I was excited when I purchased the 5500 Sport model, which was my 3rd Nokia handset over last 4 years. I was all geared to train for the mumbai marathon and thought that the pedometer and music features of the phone were just right for me.
The phone is supposed to be an all-weather phone that you could use while training in the rain, etc. And the phone was built to be a smartphone - though it doesnt look like one.
My problems with the phone started in 2 weeks after buying it:
Problem no. 1: The rubber keypad just peeled off - and if you read the other review, the user faced the same problem. a friend of mine who bought the same model also faced the same issue.
Problem no. 2: Software applications are too slow. If you are dialling and you unfortunately receive a call at the same time, the phone hangs for a few seconds. While smsing, adding contacts, I face the same issue
Problem no. 3: The battery life is pathetic - the phone was never designed for normal use - it is at best an organizer and a pedometer but not a cell phone
Problem no. 4: The after-sales service is TRAUMATIC - nokia care centres dont have spares for this model. so 2 weeks after I buy the handset when I go to the mumbai care centre, they do not have spares for the rubber keypad
Problem no. 5: The pedometer works with a huge error margin - best shown by the fact that at the marathon, my phone clocked some 47 kms while I ran 42 kms
Problem no. 6: The phone holder-clip which has to be fastened while training does not hold the phone snugly - hte phone can fall off time and again. And the phone casing is made of some delicate metal which actually is dented - I never faced this issue
Problem no. 7: When I tried to get these fixed, I realised that Nokia customer service just cannot support an unusual complaint like this.
Conclusion: Great concept- but its not a cellphone at all - at best a pedometer with good music features - and that also not well designed and tested.
A terrible waste of money. Buy a pedometer/ ipod and dont mix cellphones with these requirements.