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Nokia 6510
Nokia 6510
from Wikipedia
Nokia 6510
Top: An image depicting a gold Nokia 6510 streaming an update. Bottom: A real-life photo of a Nokia 6510 in red.
ManufacturerNokia
Availability by region2002
Discontinued2005
PredecessorNokia 8265 (6510)
Nokia 8265i (6500)
Nokia 8280 (6590)
Nokia 8280i (6590i)
SuccessorNokia 6100 (6510)
Nokia 6108 (6500)
Nokia 6610 (6590)
Nokia 6610i (6590i)
RelatedNokia 8310
Compatible networksGSM 900/1800
Dimensions97×43×20 mm (3.82×1.69×0.79 in), 67 cc
Weight84 g (3 oz)
BatteryStandard, 750 mAh Li-Ion (BLB-2)
DisplayMonochrome graphic, 96 x 65 pixels, 5 lines
ConnectivityGPRS, Infrared port

The Nokia 6510 is a mobile phone launched in the first quarter of 2002.[1]

It was an improved version of the Nokia 8310.[citation needed] It featured a higher resolution screen with teal, instead of white, backlit illumination, and blue keypad illumination. It also featured several new applications, such as the electronic wallet, used to store password protected information, and an upgraded calendar.

As a business-oriented product, it incorporated a more restrained look, although the covers were interchangeable with the 8310.

Variants

[edit]
  • 6500 (type NHM-7) - Asia-exclusive variant with a flip cover for the keypad. Shares the same type code and lower-resolution 84x48 screen with the 8310.[2]
  • 6590/6590i (type NSM-9NX) - North American version of the 6510 with different bands. The 6590i is the revised version of the 6590.

References

[edit]
[edit]
Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia
from Grokipedia
The Nokia 6510 is a compact candybar-style GSM mobile phone developed by Nokia, announced on November 20, 2001, and released in the first quarter of 2002 as an improved, business-oriented successor to the Nokia 8310. Measuring 97 x 43 x 20 mm and weighing 84 grams, the device featured a durable plastic body available in multiple colors, including black, white, and beige, with interchangeable covers for customization. Its monochrome STN display offered a higher resolution of 96 x 65 pixels compared to the 8310's 84 x 48 pixels, enabling clearer text and graphics for menus and messaging. Key features included a removable Li-Ion 830 mAh battery providing up to 210 minutes of talk time and 288 hours of standby, GPRS Class 4 for basic data connectivity, IrDA for infrared data transfer, and a WAP 1.2.1 browser with a built-in wallet application for secure online transactions. It supported SMS messaging with T9 predictive text input and storage for 150 messages, a phonebook for 500 contacts, FM radio, voice dialing, a recorder, alarm, calculator, and organizer functions, along with pre-installed games. No memory card slot or camera was included, reflecting its focus on essential voice and text communication in the pre-smartphone era. Under the codename "Ninja," the 6510 was marketed at the "Colours of Life" event as a stylish device for highly mobile professionals, blending business tools like and voice commands with personal amenities such as radio for . It contributed to Nokia's market dominance in the early by offering reliable performance and long battery life in a pocketable form factor, appealing to users seeking a balance of functionality and portability before the rise of multimedia phones.

History

Development

The Nokia 6510, internally codenamed "Ninja" and designated as type NPM-9, was developed as part of Nokia's expansion of its classic phone lineup in the early 2000s GSM market, where the company aimed to dominate the mid-range segment with durable, versatile devices appealing to both business professionals and lifestyle-oriented users. This development occurred amid Nokia's broader strategy to integrate emerging data services into reliable hardware, positioning the 6510 to bridge voice communication with nascent mobile internet capabilities while maintaining the robustness expected in business-oriented models. Building directly on the Nokia 8310, the 6510 was engineered as an iterative upgrade, retaining the predecessor's distinctive curved form factor for ergonomic portability while enhancing internal components to support GPRS for faster data transmission. Key engineering decisions focused on improving screen visibility through a higher-resolution display with a pastel blue LED backlight, making it better suited for personal information management and browsing tasks in varied lighting conditions. Additionally, developers incorporated an integrated mobile wallet application compliant with the ECML standard, enabling secure storage of personal data for mobile commerce transactions over WAP sites, in anticipation of growing e-commerce adoption on mobile devices. The phone was announced on November 19, 2001. This announcement underscored Nokia's emphasis on options, such as interchangeable Xpress-on covers, to appeal to users seeking a blend of style and practicality in the competitive landscape.

Release

The Nokia 6510 was announced on November 19, 2001, as part of Nokia's expansion of its classic phone lineup with a focus on style and functionality. The device was positioned as a offering, blending high performance for business users with compact design suitable for . It became available for shipping in the first quarter of 2002, marking Nokia's continued push into the growing global mobile market. Launch pricing in was set in the mid-range segment, reflecting its appeal as an accessible yet feature-rich device for professionals and consumers. The was followed by regional variants, such as the Asia-specific Nokia 6500 announced on the same day and the North American Nokia 6590/6590i in 2002. Marketing campaigns highlighted the phone's , sleek pocket-friendly form, and WAP-enabled features tailored to the "" needs of mobile professionals, emphasizing personalization through interchangeable Xpress-on covers in various colors. Nokia promoted it as a stylish evolution of its classic category, combining reliability with fashion-forward elements to attract business users seeking usability on the go.

