This a different looking and feeling cell phone. It is designed to be carried around with ease and features an antenna-free outer casing. The 4.5 x 1.3 x 0.8 inch horizontal slider doesn't even have a display. Instead you use the rotator wheel to select the numbers. It's much easier to sync over your contacts by using the Bluetooth connection and included software. It even has a hidden VGA camera and you can check your hair or makeup with the teeny but high resolution mirrored LCD. An FM radio and voice activation round out the higher end perks. The unmarked buttons takes some time to get used to but the price might just push everyone away.


Features
The Nokia 7280 has a healthy 1,000-name phone book with room in each entry for five phone numbers; Web, street and e-mail addresses; and notes, while the SIM holds an additional 250 contacts. You can add voice tags to your contacts and organize them into caller groups or for caller-ID purposes, as well as pair them with a picture or any of 50 polyphonic ring tones. Other offerings include a vibrate mode, text and multimedia messaging, an alarm clock, a calendar, a to-do list, a notepad, and a voice recorder. Workaholics can choose from a speakerphone that's activated after you make a call, Bluetooth, an infrared port, and PC synchronization. You also get a WAP 2.0 wireless Web browser, but it's hardly viewable on the tiny display.
The 7280's VGA camera takes photos in only 640x480 resolution, but you can make other adjustments, such as choosing between Standard, Portrait, and Night picture modes and High, Normal, and Basic image-quality settings. You also can use the self-timer and a zoom, as well as elect to use the shutter sound or a silent option. Shots were about what we expected for a phone of this caliber--nothing you'd want to display but good enough for on-the-go snaps. When finished with your pictures, you can send them to your friends or save them to the phone's generous 50MB of shared memory. Disappointingly, you can play videos you download to the mobile, but there's no recording capability.
An expected bonus on the 7280 was the integrated FM radio. To listen, you need a headset that also acts as the antenna; you also get 20 presets. The handset can be personalized with a variety of themes, screensavers, wallpaper, color schemes, and sounds. If you get bored with those, you can download more options. You don't get any games, but they wouldn't be worth playing on the diminutive display; more to the point, there's no Java support.

The good about Nokia 7280
Strong assortment of features, including Bluetooth and speakerphone; VGA camera and FM radio; solid call quality; world phone.

The bad
Alternative design won't appeal to everyone; controls require a learning curve; small display; nonreplaceable battery; no Java support; video playback only.

What can be used for
Making calls; sending messages; taking pictures.

Who can use it
Fashionistas and anyone who wants to stand out when they're on the phone.

Business use
This mobile's Bluetooth, calendar, speakerphone, and messaging capabilities will benefit the business-minded.

Essential extras
Headset; car charger; travel charger; Bluetooth headset; wired headset; image viewer.