Nokia 6030 (AT&T)

I got a Nokia 6030 (a GSM phone) 4 days ago because I had to replace my old Nokia 8260 (a TDMA phone) which I got from A&T Wireless back in 1999. I would not be looking for another phone if it weren't for the fact that Cingular has been gradually replacing TDMA towers with GSM towers and thus forcing me to upgrade. (Now I get fewer anytime minutes, the night is 2 hours shorter and my monthly plan costs 33% more, but that's another story.)The last 2 weeks I also tried Motorola Razr V3, Motorola V195, and Samsung T809. I realized I don't like using a clamshell or a slide phone, but more importantly I noticed serious usability flaws in Motorola's and Samsung's interface. (Samsung is not as bad as Motorola.) Dialing a number without looking at the keys is much harder on a Motorola or Samsung than it is on a Nokia. Likewise, using the Address Book on a Motorola's phone is much more cumbersome than using the Address Book on a Nokia. Motorola requires more keystrokes and has a goofy GUI. Motorola seems to work against you whereas Nokia is simply a pleasure to use.I read the reviews on Nokia 6030 before I got the phone so I was pleasantly surprised that some of the negative reviews I read earlier are simply not true. The phone does have big-enough keys, an alarm clock, and volume keys. The navigation keys are actually overloaded, so when the phone is ringing you can use the 4-way navigation keys to adjust the ringer volume. Likewise, when you're on the phone, you can use the navigation keys to adjust the voice volume. I found I like the volume keys on the face of the phone better than on the side because I don't press them accidentally when picking the phone up. The best new feature I noticed is the ability to reprogram the shortcut keys, so for example you can replace Cingular Mall with a Calculator or whatever you want a single keystroke away.The only negative about 6030 is that it is just a dual-band phone (GSM 850 and 1900) which is perfect within the US, but very limiting overseas. Nevertheless, what the phone does it does it very well.

I have been a Nokia customer for as long as I've had phones. This is the first time I've been disappointed.First - the center "enter" key is too small. I end up accidentally hitting the arrow keys every other time I try to press it.Second - sometimes the phone seems to not respond to key presses or respond with significant latency. I don't know if this is hardware or software-related. But it's infuriating. I've missed calls and other problems due to it.Yeah - only two problems. But they're BIG problems. I am disappointed. I'll be getting a new phone soon.

I've always bought Nokia cell phones, because they usually offered the most friendly, intuitive interface. I hate this phone. Who would have thought that a cell phone wouldn't come with volume controls?I have the ring tone on the lowest setting and it still makes me jump when it rings inside my purse, and I have NEVER seen a phone without the ability to adjust the audio levels while talking!! I feel like I'm losing my hearing in my right ear, although now I hold the phone about an inch away from my ear while talking.The middle wheel is too small even with my small fingers, I'm always hitting a button vs. the wheel. When I press the end call button, for some reason it always activates the speakerphone first. I bought it with a 2 year warranty so feel I'm stuck with it.

Ive been using a Nokia 6590i for a few years, and after dropping it repeatedly, subjecting it to all sorts of abuse, it's been rock solid - until recently. Starting getting that classic "insert sim card" problem, whenever I would jar the phone lightly. But hey, when it worked, it kicked butt. So, Ive moved up(?) to the 6030. The reason I bring up the 6590 is that I would be very surprised if this 6030 has a lifespan like the 6590, under similar operating conditions. The build quality is just not what it used to be. That said...let's see what we do have :Let's clear up a few things from previous reviewers:1) volume control - no, it doesnt have the side buttons like the 6590 has, and until you play around a bit, you'll be convinced, like I was, that it doesnt have a control. Ah, but it does, and it is buried in the menus. If you dont put this menu item as an option on your navigation button (manually), it's very hard to use. If you do, it's better than the side button setup. Click menu/settings/my shortcuts/navigation key/(select) and then choose which navig arrow of the four you want to put it on. Just scroll through the menu2) Key response - this IS a problem, as others have noticed. There is a significant lag time between pressing a menu key item, and getting the phone to do what you want. This is irritating, but I can live with it, because it's not drastic.3) key lock - if you are prone to put this in your pocket, then definitely learn the menuselect followed by asterix keystroke. Learn it, know it, live it. It's a lifesaver.4) keys - yes, a bit small. Whoever wrote large here has never seen the phone. It's only marginally bigger than the 6590i, which was one of Nokia's smallest ever. The feel of the keys leaves somethign to be desired - they are a bit mushy and wiggly. The first unit I got I had to return because they keys did not press distinctly. If you have this problem, definitely bring it back and try another. My second phone was a big improvement. You can tell you have this problem if some of the keys dont press like the others (in terms of feel)5) End call button - if your phone goes to speakerphone when you press this, it's probably defective. This has never happened to me.6) Wallpaper, screensavers, etc - they suck. But this is part of the classic cingular mall scam, where they put a bunch of crap on the phone, in the hope that you go and buy different ones. Same with ringtones, although the ones with the phone are serviceable, just not good. There are ways around this issue, so do some reading, and you'll figure it out. google is your friend (at least in this case).7) For the person who thinks it is not convenient to switch between silent,vib, and normal, I say not true. You have to stick them on your goto menu. Just click the upper left blue key, then the same key for options, then organize. You can change what is on the menu, and in what order you list the items.8) NO headset, no car charger, no voice dialing. True. But what do you expect for something this cheap???9) No nokia faceplate cover options, as far as I can tell. There are some for sale on the web, but they look to be the super cheapo crap they make in China that makes your phone look like a piece of stale candy. Avoid.Aside from things mentioned in previous reviews - the screen resolution is not that good. You are looking at a small area, with 65k colors, but only 128*128 pixels, so it is pretty grainy. The brightness is decent, but its nothing to cheer about.The word Cingular (or other carrier) is often printed on the bottom of this phone - really detracts from the otherwise decent looks. Here is a trick. Get a cotton shirt or other soft material, and a fingernail, still attached to finger. :) Wrap nail with shirt and rub back and forth. Presto - bye bye logo.Of course, you know what this means though - the keys on this (if you are the type who puts it in your pocket) are going to have the numbers and letters wear off pretty quickly.The calls made menu is an improvement (at least over my 3 yr old phone), so when you hit the green send key, it shows a recent call list, with date and time (not just name). So they have made some improvements to the menu system.If I figure out any other major likes/dislikes, I'll come back and list more. Overall, if you arent looking for a fancy phone, and just want a phone with good battery life, a clear signal, decent reception (at least on cingular) and small form factor with good looks, you cant go wrong. If you are upgrading on cingular its actually free!