Nokia announced three new handsets yesterday, all of which were themed together on the new ''Everyone Connect'' integrated messaging and social networking software. Some may see this as a step forward, while some may see it as a gimmick. However, another common theme that should be of universal interest is the significantly reduced cost of these new phones, which makes them more affordable to more people.
Here at All About Symbian we are focussing on the S60 3rd edition FP2 "E5" and the Symbian^1 "C6", which have release prices of EUR 180 and EUR 220, respectively. The third phone to be released was the C3, which will run on Series 40, and is priced at EUR 90, and is arguably the best value of the three.
To express just how significant these prices drops are, we've put together a short comparison of the new phones against the existing Nokia phones they will likely be compared against.
C6 vs 5800 Xpress vs N97 Mini
| Model | C6 |
5800 Xpress |
N97 Mini |
|---|---|---|---|
| Technical Profile | |||
| OS/UI | Symbian^1 (S60 5th Edition) | Symbian^1 (S60 5th Edition) | Symbian^1 (S60 5th Edition) |
| Software Notes | Homescreen widgets, full kinetic scrolling | Basic homescreen, partial kinetic scrolling (in updated firmware) | Homescreen widgets, full kinetic scrolling |
| Form factor | Flat QWERTY horizontal slider | Touch-only candybar | Sliding tilt full QWERTY |
| Internal Memory | 200MB | 81MB | 282MB |
| Processor | ARM 11 at 434 MHz | ARM 11 at 434 MHz | ARM 11 at 434 MHz |
| RAM | 128 MB | 128 MB | 128 MB |
| Dimensions (LxWxH) | 113.4 mm 53.0 mm 16.8 mm |
111.0 mm 51.7 mm 15.5 mm |
113.0 mm 52.5 mm 14.2 mm |
| Volume | 80cc | 83cc | 75cc |
| Mass | 150g | 109g | 138g |
| Display size | 3.2" | 3.2" | 3.2" |
| Display resolution | 640 x 360 | 640 x 360 | 640 x 360 |
| Energy Profile | |||
| Battery | BL-4U (1200mAh) |
BL-5J (1320mAh) |
BL-4D (1200mAh) |
| Standby Time (for GSM) | 16 days | 17 days | 13 days |
| Talk time | 7 hrs GSM 5 hrs 3G |
8.8 hrs GSM 5 hrs 3G |
7 hrs GSM 4 hrs 3G |
| Charging | 2mm | 2mm | microUSB |
| Camera | |||
| Resolution | 5 Megapixel | 3.2 Megapixel | 5 Megapixel |
| Optics | Auto Focus | Auto Focus, Carl Zeiss | Auto Focus, Carl Zeiss |
| Flash | Single LED | Dual LED | Dual LED |
| Connectivity | |||
| Operating Frequencies | HSDPA/WCDMA 900/1900/2100 GSM/EDGE 850/900/1800/1900 |
HSDPA/WCDMA 900/1900/2100 GSM/EDGE 850/900/1800/1900 |
HSDPA/WCDMA 900/1900/2100 GSM/EDGE 850/900/1800/1900 |
| Bluetooth | 2.0 + A2DP & AVRCP | 2.0 + A2DP & AVRCP | 2.0 + A2DP & AVRCP |
| WLAN | IEEE 802.11b/g | IEEE 802.11b/g | IEEE 802.11b/g |
| GPS/Navigation | Integrated A-GPS | Integrated A-GPS | Integrated A-GPS |
| USB | microUSB | microUSB | microUSB |
| Pricing | |||
| Current price | 227.48 UKP | 199.99 UKP | 389.99 UKP |
| Launch price | 220 EUR | 279 EUR | 450 EUR |
| Age (from launch) | N/A | 17 Months | 6 Months |
E5 vs E63 vs E72
| Model |
E5 |
E63 |
E72 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Technical Profile | |||
| OS/UI | S60 3rd Edition Feature Pack 2 | S60 3rd Edition Feature Pack 1 | S60 3rd Edition Feature Pack 2 |
| Form factor | Monoblock with full keyboard | Monoblock with full keyboard | Monoblock with full keyboard |
| Internal Memory | 250MB | 110MB | 250MB |
| Processor | ARM 11 at 600 MHz | ARM 11 at 369 MHz | ARM 11 at 600 MHz |
| RAM | 256 MB | 128 MB | 128 MB |
| Dimensions (LxWxH) | 115.0 mm 58.9 mm 12.8 mm |
113.0 mm 59.0 mm 13.0 mm |
114.0 mm 58.3 mm 10.1 mm |
| Volume | 75cc | 87cc | 65cc |
| Mass | 126g | 126g | 128g |
| Display size | 2.4" | 2.4" | 2.4" |
| Display resolution | 320 x 240 | 320 x 240 | 320 x 240 |
| Energy Profile | |||
| Battery | BL-4D (1200mAh) |
BP-4L (1500mAh) |
BP-4L (1500mAh) |
| Standby Time (for GSM) | 29 days | 18 days | 20 days |
| Talk time | 18.5 hrs GSM 5.5 hrs 3G |
11.0 hrs GSM 4.5 hrs 3G |
