Generally speaking a firmware update can add new functions and features to your mobile phone, can make it faster, update software so that you can run advanced applications or fix security holes. I’m not sure if there is an official Nokia website that lists release notes for current and previous firmwares of Nokia phones – I was not able to find it if it exists.

This means it is not really possible to determine the new features and improvements of the new firmware version. The only information about firmware updates was that they will improve performance and functionality. The update will update the operating system of your phone which includes applications like the Calendar, the Messenger and the Contact List.

Please note that it is not possible to downgrade the firmware of your Nokia phone once it was updated. Some applications and games from third-party developers might need to be installed again after updating the phone firmware. I suggest you take a look at the extensive FAQ on the Nokia website.

How to update a Nokia a Nokia Mobile Phone:

1. Download the Nokia PC Suite and backup all of the files on your phone

To do that simply start the Nokia PC Suite application and click on the Backup button. Make sure you save everything on that phone. This might take a while if you have lots of personal files like images or music stored on the phone. The files will be transfered with the Nokia Content Copier software.

Backup the contents in the Nokia phone as well. You find that option in Tools > Memory.

2. Download and install the Nokia Software Updater application which will be used to update the firmware of the Nokia phone. Please note that you have to use this software and can’t use the Nokia PC Suite to update the mobile phone.

Make sure you connect the charger to your phone before you start the process because a failed update can brick your Nokia phone.

The update that I was downloading had a size of nearly 80 Megabytes and upgraded the firmware of my Nokia N73 Music Edition (RM-133) from 3.0638.0.0.30 to 4.0736.3.2.1 which I would consider a huge version leap.

The benefits:

I can’t really tell what has been changed but the phone does seem a little bit more responsive. The only new application that did not seem there before is a Anti-Virus application. There is probably more and some definitely have been updated but I can’t really tell without the release notes.

There are however lots of mobile phones affected, here is the full list of phones that could be effected:

Nokia 1100, Nokia 1100c, Nokia 1101, Nokia 1108, Nokia 1110, Nokia 1112, Nokia 1255, Nokia 1315, Nokia 1600, Nokia 2112, Nokia 2118, Nokia 2255, Nokia 2272, Nokia 2275, Nokia 2300, Nokia 2300c, Nokia 2310, Nokia 2355, Nokia 2600, Nokia 2610, Nokia 2610b, Nokia 2626, Nokia 3100, Nokia 3105, Nokia 3120, Nokia 3125, Nokia 6030, Nokia 6085, Nokia 6086, Nokia 6108, Nokia 6175i, Nokia 6178i, Nokia 6230, Nokia 6230i, Nokia 6270, Nokia 6600, Nokia 6620, Nokia 6630, Nokia 6631, Nokia 6670, Nokia 6680, Nokia 6681, Nokia 6682, Nokia 6820, Nokia 6822, Nokia 7610, Nokia N70, Nokia N71, Nokia N72, Nokia N91, Nokia E50, Nokia E60, Nokia Wireless GPS Module LD-1W, Nokia Wireless GPS Module LD-3W

A lot of phones, don’t you think ? Not all of the phones are affected, it depends on the type of battery that is placed in the phone. Only the BL-5C battery model is affected, take a look at the screenshots to find out if your phone uses one of those batteries.

The first step would be to turn the mobile phone off, take the battery out of the case and check the battery model. The battery model is shown on the screenshot below. If the model is not BL-5C you are finished and save.

If it is one of the affected battery models you need to look at the back of the battery and enter the battery identification number on a Nokia Advisory website to check if your battery is affected.