Pleasing your ears with the Nokia 5510

24 January 2002
Written By Kinny Cheng



Nokia 5510
Take a closer look

Major Differences
  • Music player with 64MB memory
  • Built-in FM radio
  • Ability to record FM radio broadcasts using music players memory
  • New interface - with QWERTY keyboard for easier input
  • WAP
  • Voice dialling
Problems/Issues?
  • Slow response to keypresses
  • Keys on keyboard slightly too small
  • Issues with uploading music to the phone
  • Poor ambience from backlight
Sales package (should contain):  

Sales package

 1 x Nokia 5510 handset (NPM-5)

1 x 950mAh Li-ion Battery (BLC-2)

1 x dual headset (HDD-2)

1 x USB cable (DKE-2)

1 x audio cable (ADE-2)

1 x adaptor cable (ADA-2)

1 x charger (ACP-7A)

1 x Nokia 5510 software CD

1 x Nokia 5510 user manual

Overview


Although bursting with features and encompassing a unique design (especially its looks), the Nokia 5510 was one of the most disappointing Nokia phone that I have come to use since the 2110 was released many years ago. Based on the 3300-series platform, the 5510 have been loaded with too many features resulting in the phone reacting slowly to a users input - and being the biggest problem in my point of view.

On first receiving the 5510 sales package, I found the box to be slightly larger than that of other Nokia phones. This was because the phone is also somewhat bigger than a standard Nokia 3300-series phone. The contents of the sales package also included several cables, headset, battery, AC adaptor, and also a CD including the Nokia Audio Manager software to manage the audio files on the 5510.

The interface of the 5510 has been redesigned so that it can be used with greater ease and comfort when it comes to both sending text messages and playing the built-in games. Fitting the QWERTY keyboard onto the phone required it to be used in a horizontal fashion instead - having the display located on the middle of the phone. Although a new concept, I found the size of the keys on the QWERTY keyboard too small making it difficult to use (as my fingers are quite big). At the same time, trying to enter a phone number was also a hassle.

After turning on the phone, I found that it had trouble keeping up with my keypresses when the software began to lag. This problem becomes especially evident when a game (for example, Bumper) is played - where taps on the keypad are not responded to immediately - and whilst typing text messages (especially obvious if youre a fast with a keyboard!)

"Several buttons on the side of the phone makes it easier to activate the music player"
Putting all those problems aside, the phones MP3 player function is one of the 5510s selling feature. With 64MB of built-in memory, this would allow approximately two hours of near-CD quality to be uploaded to the phone. The built-in memory can also be used with the FM radio feature to record broadcasts. An additional socket has also been made available for the phone to be hooked up to an output device (such as a Hi-Fi). Several buttons on the side of the phone makes it easier to activate the music player - an alternative from having to go into the phones menu and doing it there instead!

Overall, the phone is very much similar to other Nokia 3300-series phones - including battery life, software interface design and menu navigation. Features, such as concatenated SMS messages and SMS chat, still stay as basic features. One of the major differences is a slightly bigger casing and heavier handset.

Although this phone boasts many unique characteristics, the choice to buy this phone really depends on individual tastes.
Major differences...

"Ability to record FM radio"

Music player with 64MB memory

The 5510 comes with 64MB (megabytes) worth of memory built into the phone. Approximately two hours of near-CD quality can be uploaded to the phone for playback using the USB cable provided in the sales package. The USB interface is a much faster option when it comes to connectivity compared to a serial interface. In addition, the 5510 is able to act as an output device where it can play its music on other headphones and hi-fi systems. The supplied battery can provide the music player with up to ten hours worth of musical enjoyment.

Built-in FM radio

On top of just listening to a compilation of music, an FM radio option allows a user to tune into popular radio stations to catch up with the latest hits, news and other broadcasts. The supplied battery on the 5510 can support the FM radio for up to 13 hours on a full charge.

Ability to record FM radio broadcasts and external audio using music players memory

Another use of the music players 64MB internal memory is the ability to record FM radio broadcasts received by the phones FM radio function. Broadcasts recorded can be played back later at the users will by simply playing the specific track that was used for that recording. It can also record audio from an external device (for example, CD player).


