All About Symbian - Symbian, Nokia and S60 unwrapped.
Nokia C6 - mid-tier touchscreen with slide out QWERTY
Published by Rafe Blandford at 8:01 UTC, April 13th 2010
Today Nokia introduced the Nokia C6, a mid-range touchscreen smartphone, with a slide out QWERTY keyboard and comprehensive social messaging software suite. The C6 runs Symbian^1 (but with pervasive kinetic scrolling and widget homescreen, N97-style) and features a 5 megapixel camera, integrated GPS and comprehensive connectivity options. It ships with a full range of Ovi services, including Ovi Maps (free car and pedestrian navigation), Ovi Store (content downloads), Ovi Music (music store), and Nokia Messaging (email and instant messaging). The Nokia C6 will be available later this quarter at a price of EUR 220 before taxes and subsidies. Read on for more.
At first glance, the design of the C6 outwardly resembles the popular Nokia 5800 in shape and size (113.4 x 53 x 16.8 mm [80cc] versus 111 x 51.7 x 15.5 mm [83 cc] for the 5800). However, the horizontal slider form factor, which adds a full QWERTY keyboard and accompanying D-pad, and weight (150g versus 109g) puts the phone firmly into the hybrid category and demonstrates there has been a significant reworking of the internal design.
The software running on the phone is in line with the Nokia N97 and N97 mini. It features the same WRT-widget based homescreen, kinetic scrolling and full range of Ovi services. In common with the E5, also announced today, Nokia are emphasising the social messaging capabilities of the phone, with Nokia Messaging handling a comprehensive range of email accounts, with various on-board tools for interacting with social networks and with Ovi Store giving access to a range of IM applications.
At €220, the C6 offers excellent value for money. The price can be compared to the Nokia 5800's launch price of €279 and the N97 mini's launch price of €450. It should have a SIM-free UK street price of approximately £220, or subsidised on Pay As You Go from about £150 and free on £20/month contracts.
Nokia C6 with keyboard in open position
From the press release:
"The Nokia C6 is a Symbian-based smartphone combining the benefits of a 3.2 inch touch screen with a full slide out keyboard. The large screen provides a great Internet experience, as well as offering access to Facebook feeds directly on the homescreen. A full suite of email and social networking capabilities means the Nokia C6 is perfect for people who want to stay up to date while on the go."
Key hardware features
113.4 x 53 x 16.8 mm in dimensions (80 cc volume), 150g in weight; horizontal QWERTY slide form factor.
- 3.2 inch touchscreen; 640 x 360 pixels resolution
- 5 megapixel autofocus camera with LED flash.
- Integrated A-GPS
- 3.5 mm AV connector and stereo FM radio (with RDS)
- BL-4J (1200mAh) Li-Ion battery - charging via 2 mm power port
- Quad band GSM, triband WCDMA (900/1900/2100 MHz) and WiFi connectivity.
- Up to 200MB of internal memory, 2GB microSD card included in the retail box (selected markets)
- ARM 11 processor running at 434MHz (same as 5800 and 5230).
- Initially available in two colours: Black and White
- Mono speaker (the 5800 had big stereo speakers), mounted on the back of the device
- Included in the box: Nokia C6-00, Nokia 2GB microSD Card (MU-37), Nokia Connectivity Cable (CA-101), Nokia Stereo Headset (WH-102), Nokia Compact Charger (AC-15), Nokia Battery (BL-4J), and User guide
Key software features
- Runs Symbian^1 (also known as S60 5th Edition)
- Customisable homescreen with WRT-based widgets (as first seen on the Nokia N97). Also includes kinetic scrolling and other UI enhancements as first seen in N97 PR2.0 software.
- Ships with Ovi Maps 3.4 (including free life time navigation and easy Facebook location sharing).
- Nokia Messaging for email (Yahoo Mail Gmail, Windows Live Hotmail, Ovi Mail) and IM clients for Yahoo Messenger, Google Talk, Windows Live Messenger and Ovi Chat available through the Ovi Store.
- Will likely ship with Nokia Messaging for Social Networks (also known as Communities 2.0), which is currently being tested in Nokia Beta Labs. This aggregates messages from multiple social networks into a single application.
The phone will also include the current standalone Facebook client with homescreen integration.
- Ovi Store for access to additional applications, games and content. Ovi Music Store for music downloads.
Nokia C6 in video
Watch this space for a full review of the C6 here on All About Symbian.
Cseries
Nokia also announced another Cseries device today; the C3 is a low end QWERTY slab device running Series 40 (Nokia's proprietary software platform). With the recently announced Nokia C5, there are now three phones in the new Cseries category.
