Nokia 3600 Slide The Ultimate Specs and Features Guide

Overview of the Nokia 3600 Slide

The Nokia 3600 Slide is a classic mobile phone released in August 2008 by Nokia, known for its sleek design and functional features during its time. Although it is now discontinued, it left a memorable mark on the feature phone market. Blending style with practicality, the 3600 Slide was an attractive option for users who prioritized essential communication over modern smartphone functionalities.

Design and Build Quality

The phone's dimensions, 97.8 x 47.2 x 14.5 mm, alongside a weight of 97.3 grams, contribute to its compact and lightweight nature, making it easy to carry and operate with one hand. The slider mechanism not only adds a touch of elegance but also protects the keypad when not in use. It supports Mini-SIM, catering to the standard of its release period. Available in Charcoal and Wine colors, its aesthetic appeal was quite popular among users who valued unique and sophisticated designs.

Display

The Nokia 3600 Slide features a 2.0-inch TFT display with a resolution of 240 x 320 pixels. With 16 million colors, the screen provides vibrant visual quality, although the 26.8% screen-to-body ratio limits the viewing area. The display is adequately sharp for reading messages and viewing basic multimedia content, consistent with the capabilities expected from feature phones during its time.

Camera Capabilities

Sporting a 3.15 MP main camera with autofocus and an LED flash, the Nokia 3600 Slide enables basic photography and video recording at 480p resolution. While not meeting modern standards, these features were above average for feature phones in 2008, allowing users to capture memorable moments with reasonable quality. The absence of a selfie camera reflects the pre-smartphone era's less frequent use of front-facing cameras.

Sound and Music

Equipped with a loudspeaker, the phone provides good audio quality for calls and music playback. Alert types include vibration and downloadable polyphonic and MP3 ringtones. Lacking a 3.5mm audio jack, the device requires connection via Bluetooth for wireless audio, conforming to the technological trends of its time.

Connectivity and Communication

The Nokia 3600 Slide supports GSM network technology across multiple bands (850/900/1800/1900), ensuring compatibility with various international carriers. GPRS and EDGE enable basic mobile internet connectivity, although users need to manage expectations regarding speed and advanced web functionalities. The phone also features Bluetooth 2.0 with A2DP for wireless devices, a stereo FM radio with RDS for conventional radio listening, and microUSB 2.0 for charging and data transfer.

Memory and Storage

Internally, the phone houses 30MB of storage, a modest size by today’s standards but typical for its era. A dedicated microSDHC slot allows for memory expansion, with a 512MB card included, catering to users who needed additional space for music, photos, and applications. Its phonebook can store up to 2000 entries, along with call record functionality, which was a generous provision for users managing extensive contact lists.

Operating System and Features

Being a feature phone, the Nokia 3600 Slide operates on a proprietary Nokia OS. It caters to basic functionalities such as SMS, MMS, Email, and Instant Messaging. Its browser supports WAP 2.0/xHTML and HTML (via Opera Mini 4), enabling simple web browsing activities. Java support enhances its capability to run legacy applications and games, catering to casual gaming and utility applications popular during the time.

Battery Life

The Nokia 3600 Slide is powered by a removable Li-Ion 860 mAh battery (BL-4S), providing efficient energy management. It offers a stand-by time of up to 280 hours and a talk time of up to 5 hours and 30 minutes, ensuring that users can stay connected without frequent recharges, a primary concern for feature phones.

Miscellaneous Features

The phone’s SAR rating stands at 1.01 W/kg for the head and 0.78 W/kg for the body, aligning with safety standards. In Europe, it boasts a lower SAR value of 0.69 W/kg. Originally priced around 120 EUR, the Nokia 3600 Slide offered good value for its range of features and build quality.

Conclusion

Though the Nokia 3600 Slide is now a nostalgic piece of technology, it remains a testament to Nokia's influence in the pre-smartphone market. It combined essential functionalities with an attractive design, appealing to users seeking straightforward communication devices. Its balance of style, simplicity, and functionality marks it as a classic, echoing an era when phones were primarily about connecting people.