Design

Physical characteristics

The Nokia 6510 features a compact factor measuring 97 × 43 × 20 mm and weighing 84 g. The device was available in colors including , black, and white, with support for interchangeable Xpress-on covers for customization. It includes a Mini-SIM card slot located under the battery cover. Charging and accessory connectivity are handled via Nokia's proprietary Pop-Port connector at the base of the device. The phone is powered by a removable Li-Ion battery (model BLB-2) with 750 mAh capacity, delivering up to 210 minutes of talk time and up to 288 hours (12 days) of standby time under optimal conditions.

User interface

The Nokia 6510 featured a graphic LCD display with a resolution of 96 × 65 pixels capable of showing five lines of text, providing enhanced clarity over the Nokia 8310's lower 84 × 48 pixel screen through a pastel blue backlight that improved low-light readability. The display supported dynamic font sizing and softkey icons for intuitive on-screen guidance during operation. Input and navigation were managed via a standard alphanumeric keypad with tactile feedback, including dedicated buttons for initiating calls (green send key), ending calls or powering off (red key), accessing the , phonebook, and profiles, as well as a four-way Navi-Key for scrolling through options and making selections. This setup allowed efficient text entry using predictive T9 input for messages and contacts. The menu system employed a hierarchical structure accessible by numeric shortcuts (e.g., pressing "1" for Messages or "4" for Settings), enabling rapid navigation without deep scrolling, while customizable go-to functions and speed dialing provided user-defined shortcuts to frequently used items like contacts or applications. indicators on the softkeys and standby screen further aided icon-based orientation for alerts such as battery status, signal strength, and unread messages. Alert notifications included 35 built-in monophonic ringtones, with options for downloadable tones via , and a vibration motor integrated into user-selectable profiles like Normal, Silent, Meeting, and Outdoor to suit different environments without relying solely on audible cues.

Features

Communication capabilities

The Nokia 6510 operated on networks in the 900 and 1800 MHz bands, providing dual-band support for voice and basic data services in and compatible regions. It incorporated GPRS Class 4 connectivity, allowing packet-switched data transfer with theoretical download speeds up to 36 kbps and upload up to 12 kbps, though practical speeds often reached around 24 kbps depending on network conditions. This enabled early mobile data applications, marking a step toward always-on on feature phones. It also supported IrDA for data transfer between compatible devices. For web browsing, the device featured a WAP 1.2 browser, which supported basic WML pages and bookmarks for up to 25 sites, facilitating simple navigation like accessing news or directory services over GPRS. Messaging capabilities centered on , with capacity to store up to 150 text messages in internal memory, organized into folders such as Inbox, Outbox, and ; it also supported picture messaging and included input via T9 for faster composition. The phonebook allowed storage of 500 contacts, each accommodating up to three phone numbers along with a name and optional text note, with options for voice dialing up to 10 entries. Call records tracked the 20 most recent dialed numbers, 10 received calls, and 10 missed calls, including timestamps and duration for billing awareness. In terms of voice communication, the Nokia 6510 offered monophonic ringtones with 35 preloaded options, customizable profiles, and vibration alerts for incoming calls. Hands-free functionality was available through compatible headsets, such as the Nokia HDC-5, enabling speakerphone-like operation during calls without holding the device.

Additional functions

The Nokia 6510 included an integrated wallet application designed for secure online transactions through its WAP browser, allowing users to store personal payment information such as details and card numbers in a protected format. This feature utilized the phone's security code for basic to safeguard sensitive data during activities, marking an early implementation of storage on devices. Beyond financial tools, the phone offered essential utilities including a for basic arithmetic operations, a for tracking reminders, meetings, birthdays, and calls, and an with customizable wake-up times. It also included a voice recorder for capturing short memos and a to-do list for . These applications were accessible via the main menu and supported simple organization without advanced synchronization features, catering to everyday personal management needs. An integrated FM radio allowed users to listen to broadcast stations using a compatible headset as an antenna. For entertainment, the Nokia 6510 came pre-installed with several games, notably Snake II—a multiplayer-capable version of the classic snake game via —and , a side-scrolling title. Additional pre-loaded games included Pairs II, a memory-matching puzzle, and Bumper, a pinball-style challenge, providing offline diversion during the era's limited mobile gaming landscape. The device featured customizable profiles to adapt audio settings to different environments, such as selecting ringtones, adjusting ringing volumes, and enabling vibrating alerts or silent modes for incoming calls and messages. Users could switch between profiles like Normal, Silent, or Meeting to prioritize discretion or audibility as needed. Memory management on the Nokia 6510 relied on fixed internal storage without support for expandable cards, allocating space dynamically for up to 500 contacts (with name, number, and text fields) and 150 text messages organized into folders like Inbox and Sent. This shared memory system required users to periodically delete items to maintain availability for new entries, reflecting the hardware constraints of early feature phones.

