Nokia 1600

16 Jun 2008
Lightweight and smart-looking, this describes the stylish Nokia 1600. Weighing only 80 grams and with a size of 104 x 45 x 17 millimetres, the Nokia 1600 is a pocket-friendly candy bar mobile phone. It comes in 3 vibrant colours. Depending on your lifestyle, you can choose the light silver, blue silver or black coloured Nokia 1600.

Categorized as an entry-level phone, it was marketed with the most basic phone features. The model was designed primarily for first-time mobile phone users. In fact, the Nokia 1600 has a graphical demo system that guides new users about its features even without placing a SIM card into the phone.

However, the Nokia 1600 has all it takes despite its simplicity. For one, its keypad was judged by many of its satisfied users as “exceptionally well”. The 1600 has a 4-way scroll key which makes the navigation of its system so easy. Aside from this, its menu is also user-friendly. This makes the mobile phone exceptionally uncomplicated to use. It is also cheaper as compared to other phone models at present.

The Nokia 1600 has many knock-out tools you don’t expect from an entry-level phone. It can divert, bar, hold, time and wait calls. It also carries voice mail, caller ID, and ringer control capabilities. Moreover, it also supports concatenated SMS and OTAPA data features.

Even though the unit has a miniature colour display of 96 x 68 pixels, it has one of the most user-friendly graphical user interfaces in the mobile market. The Nokia 1600 has a vivid 65,536 colour display (16-bit colour depth) – which produces quality display output. The mobile phone’s 20 built-in ringtones are polyphonic with a true-grade MP3 quality. Its speaker system is integrated into the unit. The voice features are coded in Full AMR, FR, and EFR.

The 1600 supports the most basic messaging system – instant, picture, and SMS. Deleting and managing the phone’s stored messages is easy. It props up an undo feature for accidental deletion of messages.

Users can customise the unit’s animated screensavers and wallpapers. Users can store a maximum of 200 icon-based contacts into the phone.

The Nokia 1600’s specs are very similar to one of Nokia’s earliest basic mobile phone models – the 1110. Like the Nokia 1110 (which is its “sister phone”), the Nokia 1600’s cover can be customized. However, it differentiates through its design, size, weight, system, and features.

With the Nokia 1600, you’ll never have to charge the unit often. It has an exceptional battery life with a standby time of approximately 450 hours and talk time of around 5 hours. The battery, which is a BL-5C type, has a capacity of 900 mAh. Moreover, its full-battery charging time only takes less than an hour using its rechargeable lithium ion cells. When the Nokia 1110’s battery is already full, an audible beep will alert the user.

Some of its practical built-in tools include the speaking alarm clock and hourly chime, reminder / notes, game and a stopwatch. The games integrated into the phone include the Dice, Pocket Carrom, Rapid Roll, Adventure Quiz, Soccer League and the Snake Xenzia. However, Nokia 1600 can only store a maximum of 3 games. The integration of the games is region-dependent.

The Nokia 1600 supports both the dual band GSM 900 and 1800 operating frequencies. The unit’s bands can be switched automatically, which is very essential for international roaming.

Nokia 1600’s strengths are also its weaknesses. Because it only has a 4 MB built-in memory, several of its features have been limited. For instance, users can only store 60 text messages and 200 phone book entries. It also does not have a Bluetooth capability.

Unlike several high-end mobile phones, the Nokia 1600 is so simple. It does not have a camera, PDA, internet browser, email messaging capability, MP3 player and other extra features. It is practically a phone – designed only to make calls and send messages; no more no less.

If you’re looking for a temporary but quality mobile phone, the Nokia 1600 is the way to go. It’s practical, easy to use and does not hassle its users with so many high tech tools. However, if you have a very active lifestyle and wants to have the most complete phone, this model is not for you.

Reviewer: Charlie - Beds
Reviewed on: 4th April, 2008
Rating: 10/10
Well, the Nokia 1600 was my first phone. And it's lucky, because i'm a total klutz, so i was forever throwing it around and dropping it etc, and it seems to be absolutely indestructable. I throw it up into the air and catch it alot, and when i drop it, Nothing. It is immortal. It cannot die. All the many many times i have potentially killed it, have not even left a scratch on it. The one injury it has sustained is that of a small crack across the screen, when i left it in my school bag. (which gets thrown allover the place by people at school and cracked on the playground.) And i've had it since 2006 and it's still going strong, it's now a backup phone and I'm having to use it as my other phone has died.
The battery life is superb, and it is simple an easy to use, which is good for me seeing as i can never be bothered to read the manuel.
And if there is something you dont understand how to do, then there is a 'Demo' feature, which goes through the steps of how to do it.
Occasionally it will unlock itself when in my pocket, but that's not too bad.
Great for a first phone! I would reccomend this to anyone. 10*!!

Let us know what you think of the Nokia 1600. Leave your comments on the mobile phone using the form below. Please also score the phone out of 10, and leave your name (first name is OK) and location.

1. You must own or use the phone to leave a review
2. Do not use this form to ask questions
3. Inappropriate submissions will not be accepted

Your Name:
Your Location:
Email Address:
If you leave your email address and your review is more than 50 words and contains the name of the handset, you will automatically be entered into our free prize draw to win £100 on 28th July 2008. The email address will not be used for any other purpose and will not be displayed on this page. Terms and Conditions
Review:
Score out of 10: 10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1

copy the text from the image into this box