News Discussion
yade
How many times can they cost reduce the N97?
Another day where anticipation has led to major disappointment from Nokia.
Another day where anticipation has led to major disappointment from Nokia.
jcompagner
cpu?
Are these new once still the slow pre cortext arm cpu's?
Is the N900 still the only nokia phone with a cortext?
Are these new once still the slow pre cortext arm cpu's?
Is the N900 still the only nokia phone with a cortext?
snoFlake
Not bad - I`m guessing this is exactly the same internals as X6/N97mini? Good value for the money probably the price segment the N97 warranted releasing in and even the mini with it`s currently discounted 350 pounds price in Nokia store has been looking expensive and this will address that value gap. Also I guess they can`t release anything higher end without it being on SF^3 or terminally screwing what`s left of customer loyalty.
Not a wildly exciting device but exciting price point and next step in Nokia`s Symbian smartphones for the masses strategy but they better get it to market quickly and unlike X6 make sure it`s stable at release. I would almost be tempted myself but for the fact I`ve got an N97 and I know SF^3 has to be round the corner (if it isn`t Nokia better give up). For the price I could probably even live with it`s very short OS lifespan and wouldn't mind it being obsolete in 3-4months when SF^3 hits the streets - it`s all about the price. Going to make shifting the N97 mini a bit of an uphill task - but guess there`s new N series wonderdog waiting on the launch pad .
When SF^3 launches Nokia better start making the upgrades paths and availabilities clear to avoid consumer frustration and whining though.
Not a wildly exciting device but exciting price point and next step in Nokia`s Symbian smartphones for the masses strategy but they better get it to market quickly and unlike X6 make sure it`s stable at release. I would almost be tempted myself but for the fact I`ve got an N97 and I know SF^3 has to be round the corner (if it isn`t Nokia better give up). For the price I could probably even live with it`s very short OS lifespan and wouldn't mind it being obsolete in 3-4months when SF^3 hits the streets - it`s all about the price. Going to make shifting the N97 mini a bit of an uphill task - but guess there`s new N series wonderdog waiting on the launch pad .
When SF^3 launches Nokia better start making the upgrades paths and availabilities clear to avoid consumer frustration and whining though.
Brendan Donegan
I see the tribe of 'just don't get it' has descended on AA;
"How many times can they cost reduce the N97?
Another day where anticipation has led to major disappointment from Nokia. "
Once I guess - sorry, tell me the other phones that 'cost reduce the N97' - do you mean the Mini? That's hardly much cheaper.
Seems like there are some people who just can't get their heads around the fact that the majority of people buy a phone as a phone and couldn't give a flip if it's got a Cortex in it or not!
"How many times can they cost reduce the N97?
Another day where anticipation has led to major disappointment from Nokia. "
Once I guess - sorry, tell me the other phones that 'cost reduce the N97' - do you mean the Mini? That's hardly much cheaper.
Seems like there are some people who just can't get their heads around the fact that the majority of people buy a phone as a phone and couldn't give a flip if it's got a Cortex in it or not!
Unregistered
I would guess that this is roughly the same internal hardware as in the 5800, N97 mini etc. It's a 5800 with keyboard and widgets. But not the build of a N97 mini.
In the dimensions in the text it seems to state that this is bigger in every dimension than a 5800 but smaller in cc. How can this be?
I am sure I will buy it to add to my collection. I have just ordered a Desire - the frst Android phone that really tempted me. I now have 2 phones for every weekday to choose from. Can't beat a bit of variety.
In the dimensions in the text it seems to state that this is bigger in every dimension than a 5800 but smaller in cc. How can this be?
I am sure I will buy it to add to my collection. I have just ordered a Desire - the frst Android phone that really tempted me. I now have 2 phones for every weekday to choose from. Can't beat a bit of variety.
zyler
So what's really new? While Android and the others are making them better and faster what is Nokia doing? Why shouldn't I just get a N97 mini or an E73 on E-Bay?
snoFlake
@ Brendan Donegan
But they care wildly if it`s unstable and Nokia`s skinflint hardware combined with symbian platform has brought some very unreliable devices to market recently that the general phone buying public won`t tolerate and have severely damaged Nokia and symbian`s reputations. Part of Apple`s success story is it "just works" for the arrogantly categorised nor-mobs so that I would recommend and iPhone for my mum over any recent Symbian based product.
I get this product - see remarks above, but both Symbian and Nokia really need to prove themselves this year first and foremostly on a reliability front and address the damage of last year. And the requests for better hardware platforms sometimes reflect the frustrations of those of us who have to put up with the pain of say managing the N97 C: on a week to week basis. They`re not always well directed but I think yourselves and nokia need to acknowledge the frustration and sometimes hostility that has built up through consumers being burned and some are still stuck like myself with those devices for some while yet.
