Nokia 8800 Sirocco Comprehensive Specs Pricing and Review

Introduction to Nokia 8800 Sirocco

The Nokia 8800 Sirocco, launched in September 2006, represents a pinnacle in mobile phone design and luxury. Known for its unique blend of craftsmanship and technology, the Nokia 8800 Sirocco is a feature phone that appeals to those who value style and functionality. Although discontinued today, it remains a significant piece of mobile history due to its premium aesthetic and influential design.

Body and Design

The Nokia 8800 Sirocco has dimensions of 107 x 45 x 17.5 mm and a weight of 138 grams, making it a sleek and relatively lightweight device for its time. The phone's body is made of stainless steel, giving it a luxurious feel and increased durability. It uses a mini-SIM slot, and its overall design prioritizes elegance and simplicity. A standout feature is its scratch-resistant glass, which adds to the durability while ensuring the device maintains an immaculate appearance.

Display

Equipped with a 1.7-inch TFT screen capable of displaying 256,000 colors, the Nokia 8800 Sirocco offers a vibrant visual experience. The screen's resolution is 208 x 208 pixels, yielding a pixel density of approximately 173 ppi, which is impressive for a feature phone of its era. The display is protected by scratch-resistant glass, further enhancing its longevity and suitability for daily use.

Network and Connectivity

The Nokia 8800 Sirocco supports GSM networks, specifically the 900, 1800, and 1900 bands, ensuring wide compatibility across different regions. Although it lacks modern connectivity options such as WLAN, GPS, and USB, it does support Bluetooth 2.0 with A2DP, allowing users to connect wireless headsets and other Bluetooth-enabled devices. The phone also features an FM radio, catering to media consumption needs.

Camera Features

The device features a single 2MP main camera, adequate for capturing basic photos. It supports QCIF video recording, enabling users to record simple video clips. Despite its modest camera specifications compared to modern smartphones, it was adequate for casual photography at the time.

Storage and Memory

The Nokia 8800 Sirocco comes with 128MB of internal storage, which was reasonable for its time, allowing users to store contacts, text messages, and media. However, it lacks expandable memory options, which limits its storage capabilities. The phonebook supports up to 1000 entries, and it can retain up to 20 dialed, received, and missed call records each, providing adequate communication management for its users.

Sound and Multimedia

The sound capabilities include a loudspeaker and support for various alert types including vibration, polyphonic ringtones, as well as downloadable MP3 and AAC tones. Despite the absence of a 3.5mm headphone jack, the Nokia 8800 Sirocco's multimedia features are commendable, with support for Java-based downloadable games and other applications.

Battery Life

The device is powered by a removable Li-Ion 700 mAh battery (BP-6X). In terms of battery longevity, it offers a standby time of up to 240 hours and a talk time of approximately 2 hours and 45 minutes. While this may seem limited by today's standards, it was considered adequate given the phone's essential functionalities and usage patterns typical at the time.

Software and User Interface

The Nokia 8800 Sirocco runs on a proprietary operating system suitable for feature phones, focusing on ease of use and efficiency. The interface supports multiple messaging formats including SMS, EMS, MMS, email, and instant messaging. The integrated WAP 2.0/xHTML browser allows for basic internet browsing capabilities.

Market and Price

At launch, the Nokia 8800 Sirocco was priced at approximately 500 EUR, positioning it as a premium offering within the mobile market. Available in colors such as Silver, Black, and Gold Edition, the phone appealed to a luxury-seeking clientele, emphasizing exclusivity and style over raw performance.

Conclusion

The Nokia 8800 Sirocco is remembered fondly as a milestone in mobile phone design, emphasizing luxury and craftsmanship. Although limited by hardware compared to modern smartphones, its elegant design and durable construction give it a timeless appeal. The device serves as a testament to Nokia's innovation and attention to detail, and remains a sought-after piece for enthusiasts and collectors of classic mobile technology.