why can't Nokia make a solid phone?!

[riftweaver]

Sorry, but I have to voice some complaints. Nokia phones with Xpress-On covers all just feel like shoddily built toys to me!

I got a 3650, loved it. Tactile feel of a phone is important to me. Partly because I have RSI (beginnings of carpal tunnel). So my phone needs a nice keypad touch. The 7210, for example, was awful: weak, "clicky" keys, with bad menus. The 8390 was okay -- the nav keys were really hard to press, but if I slid my thumb down rather than pressing, it was fine.

The 6310i that I tried seemed exempt from these problems, presumably because it doesn't have changeable faceplates.

My 3650 started out good, although I'd rather have had a real joystick instead of the pad. (Which I don't find that great for games.) The keys were all solid and responsive, and comfortable for me. Then my 3650 died and I had to replace it....

... and my new 3650 is awful. The keys on the right hand side of the phone (7 - 0, #) all feel loose and springy, and they make a super-loud clicking sound. My office neighbors must love when I'm texting at work. The left softkey button is slightly depressed, and it's hard to press. I thought about replacing the keypad, but I'm sure the problem is the metal button plate itself.

And that doesn't even go into the fact that my new phone's speaker is quieter. I had to switch to "Desk Lo" because the midi file I was using on my first 3650, which was quiet but acceptable, could no longer be heard -- even with the phone sitting nearby in a quiet location! (I've heard about this issue from other forum memebers.) I also suspect that the display on this phone isn't as bright/sharp, but that's harder to identify for sure.

So I went from loving my 3650 to strongly disliking it. I was thinking about moving to the 6600 on release, but I'm not going to pay $600+ (USD) to fix something that shouldn't be a problem in the first place.

I really like Nokia, but maybe it's time to move to a new brand. :( Am I alone? Are there better models of Symbian mobiles that you recommend?

--Jason

[TANKERx]

It seems to that your new 3650 is a recinditioned unit and they can be a lottery. Bad luck man!

I'm keeping an eye on that 6600. It looks good and is finally a 'normal' Symbian phone (no sliding keybaord, dial layouts etc) which can take extra memory!

Try complaining to your supplier about the quality of the build of device you have, and if possible, demand a new one - not a reconditioned one.

[riftweaver]

Originally Posted by TANKERx

It seems to that your new 3650 is a recinditioned unit and they can be a lottery. Bad luck man!
...
Try complaining to your supplier about the quality of the build of device you have, and if possible, demand a new one - not a reconditioned one.

Thanks for the thought.

I purchased mine from ATT Wireless, and supposedly the stores only sell brand-new phones. Or so they've told me many times in the past.

--Jason

[GhostDog]

Seeking for new brands,new models?Like TANKERx said,you could wait form the 6600 or the SX from Siemens(My vote goes for the SX1),or get the p800 (Sony Erricson) now,which is a great choice if you need a more powefull more PDA'ish device.

[mackem56]

I have just bought a 3650 think it's really cool, my keys don't click the handset is really easy to use,just one flaw ringtones are not very loud,have also downloaded games onto it so far so good.

I got 3650 from T-Mobile and in less than two weeks my phone died. They send a replacement and the new phone lasted about a week. I have had phones worse than Nokia that lasted me for years. This type of Nokia is like paper-made. I regret buying it in the first place, now im stuck wih it.
Dont buy it!!

[geekygreek]

i think you are all being over the top a bit. The phone is truly absolutely amazing and it has full functionality , a large screen , bveautiful design all in one phone.

Just because a few situations of people that do not know how to handle a mobile phone are heard , this does not mean it is a useless mobile. Maybe the people that complain and dont know how to handle a phone shouldnt own it in the first place.

[riftweaver]

Originally Posted by geekygreek

i think you are all being over the top a bit. The phone is truly absolutely amazing and it has full functionality , a large screen , bveautiful design all in one phone.

Just because a few situations of people that do not know how to handle a mobile phone are heard , this does not mean it is a useless mobile. Maybe the people that complain and dont know how to handle a phone shouldnt own it in the first place.

Ouch! That's a bit harsh. I think the phone features are great, and I really like the large screen. Symbian is a really nice OS, and I never claimed the phone is "useless." I just think the phones aren't manufactured with the best quality control, or something. Many people have experienced the problem with the 3650 dying: I've seen it discussed here, at HowardForums, at AT&T Wireless forums, and nokia3650.net forums. It's not an isolated problem, it's a known issue that has occurred regularly. Same with the quiet ringtones on the 3650 -- it can be worked around, but again, it's a known issue within the phone's user community.

So please, just because you are fortunate enough to have not had problems with your phone, doesn't mean you should rudely criticize those of us who have.

--Jason

I've used Nokia phones for the last 7-8 years. 1620, 5110, 7110, (briefly) 8890, 6250, 6350i & 3650.

They have all been solid phones and they are put through alot of abuse.

As for your gripes about Xpress on covers - my 5110 was dropped (twice) down a 20 foot stair well, broke into its three component pieces, and still worked when shoved back together. It was eventually replaced after 3 years of heavy use/abuse.

The other phones all performed equally, with the exception of the 8890 which I only had for a week before being stolen out of my car. Doh. Unable to give it full marks.

The usual policy for operators and replacements phones is to send a refurb if the phone is over 2 weeks old. If you're unhappy, phone them up and back it to them as not being acceptable.

Regards,
Tin

[kakubaba]

I think 3650 is great. What i like most about the phone is the features and 3rd party applications we can download into the phone. Apllications like Irremote , Skinlauncher, Spycam , gives cell phones a new edge ( Its like using a gadget from a james bond movie).
But , i also think that 3650 needs improvement in the following area's :-
1) Ring Tone Volume ( A cell phone should not have such problem's )
2) heavy and looks bulky
3) Errors ; system error ;
4) the camera on the backside should be on the top side rather then in the middle.
5) Little more phone memory
That will be all. Inspite of all this , i still think this the best phone i have used yet! After all its got 16 mb memory card , big screen , nice camera ( voyour stuff's) ; Good design .
I will give it a ****_ star

Apart from the memory, i think the 7650 is a better made unit.

[Kirill]

Originally Posted by Anonymous

The other phones all performed equally, with the exception of the 8890 which I only had for a week before being stolen out of my car. Doh. Unable to give it full marks.

Well I will give the high marks to the 8890. There is no silver paint left anywhere on the phone's body because of how much abuse it went though but my friend is still using it and it is performing wonderfully after 2.5 years. This is the second unit though, the only thing the first one did not survive is my 130kg friend stepping on it accidentally. It was replaced under insurance.

[Tatuagem]

Originally Posted by Kirill

This is the second unit though, the only thing the first one did not survive is my 130kg friend stepping on it accidentally. It was replaced under insurance.

a 130 kg friend?! is he also ex-kgb?!

[backudog]

My only problem with my 3650 is the fact the sound on it is a bit "tinny", why can't they add some sort of bass thing to it? If you listen to proper music or are watching a music video through it the sound isn't that wonderful. I'm not expecting my phone to sound as good as a normal stereo system but a bit clearer more bassy sound would be better. It can't be that hard to do or cost that much more.. can it?

[GhostDog]

backudog,one of the reasons why the sound is shitty on the 3650 is mono output,and that can't be changed.