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Nokia 6790 Surge review

4.9/10 AVG.
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Nokia 6790 Surge
Nokia 6790 Surge
Nokia 6790 Surge
Nokia 6790 Surge
Nokia 6790 Surge
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4.9/10
Informr score
The Nokia 6790 Surge currently has an Informr score of 4.9 out of 10. This score is based on our evaluation of 16 sources including reviews from users and the web's most trusted critics.

The prolific cell phone manufacturer Nokia produces such a high volume of models that surely one will fit your needs. The Nokia 6790 Surge, however, while a competent phone, may not be the best choice.

The reason I say it may not be your best choice is because nothing about this model jumps out as being unique, or uniquely useful. On the other hand, it does fall squarely into a cluttered tier of phones that get the job done, but doesn’t move the ball up the field where it concerns breakthrough technology, simplicity of use or some other attribute that sets it clearly apart from the myriad of devices now available. That doesn’t make it a bad phone; it makes it a forgettable phone.

Let’s take a closer look:

The Nokia 6790 Surge is a side-sliding GSM phone capable of global roaming. It runs on a S60 Symbian OS, with 128 MB of onboard RAM, has a 2.4” 240 x 320 pixel resolution display, QWERTY keypad, and a full complement of mid-tier features including a 2 megapixel camera, 2.0 Stereo Bluetooth, microSD/microSDHC expandable memory, 2.5mm jack, speakerphone, voice commands and a solid phonebook with plenty of capacity.

If you are in the market for a new phone, in this price point, you can, frankly, find a strong OS, a better screen and more current features. When studying this phone I get the sense that leftovers where smashed together to produce a phone we’ve already seen.

Competent and capable, sure. But that is the barest of baselines nowadays. If you are looking for a phone that is fun and functional, new and clever, minimizes keystrokes, etc., you may want to look at other Nokia’s or the field in general.

It’s a definite 7 on a scale of 1-10. You won’t get ripped off, but you won’t be overwhelmed either.


Symbian
Operating system
Operating system
Symbian
Unknown
Processor
Processor
Unknown
2.4"
Screen Size
Screen Size
2.4"
2+ MP
Camera
Camera
2+ MP
1500 mAh
Battery


What the Critics Are Saying...


Mobile Syrup
Mobile Syrup

Rogers recently launched the Nokia Surge 6790 last week, a unique messaging device that’s part of their Smartphone lineup.We know that Nokia takes great pride in creating and testing their products. The Nokia Surge 6790 is so far stretched from all the other Nokia devices we’ve seen, it...

- Ian Hardy , Mobile Syrup
MobileBurn
MobileBurn

The Nokia 6790 Surge from AT&T is a small smartphone that sports a slide-out QWERTY keyboard and is advertised as the phone for social networking fanatics. While the build materials feel slightly flimsy, the overall device is actually built well, with an awesome slide mechanism that definitely f...

- Ricky Cadden, MobileBurn
Phone Scoop
Phone Scoop

The Nokia Surge is a messaging phone. The full QWERTY keyboard gives it away as such. As with many lower-cost messaging phones, the Surge makes a few concessions in order to remain affordable. Some of them may be enough to give potential buyers cause. Still, there are plenty of positives to consider...

- Eric M. Zeman, Phone Scoop
Engadget
Engadget

Some might say that the phone you're peering at above is the most un-Nokia-like Nokia device produced in quite some time (if not ever), but remember, this one was custom made for US consumers and AT&T's audience -- something that's not true for too many Espoo-sourced handsets. Once known as the...

- Darren Murph, Engadget
CNET
CNET

The Nokia Surge definitely fills a gap in AT&T's lineup for its younger customers who are looking for something a little more full-featured than a basic messaging cell phone for a more affordable price.

- Bonnie Cha, CNET


Prices (Where to Buy)




Common Questions


We've got you covered! Download a free PDF copy of the Nokia 6790 Surge user manual here.


Nokia backs up the 6790 Surge with a 1 Year parts & labour warranty.


If your 6790 Surge has problems and is still within its warranty period, you could contact Nokia support or the retailer you purchased the phone from. You'll find Nokia's contact information here. If your phone is off warranty and needs repair for a physical problem such as a broken screen or bad battery, you should visit an authorized service centre or a local phone repair shop. You can also connect with others in The Informr Community Forum to find and share answers to questions.



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Quick view

Screen Size
2.4"

The Nokia 6790 Surge's screen size is 2.4 inches with x pixels resolution.

Processor
Unknown

There is a processor (CPU).

OS

The phone runs on proprietary operating system firmware.

