The team at Nokia have truly outdone themselves yet again with the introduction of the Nokia 8210, which shouts out fun, funky and retro; and the more subdued but stylish, sleek and sophisticated 8850.
Style versus Sophistication
Created for those who take life as a passion, the 8210 support the claim of being a brand in a class of its own, a model in the front line of fashion. Weighing a mere 79 grams, it is hailed as the lightest phone manufactured by Nokia. Size is everything for the phone as it has never been so "pocketable". With dimensions of 101.5 x 44.5 x 17.4mm (L x W x D), it fits virtually everywhere and anywhere - in your shirt pocket, back pocket, and probably even the watch (or coin) pocket of your favourite blue jeans. Supporting a distinctive style, the phone rests delicately in the palm. Everything about the phone yells "style", and the phone shows this off with its colourful, changeable
Xpress-On™ front covers, as well as having a cool silver colour coating keypad.
NOKIA 8210 Changeable Xpress-on™
front covers
In contrast, the Nokia 8850 boasts an elegant and ergonomic design with the sophisticated technology available that supports the phone as being one of the best from Nokia. Engineered to reflect the next design trend, it is created with modest, subtle colours and clean lines to reflect the suave style of its users. Being among the smallest phones ever made, it weighs just over 90 grams - and it sits (and feels) solid in the palm of the hand. To add to its uncellestial design, the matte aluminium covers of the Nokia 8850 contain real metal, giving the slide a nice firm feel as it is opened to talk and closed to hang up. The matte finish of the cover makes a pleasing contrast with the chrome details of the keys and the frame around the display. What makes the Nokia 8850 really special and different from all the other models Nokia has produced is the white illuminated backlight for the display, which makes it have such a svelte and attractive appearance.
NOKIA 8850 White illuminated
backlight
Different in style, similar in functions.
Both the 8210 and 8850 has similar functions as its previous predecessors, the 8810, 6150 and the 6110. Its keypad, navigational keys as well as the menu system are completely the same as the previous phones.
The word "menu" appears on the lower left hand corner of the LCD, and it is accessible by pressing the key right below. Navigating through the menu system (by using the navigation key below the LCD) is simple as each top-level function is clearly displayed on the screen. Each menu function is easily accessed (you just had to follow the instructions on the LCD) and clearly defined - with short descriptions of each menu item explained if left idle for about 30 seconds.
Both the phones have three distinctive similarities in them. The first is its voice dialling capabilities. Just call out a name, and the phone will virtually place the call for you. You can save up to 8 names to be activated for voice dialling. Once the name and number are saved, you activate voice dialling with a long press on the "names" key. Say the name and the phone will start dialling, confirming your choice by repeating it and showing the name and number on the display.
Voice Dialing
Capabilities
Send Picture Messages
The second similarity is the ability for both phones to send picture messages, in addition to your text message. There are several default designs already installed in the phone's memory, all of which are replaceable.
The third, and by far the most fascinating feature for both these phones is the predictive text input function. With this unique function, it makes it fast and easy to write messages on the keypad of the phones. The phone contains a built-in dictionary, with support for over ten major European languages. Each time you press a key, the phone compares the word you have written so far with the words in the database, and it will select the most likely word. It is designed for easier communication, enabling you to "write" by just pressing one key per letter, instead of two or three as with an ordinary keypad. The function is further extended by giving you the choice to choose a new word if there are several possible words (for example, "good" and "home" are grouped together) by just pressing the star (*) key. New words and names can be self-input into the database as seen fit.