"Being turnes 90 degrees horizontally and a full qwerty keyboard" 

New interface - with QWERTY keyboard for easier input

The 5510 boasts a completely new user interface - with the phone being turned 90 degrees horizontally and a full QWERTY keyboard replacing the 1-to-zero, star and hash keys frequently found on phones. Benefits from such an interface includes being able to make text inputs faster (for example, writing SMS messages).

WAP

On top of just being able to play music, the 5510 can also login to the Internet through its WAP browser. The full QWERTY keyboard makes the WAP experience easier by having all the keys on the keyboard at your fingertips.

Voice dialling

Up to eight phone book entries can be set to have your voice initiate the call. Voice recognition on the 5510 has been improved compared to previous 3300 models.

Problems/Issues?

Keypad
"Slow response to keypresses"

Slow response to keypresses

Although this phone boasts certain new features that will appeal to some, the problem with lagging responses from the phones software is a major issue that needs to be rectified before anyone can really enjoy the benefits provided by the 5510. Nokia has tried putting too many things onto this phone - which is based on the design of the 3300-series phone, one that is supposed to have fewer functions than any other Nokia series phones.

Keys on keyboard slightly too small

For some (probably mostly men), trying to type using the QWERTY keyboard on the 5510 is a problem because the buttons are just not the right size. Using my thumb to type isnt the best way - but when youre holding the phone horizontally with both your hands, you dont really have a choice. I praise Nokia for designing this phone and putting it onto the market - but the QWERTY keyboard is something that I can do without. Using T9 to type is faster anyway!

Issues with uploading music to the phone

A problem with the Nokia Music Manager (the software supplied with the 5510 used to upload music files to the phone) is that it rejects music files that either have funny characters as filenames or have been encoded with a special bitrate option (for example, using VBR - or variable bitrate). When I tried adding such files to the phones playlist, it refuses to add them to the list and does not let you know what the problem is. An issue that I think that Nokia needs to look at.

Poor ambience from backlight

The backlight on the 5510 is comparatively poorer than those of other, more recent Nokia phones. In the dark, the backlight on the screen is as dim as that on the 8210 and ambience on the keyboard buttons are not evenly distributed - with some keys being brighter and others barely seeing any light at all. Although not as important as the other problems raised, its again something that needs to be investigated upon.

In Summary


The 5510 is a unique phone. Unfortunately, the cost outweighs the benefits - and is not really something that I would take around with me and use. Many may think its because of its funny looks (on the contrary, its a look that I find very unique!). But what I feel the problems are include its bulkiness, added weight, and usability in terms of speed and efficiency that gave it the thumbs down from me.

At the end of the day, I prefer to stick with something that responds to my actions near-immediately and more flexible and practical to use in all aspects.


Checklist
Key features 
Antenna Internal
Bluetooth
Colour variants Melody Blue*, Groove Red*
GPRS (General Packet Radio Service)
Infrared port
Internal phone book
 (up to 100 entries)
Internal modem
Keylock / keyguard
Manual + auto
Networks supported EGSM 900MHz, GSM 1800MHz
GSM 900/1800 MHz (dual-band)
Screen type and size Grayscale LCD with green backlight
(up to 6 lines of text)
SIM application toolkit
SMS (Short Message Service)
Speech codec(s) supported HR / FR / EFR (triple rate)
T9 predictive text input
Talk time / Standby time 150-270 mins* / 220-260 hours*
Vibrating alert
WAP (and version, if available)
Weight (and dimensions) 155 grams with supplied battery
(134 x 58 x 28 mm)
Secondary features
Business card exchange
Calculator
Calendar / Reminder function Reminder only
Call counters / timers
Call timer displayed during/after call
Caller group logos
Concatenated (long) SMS messages
Data counters / timers
Last dialled/received/missed calls
Operator logo support
Picture composer
Picture message support
Profiles
Ringtone composer / editor
Ringtones customised
(up to 7)
Screen saver
(plus animated)
SMS templates
Speed dials up to 8
(keys 2 thru 9)
Voice dialling
(up to 8 names)
Voice functions
Additional features 
Data storage
FM Radio Internal
(up to 13 hours on full charge*)
Games
(5 games)
MP3 Player

Internal
(up to 10 hours on full charge*)
Other features  (not listed above)
Nil
* As per manufacturers specifications (with supplied battery)

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