Nokia 8600 Luna Review

The launch of Nokia 8600 Luna is just one more evidence that there is always something new to be created and presented to the buying public. We see that the company’s designers have unleashed their imagination and showed us that when appropriate materials are used, and are combined in good taste, the end result is great and actually different from everything else.

The phone has а rounded shape and smooth lines, and is colored prevailingly in black, as the only silver parts are the lines around the display and the keyboard, as well as the thin line along the side of the device.

When you first see Nokia 8600 Luna and hold it in your hand, you will immediately feel its weight of 140 g, which is just a little bit heavier in comparison to that of the 8800. Although the phone is heavier that the average, it somehow creates an atmosphere of luxury and quality. Despite of its weight, the phone is a little bit thinner than the 8800 Sirocco and a little bit thicker than the 8800, as it has preserved the length and width of 4.2 x 1.8 x 0.6 inches (107 x 45 x 15,9 mm).

The first more important improvement in comparison to 8800, which strikes the eye, is the display. It is a TFT, but larger (2 inches), its form is rectangular, rather than square, its resolution is 240 x 320 pixels (QVGA), and it is capable of depicting 16 million colors. It would be a good decision for Nokia designers to include a light-sensitive sensor for regulating the display brightness. However, there is no such censor. Nevertheless, the display can be seen even in bright daylight, therefore irrespective of whether you stay in the dark or in the light, there would be no problem working with the phone. We see that QVGA turns into a standard for resolution for the new models of Nokia of average or high class (6120, 5700, N95), as the only difference is in the diagonal size. It can only make us happy and we can hope that other manufacturers will follow Nokia’s benchmark.

The front part is all shiny and is made of polished glass, as the numerical keyboard is covered with a semi-visible smoked glass. Unfortunately, many fingerprints appear when touching the keyboard and therefore the company included a leather polishing cloth in the set, by the use of which you can easily clean the fingerprints and the phone will impress by its beauty again.

The back is made of stainless steel with a holding, which not only impedes sliding the phone when using it or when having a conversation, but also makes it look more opaque. Here you can find also the 2 mega pixel camera, as it is seen when the phone is open, and hidden and protected the rest of the time. The lens is located at the middle of the phone and is surrounded by a silver line, while in the shiny black part around it, there is nothing else, we don’t see even a flash. When the phone is closed, there is a 1 mm-opening; this is most probably a designer decision, rather than a technological shortcoming.

Unlike the 8800 series, 8600 Luna is constructed in such a way that the keys can be used when the phone is closed. This is indeed very comfortable because most of the time you can work with the phone while closed. When you decide to use the number keys or to take pictures with the camera, just push the upper part and you are ready for work.

Opening and closing the phone is done by a spring mechanism, which is very tight and holds the device well closed/open without any irritating loose-fittings or gaps between the two parts. The mechanism is so strong that when opening and closing you hear a clicking sound between the upper and lower part of the phone. Most probably Nokia has not made the mechanism quieter on purpose in order to make stronger the feeling of the customer of owning something different.

There is a small protruding part just under the display. This part supports the thumb when pushing/pulling the upper part. This is another proof that no compromise is made with the quality in favor of the price and that in the course of elaboration and designing even the smallest detail has been taken into account.

Control is entrusted to the five-position navigation button with an internal mirror part, left and right selection keys, as well as a call/end key. It is unusual for Nokia, and quite unlike 8800, that switching on/off is done by the end key and not by a specially-intended button above.

The number keys are densely located with no distance between them. In order to work more conveniently, they are positioned in a step-wise order, as we can see that the „ *, 0 and # ” keys in the lower row are larger. This is necessary because in an open position the brink of the lower part borders on them and if they were of the same size as the other, it would have been harder to press them. Thus, the problems with pushing are minimal and are related to making it a habit.

All keys, located on the front side, are backlit in white. When the phone is closed the numerical keyboard switches off. Nokia has made a very interesting effect. Located under the opaque glass, it pulsates with a glowing light at equal intervals (almost 10 seconds), thus creating a breathing effect.

On the left side there is a volume key of the same width and color as the silver line. Thus, it fits perfectly in the 8600 look. A little bit down on the same side, there is a battery cover release button, which, at first sight, can be confused with the eye of the IR port. On the other side, there are no buttons only the microUSB 2.0 charger connector. This is the first of the Nokia models, which uses a connector of this type. At the same time, the phone can be connected to a computer and can be charged via the cable. The loudspeaker’s openings are located in symmetry on both sides of the phone, along its upper part.

The mic is located at the bottom part of the device exactly in the middle, thus ensuring the closest distance to the mouth for best reception of human speech. Just at the opposite side, on top, where we are used to see the on/off button, we can now find only the place for putting a neck or hand string.

Working with the phone is a real pleasure. All buttons are easily pushed without requiring any strength and have а great tactile feedback. It is a little bit harder to push the navigation button upwards because the distance from it to the protruding part above is small and you have to push by the your fingertips or, even better, with a nail.