SpeakOut "Jamma" Nokia 5130 XpressMusic

[HC - NO "i"]

Folks,

I have just seen the "Jamma" Nokia 5130 XpressMusic available to SpeakOut at 7-Eleven yesterday http://speakout7eleven.ca/assets/pdf...guide_july.pdf

Unlike the Rogers' PAYG variant comes in Aqua colour ascent, box shows the SpeakOut variant has the Red ascent. The price tag also a little higher too... $99.99 for Rogers' PAYG vs $139.99 for SpeakOut! The question is whether it is SIM-locked like recent SpeakOut line-up or not. If it is unlocked, then the $40 may be justified for someone who wants an unlocked, quad-band GSM handset. However, for those who has already got the SpeakOut SIM and do not care about SIM-lock, it may make more sense to get the Rogers PAYG variant and put the SpeakOut SIM in it. Plus, you can sell / keep the Rogers SIM too (like in my case).

BTW, please beware of unlocking 5130 XpressMusic even if you have connections to get the code from providers. Nokia has introduced the latest security SL3. I have got several codes wrong from the providers. The 3rd party unlocking service using data port, cables, flash boxes are not yet widely available yet to deal with SL3-powered models.

After a month of usage on a Rogers variant of Nokia 5130 XpressMusic with SpeakOut service, let me to share my impressions. By no mean I assume that it would be exactly the same as the SpeakOut "Jamma", e.g. I have yet to determine the Jamma's SIM-lock status.

- Audio quality is good like many other Nokia models. The reproduction, the tonal balance is up to my standard. RF performance is above average though and not handling hand-off quite as good as some other Nokia models.

- There is a problem with the newer firmware (should any of you have already updated to the version 6 series)... the battery life is relatively short for a 1020mAh BL-5C. Even turning off the Bluetooth, not talking a lot, just listen to the FM radio and about an hour of music, it may require to be recharged within a day! It is like dealing with many CDMA or UMTS counterparts!

- The key pad and navigation D-pad is flushed but well spaced, offer good tactile feedback for me. Also, there are plenty of buttons on the both left (Back, Skip, Pause/Play) and right (Volume Up / Down) sides. While they are handy but they could be mistakenly pressed at times. I consider it as bad ergonomics, a little annoying.

- The LCD display screen is relatively nice among the SpeakOut line-up. There are also "flashing lights" for the music player control on the left side of the rim but it may cause confusion to some that thought they are the buttons.

- The access to the microSD card is much more direct (on the right side) than the 5200 as no longer need to take the battery off.

- Data connector for syncing music, files etc. is in micro-USB format. But the cover is painful to deal with. I need to use both hands to handle the simple task of connecting the cable while holding down the cover. BTW, charging may not be possible through the micro-USB port (even if it does recharge, I doubt that it is in full power). The 2mm charging connector is just adjacent to it.

- Using the 3.5mm audio jack, therefore I can use some better stereo headphones for music than the included one. But remember, a compatible Nokia audio adapter (AD-57 http://europe.nokia.com/find-product...ts/hs-45-ad-57 ) or the included compatible headsets are the only solutions for answering / conducting calls with ease.

- Do not expect too much with the camera and video playback even it supports. The processor does not have sufficient power to handle high quality AVC video, for example, smoothly.

Stay tuned for more updates.

[iamdrumming]

I received an email today from SpeakOut customer service, who told me the 5130 is indeed locked.

[HC - NO "i"]

iamdrumming,

Thank you very much for this piece of information. BTW, let me to remind anyone who think about unlock the 5130 XpressMusic, please beware... this model is among the first bunch of Nokia models with the firmware having a new security / encryption scheme for SIM-lock, namely SL3. So far, only a handful of 3rd party unlockers can unlock SL3-equipped Nokia - and they are NOT available in Canada.

[iamdrumming]

No problem.

Just really seems really useless that 7-Eleven is selling this quad-band phone, but you can only use it in Canada, not even the USA. Why even bother selling a quad-band phone like this anyways? If it was unlocked, then I can guarantee SpeakOut would sell MANY 5130's.

If you know of anyone that can unlock this phone, a PM would be appreciated!

Thanks!

[iamdrumming]

Also, I was told it's Rogers itself that decided to lock this phone, not SpeakOut, or Ztar Mobile.

[Fortissimo]

Interesting to know that Rogers has the power to control another company's business decision, and especially looking bad as an MVNO partner and then also a competitor. I guess the arm is twisted till it is bleeding?

[iamdrumming]

When they use Rogers network, It looks like they have to do whatever Rogers says.

[HC - NO "i"]

Folks,

Steve Punter's review is ready! Check it out...

http://www.arcx.com/sites/Nokia%2051...pressMusic.htm

[iamdrumming]

Folks,

Steve Punter's review is ready! Check it out...

http://www.arcx.com/sites/Nokia%2051...pressMusic.htm

Great read. Thanks for the link.

[fefrie]

would this work with a petro canada sim??

[iamdrumming]

would this work with a petro canada sim??

Yes, a Petro Canada sim will work in this phone.

[Steve Punter]

would this work with a petro canada sim??

Probably not. I couldn't get a Fido SIM to work in the 5130 that I tested, though it did accept a Rogers SIM. According to Howard Chu, all of the locked phone sold by the Rogers MVNOs will accept a Rogers SIM, but not a SIM from any of the other MVNOs.

[iamdrumming]

True, Fido sims will not work in a SpeakOut or Petro Canada phone (unless the phone is unlocked of course, as some SpeakOut phones are unlocked), but a Petro Canada sim will work in a locked SpeakOut phone.

[Steve Punter]

True, Fido sims will not work in a SpeakOut or Petro Canada phone (unless the phone is unlocked of course, as some SpeakOut phones are unlocked), but a Petro Canada sim will work in a locked SpeakOut phone.

That is most curious. I didn't have a Petro Canada SIM to try in the 5130, and I couldn't confirm that. If you've already tried it and it works, then I guess my assumption was incorrect.

[iamdrumming]

Yes, I have tried it. I think it's been reported on this site before, but I know it's been reported on the "unofficial" SpeakOut site.