Nokia 106 - unfortunately only recommended as a second phone

** ADVANCE INFO **
The end of 2013. Nokia has introduced many models of 100 and 200 series.
These simple devices have been developed mainly for emerging markets, where demand is booming for cheap mobile phones. For us in Europe, there is the pleasant side effect that they enrich the segment of inexpensive low-budget phones and simple mobile phones.

The Nokia 106 (as well as the sister models 107, 108, 207, 208, etc.) in different colors, because the rear plastic trays are interchangeable:
-> Nokia 106 white = Nokia A000151069
-> Nokia 106 black = Nokia A00014298
-> Nokia 106 red = Nokia A00014299

The Nokia 106 is the typical basic phone par excellence: Super light, thin and small, limited to phone calls and SMS, with the usual organizer functions (alarm clock, calendar, countdown, games, etc.) and a rugged construction.
Technical extras (Internet, UMTS, Camera, WLAN, Bluetooth, apps, mp3 player, etc.) does not exist.
This are the standby time in fabulous 35 days and the pure talk time approximately 10 hours.

The sister model 107 is designed for the dual SIM usage and the 108er model has a camera.

** ** POSITIVE
-> Low price (20 to 30 euros) and fantastic value for money.

-> Nokia typical operation, easy setup options, very easy and intuitive to operate, clear menu structure. A manual is virtually unnecessary. The Nokia Software seeming simplicity, thought out and suitable for everyday use.

-> Excellent processing, robust construction, all very solid. The phone acts as if it would be able to withstand a few falls.
The rubberized knobs are dust repellent and a good size (suitable for normal sized fingers). They also have a nice tactile feedback.
The back of solid plastic and buttons and display are smooth and easy to clean.

-> Battery life 35 days of standby time associated with nearly 10 hours of actual talk time are incredible values ​​for the small 800 mAh battery. The battery is replaceable.

-> Interchangeable top cover: If the rear wall is scratched or you desire for new colors has, there is supply.

-> Security:
Smartphones are equipped with open operating systems, app installations, many communication channels (Bluetooth, WLAN, etc.), GPS positioning and built-in camera problematic, what, etc. As for security, privacy.

The Nokia 106 runs on a closed Nokia software and therefore has less security-related targets. There are no apps that access data and send them to the cloud. Without this camera can not be hacked. If you lose your phone, no personal photographs stored. A permanent position tracking via GPS there is not. One can also build unsafe wireless connections. Without camera, the mobile phone may be mostly used in safety-relevant areas of the company.

The Nokia 106 has only the usual security problems, who hold all mobile phones:
The GSM standard is technically eavesdropping ridiculously insecure, nothing is encrypted for network operators stay locations at any time via the radio masts detected, the state can create motion profiles (keyword silence SMS), etc.

Overall, the reduced functionality of the Nokia 106 for safety-paranoid people may be regarded as a genuine advantage.

-> Weight and Dimensions: The phone weighs just 75 grams (incl. Battery) and is about 15 mm super flat. For his pockets the phone is a blessing.

** NEUTRAL **
-> Enclosed German-language guide includes only basic settings, but not all the features of the mobile phone. But is not so bad, because everything develops very easily.

-> The phone is very shallow (great!), But the sides are rounded. This looks design technology indeed very good, but the phone is not so sure in his hand. The smooth lateral surface and rounding it can sometimes slip out of your hand. The contact surface for the finger is just not very big. Maybe you had the gum surface, or at least can roughen minimal.
In the quiet state (while sitting in the office ...) is not a problem, because you get used to it, to keep the phone a little harder than other phones. However, if one quickly runs through the town or on the phone on the move, it bothers some.
All in all, not a big deal, but it could have been a little better.

-> Display: The display is rather below average because you still perceives the pixel very strong and the image looks more restless and mushy.
The glass surface reflects very; especially in light irradiation.
Only drawback is also the strong viewing-angle dependence, so that constantly change color when you move the phone slightly.
In absolute terms, the quality of the display is improved and hardly acceptable for 2014.
However, in relation to the extremely low price, the display is fine and served its purpose.

-> Due to the smooth glass surface of the display is constantly sees fingerprints etc.

** NEGATIVE **
-> SAR of 1.27 watts per kilogram. One should not overestimate the significance of the SAR value, but more than 1 W / kg is no longer appropriate.

-> Automatic switch-off of the display:
Very disturbing is the fact that the display is not in use the buttons off completely (only black, no display), although the cell phone is in use.
This is particularly disconcerting during a call, if you want to hang up and no display looks. Theoretically, it may be that even a connection exists and it does not recognize, because you see only black screen.
Usually mobile phones off when not in use the backlight off (to conserve battery power), but at least show the time and the network connection (5 bar) to. So you can see in a simple yet whether you have received a text message, for example, or what time it is.
When Nokia 106 it always looks as if it is completely off. You always have to press a button and the screen will be reactivated. A quick glance at the clock is not possible because no more display is available.
Changing the automatic switch-off is not possible: In the menu, there are no related settings, not in the profile, or in sleep mode, or in other options.

-> Quality of phone calls and connection:
I tested the phone in both the D1 network (Dt. Telekom), as well as in e-net (E-Plus), as well as calls between different mobile networks and landlines (and vice versa) made.

Every time the connection quality was abysmal.
The speakers sounded tinny, my interlocutors I heard only muffled and partially cut off. There have always been small dropouts or delays, so that your caller is a tiny moment reacts or perceived too late.
The voice quality sucks so much that carefree little longer conversations are possible and should be confined to essential short conversations.

Particularly negative I noticed is that apparently monotonous noise (usual background noise, breathing people, wind, etc.) are completely filtered out and not transmitted.
At the points in a dialogue where no one talks (between sets), you usually hear the usual noise or the breathing of the others.
The Nokia 106 comes in between every Nothing (= absolutely no sound) from the speaker. One constantly has the feeling that the connection is lost, and asks if the caller is still there.
This abrupt silence disturbs a normal flow of conversation immensely.

Unfortunately regarding this voice and transmission problems not only the Nokia 106. One could live with it, if at least the party has a good connection and will never be aware of the defects.
But it's embarrassing to time when I'm repeatedly asked by callee why I sound so tinny or far away.

** Conclusion **
The Nokia 106 would have had the potential to become a new rising star in the segment of mobile phones only (not a smartphone).
Especially the focus on the essentials and the omission of gadgetry allow peaks in battery performance and simple operation. The flat, lightweight and compact design is an outstanding success.

Unfortunately, the very low price (25 euros) with built-cheap components and poor voice quality goes hand in hand, making every joy of calls broken.
Had offered the phone with better call quality, I would have gladly paid double the price and keep it.

As a second or replacement mobile phone as a emergency phone (car, camping ...), or in general for rare callers, perform only two phone calls per month, the Nokia 106 is recommended. In conjunction with the low price it does the job.

But already the opportunity callers with two-three calls per week should switch to a different model, because the defects in time but very disturbing. The fair price can not permanently qualify the connection problems.