Features
For a phone that looks relatively simple, the 6131 has a pretty impressive set of features. In addition to a quad-band GSM phone capable of GPRS and high-speed EDGE data transfer and Push-to-Talk capabilities (the
T-Mobile account I tested the phone on doesn't support PTT), the handset's Series 40 operating system provides a platform for myriad productivity and entertainment options. Bluetooth and USB connectivity allow for file transfer and installation of new applications from a computer as well as the use of the 6131 as a cellular modem with a laptop, and a built-in xHTML browser and eMail client provide basic mobile Internet functionality. An IrDA port lets the 6131 double as a PC remote control using Nokia's Wireless Presenter software. The phone also suports Java MIDP 2.0 with over-the-air downloads of Java-based applications and games.
The included contacts and organizer applications are top-notch, both because they're very well designed and they're easy to read and navigate on such a large screen. Contacts can be assigned photo, ringtone, and video Caller IDs, and ringtones may take the form of MIDI, mp3, WMA, or AAC audio files. The phone can sync with Outlook, iSync (Mac), and other SyncML-compatible programs. A Voice Recorder application allows on the go audio note taking, and alarm clock and stopwatch/countdown timer applications are also pre-installed.
An integrated media player supports stereo audio playback via the included earbuds, or mono playback through the phone's loudspeaker. The music player is relatively simple, but does feature a graphic equalizer with user-customizable presets and an FM radio. Audio quality through the included earphones was good, but if you add a 3.5mm stereo headphone adapter, a quality pair of earphones, and a 1GB or larger MicroSD card and the 6131 can double as a high-quality mp3 player.
The one hiccup with using the phone as a music player lies in the capacity of the inlcuded battery. Simply put, the battery life of the 6131 was very disappointing. Though the standard BL-C4 battery is rated by Nokia at 3.4 hours of talk time with "up to 10 days" of standby time, even with very limited use of non-voice call features, I found that I had to recharge the phone nightly or risk the dreaded "Low Battery" warning during the second day of usage. Most other current phones - even my SE w800i Walkman phone, which is loaded with a 2MP camera and extensive media player functionality - last at least two full days under normal usage.
The 6131 comes with three pre-installed games, two of which (Snake and Soccer 4D) were pretty to look at but boring to play. The third game, Sudoku, is a straightforward version of the popular puzzle game that's notable because it's programmed in the SWF (Macromedia Flash) format, which the phone supports.
Nokia built the 6131 with a 1.3 megapixel camera with 8x digital zoom. The camera lacks a flash, and so isn't of much use in dark conditions. Photo quality outdoor in well-lit rooms was average for a megapixel cameraphone, but not outstanding. A night mode is available, but white balance setting is automatic only. Both the interior and exterior displays can be used as viewfinders for the camera, which is handy.
The camera can also capture video at up to OCIF resolution (176 x 144 pixels). Videos are saved as 3GP format files, and though the quality isn't so well suited for off-phone use, the ability to take a video as assign it as a caller ID clip to play when a particular person calls you is lots of fun
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