Less than a week before I received the Nokia 6820 for review, the antenna on my cell phone broke, leaving it useless. Since I was leaving for a business trip the following day, I went straight to my nearest service provider store and bought the newest version of my broken phone. As I told the salesman, I didn't need or want all the bells and whistles new phones have these days. I can IM and surf the Web from my computer, take pictures with my camera and I'm fine with the basic "ring, ring" tone. Three days later I received the Nokia 6820 -- I now know what buyer's remorse feels like.
This phone has it all -- it's a digital and video camera, a browser, an organizer and, oh yeah, a phone. While it doesn't do it all well -- the camera leaves a lot to be desired -- the Web and e-mail access make up for it. Weighing in at only 3.5 ounces, encased in silver with metallic blue buttons, and measuring in at 4.7 x 2.2 x 0.9 inches, the 6820 can easily fit in any pocket, purse or hand.
I'm the kind of person who likes to hear the bad news first; it always makes the good news sound that much better. So let's start with the camera function. The camera is the 6820's Achilles' heel. Aside from not having a flash or zoom options, the quality of the video and images are poor. I also couldn't find many opportunities to use the camera. I don't feel the need to take pictures of random signs like the people in the commercials do.
Where the 6820 really shines is at its e-mail and instant messaging (IM) capabilities. I was easily able to log in to my AOL mailbox to check and send e-mail and my buddy list through AOL Instant Messenger (AIM) where "conversations" flowed easily. When you need to type, you can flip the hood to show the full backlit QWERTY keyboard that you operate with your thumbs. It took me a little time to get used to the buttons, but once I did, typing IMs and text messages caused no problems.
Surfing the Web had its ups and downs. Visiting sites that are already bookmarked for you in the various news, sports, weather, etc. sections was quick and easy; however, visiting non-bookmarked sites proved difficult. I kept getting a message informing me that the memory was full.
As a phone, the 6820 (using AT&T Wireless's mLife service) offered basic phone service that was great in terms of sound quality . . . when I could get it. In the two Boston suburbs that I live and work in, one offered a strong signal, while the other caused me to lean over the edge of my balcony to get a bar.
The organizer applications include an alarm clock (with a 10-minute snooze option), calendar, to-do list, notes and wallet (if you're daring enough to store your credit card and various membership numbers in your phone).
My biggest problem wasn't with the phone as much as it is with Nokia. I've had Nokia phones in the past and have loved them, except for the size. If the handset doesn't reach from my ear to my mouth, I feel like people can't hear me nor I them. If they would only make a flip phone, I would be a happy Nokia customer again.
This phone has caused me to rethink my opinion when it comes to "bells and whistles." Since receiving it, I have contacted my service provider to set up IM and Web browser capabilities and I have downloaded a ring tone -- Marvin Gaye's I Heard it Through the Grapevine. It seemed appropriate.
