Introduction

The Nokia 7510, offered by T-Mobile, is a well-made fun and functional basic phone. The clamshell is best for users who want a streamlined phone without flashy extras -- providing a camera that records still photos and video, a music player and FM radio.

While the 7510 is a basic, mid-range phone, Nokia added three changeable covers to rotate and match any mood. Unfortunately, the covers were difficult to remove so changing the phone's color at a moment's notice might get frustrating.

The hidden external display is also unique. The display is invisible when idle, but when there is an incoming call or the user touches a button, information is illuminated and shows through the cover.

The handset also offers useful applications such as a calculator, a timer and a unit and currency converter, all of which contribute to a phone that generally provides what users looking for a basic want, without many extras they do not need.

Design

The design of the exterior of the Nokia 7510 reflects what is inside -- a solidly made, functional phone. It comes with three soft-touch textured exchangeable covers -- red, emerald green and brown -- that are easy to grip and comfortable in the hand.

Unfortunately, it is difficult to change the phone's covers on a whim because the covers are difficult to remove. This is annoying since its microSD memory card slot is located underneath the back cover.

Users will like its hidden external display. When activated, it flashes the time, network reception and other information -- even animations.

At 4.4 ounces, this handset is no lightweight but the construction of the phone feels solid, which compensates for its heft.

The handset is small enough to slip into a pants pocket or other small spaces, at 1.8 inches wide, 3.6 inches long and 0.7 inches thick.

Its external design is simple with only two buttons: one on the right side of the large hinge at the top of the phone, and a rocker key on the upper right side to adjust the volume.

The volume rocker key is inconvenient for left-handed users to reach when the phone is open, since it is on the top panel of the phone.

The hinge button is unique, but it did not seem to increase the convenience of opening the phone. The hinge generally feels solid, but the handset reviewed made a soft clicking sound when opening that made it seem like it could break in the future.

A headset jack is located on the upper right side of the phone, and a micro-USB port on the lower left side of the phone. The power jack is on the upper left side of the phone.

Inside the clamshell, the silver keypad is high-gloss with large, simple keys. They are relatively flat and a bit slippery, but this did not cause much of a problem. A nice amount of separation between the keys makes dialing more convenient. The keypad does pick up fingerprints.

Users can set shortcuts on the four sides of the directional keypad, such as camera, calculator and contacts.

The camera is located on the front. The handset must be opened to take photos because the handset does not have an external camera button. Instead, users have to activate the camera using the keypad.

Out of the box, the Nokia 7510 comes with a battery and charger, handsfree headset, three changeable covers in green, red and brown, a start guide, user guide and T-Mobile services guide.

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