China Mobile, the world’s largest operator in terms of number of subscribers, uses a non-standard form of 3G called “TD-SCDMA”. They invented this standard themselves, solely due to the fact that they didn’t want to pay patents for the WCDMA technology that’s used all over the world. New technology = needs new devices to support it, and with that let me introduce the Nokia C5 and X5:
The X5 pictured above runs the ancient, yet highly loved Symbian S60 3rd Edition software, is 113 mm x 49.8 mm x14.7 mm and weighs 120 grams, had a 5 megapixel camera, 2.4 inch 320 x 240 pixel resolution screen, and a teeny tiny 950 mAh battery that is said to deliver over 7.5 hours of talk time and a little less than 8 days of standby when connected to the TD-SCDMA network. It’s coming out this quarter, price unknown.
Next is the C5, and if you’re thinking to yourself you’ve seen this design before, you’re right. It’s the Nokia 6700 Classic, but with a few minor tweaks. Instead of running Series 40 like the 6700 Classic however, the C5 has Symbian S60 3rd Edition and the specifications are practically the exact same as those of the X5. It’s 112 mm x 48 mm x 14.6 mm and weighs 122 grams, same camera, same battery, same talk and standby times. It’s due to come out in Q3, price unknown.
If you’re in China, do yourself a favor and switch to China Unicom who uses standard WCDMA technology. You’ll be able to use the same devices we enjoy here in Europe, without having to wait for a new variant to made for your part of the world.