Exploring Nokia’s Iconic Feature Phones: 6100 to 6288

Nokia 6100, 6230i, 6300, 6120 Classic, 6280, 6288

English Definition

The Nokia 6100, 6230i, 6300, 6120 Classic, 6280, and 6288 are a series of iconic mid-range to entry-level feature phones and early smartphones released by Nokia between 2003 and 2007. Positioned for mainstream consumers, these devices blended reliable call/text functionality, compact designs, and targeted multimedia features (e.g., MP3 playback, cameras, Bluetooth connectivity) that defined Nokia’s dominance in the global mobile phone market before the smartphone era. The lineup catered to diverse user needs—from budget-friendly daily drivers to stylish devices with enhanced media capabilities.

Model Overview & Release Timeline

Model	Release Year	Launch Price (Approx. EUR)	Core Positioning
Nokia 6100	2003	180	Compact budget feature phone; focus on portability and basic connectivity
Nokia 6230i	2005	220	Enhanced media feature phone; upgraded camera and storage vs. 6230
Nokia 6300	2006	200	Premium metal-clad feature phone; sleek design with balanced multimedia
Nokia 6120 Classic	2007	250	Entry-level Symbian smartphone; first Nokia 3G smartphone in the 6-series
Nokia 6280	2005	280	3G slider feature phone; dual-camera for video calls and multimedia
Nokia 6288	2006	300	Updated 6280 with improved design and faster data speeds

Key Specifications by Model

1. Nokia 6100 (2003)

Category	Details
Display	128×128 pixels, 65K-color CSTN LCD; 1.8-inch diagonal; no backlight customization
Processor & Memory	Proprietary Nokia S30 chipset; 4 MB internal storage; no expandable memory
Camera	No built-in camera (key budget tradeoff)
Multimedia	Polyphonic ringtones (40-chord); FM radio (optional via headset); no MP3 playback
Connectivity	Bluetooth 1.1; GPRS Class 10 (4+1 slots, 32–48 kbps); infrared (IrDA); USB 1.1
Battery & Performance	820 mAh removable Li-ion battery; 3–4 hours talk time; 250 hours standby time
Build & Design	Compact candybar form factor; dimensions: 102×44×17 mm; weight: 85 g; interchangeable color covers (red, blue, silver)
Software & Features	Nokia Series 40 (1st Edition); SMS/MMS; WAP 2.0 browser; basic organizer (calendar, to-do list, calculator)

2. Nokia 6230i (2005)

Category	Details
Display	128×128 pixels, 262K-color TFT LCD; 1.8-inch diagonal; brighter output vs. 6230
Processor & Memory	Proprietary Nokia S40 chipset; 10 MB internal storage; microSD card slot (up to 2 GB expandable storage)
Camera	1.3 MP rear camera; 1280×1024 pixel resolution; digital zoom (4x); video recording (QCIF, 128×96 pixels)
Multimedia	MP3/AAC/AAC+ player; FM radio (stereo, with RDS); polyphonic ringtones (64-chord); video player (3GP/MP4)
Connectivity	Bluetooth 1.2; GPRS Class 10; EDGE Class 10 (236.8 kbps); infrared; USB 2.0 (pop-port)
Battery & Performance	970 mAh removable Li-ion battery; 4 hours talk time; 350 hours standby time
Build & Design	Candybar form factor; dimensions: 103×44×18 mm; weight: 99 g; metal-finish back panel; IP54 dust/splash resistance
Software & Features	Nokia Series 40 (2nd Edition, Feature Pack 1); WAP 2.0/xHTML browser; email client (POP3/IMAP4); voice recorder; mobile printing support

3. Nokia 6300 (2006)

Category	Details
Display	240×320 pixels (QVGA), 16M-color TFT LCD; 2.0-inch diagonal; sharp color reproduction and wide viewing angles
Processor & Memory	Proprietary Nokia S40 chipset; 7.5 MB internal storage; microSD card slot (up to 4 GB expandable storage)
Camera	2 MP rear camera; 1600×1200 pixel resolution; digital zoom (8x); video recording (QVGA, 320×240 pixels, 15 fps)
Multimedia	MP3/AAC/AAC+/WMA player; FM radio (stereo, RDS); video player (3GP/MP4); equalizer with preset sound profiles
Connectivity	Bluetooth 2.0 (A2DP for wireless stereo headsets); GPRS Class 10; EDGE Class 10; USB 2.0 (micro-USB, first in 6-series)
Battery & Performance	860 mAh removable Li-ion battery; 3.5 hours talk time; 340 hours standby time
Build & Design	Premium candybar form factor; stainless steel front/back panels; dimensions: 106.4×43.6×11.7 mm; weight: 91 g; ultra-slim profile for the era
Software & Features	Nokia Series 40 (3rd Edition, Feature Pack 2); full HTML browser; email client; instant messaging (IM); mobile tracker; flashlight (via screen)

