Having seen the Sharp GX22, the Nokia 6220, which is the world's first Edge-enabled mobile phone, pales in comparison. The screen is about a third of the GX22's screen size and the resolution at 128x128 pixels is poor. The quality of the integrated speaker is also tinny, so full volume is not recommended.
At 92 grams, it is lighter and smaller than the clamshell GX22, but the compromise is clearly in the size of the display.
Sold exclusively by CSL, the Nokia 6220 is enabled to work on Edge (enhanced data rate for global evolution) networks, a service CSL does not have plans to launch soon.
According to a CSL spokesperson, the company will roll out its Edge network in phases in Hong Kong when it sees demand but now its general packet radio services (GPRS) network is not utilised at full capacity yet. To stimulate demand for data services, CSL has slashed its GPRS service plans dramatically to HK$49 for a megabyte of free usage.
This means that the video services from CSL's 1010 Video World programme will be transmitted on its GPRS network. GPRS speed is typically about 40 kilobits per second. Edge networks will operate at 118 kbps.
As Edge is a greater enabler of multimedia, it is doubly disappointing that Nokia had designed its Edge-enabled phone with such a low-resolution display. The backlighting is poor, so anything on the small screen cannot be seen after stepping out into the full glare of the summer sun.