Nokia 2760

The Nokia 2760 is the clamshell cousin to the entry-level Nokia 1680 (free with contract) and Nokia 2600 (free with contract). As with its candy-bar counterparts, the Nokia 2760 targets users who need a basic device for making and receiving calls, and to this end, reviewers and users agree that the phone achieves its goal. The Nokia 2760's compact, rounded form factor measures 3.4 by 1.8 by 0.8 inches and weighs a spry 2.8 ounces, albeit wrapped with the same cheap-feeling plastic as the candy-bar models. The phone's exterior is austere to a fault: Aside from the monochrome external display that lists time, signal strength, battery life and caller ID, the Nokia 2760 is void of side controls, such as a volume button -- a definite design flaw in the eyes of users and CNET reviewer Kent German. Inside the phone, a 1.8-inch, 160-by-128-pixel display flanks the upper half of the clamshell. German describes the display as washed out, but in spite of the poor resolution, large and readable fonts shine through. The keypad's generous buttons are backlit but have the signature Nokia flush placement, leading to misdials and slow texting, although German says the navigation keys are spacious and well-designed.   

Clear volume and call quality prevails on the dual-band Nokia 2760 for most users. The phone comes equipped with basic features like Bluetooth for hands-free use, a 1,000-entry phone book, an alarm clock, calendar, calculator, vibrating alert, 2.5 mm headjack and speakerphone. Both the prepaid and contract Nokia 2760 support text and picture messaging, as well as instant messaging with Yahoo! and AOL. The prepaid version adds support for Windows Live Messenger and Google Talk, while the contract version supports ICQ. Additional ringtones, wallpaper and games can be downloaded, although the 11 MB of onboard memory doesn't go far, especially when using the VGA camera for photos and video capture. The Nokia 2760 gets performance complaints about low volume that struggles with background noise, a crackling speakerphone, sluggish menus, a short-lived exterior display backlight and wimpy battery life. As German sums up, "The Nokia 2760 is far from perfect but it's fine for occasional callers." Yet for some users, the setbacks are a deal breaker, especially when compared with other award-winning yet equally affordable rival phones like the Samsung Knack U310 (*est. $10) or VG LX5400. As one CNET user writes, "You can find better free phones than this.

An in-depth, standalone review of the Nokia 2760 from CNET evaluates features such as form factor, user interface and call quality, to name a few, while user reviews from CNET and PhoneScoop.com help establish common denominators with extensive use. While reviewers such as ConsumerReports.org and PCMag.com are usually thorough and credible, neither one takes an in-depth look at the Nokia 2760.