Nokia 3500 Classic Specs Prices Pros & Cons Revealed

Overview of Nokia 3500 Classic

The Nokia 3500 Classic was introduced in June 2007 and released to the market in October of the same year. It stands out as a compact feature phone designed to be both fashionable and functional for everyday use. Targeted at users who prefer a more traditional mobile phone experience, it combines essential communication capabilities with a few modern features like a built-in camera and Bluetooth connectivity.

Network and Connectivity

The Nokia 3500 Classic operates on GSM technology, supporting 2G bands on GSM 900/1800/1900 frequencies. It offers GPRS Class 10 and EDGE Class 10 for mobile data services, making it possible to access basic web services and send multimedia messages. While it does not support 3G or 4G networks, for the time of its release it provided sufficient connectivity for basic communication requirements.

Design and Build

The phone has compact dimensions of 107 x 45 x 13.1 mm and weighs only 81 grams, making it extremely portable and easy to carry. The design features a simple, straightforward aesthetic, available in various colors including Grey, Pink, Mandarine, and Azure Blue. The device uses a Mini-SIM slot for cellular services.

Display

The Nokia 3500 Classic features a 1.8-inch TFT display capable of displaying 256K colors. The resolution is 128 x 160 pixels, resulting in a pixel density of approximately 114 PPI. While not high-definition by today’s standards, this display was suitable for a feature phone and adequate for viewing text messages, call logs, and simple graphical content.

Memory and Storage

The device offers 8.5MB of internal storage, which might seem minimal, but was typical for feature phones of the era. Fortunately, it includes a dedicated microSD card slot for expanding storage, allowing users to store more contacts, messages, and multimedia files. The phonebook can store up to 2000 entries, while the call record function can maintain logs of 20 dialed, 20 received, and 20 missed calls.

Camera Functionality

One of the standout features of the Nokia 3500 Classic is its 2MP main camera. While basic, it allows users to capture photographs and record videos, enhancing its value as a feature phone. There is no selfie camera, but the inclusion of a rear camera was quite a perk for devices of this caliber during its time.

Audio and Multimedia

For sound, the Nokia 3500 Classic is fitted with a loudspeaker capable of producing sound levels of Voice 65dB, Noise 65dB, and Ring 75dB. It supports polyphonic and MP3 ringtones and includes a stereo FM radio, providing entertainment on the go. It's important to note the absence of a 3.5mm headphone jack, but it does offer Bluetooth 2.0 with A2DP for wireless audio streaming.

Communication and Messaging

The device supports multiple messaging formats, including SMS, MMS, Email, and Instant Messaging, making it versatile for communication needs. Its browser supports WAP 2.0/xHTML for accessing simple web pages, and it is equipped with Java MIDP 2.0, allowing for basic downloadable games and applications to be installed.

Battery Life

Powered by a removable Li-Ion 820 mAh battery (BL-4C), the Nokia 3500 Classic offers a standby time of up to 280 hours and a talk time of up to 3 hours. This ensures that the phone can last through the day on a single charge, an important feature for mobile phones.

Miscellaneous Features

The Nokia 3500 Classic is not short on additional features. Although it lacks advanced sensors which are commonly found in modern smartphones, it still compensates with its stereo FM radio and support for Java applications. Additionally, the device meets SAR standards with 0.49 W/kg (head) and 0.59 W/kg (body), ensuring user safety.

Conclusion

While no longer in production, the Nokia 3500 Classic remains a noteworthy example of mid-2000s mobile technology. It catered to users looking for reliability in basic communications with additional perks like a camera and Bluetooth connectivity. The phone’s straightforward design and functional features have left a lasting impact on users who favored simplicity over complexity in mobile devices.