Look Who’s Calling

So, what’s the hippest, coolest, got-to-get-into craze that hit the youth? Why, cell phones, of course! They’re all over, from 8310, 8850, 9250, 5520…and whatever! Now, if you’re not a techie and you find yourself deeply immersed and hopelessly lost in that mobile telecom jungle, fear not. Here’s a guide to the newest (best and worst) cell buys out there.

NOKIA 5510

Retail price: P12,000

The Nokia 5510 has a full QWERTY keyboard so you can write text messages and WAP e-mail a lot faster than on an ordinary mobile phone keypad. It’s a whole new design concept and a new user interface experience as well. Its full keyboard is optimized for quick text input in messaging and browsing. It has shortcut keys that allow fast access to music player and FM radio menus, and voice dialing for eight names that let you make quick and convenient voice calls. It may seem like a mini-me typewriter or like Game and Watch, but at least this is something to relieve your thumb from doing all the texting.

The best part of it all is you can play up to two hours of CD-quality music. Record it from the radio, a CD player, an MP3 player, or from another Nokia 5510 using the Nokia Audio Manager software.

NOKIA 6510

What sets the 6510 apart from other Nokia phones? Aside from being the newest to hit the Philippine market (and its FM radio, CD-quality listening features, and WAP), you can drive the Nokia 6510 at three speeds through IR (Infra Red technology). Because it’s so fast, it allows use of applications such as the videophone on a compatible PC. Sounds kinda complicated, huh? The new 6510 is perfect for those who live life in fast lane. So don’t let the too techie terms intimidate you because you might just be missing out.

NOKIA 5210

It’s not just cute, cool, and sporty. With the new Nokia 5210’s improved durability, you can play hard and work hard. It’s designed for an active life. It’s also perfect for those who are quite O.C. (obsessive compulsive) with their phones. And if the 5210 bounces out of your pocket, don’t worry about it. The soft bumper materials protect it from any possible damage.

It also has a stopwatch so you can time your run, and a countdown timer so you see how much time is left in your workout. You can also dial hands free!

NOKIA 8310

Retail price: P16,000

The new Nokia 8310 is for those who understand that mobile communication should be a blend of technology, fashionable design, and personal expression. This is definitely a "kikay" phone. If you’re a fashionista, then this is the phone for you.

Features include an FM radio and a dual headset that makes calls and radio management convenient. It also has voice dialing and voice commands that can start the radio and change user profiles. Plus you can voice record as well. Cool, huh?

Here’s the thing. If ever you encounter any problems like hanging, which is the most common complaint, all you need to do is upgrade to a higher version.

ERICSSON T39

Retail price: P16,000

This is the first small form factor phone that supports GPRS and Bluetooth technology from Ericsson. It also provides the fastest mobile Internet connection available. You can enjoy always-on connectivity, too, and have wireless access to e-mail, calendars, and the Internet.

ERICSSON T66

The T66 is Ericsson’s smallest and lightest phone to date. It is a quick follow through to the T65. It is compact enough to fit into the smallest pocket. The T66 has WAP, enhanced messaging features, and is compatible with GSM900/1800/1900 for international coverage. Not many small and stylish phones are tri-band.

ERICSSON T65

Retail price: P12,000

It’s a new GPRS phone with one-button access to the mobile Internet. The T65 is small and light with smooth, irresistible curves. It has EMS and a mobile chat feature as well as a built-in antenna and battery. The six-row display is big and ideal for browsing the Internet or reading text messages and e-mail.

ERICSSON A3618

Retail price: P6,500

The A3618 is an inspiring product for consumers looking for easy-to-use and fun features. It has a large full graphic display, different colors and screensavers, and T9 Text input for quick and convenient text messaging. Cute, handy, and very practical. Something you would want for a good buy. This one is for budget-conscious who would want something cool but practical.

SIEMENS ME45

Retail price: P13,000

Dust, water, and shock resistant, the ME45 is ready to cope with life’s changing conditions. Added features are voice direction and dialing, flexible memory management for total personalization, easy and fast calendar synchronization with Microsoft Outlook, GPRS for really fast net action via your notebook or WAP. It sure is sturdy, but only comes in black. Well, if you are the type of person in need of heavy-duty quality, then you couldn’t care less about the color, right?