| With the 6300, Nokia made their first proper entry into | | | | The lack of flash in particular reduces its effectiveness |
| the burgeoning slim-phone market and it has been very | | | | somewhat, meaning you'll only likely to get decent |
| well-received. Its attractive, yet conservative design, | | | | photos indoors with plenty of light, or outside during the |
| makes it the ideal successor to the incredibly popular | | | | daytime. |
| 6230i, which will go a long way to justifying its | | | | Surprisingly, the music features merit a mention in this |
| existence. With a minor upgrade (the 6301) on the | | | | article. The music player is the same as the excellent |
| way, it's perhaps time to see how the 6300 stands up | | | | version we saw in the 5300 Xpress Music phone and |
| to its current rivals. | | | | if you decide to use this phone on that basis you will |
| The first thing worth mentioning is the build-quality, | | | | not be disappointed. Memory is also expandable up to |
| which is very good due to the solid materials used in | | | | 2GB as well, so the 6300 can realistically be used as a |
| construction. Stainless-steel coats the back cover and | | | | basic music phone. Useful for long journeys, which as |
| the whole of the keypad making it an eye-catching | | | | this phone was designed for the business market, was |
| mobile, though the (inevitable?) use of glossy materials | | | | probably the intention. |
| mean that fingerprints are unavoidable. The glossy | | | | Unfortunately one flaw that needs mentioning is the |
| plastics on the screen and the back of the phone by | | | | quality of the earpiece. There have been a number of |
| the camera lens recess are by far the worst culprits. | | | | reports of users noticing rapid deterioration on the |
| One aspect that Nokia mobiles are known for is the | | | | earpiece over a few months after purchase and |
| quality of their keypads, which in the case of the 6300 | | | | some new models have been known to experience |
| doesn't waver. Though the keys are possibly a little | | | | the same issue as well. |
| too flat, in practise they're as easy to use as its | | | | Even though it may be usurped by the imminent |
| not-so-distant relative the 6230i. A slight degree of | | | | release of the Wi-Fi enabled 6301, the Nokia 6300 |
| elevation on the keys would have been welcome to | | | | shows itself to be a capable handset with a good |
| make the feedback even better, but this surely would | | | | combination of build-quality and looks, at a very |
| have spoiled the streamlined look of the phone, so you | | | | reasonable price. The low price is sure to mean that |
| can forgive it for that. Above the main keypad, you | | | | the 6300 will continue to sell in the same numbers it |
| get the usual 4-way D-pad with a central 'confirm' | | | | has managed so far. Though the susceptibility to |
| button, two soft-keys and the 2 call buttons. | | | | fingerprints, common issues with the earpiece and |
| Though the 6300 never aspires to be an all-in-one | | | | mediocre camera may put off some, remember that |
| solution, the features available make it very | | | | the 6300 isn't meant to be perfect; it's just a capable |
| competitive in its price-sector. The connectivity options | | | | product that offers good value for money. If you |
| are basic, as you only get EGDE, Bluetooth and a Mini | | | | simply want a good quality phone, with no particular |
| USB connector. | | | | bells or whistles, then this is a very good option. The |
| The 2MP camera also strives to be ordinary as well, | | | | fact that multiple colours are now available should only |
| as it doesn't come with either a flash or autofocus. | | | | add to its appeal. |