Nokia 6131 Review

Great News Indeed!

For the SMS, try this: Menu/Messaging/Messaging Settings/Text messages. Set 'Use Packet Data' to No.

That will not use GPRS - see if that is faster. Also, this way if GPRS is down, your message will still go through. This is what I have set. If you really want to use GPRS packet data for text messaging, make sure it is set to 'always on'; that is not the default setting. You should see an E or G when your phone is on. Go to: Menu/Settings/Connectivity/Packet Data/Packet Data Connection. It is good to have this set to 'always on' in any case.

I assume the message takes a long time to get out of your phone. If that is not the case, then maybe it's the network in CA.

Let us know if it works for you.

 

Has anyone tried tethering their 6131 yet? When I originally set-up my phone for data I just downloaded the settings from Nokia and had no further issues, even with Opera-Mini or Google Maps. I signed up for a Media Max package and all of a sudden could not connect through anything, but the default web browser and ended up having to plug in manual settings for everything from web to MMS to e-mail and so on.

Well, I went to try to tether the phone and AGAIN got the "Subscribe to packet data" error message. UGH! I have not had any luck finding which setting I need to change to get this to work.

I am using PCSuite to use the phone as a modem to connect to the internet. Doing this previously with my 6682, I had no issues at all.

Any ideas on which data setting I am missing?

Thanks!

-Vapor03

 

Sorry, no help from me. That is one thing I don't use the phone for.

vf

 

I didn't used to either, but Google Maps works very well on this phone as well as Opera Mini. Between those and being able to check my e-mail on any of my POP3 accounts, I decided that I would try an unlimited data plan for a while.

 

well that I use all the time(email,google maps, etc) - I just don't use the phone as a modem for my pc.

 

Hi all,

Thanks again for your help a few days ago getting my MMS on my 6131 working. I am indeed able to send photos from my phone and they get auto-posted to my Flickr account, which is great! I also sent an MMS to another Cingular user's phone and that arrived fine as well.

Unfortunately, none of my SMS messages seem to be reaching their destination at all. Nobody is receiving them when I send them, regardless of their carrier.

I have my messaging and email settings from Nokia and since fixing things and getting MMS working I think that's set correctly. It doesn't matter if Packet Data is set to on or off; messages don't arrive either way.

Delivery status on undelivered text messages is listed on my phone as "Waiting".

What other settings might I check to fix this problem? Any ideas on how to fix this would be greatly appreciated, once again...

Thanks!

 

I'm finding the battery life on this phone (with my usage) very similiar to the 6230, as Charlyee found.

I top it off in the morning, but the battery is very far from dead. The thing is I don't talk for 3 hours on the phone (don't even to that with landlines), but I snap photos, SMS, check the phone a lot (or synch with outlook) and make half a dozen short calls a day . The battery is still full or 1 bar down. It only takes 30 minutes to a hour to top it off.

This is working out for me just fine. Love the camera (can even do sepia and BW), the screen display , and of course the Quad band.

I'm not finding the internal screen a problem either from dirt or scratches. The internal display quite clearly has some glass covering over it: it reflects specularly (mirror like), unlike my PC LCD which is flat matte in reflection. It does smudge, but normally it is not noticable, and certainly collects a lot less facial sweat than my V551. I think this is because it is recessed and the phone's flip angle. I haven't used the screen protectors I bought: for me that's like placing plastic on my furniture!

The audio quality is the best feature, and I'm starting to like flips. Text messaging is much better with the newer software on this phone too. It weighs nicely in my shirt pocket: the 6230 felt bulky there, and I would place in my pants pocket instead. Doesn't feel like it will fall out at all.

Unlike what some others have described, the voice recognition is working well for me, even without using the british accent, Who ever said that was necessary is crazy:loony: You only need to talk like a robot and it works fine! I do like that all my contacts have VR automatically now, not just 10.