Variants

Standard variants

The Nokia 6510 base model, identified by the type designation NPM-9, incorporated a standard graphic display measuring 96 x 65 pixels with support for GPRS connectivity, enabling basic mobile internet access through WAP 1.2.1. The Nokia 6510i was a minor firmware-updated variant with optimizations for performance, using the same BLB-2 Li-Ion battery rated at 830 mAh. The phone was offered primarily in a casing, though limited editions in select markets included or color options via interchangeable Xpress-on covers, allowing users to customize the exterior without altering core hardware. for the Nokia 6510 came in multiple versions, starting with early releases that addressed initial bugs in WAP functionality and connectivity stability; later updates, such as v4.21, were available for installation at authorized Nokia service centers to enhance overall performance. Accessories for the Nokia 6510 were compatible with other devices in the 65xx series, including headsets like the Nokia HDC-9 and car kits such as the CARK 134, utilizing the shared 2 mm power connector and data cable interfaces.

Regional adaptations

The Nokia 6510 featured regional adaptations primarily through variations in supported to ensure compatibility with local networks. The standard European version operated on dual-band 900/1800, enabling seamless use across most European countries with integrated WAP 1.2.1 browsing capabilities. In Asian markets, Nokia released the 6500 as an exclusive variant (type NHM-7), incorporating a flip cover for keypad protection while maintaining core specifications like the lower-resolution 84x48 display shared with the related 8310 model; this adaptation catered to preferences for added durability in humid or dusty environments common in the region. For select exports to areas requiring broader compatibility, some Asian models included tri-band support with 1900, facilitating use in North American-influenced networks. North American adaptations came in the form of the 6590 (type NSM-9NX), which supported 1900 for compatibility with regional carriers, while the revised 6590i added 850 band support to cover additional U.S. and Canadian frequencies. To accommodate diverse users, the phone included pre-loaded multilingual menus supporting major European and Asian languages, with specific packs for non-English markets such as (with T9 input) and Chinese in and Asia-Pacific models. Regulatory adjustments ensured compliance with local standards, including a Specific Absorption Rate (SAR) of 0.81 W/kg for the European head measurement, meeting EU limits at the time. Emergency call features were configured for regional numbers, supporting 112 as the universal standard in and 911 for U.S. exports, allowing direct access without a . Packaging and user manuals were customized for local carriers, such as Vodafone-branded versions in with carrier-specific instructions and accessories.

Reception

Commercial success

The Nokia 6510 bolstered Nokia's position as the leading mobile phone manufacturer in the early , contributing to the company's global of 35.8% in amid a year of overall industry growth. Positioned in the mid-range segment, the device competed effectively against contemporaries like the T190 and S45, leveraging its compact design, GPRS data support, and robust build to appeal to users and everyday consumers. It performed particularly well in , where Nokia derived 54% of its net sales in , and in emerging markets such as , where the company's focus on affordable, durable handsets helped capture a burgeoning user base. The 6510's GPRS capabilities positioned it as an early data-enabled option in Nokia's portfolio, facilitating the industry's shift toward enhanced connectivity just as networks began gaining traction.

Critical reviews

Upon its release in 2002, the Nokia 6510 received generally positive reviews from technology outlets for its robust construction and practical features tailored to users. Mobile Review highlighted the phone's compact dimensions (97 x 43 x 20 mm, 84 g) and ergonomic design, noting that it offered a rich set of functions including FM radio, voice dialing, and a , while maintaining excellent battery life of up to four days with moderate use. The publication praised the intuitive software, dynamic font scaling for better readability, and overall reliability, positioning it as a strong successor to models like the with improvements such as a higher-resolution display. Critics, however, pointed to several shortcomings that made the device feel dated even at launch. The LCD screen (96 x 65 pixels) was frequently criticized as outdated compared to emerging color displays in competitors like the Sony Ericsson T68i, limiting visual appeal and multimedia potential. Additionally, the WAP 1.2.1 browser was hampered by slow GPRS speeds, leading to frequent crashes and poor usability for web access, as noted in user experiences shared on review aggregators. User feedback emphasized the Nokia 6510's exceptional durability, with many owners reporting it withstood drops, water exposure, and years of heavy use without failure, earning it high marks for build quality on platforms like GSMArena. Conversely, the small screen size drew complaints for making texting cumbersome, particularly for longer messages, though the T9 predictive text system mitigated some issues. In assessments, the 6510 is often celebrated in enthusiast circles for its straightforward and as one of the final standout models before the shift to color screens, with ongoing user praise for its no-frills reliability two decades later.

References

  1. https://lpcwiki.miraheze.org/wiki/Nokia_6510
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