Nokia 6555 review: 3G with a flip

Key features

• Stylish slender clamshell
• High-quality 2-inch QVGA 16M color TFT display
• Comfortable keyboard
• UMTS and EDGE support
• microSD memory card support up to 4 GB
• Good music player
• Bluetooth 2.0 with A2DP profile
• microUSB connector and 2.5mm jack

Main disadvantages

• Shiny surfaces suffer fingertips
• Loose hinge and the "cracking" back cover
• Only 1.3 megapixel camera with rather basic interface
• Memory card slot under the battery
• No FM radio
• No video calls support
• microUSB port is still not widely popular
• No headphones and memory card in the retail package

Nokia 6555

Nokia 6555 is a midrange 3G-enabled handset, joining the clamshell ranks of the Finnish company. The form factor inevitably brings back memories of the likeable push-to-open Nokia 6131. Nokia 6555 lacks the auto-open functionality but the 3G support is one of the strong points of this stylish clamshell.

Nokia 6555 in hand • tall but comfortable

Beautiful Phone

The first thing about Nokia 6555 to sure make an impression is its elongated silhouette. Compared to 6131, Nokia 6555 is 8 mm taller and 4 mm narrower, keeping the same thickness. The actual dimensions are 99.6 x 44.3 x 19.6 mm, at a weight of 97 g. We are testing the black variety, but Nokia 6555 is also available in sliver, red and beige. The colors only vary on both the front and rear framing; the middle glossy sections on the face and the back of the handset are always black. Enclosed in handsome chrome-colored accents, they do contribute to the stylish looks and feel of the device, but are critically prone to fingerprints.

Official pictures of the other color versions

The phone is all made of plastic. Those expecting elite expensive materials could be disappointed but after all it's a midrange handset, which by the way looks above its class. The glossy finish and the mirror external display are nicely highlighted by the chrome accents, which do enhance the elongated shape of Nokia 6555.

We couldn't help reminisce of the KRZR K3, which is a true looker. The 6555 is another Nokia clamshell, along with the N76, to feature a chin at the foot of the lower flip in the style of the Motorola RAZR bunch and its offshoots. In Nokia 6555 the chin is reclined to match the etched end of the flip, giving the handset its sharp profile in both open and closed position.

Nokia 6555 all around • not slim at all • a-la-Motorola chin

A cushion for the flip below the keypad • Nokia 6555 is a tall clamshell

Three connectors are placed at the sides of the handset. At the bottom on the right is the charger plug, while the 2.5 mm headphone jack is at the top. The microUSB port is on the left, along with the lanyard eyelet. The side of the flip features the dedicated camera key and the volume rocker. The whole threesome offers good elevation and tactility.

Volume and shutter keys on the flip • microUSB port • 2.5 mm headset jack

The whole rear panel is the battery compartment cover. It features the same chrome-colored accents as the front and, when the flip is open, the chrome lines join in one oblong shape. The battery cover removes easily, but could've been a lot more solid. A little extra pressure will result in audible creaks. Underneath is the reasonably capable 1020 mAh Li-Ion battery, quoted at 300 hours in stand-by and 390 minutes talk time.

Chrome accents join in open position

Under the battery are the SIM bed and the microSD card slot. The memory card is not hot-swappable; the handset has to power off before inserting or removing the card. Nokia 6555 supports microSD cards of up to 4 GB capacity, but none is shipped with the handset.

The entire rear panel gets removed • in the hinge area the handset looks sliced off

Conclusion

The midrange clamshell Nokia 6555 offers standard equipment and above-its-class elegance. Other than the looks, the two quality screens and the comfortable keypad are indisputable advantages. As to functionality, there are no surprises. But then, the price tag promises none. The downright drawbacks are the lack of FM radio, the 1.3 megapixel camera and the thrifty retail box.

Today's market seems flooded with handsets of similar functionality, so Nokia 6555 is in for a challenge. The clamshell design and the attractive looks will be the key features to set it apart. Even inside the Nokia family, it will be facing serious competition. Nokia 6131 continues to enjoy good demand, while 6267 offers a 2MP camera with LED flash, music player controls on the flip, video calling, VGA video recording and FM radio. It does lack however the finesse of Nokia 6555.

Nokia 6267: better equipment, less style

Nokia 6555 is already available in all of its color versions. Maybe underpowered here and there, Nokia 6555 still has the attraction of affordability, style and 3G.