With the 6700 Classic, it is clear that Nokia has gone back to basics.  To follow up the Nokia 6300 was always going to be a difficult sell. To once again marry high end looks to a mid-range price tag with the 6700 is a bold and confident decision, and one which will doubtlessly be reflected in  the handset’s imminent success!

Design and Specs

Straight out of the gate, the Nokia 6700 is well built. The entire device is a gorgeous and understated design coated in chrome, and whilst it readily welcomes all manner of fingerprints, the device feels reassuringly sturdy and comes across as more than a little luxurious.

The 6700 Classic’s four row alphanumeric keypad is etched into the chrome body itself, above which is a d-pad with ‘call’, ‘end’ and two menu option keys nestled on either side. All very much a case of ‘if it ain’t broke,’ the phone’s design takes a many cues from that of the 6300.

Business as usual is an understatement when referring to the 6700’s user interface, as that familiar Nokia menu stares right back when the ‘menu’ key is depressed.  Almost identical to any Nokia you have seen in the last few years, those rows of icons on the S40 loadout will be as welcoming as warm slippers.

The 2.2” TFT screen might make them more visually appealing than you remember, but it is very much business as usual and an antidote to the bewildering interface many touch screen phones offer.

This old dog has learned a few new tricks, however, with a bunch of shortcut widgets which can be placed on the home screen for one button access to frequently used features.

Meaty specifications are in the offing with this handset, stopping short of Wi-Fi, but giving 3G connectivity, Bluetooth v2.1 and 1GB of memory as standard from a memory card. Assisted GPS with Nokia Maps is an impressive addition, but the real head turner is the addition of a 5 megapixel autofocus camera, eclipsing the 2 MP lens found on the 6300.

 With support for VGA video recording at 15 fps and an LED flash, the 6700 Classic is about offering just as much style as substance in an appealing and compact device.

The media player is functional, the workmanlike interface allowing a variety of formats to be played. Unfortunately, we’re back on the proprietary headphones as the 6700 does not have a headphone jack to get our own stuck in there. A bit of a shame in an otherwise strong handset, specs-wise.

Calling and Connectivity

The trip down memory lane continues as the messaging and calling options remain largely unchanged from phones of old. An unfortunate side effect is the amount of rubbing on a shirt sleeve after a call, as natural oils from the hands and face only serve to smudge the immaculate chrome finish. There is a model in matte black if this stands to be too much of an issue, however...

Web browsing has come a long way from WAP but the size of the 6700’s screen hasn’t, meaning that you have to get your magnifying glass out, as well as a lot of hammering on the d-pad to scroll across lines of text. The 3G connectivity brings up a page at an acceptable speed, but it is of little use apart from occasional casual browsing.

Verdict

If you want a no-nonsense handset that you’ll still be proud to put on the table at parties, then the 6700 Classic is a perfect choice. No surprises in the navigation, a great price, tons of useful features and echoes of the high-end Vertu range make the Nokia 6700 Classic a phone that phone that is a lot more than the sum of its parts.