Camera
2+ MP

You can take photos or capture video with the phone's onboard 2+ MP camera.

There's no secondary front camera.

Storage
120 MB

Internal memory is 120 MB. An external, MicroSD (up to 8 GB) expansion slot is available for increased storage capacity.

Battery
1500mAh

The phone is powered by a Lithium-Ion (Li-Ion), 1500 mAh battery. Nokia's performance ratings are 16.5 days standby time.

6790 Surge Specs

Overview
Release Date July 13, 2009
Regions Available USA, Canada
Operating System No

Compare Symbian Smartphones

Processor
Internal Storage 120 MB
RAM No
Hearing Aid Compatible No
TTY/TDD No
Noise Cancellation No
SAR Head: 1.31 W/kg
Body: 0.57 W/kg
Manufacturer Warranty 1 Year
Accessories Included AC Charger, Manual, Standard Battery
Cellular
Networks
GPRS, EDGE, HSDPA
Mobile / Cellular Data
Push-to-talk (PTT) No
Wi-Fi Calling No
Voice over LTE (VoLTE) No
SIM card size
Yes
Dual SIM No
Connectivity
USB Yes
USB OTG Support No
GPS Type A-GPS
Infrared No
Bluetooth Yes
Bluetooth Profiles A2DP, AVRCP, BPP, DUN, OPP/FTP, HID, HFP, HSP
Bluetooth Audio Codecs SBC
Wi-Fi No
Mobile Hotspot No
Memory Expansion Slot Yes
Expansion Slot Info MicroSD (up to 8 GB)
NFC No
Data Tethering Compatibility Yes
Camera
Main Camera
Resolution / Aperture
2+ Megapixels
Zoom
4x digital
Flash
No
Additional Rear Camera Info
Effects, Multi-shot, White balance
Video Recording Formats
3GP / 3GPP, H.264 / AVC, MPEG-4, WMV, RealVideo
Video Recording Parameters
QVGA (320 x 240 pixels), 15 fps
Front Camera
Resolution / Aperture
Additional Front Camera Info
No
Video Recording Parameters
Display / Screen
Type Color
Technology LCD (TFT)
Colors 16.7 million
Resolution x pixels
Pixel Density Unknown
Size 2.4 inches
Secondary Display No
Sensors Ambient Light, Motion / Accelerometer
Multi-Touch No
Fingerprint-Resistant Coating No
Additional Display Features -
Power & Battery
Battery Type Lithium-Ion (Li-Ion)
Battery Capacity 1500 mAh
Removable Battery Yes
Wireless Charging
Fast Charging No
Video Playback Time Unknown
Internet Use (Wi-Fi) Unknown
Internet Use (Cellular) Unknown
Talk Time Unknown
Standby Time Up to 16.5 days
Mixed Usage
Physical Characteristics
Design Type Slider
Colors Black, Gray, Red
Dimensions [H x W x D] 9.8 x 5.8 x 1.5 cm (3.9 x 2.3 x 0.6 in)
Weight 124 grams
Water Resistant / Waterproof Unknown
Rugged design No
IP Rating No
Headset Jack 2.5mm
External Speakers No
Input / Navigation
Sleep / Wake Key No
Home Key No
Input / Keyboard Type QWERTY
Navigation Type D-pad
External Volume Control Yes
Fingerprint Sensor No
More
Additional Information Messaging: SMS, EMS, MMS, IM
Graphics: Yes
Themes: Yes
Backlit Illumination: Yes
Predictive Text Entry: T9
Voicemail Key: Yes
Any Key Answer: Yes
Voice Commands: Yes
Keypad/Screen Lock: Yes
Multiple Numbers Per Contact:
Voice Activated Dialing: Yes
Photo Caller ID: Yes
Web Browser: Yes
Email Client: Yes
Email Protocols: POP3, IMAP, SMTP, Microsoft Exchange
PC Synchronization: Yes
Java Application: Yes
Audio Formats: MP3, eAAC+, AAC+, AAC, Real Audio, WMA, WAV
Video Playback Formats: 3GP / 3GPP, H.264 / AVC, MPEG-4, WMV, RealVideo
Streaming Video: Yes
Custom Ringtones: No
Vibration Alert: Yes
Downloadable Ringtones: Yes
Ringer ID: Yes
Speakerphone: Yes
Data Tethering: Yes
Radio: Yes
Wi-fi Encryption: -
Games: Downloadable
Apps: No
Included Software / Apps: -
To-Do / Task List, Calendar, World Clock, Alarm, Calculator, Currency Converter, NotePad, Voice Memos / Recorder

Other Names (AKA): Nokia Mako
Related Links Manual (PDF)
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