Nokia 5610 XpressMusic review

Nokia 5610 XpressMusic
Gotta Love Music
R.P.: S$628
Promo: S$98 (2 years on a basic M1 mobile plans)
The Nokia 5610 XpressMusic is a 3G mobile phone features a cutting-edge, media-centric design with 2.2" scratch-resistant window, aluminium side panels and an iconic Music Slider Key for unique sliding user interface access to media player and FM radio. The dedicated DAC33 audio chip delivers up to 22 hours of crystal clear Hi-Fi stereo music via your favourite headphones. This phone features a high-quality 3.2 megapixel camera with autofocus, 8x digital zoom and dual LED flash. Applications such as Yahoo! Go and Opera mini to stay connected and explore Web 2.0.

FULL SPECIFICATIONS
Operating Frequency
Quadband GSM 850/900/1800/1900 MHz
Dualband WCDMA 850/2100 MHz
Display
2.2’’QVGA, 240 x 320 pixels, 16 million colors display
Active display area: 33.5 x 44.7 mm
Ambient light sensor to optimize display brightness and power consumption
User Interface
S 40 user interface, 3rd edition
5-way navi key, two soft keys, send and end keys
Side volume keys with zoom functionality
2-way spring loaded Music Slider music key
Organic user interface
Active standby screen
Context dependent Music Slider light
Nokia sensor

Imaging
Integrated VGA 3.2 megapixel camera with auto focus and up to 8x digital zoom
Sequential shots
Dedicated 2-step captre key
Macroshot, landscape mode
Image Formats Support: JPEG, GIF
Secondary QCIF camera for video calling (15 fps)
Video: Video recording, streaming and playback in VGA, QVGA and QCIF formats with sound
Video recording in VGA (15 fps), QCIF (30 fps) with 4x smooth zoom in H.263 and MPEG-4 in .3gp format
Video streaming in QVGA (15 fps) for H.263 and MPEG-4, QCIF (15 fps) for H.264
Video playback in QVGA (30 fps), VGA (15 fps) and QCIF (15 fps)
Multimedia
Visual Radio*: Listen to music and interact with your favorite radio stations
Find out what song is playing, who sings it, and other artist information
Enter contests and answer surveys, vote for your favorite songs
Download the songs you buy direct to your phone
Playback for the following video formats: H.263, H.264, MPEG-4
Stereo FM Radio**
Integrated music player for MP3, MP4, AAC, AAC+, eAAC+, AMR-NB and WMA formats
DAC33 Audio chip for better audio and longer playback
Nokia Music Manager
*To check the availability and cost of the service, contact your network operator or service provider
**Stereo sound can only be heard with a compatible stereo headset
Memory Functions
20 MB built-in memory
Options to expand with microSD card
Messaging
Multimedia messaging: MMS for creating, receiving, editing, and sending videos and pictures with AMR voice clips
Email: Supports SMTP, POP3, IMAP4, and APOP protocols. Support for attachments (view jpeg, 3gp, MP3, .ppt, .doc, excel, and .pdf files)
Text messaging: Supports concatenated SMS, picture messaging, SMS distribution list
Audio messaging: Record your own voice message and send to compatible devices
Instant Messaging and Presence-enhanced contacts
Java™ Applications

Java™ MIDP 2.0
Over-the-air (OTA) download of Java™–based applications
Ringing Tones
64–chord polyphonic ringing tones
Connectivity
Bluetooth 2.0
Local / remote over-the-air (OTA) synchronization with SyncML
Local synchronization with PC using Nokia PC Suite
Micro USB connector with USB 2.0 Full Speed
2.5 mm AV connector
Browsing
WAP* 2.0 xHTML browser
*Please note that this service is operator dependent
Data Transfer
EDGE Release 4: Class B, multislot class 31
GPRS: Class B and C, multislot class 31
CSD (Circuit-Switched Data)
*Please note that these services require network support
Call Management
SAIC (single antenna interference cancellation) to help avoid network interference – fewer dropped calls
Digital Services
Over-the-air (OTA) downloading and uploading of content and applications
FOTA: Firmware update over the air
Voice Features
Voice dialing
Voice commands
Voice recorder
Integrated handsfree speaker
Personal Information Management (PIM)
Alarm clock
Analog/digital clock
Contacts
Calendar
Calculator
Other Features
Yahoo Go!
Nokia Catalogs Version 4.1
Flash Lite player version 2.1.1
User interface themes and ring tone pack
Flight mode: All transmission-related activities turned off