These is all my opinions of course. I do wonder when and if I drop this phone how it will survive...but i don' t intend on testing that. On the down side, I do think that the shiny 'metal' parts of the phone bezel will not wear well with time, thereby taking away some of the sexy look of this phone.

IMO,,

vf

 

I don't know what to tell you: it works well for me. Even in Paris, SMS takes only a split secong to go through.

Under message settings have you chosen SMS Settings not Email Settings, for 'Message Centre in use' ?

Maybe it would help if you list the settings for us. Another possiblity is to call Cingular and ask for help...most nokia setting menus are the same.

Cingular has a web page to help with settings too. Just pretend you have a 6102 nokia or the like.

 

Also, for the SMS Settings, under Message settings/SMS settings, do you have the correct phone number? And yes, Packet Data must be set to 'NO'

I don't know if its different for part of the country, but mine is +13123149810, even though I'm in the 203 area code. NOTE below that former ATT use a different number

ie. go here https://onlinecare.cingular.com/support/knowledgeBase.do?content=KB64096.html

Verify the following settings:
Message Center number: Enter appropriate number
Default Recipient number: not defined
Use packet data: No


GSM and TDMA SMS message center numbers.

SUBJECT:
GSM and TDMA SMS message center numbers.

FACT:
GSM
TDMA

SYMPTOM:
Messaging-SMS

FIX:
Existing and New Cingular Wireless Customers:

The common message center number provisioned on all Cingular SIM cards nationally is +13123149810. Multiple Message Center Numbers are available for each region; however, each will function the same regardless of what is chosen. If there are problems using the national message center number, please contact Cingular customer care for an alternate number.

Former AT&T Wireless Customers:

All former AT&T Wireless Customers use +19703769301 nationally.

IMPORTANT: A plus "+" sign MUST precede the 11-digit message center number in order for SMS to function.

 

Hey guys, I'm new to this forum. You all seem like very nice and informative people. Glad to see all of the detailed reviews/comments on the 6131 because I ordered an unlocked 6126 (U.S. version of the 6131) from amazon.

I'm a little worried if it's even going to be available from amazon though. It's been on the "shipping in 1-2 weeks" status for about 11 days (I'm getting very anxious). This is what happened to the Cingular version of the 6126, and then it got canceled. Hope the same doesn't happen to the unlocked version. If the status doesn't change in the next week, I think I'll just cancel the amazon order and order the 6131. I can't wait to get the phone!

Now to the phone: The main things I'm worried about are:

1) earpiece volume - Is it going to be loud enough for me? (my hearing is not the greatest). Has anyone had a nokia 6010 to compare it to. My dad has one, and it seems plenty loud. So if the 6131 is comparable to this, I think I'll be fine.

2) background noise reduction - My car is a little loud, and it seems like it lets more road/wind noise in than most cars. When I'm driving down the highway (with other phones), people have said it sounds like I'm in a tornado. My SE z520 does pretty well though. It cancels out most of this background noise. How does the 6131 do?

3) reception - I know Nokias are great performers in this area. I've been a big SE fan, but after getting so many choppy/garbled conversations, I want a phone with top notch reception. So I went back to my roots and ordered a nokia. How is the 6131's reception (I'm in Dallas if any other member is from there).

Thank you in advance!

 

Hey, I got VIDEO MMS to work on the 6131! I changed the video settings to 128 x96 size and 'Normal' quality.

It was received successfully by my V551.

Happy that it worked, but don't use it much. So now everything works on this phone, as if it was Cingular branded!!


Maverick22, why get the 6126, when the 6131 works? The 6126 lacks FM radio and infrared connectivity. Regarding RF reception, the 6131 is one of the best. Earpiece Volume- I can' t compare for you. It's as good as my 6230. I noticed that when I dial a number, the ringing volume seems low, but when the person answers, the voice is much louder. So it has been loud enough for me.

