The Nokia 3350 and Nokia 7650 represent vastly different stages in mobile phone evolution. The 3350, a bastion of feature phone reliability, stands in stark contrast to the 7650, a pioneering device attempting to bring smartphone functionality to the masses. This comparison explores the trade-offs between rugged simplicity and nascent complexity.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For the user prioritizing unbreakable reliability and extended battery life, the Nokia 3350 is the clear winner. However, those intrigued by the dawn of mobile computing and willing to accept limited performance and battery life will find the Nokia 7650 a fascinating historical artifact.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 900 / 1800 | GSM 900 / 1800 |
| EDGE | No | No |
| GPRS | No | Class 5 |
| Technology | GSM | GSM |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2001 | 2002, Q1 |
| Status | Discontinued | Discontinued |
| Body |
|---|
| Dimensions | 113 x 49 x 23 mm, 98 cc (4.45 x 1.93 x 0.91 in) | 114 x 56 x 26 mm, 138 cc (4.49 x 2.20 x 1.02 in) |
| SIM | Mini-SIM | Mini-SIM |
| Weight | 108 g (3.81 oz) | 154 g (5.43 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Resolution | 96 x 65 pixels, 5 lines, 3:2 ratio | 176 x 208 pixels, 35 x 41mm (~130 ppi density) |
| Size | - | 2.1 inches, 14.0 cm2 (~22.0% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | Monochrome graphic | TFT, 4096 colors |
| | - | Act as a camera viewfinder
Advanced User Interface
Joystick with 5-way navigation
Photo album |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | - | 104 MHz ARM 9 |
| OS | - | Symbian 6.1, Series 60 v1.0 UI |
| Memory |
|---|
| Call records | 20 dialed, 10 received, 10 missed calls | - |
| Card slot | No | No |
| Internal | - | 4MB |
| Phonebook | 150 | - |
| | - | 3 phone numbers per name
25 voice dial numbers |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Single | - | VGA |
| Video | - | No |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | - | No |
| 35mm jack | No | No |
| Alert types | Vibration; Downloadable monophonic ringtones, composer | Vibration; Downloadable polyphonic, monophonic ringtones |
| Loudspeaker | No | No |
| | - | Ascending ringing tones
Personal alert tones |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | No | 1.1 |
| Infrared port | - | Yes |
| Positioning | No | No |
| Radio | No | No |
| WLAN | No | No |
| Features |
|---|
| Alarm | Yes | Yes |
| Browser | WAP 1.1 | WAP 1.2.1, xHTML |
| Clock | Yes | Yes |
| Games | 6 - Bumper, Dance 2 Music, Link5, Magic Draw, Snake II, Space Impact | - |
| Java | No | - |
| Languages | - | English + 2 other per phone (28 total) |
| Messaging | SMS | - |
| | - | Predictive text input
Calculator
Profile Selection |
| Battery |
|---|
| Stand-by | Up to 260 h | 90 h - 230 h |
| Talk time | Up to 4 h 45 min | 2 h - 4 h |
| Type | Removable Li-Ion 1000 mAh battery (BLC-2) | Removable Li-Ion 750 mAh battery (BLB-2) |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | User exchangeable front and back covers | - |
| SAR EU | 0.52 W/kg (head) | 0.35 W/kg (head) |
Nokia 3350
- Exceptional durability and build quality
- Incredibly long battery life
- Simple and reliable operation
- Lack of advanced features
- No camera
- Monochrome display
Nokia 7650
- Pioneering smartphone features
- Color display
- Integrated camera
- Limited performance
- Short battery life
- Less durable construction
Display Comparison
Given the Nokia 3350's market positioning, its display was focused on legibility and power efficiency, likely a monochrome LCD. The Nokia 7650, aiming for a more modern experience, featured a color LCD. While specific resolution details are unavailable, the 7650's display was undoubtedly more demanding on the 104 MHz ARM 9 processor, impacting battery life. The 7650's color display, though primitive by today's standards, offered a richer visual experience for early adopters.
Camera Comparison
The Nokia 7650 included a 0.3-megapixel camera, a groundbreaking feature for its time, allowing users to capture and share images. While image quality would be rudimentary by today's standards, it represented a significant leap forward in mobile photography. The Nokia 3350 did not include a camera, reflecting its focus on core communication rather than multimedia capabilities. The 7650's camera, though low-resolution, offered a new dimension of functionality absent in the 3350.
Performance
The Nokia 7650's 104 MHz ARM 9 CPU was a significant step towards smartphone processing power, enabling features like web browsing and basic applications. However, compared to modern smartphones, its performance is extremely limited. The Nokia 3350, lacking a complex operating system and advanced features, prioritized responsiveness for core functions like calls and SMS. While a direct performance comparison is difficult without detailed benchmarks, the 3350 would have felt significantly snappier for basic tasks due to its simpler architecture.
Battery Life
The Nokia 3350 was renowned for its exceptional battery life, often lasting for days or even weeks on a single charge. This was achieved through its efficient hardware and simple software. The Nokia 7650, with its color display, ARM 9 processor, and Symbian OS, consumed significantly more power. Users would have experienced considerably shorter battery life, likely requiring daily charging. The 3350's battery endurance was a key selling point, while the 7650 sacrificed battery life for increased functionality.
Buying Guide
Buy the Nokia 3350 if you need a phone that can withstand significant abuse, offers weeks of standby time, and prioritizes core communication functions. Buy the Nokia 7650 if you're a collector interested in early smartphone technology, want to experience Symbian OS, and are willing to compromise on battery life and robustness for a more feature-rich experience.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Is the Nokia 7650's Symbian OS still usable today?
While technically possible, using the Nokia 7650's Symbian OS in 2024 is challenging. App support is extremely limited, and the operating system is not optimized for modern web standards. It's primarily a device for collectors and those interested in experiencing a historical operating system.
❓ Can the Nokia 3350 be used as a daily driver in 2024?
For basic communication – calls and texts – the Nokia 3350 remains surprisingly functional. However, its lack of data connectivity and advanced features makes it unsuitable for most modern users. Its primary appeal lies in its durability and long battery life for emergency use or as a secondary device.
❓ What kind of connectivity does the Nokia 7650 offer?
The Nokia 7650 offered limited connectivity for its time, including GSM/GPRS for data and WAP for basic web browsing. It lacked 3G, Wi-Fi, or Bluetooth, severely restricting its online capabilities compared to modern smartphones.
