Nokia 6110

In a nutshell:
A compact alternative to the Nokia N95, the 6110 Navigator is the best GPS-equipped mobile phone we've seen yet. Whilst the 2 megapixel camera disappoints, the 6110 offers almost everything else: a music player, an FM radio, loads of memory, HSDPA, quadband and Bluetooth. This should be top of the list for anyone seriously interested in a GPS-equipped phone.

The Nokia N95 was Nokia's best-selling smartphone of 2007, and now here comes a second smartphone with built-in GPS navigation: the 6110 Navigator.

The 6110 is a nicely finished slide phone that's more compact than its big brother, the N95, but surprisingly a little heavier. It's definitely a lot more refined than the N95 in the looks department, and we prefer the keypad too, even though the top row of keys are slightly awkward to access if you have large fingers. There are dedicated keys for the Navigator (GPS), the camera, a Symbian application launcher key, and a customisable "My Own" key. As well as a rear-facing video camera, there's a front -facing main camera with a sliding lens protector. The first impressions are very much of a phone that has been carefully thought out and is both nice to look at and nice to hold.

The GPS feature is the main reason for choosing the 6110, and we have to say that we like it a lot. In fact it's a better implementation of a GPS system than in the N95. By pressing the dedicated Navigator key you can quickly get into the application, and finding a location is simplicity itself (you can enter a street address, postcode, or a business name) and fast too. UK & Ireland maps are pre-installed on the memory card supplied and the large 2.2 inch QVGA display shows your location very clearly. Turn arrows are clearly displayed to guide you turn-by-turn to your destination, and voice guidance is also available (recommended for driving.)

As well as basic maps and directions, the system also includes points of interest, such as restaurants, petrol stations and sites. You can access the maps and points of interest quickly using the Navigator key even if you haven't programmed a destination. In addition, there are optional subscription services available, such as traffic reports, weather forecasts and travel guides. The Nokia Map Manager software (included) lets you manage and transfer additional maps to and from your PC. Another novel and useful feature is the ability to send a location map (with directions) via MMS - useful for finding people, or helping them find you! Overall, the Navigator's GPS system is very impressive and works well, within the limitations of a mobile phone. One advantage that the 6110 has over conventional GPS systems is that it uses assisted GPS (APGS), which combines information from the satellite and the mobile phone network to improve its location-finding ability. Neat! We'd be dishonest if we suggested that the 6110 can match the ease-of-use of a TomTom, and the best use of the 6110 is probably for pedestrians. You'll certainly find it very useful when out and about on foot.

In conclusion, the Nokia 6110 Navigator is a very nicely designed and compact smartphone. Its GPS implementation is the best we've seen, and most features that we'd like to see are included. The camera is a bit of a disappointment, but you can't have everything! Apart from the camera and the lack of a WiFi connection, it offers virtually everything that the N95 has, but at a substantially lower price. I'd recommend it!