Power Management
Battery: BP-5M
Talk time: Up to 6 hrs
Standby time: Up to 13.3 days
Music Playback: Up to 22 hrs


Sales Package Contents

Nokia 5610 XpressMusic phone
Nokia Battery BP-5M
Nokia 512MB microSD card MU-28
Nokia Travel Charger AC-4X
Nokia Micro USB Cable CA-101
Nokia Wired Headset HS-45 with AD-56 (remote control)
User Guide
Getting Started Guide
Warranty Card
Applications CD-ROM

The Main Interfaces
From left-to-right: Sleep mode, Active standby, Main menu, Media player for video,
Media player for music files, FM radio

Physical Profile
The Nokia 5610 XpressMusic weighs a 111 g with 98.5 mm x 48.5 mm and 17 mm thickness. If you are familiar with the N series Nokia phones, you will realise that you will be missing the buttons such as the "Pencil" button and "C" button. The adaptor port, rear panel release button, mini USB 2.0 port and 2.5mm audio out port can be found. The tightly placed buttons are big and not difficult to operate even with big fingers.


Image Capturing Device
The 3.2 megapixel autofocus camera with dual LED flash captures images up to 2048x1536 pixels or videos up to 640x480 resolution at 15fps. The camera is inferior to the higher-end sister models such as Nokia 6500s or N95 which features a Carl Zeiss Tessar lens. The Nokia 5610 XpressMusic does not have a swtich or function that toggles between normal and macro mode, but is capable of shooting close-up subjects. The sound of the small lens moving during focusing and capturing can be heard. This LED flash, as usual, tends to wash out close-up subjects.



Feel In The Hands
A well-designed form for the average sized palm with a push slider that is easy to operate single-handedly. Easy operation of the imaging device with the well-placed shutter button. The music slider key toggles between the active standby, FM radio and Media Player. The only flaw in this popular slider design is the possibility of accidental activation when slipping this mobile phone into the tight pocket. Otherwise, this design reduces the overall form with the keys hidden away and only showing the essential buttons.
My Take on Nokia 5610 XpressMusic
The Nokia 5610 XpressMusic seems like Nokia's answer to Sony Ericsson's Walkman™ series phones by making this a music dedicated mobile phone. The appearance is similar to a higher end sister model Nokia 6500s which fares better in terms of specifications. Nevertheless, the Nokia 5610 XpressMusic features a unique music slider key which allows quick access and toggles between the media player and FM radio from the active standby state. All the multimedia features at the control of a slider key. The lack of the "C" button gets on my nerves as I have to perform a few more steps such as going to "Options > Delete" to delete any files. Though I would rather prefer a 3.5mm audio jack on the phone, but the 2.5mm port is necessary to attach the remote unit. Nevertheless, being able to use my personal headphones/earphones/earbuds/speakers is a very good idea. The speaker on the mobile phone is located on the rear panel and is not the best speaker that Nokia can provide. It gets rather fuzzy at maximum volume and soft when the speaker is blocked. The spring-loaded slider is feels rather sturdy and strong, but not sure if can withstand the test of time. Though it has an ambient light sensor that controls the screen brightness, it is not as effective as my Sony Ericsson k770i. The power is the much better than its sister model Nokia 5310 XpressMusic. The overall operation is smoother and faster than any of the higher end Symbian models such as the N series. However, there is still some slight delay when saving captured images. The camera is not exactly the best available in the arena of 3.2MP camera phones. Hence, do not expect too much from this camera since it shys in comparison to the Carl Zeiss optics of the Nokia 6500s and the best being Nokia N95. Video files can be viewed at 30fps in full screen by switching to landscape orientation. Last but not least, this dedicated music phone is jam packed with great music and video features from celebrities such as Linkin Park, Josh Groban and The Click Five. These files are stored in the bundled micro SD card and cannot be copied out.
If you are not after a camera phone but a music dedicated mobile phone, Nokia 5610 XpressMusic is one very cool phone to get! After all Black preceeds Cool!
FYI, I am still sticking to my slicker Sony Ericsson k770i.


Photography & Editing by William Tan
Equipment Canon Digital IXUS 40
©William Tan 2008

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