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By Juniper Foo
Oct 02, 2006

So what's different this second time around? As an update, Nokia's thrown in some cosmetic refurbishments and technological embellishments. On its own merit, one of our test group polled equated it to a biscuit tin with a dent in the middle. The horror. But what did he know of fine design? We said we liked its predecessor, and we say we still like this more exotic-sounding reincarnation. Though like the Sahara wind it's named after, the new 8800 blows both hot and cold.

Design
Given that the entire raison d'etre of the Sirocco 8800 is its design, Nokia has certainly acted like zealous desert warriors in getting the point across. Leaving no superlative unturned, and stopping just short of the proverbial last straw that broke the camel's back, the Sirocco is romanticized as "sensual by nature, intuitively beautiful by design", "created out of the inherent beauty and chaos of nature". The keypad "undulates like the glimmering dunes of the night desert". The "jewel-like navigation key shines like the brightest star in the darkest night". Cest L'amour? Oops, wrong series.

Cosmetic facelifts add a dimple to the lower half of the phone, and a more edged nudge key.

Pretty words aside, the Sirocco Edition is a mixed bag. Where the original arrived in a brushed steel casing and black plastic, the new 8800 is now reborn as shimmery "light and dark" twins. Nokia is hedging its bet on the latter being the more alluring sibling. And we figured we would, too. Until we had the black/dark in hand.

First off, its shiny surface is just as prone to face oils and finger smudges as the silver/white. Secondly, the sinuous design of the 8800 appears more distinct in the silver/white model than in the black/dark. Finally, remove the battery cover and you'll find the base beneath the black paint still stainless steel. Give or take some accidental knocks, and the paintwork could start to chip and show up.

Design-wise, the subtle changes, in our opinion, have provided slightly better ergonomics and improved styling. A signature depression in the lower half of the phone provides a thumb rest. The nudge piece with its left and right shortcut keys has been made more edgy. Oddly, two flaws that plagued the previous edition have been overlooked here.

Tactile feedback is no better with the raised keys, and the top edge of the new Nav pad design is still a pain to use.

There's still no way to pump up the volume while yakking with the phone closed, except to access the Nav pad. And as pointed out in the original, the keylock function serves no purpose since the keys are already hidden, if one might add, under a very heavy-duty slider. Speaking of which, Nokia's done little to muffle the loud clack that we complained about when the top lid slides home.

Inside, the keys have been given a slightly more angled and "undulating" treatment. However, this does little to improve on the chiclet-size keys. Texting remains a hit-and-miss affair, particularly if you have big digits or long nails or, worse, both. Take heed of the top edge of the Navi pad where the tight headroom can be nasty. We've had more frustrating miscues than there are swear words.

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