Remember the days of brick phones and Snake? The Nokia 3330 and 6233 represent a golden era of mobile technology. Both are iconic devices, but which one holds up best today? Let's dive into a head-to-head comparison.
🏆 Quick Verdict
The Nokia 6233 edges out the 3330 thanks to its camera and slightly more advanced features. However, the 3330's legendary durability and simplicity make it a compelling choice for those prioritizing resilience and ease of use. It's a close call!
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 900 / 1800 | GSM 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | - | UMTS 2100 |
| EDGE | No | - |
| GPRS | No | - |
| Speed | - | Yes, 384 kbps |
| Technology | GSM | GSM / UMTS |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2001 | 2005, Q4 |
| Status | Discontinued | Discontinued |
| Body |
|---|
| Dimensions | 113 x 48 x 22 mm, 97 cc (4.45 x 1.89 x 0.87 in) | 108 x 46 x 18 mm, 81 cc (4.25 x 1.81 x 0.71 in) |
| SIM | Mini-SIM | Mini-SIM |
| Weight | 133 g (2.86 oz) | 110 g (3.88 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Resolution | 5 lines | 240 x 320 pixels, 4:3 ratio (~200 ppi density) |
| Size | - | 2.0 inches, 30 x 40 mm, 12.4 cm2 (~24.9% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | Monochrome graphic | TFT, 256K colors |
| | Dynamic font size
Softkey
Screensavers
Welcome message | 5-way navigation key
Downloadable wallpapers, screensavers |
| Memory |
|---|
| Call records | 20 dialed, 10 received, 10 missed calls | 20 dialed, 20 received, 20 missed calls |
| Card slot | No | microSD (dedicated slot), 64 MB included |
| Internal | - | 6MB |
| Phonebook | 100 | 500 x 16 fields, Photocall |
| | Message templates8 voice dial numbers | - |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Single | - | 2 MP |
| Video | - | 480p |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | No | No |
| 35mm jack | No | No |
| Alert types | Vibration; Downloadable monophonic ringtones | Vibration; Downloadable polyphonic, MP3, AAC ringtones |
| Loudspeaker | No | Yes, with stereo speakers |
| | 6 Ringing tone levels
10 Volume levels | - |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | No | 2.0, A2DP |
| Infrared port | - | Yes |
| Positioning | No | No |
| Radio | No | Stereo FM radio |
| USB | - | Pop-Port |
| WLAN | No | No |
| Features |
|---|
| Alarm | Yes | - |
| Browser | WAP | WAP 2.0/xHTML |
| Clock | Yes | - |
| Games | 5 ( Snake II, Pairs II, Space Impact, Bantumi, Bumper ) | Nokia World Cup, 3D Street Racer, 3D Snake + Downloadable |
| Java | No | Yes, MIDP 2.0 |
| Languages | 17 for menu, 11 for T9 | - |
| Messaging | SMS | SMS, MMS, EMail, Instant Messaging |
| | Downloadable game packs via WAP
Predictive text input
Smart messaging
Calculator
Voice Dial
Mobile Chat mode for SMS
Profiles
Currency converter | Push to talk
MP3/AAC/M4A stereo player
3GPP/MP4 player
Predictive text input
Organizer
Voice memo
Voice command |
| Battery |
|---|
| Stand-by | 55 h to 245 h | Up to 340 h |
| Talk time | 2 h 30 min to 4 h 30 | Up to 4 h (2G) / 3 h 6 min (3G) |
| Type | Removable NiMH 900 mAh battery (BMC-3) | Removable Li-Po 1100 mAh battery (BP-6M) |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | User exchangeable front and back covers | Black |
| Price | - | About 150 EUR |
| SAR | - | 0.61 W/kg (head) 0.34 W/kg (body) |
| SAR EU | 0.96 W/kg (head) | 0.80 W/kg (head) |
Nokia 3330
- Unmatched durability
- Exceptional battery life
- Simple and easy to use
- Iconic design
- No camera
- Monochrome display
- Limited functionality
Nokia 6233
- Color display
- Built-in camera
- Slightly more advanced features
- Classic Nokia design
- Shorter battery life than 3330
- Camera quality is basic
- Still limited functionality compared to smartphones
Display Comparison
The Nokia 3330 features a simple, monochrome display ideal for text and basic graphics. The Nokia 6233 boasts a color screen, offering a more visually appealing experience for viewing images and simple games. While the 3330's screen is incredibly durable, the 6233's color display provides a noticeable upgrade.
Camera Comparison
The Nokia 6233 has a built-in camera, a significant advantage over the 3330 which lacks one. The 6233's camera is rudimentary by today's standards, but it allows for capturing basic photos and videos. The 3330 relies on memories alone.
Performance
Both phones utilize basic feature phone processors. Performance is adequate for their intended purposes – calls, texts, and simple games. Don't expect blazing speeds or multitasking capabilities. The 6233 might offer slightly faster menu navigation due to potentially more RAM, but the difference is minimal.
Battery Life
Both phones are known for their excellent battery life. The Nokia 3330 is renowned for its exceptional endurance, often lasting for days on a single charge. The Nokia 6233's battery life is also impressive, though slightly shorter than the 3330 due to the color screen and camera.
Buying Guide
The Nokia 3330 is perfect for those seeking a virtually indestructible phone for basic calls and texts, or as a nostalgic throwback. The Nokia 6233 is better suited for users who want a basic camera and slightly more functionality, while still appreciating a classic design.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Are these phones compatible with modern SIM cards?
These phones use older SIM card sizes. You may need an adapter to use them with modern SIM cards, depending on your carrier.
❓ Can I use these phones as a Wi-Fi hotspot?
No, neither the Nokia 3330 nor the Nokia 6233 support Wi-Fi or hotspot functionality.
