Nokia 6290 InDepth Review Specs and Pricing Analysis

Introduction to Nokia 6290

The Nokia 6290 was a mobile phone that represented a unique offering in the mid-2000s, blending functionality and form into a compact device. Announced in November 2006 and launched shortly thereafter, the 6290 was part of Nokia's attempt to cater to the needs of both business professionals and casual users by offering features that were advanced for its time.

Design and Build

The Nokia 6290 was designed with practicality and elegance in mind. It featured dimensions of 94 x 50 x 20.8 mm and weighed 115 grams, making it a relatively compact and portable device. The phone embraced a clamshell design that protected the screen while adding an element of style. It was available in two colors: Black and Light Blue. The choice of materials and design elements provided a professional look while ensuring durability for everyday use.

Display

Equipped with a 2.2-inch TFT display, the Nokia 6290 featured 16 million colors that made images and text vibrant and clear. The screen had a resolution of 240 x 320 pixels, resulting in a pixel density of approximately 182 ppi. While the display size might seem modest by today's standards, it was sufficient for viewing messages, browsing, and displaying application content during its time in the market.

Camera Capabilities

The Nokia 6290 came with a 2 MP rear camera accompanied by an LED flash. This setup allowed users to take photos with reasonable clarity in good lighting conditions. Additionally, the phone could record video, adding a layer of functionality for capturing personal moments. For video calls, the phone was equipped with a CIF front camera which, at the time, was a valuable feature for staying connected with friends and family via video calls.

Performance and Software

Under the hood, the Nokia 6290 was powered by a 369 MHz ARM 11 processor and ran on Symbian OS 9.2 with S60 rel. 3.1 user interface. This combination provided a decent performance for the multitasking and applications available at the time. With 64MB of RAM and 45MB of internal storage, the phone could handle basic tasks and store a limited number of files. It also had a microSDHC card slot, allowing users to expand storage and manage larger files, such as images and videos.

Battery Life

Battery life was always a critical factor in mobile devices, and the Nokia 6290 was equipped with a removable Li-Ion 950 mAh battery (BL-5F), which could sustain up to 264 hours of standby time in 2G and 288 hours in 3G mode. The talk time was approximately 3 hours and 30 minutes on 2G networks and 2 hours and 30 minutes on 3G networks. These metrics showed that the phone could last a typical day of moderate usage without needing to be charged frequently.

Connectivity Options

The Nokia 6290 supported both GSM and UMTS networks, providing users with improved voice call quality and faster data transfer rates. Bluetooth 2.0 was available for wireless communication with other devices, though the lack of a 3.5mm headphone jack and WLAN meant some limitations in terms of audio and internet connectivity. The inclusion of a miniUSB 2.0 port allowed for direct connection to computers for data transfer and synchronization, and it had an infrared port for legacy peripheral connectivity.

Sound and Media

The phone featured a stereo loudspeaker system which allowed for a richer audio experience when playing music or using the speakerphone. Users could customize their phones with polyphonic and MP3 ringtones, which was a popular feature at the time. The presence of a stereo FM radio added another entertainment option, allowing users to listen to their favorite stations on the go.

Unique Features and User Experience

The Nokia 6290 included several features that enhanced the overall user experience. The WAP 2.0/xHTML browser provided access to the mobile internet, which was burgeoning in popularity at the time. Although it lacked modern sensors, its robust operating system and customizable interface made it quite user-friendly. Nokia's emphasis on intuitive design was evident in the 6290, making it a favorite among users who valued functionality paired with reliability.

Conclusion

While the Nokia 6290 has long been discontinued, it remains a testament to Nokia's innovation and ability to cater to diverse user needs. It offered a balance of style, functionality, and performance in an era when mobile phones were becoming more than simple communication tools. The phone's robust set of features, allied with the reliability synonymous with Nokia, ensured its place in the memory of many users. As mobile technology continues to advance, devices like the Nokia 6290 remind us of the pivotal role they played in the evolution of mobile telephony.