 

Thanks for the reply, viewfly. I might just end up getting the 6131. I have a feeling the 6126 is never gonna be actually available through Amazon, at least not for awhile.

I just thought since the 6126 was the American version, there might be less problems with the voicemail icon, as many have stated in the States. Also, I think amazon's return policy is better than many of the online sellers. The 6126 is available through amazon, not a third party. The 6131 is twenty bucks more on amazon also.

Viewfly, can you comment on the 6131's background noise cancellation? Thanks again.

 

The voicemail icon works perfectly well for me...same as any cingular phone. I don't think it is a 6131 issue, but more regional (seems mostly western states).

I've used this phone exclusively with the HS700 BT earpiece in my car, so my info is limited. I have been in some noisy environments (noise in restaurants) and it seems that the person on the other side heard me fine.
I can try a test drive tomorrow in my car, with just the phone (CT has laws now about using handsfree devices!) and let you know.

 

A law-really? Texas has no law yet. I hope they don't ever come up with one either, as no Bluetooth works well enough for my car since it's a little loud. I don't want you to break any laws, so don't worry about that.

A fellow Hofo user sold the phone to me last night for $200 shipped! I couldn't believe it. He said it's in mint condition. I looked at the pics, and it looked in really good shape. He's gonna ship it Thursday, so I'm guessing I'll get it around next Tuesday or so. I can't wait!!

Thanks again for the reply viewfly.

 

Sounds like a great price. I would confirm that it has at least software version 3.70. It seems like a pain or impossible to upgrade this yourself. You definately would want the auto lock feature, otherwise the camera will turn on easily from the side button.

I broke the law today and drove at 60mph on the highway. Listening to my office VM, the road noise was quite low. I don't have an extremely quiet car, but it is no truck either.

 

I'll check on that firmware. Thanks for the heads up.

Also, thank you very much for testing it on the highway. I'm really looking forward to receiving the phone!!

 

I confirmed with the seller, firmware is 3.70. Can't wait!

 

Only in the spirit of sound research, do I break the laws! Sounds like your having a good time over there Charlyee & with a quad band Nokia!

BTW, I got video MMS to work on the 6131

 

I'm a little worried. I looked at the phonescoop.com reviews, and not many people commented on the 6131 having good sound.

A new user wrote "Its sound quality is sub par. My Nokia 6030 was by far much better."

Ya'll think the sound quality is good though?

 

Sound is very good for me, and my hearing isn't very good. There is a sweet spot on the ear speaker that you need to find. My ear fits it naturally, so I don't have to adjust it. I think that some people just might not have found the right spot. Also, it's possible that a few phones went out with sub par sound. I think that overall, the feedback has been positive on the sound quality on the 6131.

Jim

 

Thanks for the reply, Jim. My hearing isn't very good either.

It kind of bothers me that you have to find a sweet spot, but oh well, right? I'll just wait and see how it goes.

 

I knw that this has been mentioned here previously, but just as an update.... The 6133 is now on Nokia USA's "coming soon" page (the 6126 has vanished) and the rumors are that it will be released by T-Mobile in the next week or so.

The spec sheet on the Nokia site does show the FM radio. :headscrat Guess we'll have to wait and see when T-Mo releases it.

 

Interesting. SteveW, I still see the 6126 on the Nokiausa.com site, being offered by Cinncinniti Bell and SunComm Wireless.

The 6133 seems the same as the 6131, except it is not Quad Band, but Tridband ( 850/1800/1900). But there have been mistakes before.

 

Oops, you are right. The 6126 disappeared from the "Expected Soon" page on nokiausa.com, but I didn't see that it is now in the regular phone list. Sorry. :O

That is strange about the 6133 being listed as tri-band. It is not listed that way on Phonescoop.

 

I got this figured out. I just changed the settings for the access point in PCSuite and was able to connect. Thanks for the assistance. Interestingly, I do not have any settings or anything setup as "Cingular Express".