4. Nokia 6120 Classic (2007)

Category	Details
Display	240×320 pixels (QVGA), 16M-color TFT LCD; 2.0-inch diagonal
Processor & Memory	ARM 11 369 MHz processor; Symbian OS v9.2, S60 3rd Edition, Feature Pack 1; 35 MB internal RAM; 128 MB ROM; microSD card slot (up to 8 GB expandable storage)
Camera	2 MP rear camera; 1600×1200 pixel resolution; digital zoom (4x); LED flash; video recording (QVGA, 30 fps); VGA front camera (for 3G video calls)
Multimedia	MP3/AAC/AAC+/WMA player; FM radio (stereo, RDS); video player (3GP/MP4); real player support for streaming media
Connectivity	3G HSDPA (3.6 Mbps); Bluetooth 2.0 (A2DP); Wi-Fi (no—key limitation); USB 2.0 (micro-USB); GPS (via Bluetooth external receiver)
Battery & Performance	890 mAh removable Li-ion battery; 3 hours 3G talk time; 250 hours standby time
Build & Design	Compact candybar smartphone; dimensions: 105×46×15 mm; weight: 89 g; glossy plastic body with chrome accents
Software & Features	Full smartphone functionality; multi-tasking; Symbian app store access; push email; VoIP support (via third-party apps); voice commands

5. Nokia 6280 (2005)

Category	Details
Display	240×320 pixels (QVGA), 262K-color TFT LCD; 2.0-inch diagonal (inner screen); 128×160 pixels, 65K-color TFT LCD (outer screen, 1.3-inch)
Processor & Memory	Proprietary Nokia S40 chipset; 8 MB internal storage; microSD card slot (up to 2 GB expandable storage)
Camera	2 MP rear camera (auto-focus, 1600×1200 pixels); VGA front camera (for 3G video calls); digital zoom (8x); video recording (QVGA, 15 fps)
Multimedia	MP3/AAC/AAC+ player; FM radio (stereo, RDS); video player (3GP/MP4); 3D sound enhancement
Connectivity	3G WCDMA (2100 MHz); Bluetooth 1.2; GPRS Class 10; EDGE Class 10; USB 2.0 (pop-port); infrared
Battery & Performance	950 mAh removable Li-ion battery; 3 hours 3G talk time; 250 hours standby time
Build & Design	Slide-out form factor; dimensions: 10 滑出式机身设计；尺寸：10 滑出式机身设计；尺寸：105×49×15 mm；重量：115 g；磨砂塑料机身，可选银 / 黑配色
Software & Features	Nokia Series 40 (2nd Edition, Feature Pack 3); WAP 2.0/xHTML browser; email client; push-to-talk (PTT) support; mobile gaming (Java MIDP 2.0)

6. Nokia 6288 (2006)

Category	Details
Display	240×320 pixels (QVGA), 16M-color TFT LCD; 2.0-inch diagonal (inner screen); 128×160 pixels, 262K-color TFT LCD (outer screen, 1.3-inch); brighter and more vibrant than 6280
Processor & Memory	Proprietary Nokia S40 chipset; 10 MB internal storage; microSD card slot (up to 4 GB expandable storage)
Camera	2 MP rear camera (auto-focus, 1600×1200 pixels); VGA front camera; digital zoom (8x); video recording (QVGA, 30 fps—upgrade from 6280’s 15 fps)
Multimedia	MP3/AAC/AAC+/WMA player; FM radio (stereo, RDS); video player (3GP/MP4); improved equalizer with 5-band customization
Connectivity	3G HSDPA (3.6 Mbps—upgrade from 6280’s WCDMA); Bluetooth 2.0 (A2DP); GPRS Class 10; EDGE Class 10; USB 2.0 (micro-USB—replaces pop-port)
Battery & Performance	950 mAh removable Li-ion battery; 3.5 hours 3G talk time; 280 hours standby time
Build & Design	Refined slide-out form factor; dimensions: 10 滑出式机身设计；尺寸：10 滑出式机身设计；尺寸：105×49×15 mm；重量：115 g；金属质感边框，可选黑 / 银 / 红配色
Software & Features	Nokia Series 40 (3rd Edition, Feature Pack 1); faster web browsing via HSDPA; improved email sync; Java gaming with 3D support

Core Common Features & Legacy of the Series

Nokia Series 40 DominanceMost models (except 6120 Classic) ran the Nokia Series 40 platform, a user-friendly feature phone OS known for stability, long battery life, and easy-to-navigate menus—key factors that made Nokia a household name.
Balanced Value PropositionThe lineup offered a tiered range of features at competitive prices, from the camera-less 6100 (budget) to the 3G-enabled 6288 (mid-range media). No model overpriced for its target audience, appealing to global markets from Europe to Asia.
Durability & Build QualityNokia’s signature robust construction was evident across the series—from the metal-clad 6300 to the splash-resistant 6230i—ensuring devices could withstand daily wear and tear.
Pioneering Early 3G & MultimediaThe 6280/6288 and 6120 Classic were among Nokia’s earliest 3G devices, bringing video calls and faster data to mainstream users. The 6230i and 6300 popularized MP3 playback and expandable storage in feature phones.
Legacy in the Pre-Smartphone EraThis series represents the peak of Nokia’s feature phone dominance before the iPhone and Android revolution. Models like the 6300 remain nostalgic favorites among tech enthusiasts for their sleek design and reliable performance.

Limitations of the Series

Outdated ConnectivityEarly models (6100, 6230i) used Bluetooth 1.1/1.2 with limited range and speed, and none of the feature phones supported Wi-Fi.

Limited Smart FunctionalityOnly the 6120 Classic was a smartphone (Symbian S60), but it lacked Wi-Fi and had limited app ecosystem growth compared to later iOS/Android devices.

Low-Resolution CamerasEven the top models (6288, 6300) had 2 MP cameras with poor low-light performance, a far cry from modern smartphone cameras.