Nokia 3220 review: Game of light

The new Nokia 3220 model has the functionality of a business phone. However, as it seems at first sight, it's meant for a different company. Priority is the original style, original light effects and the adaptation possibilities.

Nokia 3220 is a Series 40 phone with classic construction. Its closest relative is the 3200 model. It's full of functions and it differs from "manager's stars" mainly by absence of Bluetooth and infrared port. Users will appreciate support of EDGE technology for fast data transfer, integrated email client, mobile Internet browser or hardware modem.

The new Nokia 3220 design won't attract business people; it's designed for teenagers who would appreciate customizing possibilities by using paper covers, light effects, as well as the video recording digital camera.

The phone is offered in five basic color variants. Two of them have a black base, other two have a white base and one has a red base. Each variant differs by the color of the decorative border and the area around the display.

All color variants together...

... and separately.

Ugly kid

When I first saw Nokia 3220, I got the feeling it's some new durable phone. Chubby forms, massive frame, embossed keypad - everything indicates so. The feeling is even stronger when you hold it in your hand and that's mainly because of the two lumps made of milk white rubber on both sides of the phone. It's an interesting design component with a hidden function that you'll uncover after you switch on the phone - color diodes will blink underneath them.

Chubby forms attract at first sight • the camera lense on the back side • a bit different view...

Few people will enjoy the new Nokia design at first sight. I personally liked the fussy combination of forms, materials and colors in couple of days. The phone features classical construction, enjoyable sizes of 104,5 x 44,2 x 18,7 mm and weight of only 86 grams.

Blue switch key doesn't go together with any other fixed component of the phone • loud speaker • the phone is quite small

The violet keypad and the display are bordered by a chrome rim, which is dominating the front part of the mobile. Inside the rim the cover is violet and bright. Over the display stands the producer's name. Outside of the rim the phone is covered with black plastic. You can see a small lucent window, encroaching on the upper part. It exudes the impression as it's an emergency lamp but its purpose is just esthetic. It continues on the lucent cover of the back part, whereunder you can place various paper pictures, as we already know from the previous Nokia 3200 mobile. Producer's logo decorates the back part of the mobile but the camera lense quite disturbs the impression; it's placed in a violet shiny scute.

Fake lamp • Nokia logo on the back cover • back cover disassembly

Users could liven up phone design through paper covers. The papers enclosed in the package use the effect of picture changing when you look at them from a different angle of view. There is also a feature allowing you to make your own creations, e.g. editing an existing picture.

Replaceable paper covers are delivered with the phone; notice how the picture changes in different view angles

Phone covers are replaceable, including the side lumps. Among the original accessories some day will be also a special back cover equipped with diodes, enabling the so-called wave messaging. This feature can display a short message (max. 15 characters) using the diodes so that you simply sweep the phone in the air. Human visual sense will perceive the light track as a message text.

Color covers for the wave messaging equipped phones

It works like this: you sweep your mobile in the air and slowly reacting human eye will read the message.

On the upper edge there is a blue long switch key and on the bottom there are Pop-Port and charger connectors. On both sides you'll find the already mentioned white lumps which make the phone fit well in the palm. The diodes, hidden under them, shine in two colors - green and red. The traditional side volume keys are not presented this time. Owing to the replaceable covers the phone is prone to creak at clasp.

Upper switch key is used also for fast change of profiles • the connectors on the bottom edge • uncovered phone

Let's go party; light effects are striking in the dark

Nokia 3220 is a triple-band phone (900/1800/1900 MHz) and the producer claims that battery should last up to 280 hours in a standby mode and up to 180 minutes of uninterrupted call. Nokia lasted maximum three days when I used all functions and switched it off at night.

Under the lid: battery • SIM card and accumulator attachment • wrist strap loop