If you just want a basic phone that is dependable for messaging and calls, then take a look at the Nokia 1680. It’s a pretty decent phone for casual users.

The Nokia 1680's design has the standard candy bar and easy-to-use form. It also comes in a slim package measuring a thin half inch and weighs a light 3 ounces. Phone display like any other on the phone is a basic 1.75-inch display that supports 64,000 colors. Menu is icon-based which makes it simple and user friendly for new cell phone users. Font size and color are the only ones that you can change in the menu.

Navigation array consists of a navigation toggle and a large button in the center as confirmation key. It is spacious and has tactile features; however, the navigation toggle is bit slippery. You can also use the toggles as shortcut keys for four frequently accessed applications. There are also two soft keys for Menu and Options as well as the Talk and the End/Power button. All of the keys in the navigation array are covered in a rubbery material except for the navigation toggle. There could have been a back/clear button in the navigation array which is missing on this phone.

The keypad is very tactile but somehow stiff. Spacing between keys is a problem but when it comes to dialing, it is relatively trouble free. Composing text messages however is a bit difficult because of the stiff keys so you might want to give it a try first before purchasing this handset. Keypad is built with a bright backlight so you will not have any problems accessing the keys in a dark environment.

The Nokia 1680 does not have a dedicated volume rocker on either spine of the phone so you will need to take it off from your ear during the call to adjust the volume using the navigation toggle. This is somewhat inconvenient because you lose a certain amount of talk time. On the right spine of the phone, you will find a charger port and a 2.5 mm headset jack only. A 3.5 mm headset jack could have made it better but the phone is not built for music so headset size is acceptable. On the phone’s back panel are the camera lens and self-portrait mirror. Located at the upper right corner of the back is a single speaker.

This phone is mainly built for calling. You can store up to 1,000 contacts, each with five phone numbers, an e-mail address, Web address, company name with job title, nickname, street address, birthday, and notes. You can have each contact assigned to a group or photo for caller ID. Assigning a personalized polyphonic ringtone to a contact is only available for groups. Basic features included are vibrate mode, speakerphone, alarm clock, calendar, to-do list, notepad, calculator, stopwatch, timer, currency and unit converter, voice recorder, expense manager, SMS/MMS, and Instant Messaging.

The 0.3 megapixel VGA camera can capture images in three different resolutions and three quality settings. Digital zoom is 4x, multi shot option, self-timer, and night mode to brighten up images. Images captured are of poor quality even though it is a VGA camera. They look blurred and washed out. You can record videos with the same editing options as the camera. 10-second clips are available for MMS.

Wallpaper, screensavers, font colors, themes and alert tones can be changed. You can download more options and ringtones through the phones WAP 2.0 wireless Web browser. There are demo games and you will have to purchase the full version for extended play.

The Nokia 1680 is only a dual band phone. In terms of call quality, it is alright. However, volume level is very low. You will have to bring the phone closer if you don’t want to miss anything from the conversation. On the other end of the line, the call quality is the same. Background noises are somewhat irritating as well as statics or interference. The speakerphone is not very good. Talk time is rated at 7 hours before charging and the standby time is excellent at 3 weeks.

The Nokia 1680 is good basic phone. It is very user-friendly and could be used by children or teens learning the ropes. Build quality needs more work, plastic casings and poor keypads give the impression of a low end phone. The Nokia 1680 is a perfect fit for budget phone seekers looking for an inexpensive phone that delivers all the basic functions of a cellphone.

