Major Features:
WAP over GPRS
Electronic wallet
Longer battery life
New higher resolution LCD screen
Automatic keylock
New Xpress-On™ covers
FM radio
Enhanced calendar functions and to-do list
Multi-functional headset (HDD-1)
New voice functions
Timed profiles
Call logging improvements
SMS handling improvements - folders and extra space
Overview:
Looking something like the 8250, the Nokia 6510 has been designed with the business person in mind. For those who have used or are currently using a Nokia 6210 will find this phone to be a worthwhile upgrade - considering the stack of new features available.
The first thing I noticed was the similarity between the 6510 and 8250 - with these being mostly physical. Both phones bear a blue backlight, keypad design and a similar overall size (that is, dimension-wise). As the late 6000-series Nokia phones have been positioned towards business users, such characteristics being found on the 6510 is no surprise. It’s about time this segment of phone users get some sort of aesthetic improvements! :)
On starting up the phone, I found the blue light to be well distributed. Instead of the screen being lit on both left and right hand sides of the display, it is now done from the bottom instead - improving the clarity and lighting up the screen up more efficiently. The blue backlight colour is something like the watches that have the Indigo lights.
In terms of physically interaction, the 6510 was a pleasure to use. Although the phone is slightly thicker than both the 8250 and 8310, it sat in my hand comfortably and aided me in using the phone’s keypad. Typing messages on this phone is slightly easier than on the 8310 - with the keys being marginally smaller and further apart from each other (minimising the chances of pressing the wrong button).
For those who have used the 8310, you will find that the software on the 6510 is very much similar in most aspects. Functions such as voice commands, voice recorder, dynamic phone book, infrared, WAP over GPRS, FM radio, and personal message folders are some of the features that are shared by both these phones. Many will welcome these features on a business market-orientated phone - as phones from other manufacturers already carry some of these characteristics.
’’Beige as the sales package colour. In addition four Xpress-on front & back covers available as accessories’’
One other significant difference I found was the improvement in screen resolution. Where the resolution of a screen becomes finer, text can be displayed in more detail than before - which has also led to the possibility of fitting more lines on the screen. On the other hand, this has led to the default text size being slightly smaller than before - some may find this as being a problem, but I’m alright with it!
A new feature on the 6510 is the wallet function within the ‘Extras’ menu. This allows a user to enter information that assists in speeding up purchases made using the built-in WAP browser - including user information, credit card details, shipping information (address, phone number, email address), billing and receipt delivery details. Up to five cards (or wallet profiles) can be set up - where all this sensitive information is protected by a wallet code (of 4 to 10 numeric digits).
Other useful features include an easy-to-browse month-view calendar and an automatic keylock that locks the phone’s buttons after a preset interval. Average usage times for the phone are around 4-5 days’ worth of standby and talk time of up to 4-5 hours
Summary:
The 6510 isn’t really very much different to the 8310 (if you’ve previously used it) - except for the fact that the phone is much more stable in terms of its software, that it has a higher resolution screen and a not-so-attractive Xpress-On™ cover design. But the phone is aimed towards the business person and not primarily for show-off!
If you’re the person who wants a reliable phone that has the right tools to keep you on your toes both in business and pleasure (for example, WAP over GPRS, FM Radio, Calendar and to-do list functions) without sacrificing too much battery power, the 6510 is just the phone for the job.