Nokia's 6230i is the successor to the popular 6230 model from last year. To look at the handsets side-by-side, one of the only noticeable differences is the increase in screen resolution from 128 x 128 up to 208 x 208 pixels. The higher resolution display makes for sharper text and graphics on-screen as well as enhancing the usability of the screen as a viewfinder when using the camera. On a whole, the phone still measures a very comfortable 103 mm x 44 mm x 20 mm and weighs in just under 100 grams.
Buttons on the keypad are square, flat and equally sized, making text messaging a pleasant experience. Below the screen are two shortcut keys, as well as the call and end keys. In between these is a four-way rocker with a selection button at its centre.
While we generally found navigation straightforward, thanks in much part to Nokia's intuitive menu system, the close proximity to of the rocker to the shortcut keys caused the occasional erroneous selection. Animated icons liven up the Nokia 6230i's interface, which gives you a choice of a 3x3-grid or list-based structure.
Features
As we gear up for the launch of 2-megapixel camera phones from Nokia (the 6265, 6270 and 6280) and Sony Ericsson (K750i and W800i), the 6230i boasts 1.3-megapixel resolution.
A feature that's slowly but surely making itself known in Australia's mobile phone landscape is push-to-talk. Essentially, it turns your phone into a walkie-talkie. No dialling, ringing or answering -- just push a button, say your message and have it blare out of your recipient's phone almost instantly. As voice is sent in data packets over the mobile phone network, push-to-talk is not limited by range like a normal walkie-talkie or two-way radio.
Push-to-talk, or PTT as it's also known, has the added benefit of being able to send bursts of voice to many phones simultaneously. So far in Australia, Optus and Telstra's GSM network (and the latter carrier's CDMA network) support PTT. Pricing rates for the feature vary, but generally include billing per second, per day or a monthly flat-fee for unlimited use.
Nokia's 6230i supports this walkie-talkie-like functionality via a button on the side of the handset, which you hold down to transmit a message to a PTT group (set up through the push-to-talk menu option). As a relatively new addition to mobile phones, push-to-talk hasn't taken off in the same way SMS did years ago and interoperability between networks is going to take a while. Currently to use the service, you'll need friends or colleagues to be with the same carrier as you, on the same network (GSM or CDMA), subscribed to the service and have a PTT-capable handset.
For connectivity to other devices, such as PCs, PDAs and other phones, the Nokia 6230i supports Bluetooth and infrared, both of which are easily accessible by pressing the left softkey for a list of shortcuts. Nokia has a range of wireless accessories available such as a Bluetooth hands-free car kit as well as a clip on wireless headset. Bundled in the sales package is a wired headset, for making hands-free calls and listening to the 6230i's FM radio.
With 32MB of internal memory and a 64MB MMC card included, there's enough storage for about twenty MP3s straight out of the box. Unfortunately removing the card is a bit of a pain as it's housed under the 6230i's battery, although we did find our card pre-loaded with '80s Brit-pop band Tears For Fears' album Everybody Loves A Happy Ending. The music player is rather rudimentary, with the only play options being random or repeat. While the 6230 can list all tracks, you can't sort by album or artist; only filename. There is also an equaliser with pop, rock, jazz and classical settings.
Performance
Messages, whether they be SMS, MMS or e-mail, are easy to compose using the 6230i's T9 dictionary mode. Business users looking for enhanced e-mail functionality should consider PalmOne's Treo 650 or a BlackBerry, instead.
Photos taken with the 6230i generally came out in focus with vivid colour depth. Image sizes range from 160 x 120 pixels up to 1280 x 1024. The camera's night mode assisted slightly in dark surroundings but photos came out grainy compared to those taken with a flash. Video clips taken are recorded in the 3GPP format and come out slightly pixelated and choppy.
Nokia's 6000 series has generally been a line of no-nonsense business-style phones that aim to couple stellar battery life with high-end features. The 6230i continues with this tradition by offering travellers tri-band operation, up to 5 hours talk time and 300 hours standby time. In our tests, we found the 6230i lasted around 3-4 days of average phone and SMS usage with Bluetooth switched on.
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nokia 6230
10/06/2008, 09:26 PM
rating
9/10
Great mobile with great many features. This is my first mobile gifted from my father. I like this mobile very much. Its have fast functions. For entertainment in this mobile their are many games and many space for games.
Pros: Small form factor.
Gorgeous color.
Large screen.
Detailed menu options.
Finger-friendly keypad.
Downloadable games.
Cons: Nothing.
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bb
08/06/2008, 03:12 PM
rating
9/10
a great phone
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wombat
06/06/2008, 11:57 PM
rating
10/10
I have used and owned many many mobiles and this is by far the best. I've had 2 (1x 6230, and 1x 6230i). every time I try a new phone, nokia or other I come back to this one. I've never had a problem with either or them. I've had both since they were brand new releases and they both still work fine with original battery they came with, so i've been using them for a good 5 years or so. Pics are good though no flash but I have a great digital camera for my pics. Sexy in black, silver or any other colour with interchangeable cover. Nice square buttons to use for SMS, data entry and calls, durable and very long lasting. I use my phones a LOT! And this is just a dream to use, and hot to boot. Perfect for every level of phone meak to phone geek. I should stock up for the next few years before they come off the market. LOVE IT!
Pros: Love everything about them.
Cons: If I could ask for anything else to add to this remarkable phone, it's be a newer screen like the 6280 screen, and slightly bigger than current, but other than that I wouldn't change a thing!
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susieq
14/09/2007, 05:58 PM
rating
5/10
why, even tho have people in contacts, name doesnt come up when they phone?
Pros: lovely phone
Cons: problem as above
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BoBtHeBuIlDeR
13/08/2007, 07:53 PM
rating
7/10
This is a nice phone. Its got a nice look, theres a camera - th price is great.
To answer you, Khalid, the phone is most likely locked to another company than your phone. I have a vodafone sim cad, and i bought an lg (LG IS CRAP) and it was with boost..the same message came up!
Pros: -Camera
-FM radio
-Nice colour screen
-Battery lasts
Cons: -If you're a fast typer, this phone ain't for you! Its behind!~
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khalid
29/06/2007, 08:18 PM
rating
4/10
Nokia 6230i will display a message insert sim card but sim card is inserted in to mobile
Pros: Please solve my problem
Cons: -----------------------
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Heartily
04/05/2007, 10:17 AM
rating
8/10
Overall, its another pleasant experience with a Nokia. Impressed me first with its bright, radient and nice software color which puts Motorola to shame. Because of its user friendliness, stability and durability, i would not mind it in exchange for some features lost which sony ericsson supporters claim. Nokia is best at basics with other gifts that others would easily overlooked until they switch to other brands.
Pros: - simple software to operate with nice software color
- stable and durable
- fuss free complications in transfer of data
- comes with some weight (personally i like it that way rather than some too light ones that feels plasticky)
- convenient shortcuts that can be preset
Cons: - I suppose picture quality and sound quality to silence sony ericsson critics but especially picture qualities, esp night mode pictures.
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mark gacau
12/04/2007, 04:13 PM
rating
9/10
I have a problem with my battery it only lasts 24 hours. pse advice what to do
Pros: A great phone with many features
Cons: solve battery problem nobody want to charge phone every day
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wiliuzl
10/03/2007, 09:15 PM
rating
9/10
Its a very nice phone, and its price is really cool.
Pros: A lot of themes, Price, FM radio.
Cons: Navigation key a little problematic, MMC could be the most of 512MB
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CR
08/03/2007, 04:42 PM
rating
10/10
BEST PHONE EVER
Pros: Everything
Cons: none
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