cute animals that run up and down the screen for that screen saver with an "animal appeal." The unit I tried had rabbits digging holes each time the phone was put on key lock mode. The pet-lover in me was won over.

A stainless steel frame that adds both design interest and strength highlights the clean lines and recessed buttons of the Nokia 6300. Of course, I might add that for those of us who like to see at a quick glance the text messages we get, and then not have to squint when we type up a text message, there is the large font option. That the text messages manage 1,000 characters, including spaces in one go, is another plus for this beauty. The simple yet elegant keypad is easy to push. No need for that extra punch when typing up a message. Text and go, and then some. What more can I say for a country that texts more than it talks, at least on the cellphone?

I have seen, touched, and handled so many gadgets in the last few years that I sometimes tend to be a little jaded when it comes to the new stuff. And if there’s one thing I’ve learned through the years, it is that jadedness has no place in a technology-driven world. Someone or some company is always coming up with something new.

It is here where the Nokia 6300 makes its loudest statement. Sure, there are a few new features which make the phone easier to use, the design being at the top of the list. Yet, it is Nokia’s good old reliable features that make people come back to it again and again.

I have friends who have told me that they would only use a Nokia and nothing else. Why? Because it is reliable. Because it makes cellphone technology easy to handle. And because it is always consistent with its quality. Sure, there are new things here and there, but its tried and tested features, like the ones for texting in particular, are the easiest to work through. As a Pinoy, we know that texting, in the hierarchy of values, is next to eating or even sleeping.

In addition to its organic curves and appealing design, the Nokia 6300 offers a robust range of easy-to-use features, including a two-megapixel camera with 8x digital zoom, two-inch QVGA screen, built-in MP3 player, and FM radio. Everything is displayed on a crisp, detailed screen, which brings applications like an Opera Mini Browser or games like Sudoku and Snakes III to life. It boasts a 135MB internal memory with support for up to two GB microSD cards. And, yes, the battery goes on for a long time, 3.5 hours or so and a standby time of up to 14 days.

Yes, it uses GSM/EDGE coverage and is quad-band, which is already a standard with cellphones.

The other standards include e-mail client with attachments (Java version), MMS: OMA MMS 1.2 for creating, receiving, editing, and sending multimedia messages (messages up to 300 kb), push to talk, and the Nokia Xpress on audio messaging (AMS) which is a fast and simple way to send voice or sound clips via MMS.

The phone’s music player supports MP3, MP4, AAC, AAC+, eAAC+, H.263, and H.264; FM stereo radio with visual radio; streaming video (3GPP).

Might I add that for ringtone junkies like me, the folks who prefer to hear tried-and-tested ringtones with every phone they get, the 6300 supports MP3 ringing tones, true tones, and MIDI tones for up to 64 polyphonic tones and allows for video ringing tones, too.

Yes, I admit, I love cellphones which can accommodate my choicest ringtone. Many times I feel I would be lost if I didn’t hear the old reliable tones that I have grown to love.

‘Nuff said.

For now, make mine a Nokia 6300. I love being square.