But they care wildly if it`s unstable and Nokia`s skinflint hardware combined with symbian platform has brought some very unreliable devices to market recently that the general phone buying public won`t tolerate and have severely damaged Nokia and symbian`s reputations. Part of Apple`s success story is it "just works" for the arrogantly categorised nor-mobs so that I would recommend and iPhone for my mum over any recent Symbian based product.
I get this product - see remarks above, but both Symbian and Nokia really need to prove themselves this year first and foremostly on a reliability front and address the damage of last year. And the requests for better hardware platforms sometimes reflect the frustrations of those of us who have to put up with the pain of say managing the N97 C: on a week to week basis. They`re not always well directed but I think yourselves and nokia need to acknowledge the frustration and sometimes hostility that has built up through consumers being burned and some are still stuck like myself with those devices for some while yet.
yade
@Brendan Donegan
Nokia are pushing many phones to the masses which I agree with. An N97 style phone available in an affordable pricerange for PAYT customers is something that should be applauded
However Nokia have always put themselves technology leaders and innovators yet it seems that many companies are pushing ahead with innovation not only with OS but with hardware.
All I can say is with the time it is taking, Nokia will have to be absolutely spot on with their Symbian ^3 handset because the competition around is just too much for them to take so long and get it wrong.
Nokia are pushing many phones to the masses which I agree with. An N97 style phone available in an affordable pricerange for PAYT customers is something that should be applauded
However Nokia have always put themselves technology leaders and innovators yet it seems that many companies are pushing ahead with innovation not only with OS but with hardware.
All I can say is with the time it is taking, Nokia will have to be absolutely spot on with their Symbian ^3 handset because the competition around is just too much for them to take so long and get it wrong.
bluejacker
Looks like a really good phone for that price. But, no word about WLAN? If not, then I'm not interested.
snoFlake
@yade
Absolutely agree if there`s a slight slip with either the devices or if SF^3 doesn`t deliver on the weight of expectation that has now built on it after the wait and the N97 debacle the backlash will be very severe.
Absolutely agree if there`s a slight slip with either the devices or if SF^3 doesn`t deliver on the weight of expectation that has now built on it after the wait and the N97 debacle the backlash will be very severe.
Brendan Donegan
@snoFlake
I didn't actually see your first post, so wasn't talking to you specifically. I agree that it's important for devices to be reliable and perform reasonably (I'm in the quality business) but I'm only saying that it's not necessary to have a Cortex A8 in order to achieve that. I believe the software should be stable because Symbian^1 is mature now, but obviously there could still be problems.
@bluejacker
It does have WLAN - take a look at the full spec sheet here: http://events.nokia.com/everyoneconn..._datasheet.pdf (I'm surprised that detail was left out of the post)
@yade
I think you're being overdramatic. It's been one year since they released their last flagship handset, how is that a long time? Most people don't buy a new phone yearly anyway.
I didn't actually see your first post, so wasn't talking to you specifically. I agree that it's important for devices to be reliable and perform reasonably (I'm in the quality business) but I'm only saying that it's not necessary to have a Cortex A8 in order to achieve that. I believe the software should be stable because Symbian^1 is mature now, but obviously there could still be problems.
@bluejacker
It does have WLAN - take a look at the full spec sheet here: http://events.nokia.com/everyoneconn..._datasheet.pdf (I'm surprised that detail was left out of the post)
@yade
I think you're being overdramatic. It's been one year since they released their last flagship handset, how is that a long time? Most people don't buy a new phone yearly anyway.
Unregistered
Quote:
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Originally Posted by zyler
So what's really new? While Android and the others are making them better and faster what is Nokia doing?
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UnInterested
Quote:
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Originally Posted by Unregistered
Making them cheaper and more accessible.
