Nokia 7260 Glamorous Package

Nokia have always tried, most of the time very successfully, to come up with handsets that have totally new designs. This time Nokia have taken a step into the time warp and gone back to the 1920’s and come up with three very different mobile phones. The Nokia 7260 is one of the products, and as you can see it has a totally new design. It’s still in the same candy bar format but the aesthetics of the handset are very eye pleasing. The 7260 is a daughter of the Series 40 range of handsets, so nothing has changed internally from older model phones. For those who want to get a new stylish handset but want to stick with the features they’ve got at the moment, this review is definitely worth a read!


Tri Band, GPRS, WAP 2.0, Java, InfraRed
Dimensi = 10,5x4,5x1,8 cm
Screen = TFT 65.536 color, 128x128 pixel
Fitur = Polifonik 16 Channel (MIDI), Camera VGA, Video, Memory 4 MB, HSCSD, xHTML, SMS, MMS, Email, Picture Messaging, radio FM Stereo, SyncML, Calculator, Alarm Clock, calendar Currency Converter, Voice Dial, Voice Command, Speakerphone, Game
Battery = Lithium-Ion 760 mAh, standby 350 hours, talk time 3 hours
Realese = Triwulan III 2004

New/outstanding features
The Nokia 7620 is the first handset to be reviewed here at iMobile.com.au from the glamour range of handsets released late last year. This is the only candy bar handset in this glamour range. It is a Series 40 handset and therefore has all the features we’ve learnt to love. Not much except from the totally different design has changed from other Series 40 handsets. You will still find all the great Series 40 features like VGA camera, 128 x 128 pixel display, MMS and e-mail messaging, and so on.

If you’re after more on the new design of this handset, check out the Physical Aspects section below, and the images scattered around this review. But onto the features – first off and probably the biggest change from most other Series 40 handsets is the display. Sure, it is 128 x 128 pixels, but instead of supporting the 4,096 colour the display has been boosted to 65,536 colours.

The Nokia 7260 has the default Series 40 VG digital camera, with support for capturing both images and video. These can be sent via MMS or e-mail, or just stored on the handset for your own viewing pleasure. The 7260 has only internal memory to store files on, and the full featured gallery allows you to browse all the files you have stored. You can transfer them via Infrared or download them onto a computer using the USB Pop-Port™ port also.

Other fun features include a Stereo FM radio, Polyphonic ring tones, and Java MIDP 2.0 support. Java games and applications can both be installed either by transferring them from a computer or by downloading from WAP websites. On the subject of WAP, the handset has a WAP 2.0 browser with xHTML support. GPRS, EDGE, and HSCSD protocols are supported for connectivity to remote servers or to use the handset as a modem for PC or laptop.

Physical aspects

The Nokia 7260 is one of three handsets which follow the 1920’s Garbo-esque glamour style. This style is somewhat of an acquired taste, but it’s not that hard to learn to like it. The 7260 is available in two colour schemes – basically one centred around the colour Black, and the other around White. I received the Black handset which seems more sophisticated than the White variation. Basically, where there is black on the black handset, there is white on the white handset. The chrome and red are the same on both. I only had one real problem when it came to the physical side of the handset, which was its ability to remember who was using the handset in the form of mucky fingerprints. More on page 4 about that though.

For the most part, the Nokia 7260 is black; dark, and seductively black. The keys are chrome, and link up to a “wave” which starts in the top right of the handset and sweeps around to the back where it ends in a loop. Black & chrome doesn’t complete the handset though, you’ll find a deep red finishing on the right side and top, between the removable back cover and the front cover. The carrying pouch that is in the sales package also follows the same colour scheme, with black leather exterior and a felt red interior.

The 7260 has some similarity to the 7610. Two curved sides and two pointy sides! The black 7610 also looks kind of like the black 7260. When it comes to measurements the 7260 is much smaller, measuring only 105mm x 45mm x 18mm against 108.6mm x 53mm x 18.7mm. The 7260 weighs 98grams, which don’t get me wrong is light – but not as light as other handsets with similar features. It’s a nice size for fitting snugly into your pocket or bag.

In the top right hand corner and on the left hand side of the handset you will find some wrist-strap inserts. These are used in conjunction with the style coordinated wrist strap which is also included in the sales package. The leather carrying pouch even has a hole for the left-hand-side carrying strap to fit through.

User Interface & display


Take a closer look!
With most new handsets from Nokia the user interface tries to match the physical aspects of the phone. In some cases, this ends up looking quite good and the continuation of theme is a nice touch. In some other models, it just doesn’t look “right”. I found this to be the case with the 7620, although some other users may disagree. This may be in part to do with the 7260’s display (being quite small). Never-the-less, the handset uses the Series 40 Nokia interface, with a 128 x 128 65,536 colour LCD display.

The user interface of the 7620 is operated with use of several keys; this combination becoming quite popular with most Nokia handsets. There are the left and right soft keys, and 5-way navigational stick. The numerical buttons and pick-up/hang-up buttons aren’t used for most things, except of course inputting numbers and so on! :P. The handset has one button on the left side, which is used for volume control – and one at the top which is the on/off button.

From the idle screen (which is just the same as any other Series 40 handset) you can go straight to the Go-To menu, to the main menu, or to your contacts using the left soft key, pushing in the directional stick, or pressing the right soft key (respectively). The 7260 has shortcut keys (other than the soft keys), which are accessed by moving the directional stick. Left starts a new text message, up launches the camera, right goes to the calendar, and down will take you to your contacts.