UPC	1670
Brand	Nokia
Model	Nokia 1680 classic
Battery Type	Li - Ion
Battery Capacity	700 mAh
Battery Talk Time	7.60 hours
Standby Time	424 hours
GSM Bands	850/1900
CDMA Bands	N/A
Operating System	N/A
OS Version	N/A
Processor	N/A
Memory	N/A
Unveiled on	2 Apr 2008
Display Type	Color
Display Technology	TFT
Display Size	128 x 160 pixels
Display Colors	65 536
Display Physical Size	N/A
Display Features	N/A
Additional Display Type	N/A
Additional Display Size	N/A
Additional Display Colors	N/A
Additional Display Physical Size	N/A
Multiple SIM Cards Support	N/A
Design Form Factor	Candybar
Design of Antenna	Internal
Dimensions	4.25 x 1.80 x 0.60 (107,45,77 x 45,77 x 14,93 mm)
Weight	2.60 oz (73,63 g)
Global Roaming System	N/A
Accelerometer	N/A
GPS	N/A
TTY TDD Enabled	N/A
Camera and Video Camera Type	Built-in - Immobile
Camera and Video Camera Resolution	0.3 megapixels VGA
Camera and Video Camera Video Capture	Yes
Camera and Video Camera Flash	N/A
Camera and Video Camera Features	N/A
Camera and Video Camera More	N/A
Camera and Video Video Playback Protocols	N/A
Camera and Video Video Playback Features	N/A
Connectivity Data More	GPRS/EDGE
Data Max Speed	N/A
Internet Browsing Protocols	WAP 2.0, XHTML
Internet Browsing Features	N/A
Infrared Port	N/A
Bluetooth Version	N/A
Bluetooth Profiles	N/A
Bluetooth Features	N/A
Wireless LAN Type	N/A
USB Type	N/A
USB Version	N/A
Proprietory	N/A
SyncML	Yes
Computer Synchronization	N/A
HeadSet Jack 2 5mm	Yes
Head Jack 3 5mm	N/A
TV Out	N/A
External Antenna	N/A
Pop Port	N/A
Full Keyboard	N/A
Touch Screen	N/A
Side Keys Left	N/A
Side Keys Right	N/A
Predictive Text Input Support	N/A
Predictive Text Input Type	T9
Memory Expansion Slot Type	N/A
Memory Built in	32 MB
Message Text Send Receive	Yes
Message EMS	N/A
Message MMS	Yes
Message Instant Messaging More	Yes
Message Instant Messaging Services	N/A
Message E mail Protocols	IMAP/POP3/SMTP
Message E mail Features	N/A
Music AND Audio Music Player Protocols	N/A
Music AND Audio Music Player Features	N/A
Music AND Audio Radio	N/A
Music AND Audio FM Transmitter	N/A
Voice Dialing	N/A
Voice Commands	N/A
Voice Recording	Yes
Voice Speaker	Yes
Voice VoIP	N/A
Regulatory Approval SAR Head	1.23
Regulatory Approval SAR Body	0.60
Regulatory Approval SAR Measured in	1900 MHz
Polyphonic Rings Voices	24
Notifications Polyphonic Rings Features	MP3 ringtones
Vibration Alert	Yes
Alarm	Yes
Calendar	Yes
Calculator	Yes
TO DO	Yes
Stopwatch	N/A
Flashlight	N/A
Organizer Other	N/A
Document Viewer Support	N/A
Document Viewer Supported formats	N/A
Book Features	Caller groups supported
Book Capacity	1000
Book Multiple Numbers Per Contact	Yes
Book Picture ID	Yes
Book Ring ID	Yes
Personalization Faceplates	N/A
Personalization Profiles	Yes
Games	Downloadable
JAVA Profile	Midp 2.0
JAVA Configuration	N/A
Wireless LAN Support	N/A
Messaging E mail More	N/A
Software JAVA Support	N/A
Connectivity Internet Browsing Support	N/A
Connectivity Bluetooth Support	N/A
Connectivity USB More	N/A
Battery Talk time 3G	N/A
Battery Stand by time 3G	N/A
Battery Video call time	N/A
Battery Music playback	N/A
Battery Video playback	N/A
Battery Gaming	N/A
Battery GPS usage	N/A

The Nokia 1680 Classic is a Dual-Band phone that does away with unnecessary options. Simplifying the essence of a phone, this is perfect for somebody new to cell phones. There is a very convenient navigation key in the middle of the phone between the screen and the keypad, this lets you fly around the menu system with ease. There is also a VGA camera that will let you takes pictures in a fabulous 640x480 resolution.