Nokia 6301 Cell Phone - Design and layout

The 6301 is fractionally thicker than the 6300 - presumably to accommodate the Wi-Fi hardware - but otherwise is almost identical in appearance. It feels comfortable in my larger (and clumsier) than average hand, but is certainly no brick at 4.2" x 1.7" x 0.5". The button arrangement offers no surprises, consisting of a standard square four-way toggle with a central OK button, which is  surrounded by the talk and end buttons and two user-definable soft keys.

Below this arrangement, the main keypad is just about spacious enough for larger fingers to use comfortably. Slightly larger keys would have been welcome, but Nokia have used all the available space, and it is understandable that they wouldn't have wanted to expand the overall size of the phone. The individual keys have a firm responsiveness when pressed, leaving you in no doubt that your command has been received.

Above the toggle is the 6301's crowning glory, on the outside at least. The display is truly a thing of beauty, its sharpness almost - but not quite - wasted on a phone. You would be happy to look at your photos on it despite the small size, and graphics look uniformly brilliant, with excellent color reproduction across the spectrum.

Otherwise, the phone has few other controls; just a rocker located on the right hand side for in-call volume adjustments, and a browser button on the top. Like the keys, these controls feel natural and positive to use. Overall the 6301 looks and feels just like a piece of high quality hardware should, maintaining the standard set by the 6300 and leaving certain other Nokias of recent vintage in the shade.

Next: Why Wi-Fi? >>
 

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