Nokia 3650 Full Specs Pricing Pros & Cons Unveiled

Introduction to Nokia 3650

The Nokia 3650, announced in the first quarter of 2003, was a revolutionary device for its time. As a smartphone running the Symbian 6.1 operating system with the Series 60 user interface, it stood out with its unique design and functionality. It was part of Nokia's efforts to blend mobile telephony with portable computing capabilities and multimedia functionalities, aimed at tech-savvy users of the early 2000s.

Design and Build

Standing out with a distinct circular keypad, the Nokia 3650 was designed to grab attention. Its dimensions are 130 x 57 x 26 mm, and it weighed around 130 grams, making it relatively hefty compared to today's smartphones but rather typical for early 2000s models. Made available in colors such as Dark Blue, Grey, and Yellow, the device managed to offer an element of personalization and style. The phone required a Mini-SIM and housed a removable Li-Ion 850 mAh battery, reflecting the common practices of the time with removable battery options.

Display

The Nokia 3650 features a 2.1-inch TFT display, capable of rendering 4096 colors at a resolution of 176 x 208 pixels. While this may seem minimal by today's standards, in 2003 it provided sufficient clarity for the phone’s UI and multimedia features. The display also constitutes approximately 18.9% screen-to-body ratio, again typical for that era when touchscreens were not mainstream.

Platform and Performance

Powered by a 104 MHz ARM 9 processor, the Nokia 3650 ran on the Symbian 6.1 operating system with Series 60 UI, Nokia's pioneering attempt at creating a touch-capable OS experience. Though by modern standards, the processing power seems modest, it was sufficient for running the various applications and utilities of its time, like contact management, SMS, MMS, a calendar app, and native Java applications.

Memory and Storage

The device came with 4MB of internal storage, a storage capacity that required users to be judicious in their downloading and saving habits. However, the inclusion of an MMC card slot allowed for memory expansion, essential for users wanting to make the most of the phone’s multimedia capabilities.

Camera Capabilities

The Nokia 3650 was among the early adopters of built-in cameras with a VGA resolution of 0.3MP. While this is very basic compared to present-day standards, at the time it was a groundbreaking inclusion. It allowed users to capture photos and videos, offering a taste of mobile multimedia creation, a feature that has now become a smartphone staple.

Connectivity and Communication

The Nokia 3650 supported GSM technology across 900, 1800, and 1900 MHz bands with GPRS Class 4. Bluetooth 1.1 support enabled wireless communication with other devices, allowing for early forms of wireless data transfer and headset use. It also came with an infrared port, a popular method for short-range data communication back in the early 2000s. The absence of WLAN (Wi-Fi), positioning features, and a USB port underline the nascent stage of mobile internet use during that time.

Sound and Multimedia

A built-in loudspeaker and support for vibration alerts were standard features. The Nokia 3650 supported polyphonic and monophonic ringtones, as well as WAV file ringtones, adding layers of personalization. However, the lack of a 3.5mm audio jack meant limited options for private listening experiences.

Software Features

The Nokia 3650's Symbian operating system offered fundamental smartphone features like a web browser (WAP 2.0/xHTML), downloadable applications, and multiple language options. Essential utilities such as a clock, alarm, and organizer were integrated, forming a comprehensive toolset for mobile productivity.

Battery Life

Equipped with a removable 850 mAh battery, the Nokia 3650 offered a standby time of up to 150-200 hours and talk time of up to 2-4 hours. This was adequate for moderate usage in a world where constant connectivity was not yet the standard, with users often managing battery life conservatively due to limited charging infrastructure and habits of the time.

Impact and Legacy

The Nokia 3650 set the stage for future developments in mobile technology, particularly within the domain of camera integration and mobile operating systems. It exemplified Nokia's leading role in the early mobile phone market and its transitionary period toward more advanced smartphones. Despite eventually being discontinued, its influence persisted in design philosophies and fundamental features of subsequent models.