Nextel i605 Cell Phone Review

The Nextel i605 is Nextel’s first Bluetooth offering. Typical of Nextel phones, the phone has a bigger than average form factor. The screen is nice and bright, and the colors appear vibrant.

On the keypad front, the Nextel i605 has small keys, which is surprising given the larger than average form factor but the keypad is backlit for easy viewing in dark surroundings. There is the typical big push-to-talk speaker phone at the back bottom and the ports are all covered by rubber.

The volume switch is also rubberized which provides easy feedback for one handed operation. Talk time is rated for 290 minutes talktime.

- Direct Connect - the walkie-talkie service that instantly connects you to all other Nextel users - across town, across the country, and now even across borders to Latin America and Canada.
- Certified to Military Standard 810 F for dust, shock, vibration, temperature extremes, low pressure, and solar radiation. Performs in extreme outdoor environments and stands up to dusty environments, drops, exposure to vibration from heavy machinery use, and hot/cold climates.
- Extra large screen (262k colors, 176×220 pixels, 2.2 inch diagonal) is optimized for outdoor use with enhanced clarity for reading text, graphics, and phone icons.
- Talk hands-free with a wireless earpiece or wirelessly transmit data from a Bluetooth®-Enabled device (up to 30 feet).
- Get answers at your fingertips with Nextel’s Business Solutions or take a break from a hectic schedule with included applications and games. Pre-loaded applications include: Calculator Suite, TeleNav 3.0 for audible driving directions (requires subscription), Trimble Outdoors for outdoor navigation (requires subscription), 1KTV multimedia for news (requires subscription), and @Road Pathway for fleet management and tracking (requires subscription). Games include: Space Invaders Demo and Boulder Dash M.E. Demo.
- Lets you view your approximate location and when making 911 calls helps emergency personnel to locate you if your phone had adequate access to GPS satellite signal and the emergency response center is equipped to process such signals. Supports non-Java location-enhanced services such as Mobile LocatorTM.
- Users can instantly connect a group of people nationwide - all at once - with Nextel’s group walkie-talkie service. Click here to learn more about this service from Nextel
- Hands-free cellular conversations are always available with the built-in speakerphone.
- Send or receive Multimedia Messages (either audio, images, text, or all three in the same message) to or from email addresses and other Nextel multimedia messaging users. You can even wirelessly store multimedia on a Nextel web site.
- Capture memos or phone conversations for future playback of phone numbers, tasks, or driving directions (caller must notify other party of any call recording).
- Press a button and speak to dial numbers or access features.
- Nextel , the leader in Push-to-Talk communications, now gives you the ability to Push-to-Send contact information from your i605’s contact list to other Direct Send-enabled phones instantly!
- Turn off network connection and use programs, games, voice record, and datebook. Check FAA rules and regulations for proper use of electronics during flight. Phone will display Airplane Mode while in use and display Service Restricted Airplane Mode On.
- Discrete vibrating call notifications in quiet or noisy environments.
- Store up to seven numbers for each contact (up to 600 entries)
- Use the Downloads menu to choose from hundreds of additional ring tones to personalize your phone, and assign unique ring tones to contacts for audible notification and caller identification during incoming calls.
- Access the last twenty sent and received calls for quick call return or number storage
- Current date and time information anywhere on Nextel’s Network
- Protect the bottom accessory connector from dust and debris with the attached cover
- Use the private speaker button to switch from the external speaker to the earpiece for private conversations or to minimize disruptions in quiet environments.
- Set your phone and instantly connect to the last Direct Connect call or an assigned Direct Connect contact by pressing the PTT button (also works for Group Connect).
- Prevent accidental calls by simply pressing menu and - key to lock and unlock keypad
- Change a setting to read phone menus and options in English, Spanish, and French.