Nokia 6111 review

Texting is straightforward and the keypad is easy to use. The SMS application uses the updated T9 text input system, which provides a better predictive text service and allows you to change language halfway through a text. Another new but small change is the addition of a message log. This records the numbers that text messages have been sent to and how many SMS and MMS have ever been sent.

The camera has a 6x digital zoom, night mode and a mirror for taking self portraits. The flash is not very powerful, but can be helpful when you're taking close-up shots at night. You can also shoot three-minute video clips, but again you may be restricted by the limited internal memory.

The camera can be operated with the slide open or shut. In landscape mode, with the phone turned on the side, you can use the full 35mm of the screen and this makes using the phone more like using a digital camera. The dedicated shutter button makes using the camera easier and quicker because you don't have to navigate to the camera application in the menu -- pressing the button starts it automatically. 

The 6111 supports Visual Radio, which should be available soon in the UK through O2 and Virgin Radio. This will enable you to hear music and see information about artists and songs through the handset. It also has a regular FM radio that works via the headphones, which have a useful volume control halfway up the cable, but are too round to fit comfortably in the ears.

The 6111 also has a WAP 2.0 wireless Web browser, email access (IMAP4, POP3 and SMTP), a speakerphone, text and multimedia messaging, a voice recorder, a calculator, nine speed-dial numbers, voice dialling and an organiser with calendar, a to-do list, notes, calculator, countdown timer and stopwatch. You can also assign themes and personalised wallpapers, along with screensavers that turn on when the phone is idle.

Performance
The audio on calls can be quiet and you may find yourself asking people to speak up. The speakerphone works well and the headphones provide good audio. You can also use a Bluetooth headset -- we had no problems in maintaining a connection with this. The battery lasts around five to six days on standby, and Nokia quotes two to three hours' talk time. 

Even though the phone has a 1-megapixel camera, photos are blurry and distorted. They look worse when they are viewed full size.

Edited by Mary Lojkine
Additional editing by Kate Macefield