It wasn't that long ago that T-Mobile USA launched Nokia's venerable 5230 as the
Nuron, but you've got to admit -- with a mug only a mother could love, Nokia owed it to itself to get cracking on a prettier replacement. On that note, we've got a shot of an alleged model 5250 today, sporting the same button configuration as the 5230; considering the gargantuan bezel, we're figuring on a smallish screen, which points to the low end of the touchscreen spectrum -- right where a proper 5230 successor would belong. Thing is, we'd figured Nokia was moving away from the four-digit naming convention for its smartphones altogether -- in other words, we'd expect this new device fit somewhere between the
C5 and
C6 -- so it's unclear whether this is real and represents a current, non-canceled model in the product pipeline. It's not going to turn any heads, of course -- but if Nokia were able to push this for something crazy like $120 off contract, it'd be hard to ignore.
posted August 9th 2010 9:41PM
@hary536 current 5230 doesn't have wi-fi
Lovely headline.
The giant bezel, large buttons and logo make it seems like this phone (if real) is significantly smaller than the 5800/5230. Maybe the size of an Xperia X10 mini?... That would be the only explanation to me.
Damn nokia needs to revamp their os GUI it's ugly...
Looks pretty nice. The small screen stands out, but this is probably one of the cheapest smartphones out there. If it would come with S3 I would choose this over the low end Androids.
looks to me like a 5530 replace . the screen is way too small ,
Breaking news, Engadget hating on Nokia.
Big shocker, Ziegler.
Come on, Nokia Fighting PR Brigade, even you cats have to admit that THAT is one *busted* looking phone. I mean, DAMN, cover that thing with a bag.
@Johnny Tremaine
No, No, you see, you don't need to cover this phone to make calls :D
@Johnny Tremaine
what device under $200 do you suggest?
@christexaport
On T-Mobile USA, as per the article, under $200? The Samsung Vibrant (Galaxy S variant) for $199? Also, the MyTouch slide for $179 and the Motorola Cliq for...$99, all Androids cheaper than this Nokia.
If anything, the Nokia should be FREE on contract, right out of the gate.
after using a capacitive screen,i find using the 5230 rather annoying
does it have wifi
awesome gr8 design
go nokia
Who really cares that the price is $120 instead of $200 after you figure you're paying $60 to $100/month for voice, text and data anyway? I know people say the initial price matters but I really don't think it does. Next to a top-end smart phone at $200, the only other price point that would get my attention is FREE, but even then I don't think I'd get a weaker device once I'm paying for data every month.
@appsman
That's maybe the case for you in the U.S. I'm pretty heavy on the voice side and my data plan is flatrate and I can't rack up more than 30€/mo (about 40 US$).
I'm also considering the 5230 for my daughter. She racks up a whopping 7€/month (10-years old). So yes, the price is an issue in a large part of the world (we're not the cheapest country for mobile).
@appsman aren't those "simpler" phones going with cheaper plans? (you know, the plans everyone wished the kin would be on?)
if not: your telcos simply suck you dry :)
@user47alpha I'm afraid not with ATT (for sure) and Verizon. In the US AFIAK data is data no matter how crappy your phone is. Verizon would have had to make a special new plan for the Kin. The fact that they didn't was a big reason why it was killed.
I actually like that phone, not everyone needs a smartphone and this is a pretty good compromise.
I've still got a Nokia 5800. Bought it under $200 unlocked off contract. Gets by with the $10 data plan. Multitasks just fine, excellent music phone, has wifi tethering and worldwide maps without requiring a data connection (which is great when we're traveling in Canada and Europe where roaming data use would be ridiculously expensive).
Sure it's underpowered compared to current smart phones, but I value a $10 data plan, wifi tethering, and downloaded maps much more than a modern smart phone with all the apps in the world but that can't provide these basics (or only at a *much* higher cost).
@mw60
The 5800 really is a great phone. For being underpowered compared to these other 1gz phones, the OS feels pretty quick; multitasking isn't too bad; and 3g loads up my web pages pretty fast. Plus I'm saving about $180 a year and getting unlimited data.
The 5230 wasn't the pretties in town, but it was one of the most capable phones for a very very modest price. And this one (5250) has a look very similar to the X6, which is one of the prettiest I have seen.