12.5 hrs GSM 5.9 hrs 3G |
| Charging | 2mm or microUSB | 2mm | 2mm or microUSB |
| Camera | |||
| Resolution | 5 Megapixel | 2.0 Megapixel | 5 Megapixel |
| Optics | Extended Depth of Field (EDoF) | Fixed Focus | Auto Focus |
| Flash | Single LED | Single LED | Single LED |
| Connectivity | |||
| Operating Frequencies | GSM 850/900/1800/1900 WCDMA 900/1900/2100 |
EGSM 850/900/1800/1900 WCDMA 900/1900/2100 HSDPA |
EGSM 850/900/1800/1900 WCDMA 900/1900/2100 HSDPA |
| Bluetooth | 2.0 (A2DP & AVRCP) | 2.0 (A2DP & AVRCP) | 2.0 (A2DP & AVRCP) |
| WLAN | IEEE 802.11b/g | IEEE 802.11b/g | IEEE 802.11b/g |
| GPS/Navigation | Integrated A-GPS | None | Integrated A-GPS |
| USB | microUSB | microUSB | microUSB |
| Pricing | |||
| Current price | 186.12 UKP | 169.00 UKP | 299.99 UKP |
| Launch price | 180 EUR | 199 EUR | 350 EUR |
| Age (from launch) | N/A | 16 Months | 5 Months |
Observations
Before drawing any conclusions on these prices, we must consider the context. Firstly, the prices of the C6 and E5 stated here are estimates. Nokia's press release quoted their prices in Euros, and exchange rates constantly fluctuate. We took an average figure of EUR 0.88 per UK Pound. Also, UK VAT needs to be taken into account, which is currently 17.5%. Secondly, we have stated the time since the older phones release date to give an indication of their deprecation.
The difference, or lack there of, between the C6 and N97 Mini is the most striking. On paper, the biggest differences seem to be a flat slider versus a tilting slider, and an inferior camera (no Carl Zeiss optics and single LED flash) and the internal flash memory (8GB on the N97 mini). There is also less internal storage, but the C6's 200MB should be adequate for most users. Yet, the C6 is a whopping 150 UKP cheaper right now and within 6 months the gap will be bigger.
It is less clear whether the 5800 XpressMusic or C6 could be classed as the better phone. For users who aren't interested in a physical keyboard, the 5800 XpressMusic is the preferable option, especially with the (currently) lower price. However, there's also the software side to consider, the C6 with better 'out of the box' Ovi service support, full kinetic scrolling and homescreen widgets undoubtedly has the edge here. For those who wanted a touch enabled, large screen version of the 5730, the C6's approximate UK price tag of £230 is a very good deal.
The E5, compared against the E63 (which it replaces) and the newer (higher cost) E72 is a simpler comparison to make. The E5 is almost the same in terms of specs as the E72, but with a price point below £200, it will surely reach a much wider audience. For the drop in price, it loses the hero BP-4L battery, but talk and standby estimates would seem to suggest it will consume less power anyway. There is also no optical D-Pad or traditional auto-focus camera; instead it has an Extended Depth of Field (EDoF) camera, as reviewed positively in the E52 and E55.
In general, both the C6 and E5 are larger than their predecessors, which is, in part, indicative of being made from cheaper materials. The cheaper materials also helps explain part of the reduction in price. Materials are the key component in how a phone 'feels' in the hand. The E5 and C6 will feel cheaper then their more expensive siblings, but will undergo the same rigorous Nokia testing regime, and are likely to be similarly durable.
Conclusion
The observation to take from all of this is that these new phones are both of a comparable specification and of comparable price points to 6-17 month old phones. Consider what the price points of these phones will be when they themselves reach the 6-12 month mark, and it is clear to see that these advanced smartphones are going to be reaching a much wider audience than ever before.
David Gilson, AAS, 14 April 2010