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