The main menu of the 7260 can be viewed in two ways – grid or list. With grid all the icons are much smaller and displayed in one “screen” and with list the icons are larger and there is one icon to a “screen”. This menu view was probably first seen on the Nokia 7250i. The go-to menu has the most-used functions of the 7260 in one list for easy access. The icons of the 7260 didn’t look that crash hot, but with the use of themes you can get them looking reasonably okay.

Speaking of themes – they can be used to change the look of the user interface in the press of a few buttons. Instead of just colour schemes that were used in other Series 40 phones the Nokia 7260 supports *.nth files, which are compressed themes. They contain wallpapers, screensavers, and files that modify the look of the UI. There are several pre installed on the handset and as this format becomes more popular you will be able to find them on more and more websites/WAP sites. Colour schemes can also be selected with your themes, all from the settings menu. You will also see these files used in the Nokia 3220, which will have a review here at iMobile.com.au very soon!

Like I mentioned before, the display on this “yesteryear glamour” handset is a 128 x 128 pixel LCD. This is the norm for Series 40 phones, but the 65,536 colour support is only in a selected few handsets. I don’t see the need for 65,536 colours in such a small area, but it is still better than a 4,096 colour display.

Making and receiving calls

The three ways of making and receiving calls are back in the 7260. These are the norms for all handsets these days. The 7260 doesn’t bring anything new to this section, but not many handsets do. Bluetooth isn’t supported so wireless conversations straight out of the box aren’t possible, but with enhancements you may do so. Use of the loudspeaker, a wired headset (included), and the normal earphone are the three options you have with this handset.

The in-call menu can be accessed by pressing the right soft key. This will give you all the options you need. To turn on/off the loudspeaker at any time, press the right soft key. When in a call you can still access the menu, your messages and other aspects of the handset by using the navigational keys. Most handsets do allow this but it’s barely ever documented. It’s great for using when a message comes through and you’re in a call – you can still read it!

The 7260 has a photo phonebook, allowing you to put images in with your contacts, which will show up when that contact calls. To enable this functionality the contact must be stored on the phones internal memory and not on the SIM card. Images must also be captured in the “Portrait” size with the integrated VGA digital camera. Details other than just phone numbers can also be added, like addresses, other phone numbers, as so on.
Messaging Nokia 7260 Glamorous Package

The Nokia 7260 allows for several messaging formats, from MMS to basic SMS messaging. T9 predictive text is support for fast messaging, but other than that there is nothing extra brought to the table on this handset. MMS, SMS, EMS, and e-mail messaging are the supported formats.

Directly from the main menu the messaging icon is selected first, and on opening this you can select from Text Messages, Multimedia Messages, E-mail messages, and other options including settings. There is no shared inbox on the 7260 like the 3220 which was a bit of a down side; I grew quite fond of that feature even though it did have its flaws.

The keypad of the 7260 is great for text input as the buttons are nicely shaped and perfect size to press down properly and enable super quick messaging. As always you can change text input to multi tap by pressing the hash (#) key, and if you hold down the hash key the handset will change to numerical input.

The integrated VGA digital camera allows you to attach video clips and images to your MMS messages and e-mail, of whatever you want! MMS messaging combines text, pictures, videos, and sounds into the single message that can be sent directly to a handset or e-mail address. With MMS messaging slowly getting cheaper and reduced rates on messages on some service providers during the weekends, there’s never been a better time to jump on the Multimedia Messaging bandwagon!

An e-mail messaging Java Application (which is accessed from the messaging main menu) allows you to connect to your e-mail servers and download/send e-mail messages directly from your handset. When it comes to staying in touch when you’re out and about, or if you’re just waiting for an important e-mail the Nokia 7260 can help you out.

Connectivity
The Nokia 7260 offers you two local connectivity options, and three remote connection options. There is a WAP 2.0 browser built into the handset for browsing WAP pages and downloading data. The high-speed Pop-Port™ interface at the bottom of the handset is used to connect all accessories to the handset. Instead of having several ports for different connections, the Pop-Port™ combines them all into a single interface.

The local connectivity methods come in the form of Infrared and USB/Serial data-cable. The infrared port allows wireless (very) short-range connectivity with other mobile handsets/PDA’s, and also computers or laptops. The Pop-Port™ interface at the bottom of the handset is used for the data-cable connections, and supports the high-speed USB 2.0 protocol. Nokia PC Suite software is available from the Nokia website which allows you to install Java applications, transfer files to and from the handset and much more. Bluetooth isn’t supported on this Nokia handset, which would have been great. Just think of what a Bluetooth headset designed to match the 7260’s style would look like! :D

Build quality Nokia 7260 Glamorous Package
The only thing I could possibly mention here is the removal of the back cover. The 7260 doesn’t support Xpress-On™ covers, but the back cover is removed for access to the battery and SIM card slot. It’s a little tricky to do, as there isn’t a button on the face of the cover. It is located at the bottom of the cover near the Pop-Port. Push in the little button, and then pull the cover away. If you don’t have nails it’s a little tricky but you can master it quite easily.

Once off the battery is accessible, and there isn’t really a big finger-insert to get the battery out so you may end up scratching the label if you’re not careful. When it’s finally out the SIM card can be accessed and removed or inserted as you wish. To remove the SIM card you’ll need to press in the little tab at the top and then slide it right on out.

Overall, there is nothing major that I can complain about in this section. Possibly the fingerprint problem, but that’s not really build quality as such. More can be found on Page 4 if you’re interested.

Battery life Nokia 7260 Glamorous Package
Nothing fishy going on here! The battery life of the Nokia 7260 wasn’t anything other than great. The handset makes use of a 760mAh lithium ion battery pack for around 3 hours of talk time and 350 hours of standby time.

Of course these are the official values and will decrease when you for example play games, use the camera viewfinder, and so on.