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malerocks
Ok, here's my crib. This seems to have everything that my n97mini has - except the built in 8 GB memory - at half the launch price. I now feel that I really really overpaid for the n97 mini.
nisched
is it the case that we are now hardware complete on phones? like computers with only small changes to come?
a laptop has a monitor, keyboard, maybe a webcam, wifi, maybe 3G, a few USBs and maybe bluetooth. I only change it every few years.
a phone has 3G, WIFI, bluetooth, GPS and screen 2.5-4 inches, maybe a keyboard, headphones, speaker, camera, maybe secondary camera, microSD, micro USB. how often do I need to change phone now?
lists above aren't meant to be complete. the spec has changed so much in 5 years but there is almost a fixed hardware load-out now. If so then prices are really going to fall (like PCs) and nokia appear ahead of that curve.
what new is really going to change the spec? LTE won't change it that much... nor HD video.
software is improving incrementally both on symbian and other platforms. Will the C5 be closer to n97 v20 firmware on release? hope so.
just a set of thoughts/queries.
a laptop has a monitor, keyboard, maybe a webcam, wifi, maybe 3G, a few USBs and maybe bluetooth. I only change it every few years.
a phone has 3G, WIFI, bluetooth, GPS and screen 2.5-4 inches, maybe a keyboard, headphones, speaker, camera, maybe secondary camera, microSD, micro USB. how often do I need to change phone now?
lists above aren't meant to be complete. the spec has changed so much in 5 years but there is almost a fixed hardware load-out now. If so then prices are really going to fall (like PCs) and nokia appear ahead of that curve.
what new is really going to change the spec? LTE won't change it that much... nor HD video.
software is improving incrementally both on symbian and other platforms. Will the C5 be closer to n97 v20 firmware on release? hope so.
just a set of thoughts/queries.
Rafe
These phones are about the mid-tier. As such the pricing is the key. They are about making the messaging solutions more affordable to more consumers.
Processors, RAM etc are not the point. Those waiting for something in the high end will have to be patient a little while longer...
I'd also point out the fact these are becoming 'solution phones' the software services that they come with are at least as important selling points (maybe more so) than the hardware.
Really I see these handsets building on the success of the E63 and 5800 respectively.
Processors, RAM etc are not the point. Those waiting for something in the high end will have to be patient a little while longer...
I'd also point out the fact these are becoming 'solution phones' the software services that they come with are at least as important selling points (maybe more so) than the hardware.
Really I see these handsets building on the success of the E63 and 5800 respectively.
Brendan Donegan
@malerocks
Oh please, remember this is electronics we're dealing with here - of course it's going to be significanly cheaper the following year. That's how this game works.
Oh please, remember this is electronics we're dealing with here - of course it's going to be significanly cheaper the following year. That's how this game works.
Ian2
Wow... Two years old, slow hardware with two year old OS...
I hope Nokia has something else to announce soon...
I hope Nokia has something else to announce soon...
Dynite
@bluejacker
It has WLAN.
It has WLAN.
delanz
This phone is meant to cater the mid range segment of the market, where user don't have to sell their kidneys just to purchase a phone. Want a flagship? We'll have to wait a little longer, and hope Nokia will deliver.
Unregistered
A rather nice looking smartphone with a high-res touchscreen, physical QWERTY keyboard, and worldwide GPS turn-by-turn navigator for 200€, unsubsidized, and this site is full of people whining.
Please, stop being ridiculous.
Still, I would like Nokia to provide a firmware update to S^3
Please, stop being ridiculous.
Still, I would like Nokia to provide a firmware update to S^3
clonmult
Quote:
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Originally Posted by malerocks
Ok, here's my crib. This seems to have everything that my n97mini has - except the built in 8 GB memory - at half the launch price. I now feel that I really really overpaid for the n97 mini.
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Its making the N97, N97 Mini and X6 look very much overpriced.
clonmult
Quote:
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Originally Posted by Rafe
These phones are about the mid-tier. As such the pricing is the key. They are about making the messaging solutions more affordable to more consumers.
Processors, RAM etc are not the point. Those waiting for something in the high end will have to be patient a little while longer... I'd also point out the fact these are becoming 'solution phones' the software services that they come with are at least as important selling points (maybe more so) than the hardware. Really I see these handsets building on the success of the E63 and 5800 respectively. |
But now, you've got the 5230, 5530, 5800, X6, C6, N97 and N97 Mini all sharing *exactly* the same hardware base, ram and screen resolution. Which is utterly ridiculous. It makes some sense on economies of scale, but absolutely no sense whatsoever, as the price difference between the various models is as artificial as the markups Apple charge for the 16/32/64gb variants.
Symbian is not high end now, thats intended for Maemo/Meego. But then there aren't necessarily that many truly high end phones out there right now. N900, a couple of the WM/Android devices, thats it.
Unregistered
They get it flipped!!!! They put 128MB RAM on the S60v5 device, where it needs RAM the most, and they put 256MB on the S60v3 device, where 128MB is more than sufficient. What's wrong with these ppl?!?!
Unregistered
Quote:
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Originally Posted by clonmult
Symbian is not high end now, thats intended for Maemo/Meego. But then there aren't necessarily that many truly high end phones out there right now. N900, a couple of the WM/Android devices, thats it.
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