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| Product: Nokia 8290 Cellular Phone |
Company: Nokia |
| Web: www.nokia.com |
Phone: 888-256-2098 |
| Platform: GSM 1900 |
SRP: US$150
Street Price: $150 |
Cred Rating: | Special Award:
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So many phones, so little money. How do you choose a reasonably priced cellphone that doesn't skimp on style or features? Street Tech Labs has picked two of the smallest phones currently available for US$150 or less and put them head-to-head in a two-part review. First up, we examine the Nokia 8290.
The 8290 is Nokia's mid-priced cell phone, sharing size with the more expensive 8800 series. The 8290's size is one of its key advantages -- at less than 4" tall and weighing only 2.8 oz -- it's tiny and lightweight enough to slip easily into the front pocket of your jeans or into an evening bag. The Nokia 8290 is very stylish too. One of the first things you notice, aside from the diminutive size, is the lack of an external antenna, giving it a very sleek line. I found that despite the lack of a protruding antenna, the phone's reception is excellent.
The 8290 is a GSM 1900 digital-only phone, available in the US from Voicestream, Cingular, and other GSM 1900 service providers. AT&T and other non-GSM networks offer the 8260 instead, which is basically the same phone, but for 1900/800/AMPS networks running dual mode analog/digital. It's slightly heavier though, and has shorter battery life than the 8290.
Another advantage of the 8290 (which the 8260 doesn't share) is the ability to swap faceplates to suit your mood. I particularly like this feature and currently have four faceplates: one red, one blue (both came with the phone), one "carbon fiber" and one gray slide cover (both aftermarket products). The carbon fiber plate is the one I use most often, but the slide cover is pretty cool too -- at least it LOOKS cool. It offers you the same look as 8900 series Nokes. It covers the keypad with a spring-loaded cover that snaps out with the push of a button. Unfortunately, the cover uses a cheap chrome-plated replacement keypad that's prone to scratches, doesn't always enter numbers properly, and is even smaller than the original pad. Because of this, it's almost unusable and has stayed in my desk drawer since I bought it. Aftermarket faceplates and other accessories are available from CellularFactory.com for $10-$15. I also ordered a charging cradle ($15) from them, which includes a slot for charging a spare battery. Customer service was good, and though the faceplates are not the highest quality, I'd still recommend them for the money.
Despite the fact that the phone's keypad seems to have been designed for Capuchin monkey paws rather than human hands, the Nokia 8290 is still a breeze to use. There are four navigation buttons, separate Call and End buttons, and two side-mounted volume controls, in addition to the numeric keypad. The nav buttons allow quick access to all the phone's features. Using the up/down button from the main screen gives you access to the phone book, and pressing a number (representing the first letter of the name you want), brings you right to the person on your list.
The display is excellent, though small. With five lines of text, plus a side signal strength indicator and battery display, it's fairly easy to read. The screen is also backlit, and pressing a button lights all the buttons for use in the dark.
The 8290 supports short messaging (SMS) through the Messages menu, which my provider augments with an individualized Internet email address for messages from friends, or auto-forwarded messages from other information services. It also supports sending small B&W clip-art through SMS, though I fail to see the value of such a feature.
One particularly handy addition for SMS use is the inclusion of T9 predictive text input. This system means that the phone actually predicts what word you're trying to type without having to use multiple key presses for each letter. For example: to type "dinner" on a normal phone, you'd have to type 3 for D, 444 for the I, 66 for the first N, then wait and type 66 again for the second N, the 33 for the E and finally 777 for the R. With T9, all you do is type 346637. As you type, the letters change depending on what word the phone thinks you're trying to type. The system is so accurate and helpful, it should be included on all phones.
Other features on the phone allow for quick access to information and simple preference adjustments. The Settings menu adjusts a variety of variables, including calling card pre-programming, call waiting and automatic redial (retries phone numbers when busy). It also includes an alarm clock, which I've found very handy while traveling. There is an included calendar function for keeping appointments, but it is so difficult to use, it's almost worthless. Included games make for easy distraction, but are limited to the standard apple-eating-snake game, a memory game, and a logic game that resembles Mastermind, a mind-bending "rotation" game. All are mildly fun, but won't be replacing your Gameboy Advance anytime soon.
The Nokia has room for 250 phone numbers, though each name is limited to one number. It also supports voice dialing, which is particularly handy when using the included hands-free earpiece. Pressing one of the nav buttons, or the button on the earpiece, activates the voice recognition, letting you dial one of ten people without poking the tiny buttons.
One of the best features of the Nokia is "Profiles." Now common to all Nokia phones, it allows setting of different ring-tones, volume and vibration features for different situations, each of which can be custom-named. Accessing different profiles requires only a few short presses of the power button, making it very quick to change. While the feature is not immediately intuitive, once I figured it out, I found it indispensable. For example, on my phone, I've set up a "Panic" profile which means that, should I get a call, the phone rings with the most annoying ring-tone at the highest possible volume, and vibrates as well. I use this profile in situations where I might not be able to hear the phone ring, like at an outdoor event. My usual setting is "Don't Panic," which means that when I receive a call, the phone beeps at a moderate volume once and stops. It's discreet and ensures that even if I forget to shut my phone off at the opera, I won't get ridiculed by the clench-jawed fat cats sitting next to me.
Battery life on the 8290 is excellent, even with the normal battery, and extended batteries are available. I find that I can go a week of light use and at least two days of heavy use. Nokia claims up to six days of standby and 200 minutes of talk time, and my mixed-usage tests seem to confirm that figure.
One additional stand-out feature of the Nokia 8290 is the side-mounted IR port and data capabilities. I have successfully used the port to connect my handheld computer to the Internet, browsing Web pages and downloading email. Unfortunately, the speed is limited by the phone to 14.4 Kbps, which is far too slow. The Nokia lacks an internal browser though, so connecting through the IR port is the only way to access the Web.
Overall, the Nokia is one of the best and most reasonably priced small mobile phones around. It provides excellent value and enough "gee-whiz factor" for even the most jaded technocrat.
Next up: Nate goes globetrotting with Ericsson's "World Phone."
- Nate Heasley [1/26/02]
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