The Nokia E90 takes on allcomers
Published by Steve Litchfield at 10:43 UTC, February 26th 2008
In a definitive look at the genre, Steve Litchfield explores the 'Communicator' form factor, looking at devices past and present, on all platforms. How does the Nokia E90 fare in such wide-ranging company?
It's fair to say that the Nokia E90 has had both brickbats and bouquets flung at it in its short year of life. But are these justified? Critics often compare it to its predecessors and competitors, unfavourably. But I think the comparisons are off-beam. Let's look at the competition:
| Nokia 9500 | Nokia E90 | LG KT610 | Asus M930W | Toshiba G910 | |
| Availability | 3 years ago, available for very little on eBay - ahead of its time? | £500+ SIM-free, free on serious contracts | Mid 2008? - noone knows! Ditto price. | Within 2 months? Price unknown | Within a month, price unknown |
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| OS, interface | Symbian OS 7.0, Series 80 | Symbian OS 9.2, S60 3rd Edition, Feature Pack 1 | Symbian OS 9.2, S60 3rd Edition, Feature Pack 1 |
Windows Mobile 6 | Windows Mobile 6 |
| Screen size(s) | 640 by 200 inner, 128 by 128 outer | 800 by 352 inner, 240 by 320 outer | 320 by 240 inner, 160 by 64 outer display | 400 by 240 inner, 240 by 320 outer | 800 by 480 inner, one line outer |
| Comms spec | Wi-Fi, tri-band GSM, Bluetooth | Wi-Fi, quad-band GSM, 3.5G, Bluetooth | Tri-band GSM, 3.5G, Bluetooth | Wi-Fi, tri-band GSM, 3.5G, Bluetooth |
Wi-Fi, tri-band GSM, 3.5G, Bluetooth |
| Weight, length | 230g, 148mm | 210g, 132mm | Unknown weight, 109mm |
Both unknown | 183g, 117mm |
| Other major spec points | 0.3mp camera | 3.2mp camera with focus and flash, GPS, radio | 2mp camera, with flash, GPS | Unknown, GPS probable | 2mp camera, with flash, GPS |
| Multimedia | Base MP4, 3GP, MP3, AAC, AAC+ |
MP4, including H.264, 3GP, MP3, AAC, AAC+, eAAC+, WMA |
MP4, including H.264, 3GP, MP3, AAC, eAAC+, WMA |
WMV, some MP4, 3GP, WMA, MP3 | WMV, some MP4, 3GP, WMA, MP3, AAC, eAAC+ |
| Memory | 24MB free RAM, 80MB flash memory, expandable via MMC with extra 2GB | 80MB free RAM, 120MB flash memory, expandable via microSD to 32GB | Unknown free RAM, 64MB flash memory, expandable via microSD to 32GB |
Roughly 60MB free RAM, around 128MB flash storage, expandable via microSD to 32GB |
Roughly 60MB free RAM, around 128MB flash storage, expandable via microSD to 32GB |
| Keyboard comments |
Great for hunt and peck typing |
Good for thumb typing or, on a desk, those with strong fingers |
Also looks handy for fast thumb typing |
Looks good, plus the screen hinge may act as a decent stand, in order to angle the keyboard | As with the Asus, looks good, plus the screen hinge may act as a decent stand, in order to angle the keyboard |
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Compared to the Nokia 9500, the natural perceived upgrade path for the Communicator series, the E90 comes off very well, with much larger screen(s), improved frequency support, far superior camera (and camcorder), much more RAM, more flash storage, greater possibility for expansion and better media handling all round. It's all quite a bit smaller and lighter, despite the near indestructible metal shell. Pretty compelling, although the pro-9500 exponents point to the lighter key touch (agreed) and the superior more keyboard-focussed UI (also agreed). A tough call, given the importance of the latter two items, but I'd still rate the E90 as the superior device by some margin.
Comparing the E90 to the KT610 is a bit unfair. The latter is smaller, cheaper and with much lower spec components. Both have their place in the market, although I for one do welcome the KT610, fitting into a possible gap in the market.
Comparing the E90 to the new announced-but-not-shipping Windows Mobile 6 clamshells is trickier. The hardware specs are surprisingly similar, from memory to camera to GPS to media support to data speeds to size and weight. So a lot comes down to build quality (at which the E90 excels, teething QA issues excepted), price and, of course, choice of UI. Nothing can get near the Nokia 9500 in terms of clamshell-optimised UI, but I'd say that Windows Mobile 6 was at least as clumsy on a qwerty clamshell as S60 is, maybe even more so.
I'm not going to pronounce a winner, but I do hope that the comparison above has helped you place each model in your own estimation. Which one will you buy, if any? Comments welcome!
Steve Litchfield, AllAboutSymbian, 11 March 2008
Categories: Comment, Hardware
Platforms: Series 80, General, S60 3rd Edition
Feature Discussion
Unregistered
Nice comparison. The 9500 was a sort of "Mesiah" in the Communicator world when it came out in early 2005 or so. I like the E90 best, though the Toshiba G910 may prove to be serious competition.
Unregistered
Quote:
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Originally Posted by Unregistered
Nice comparison. The 9500 was a sort of "Mesiah" in the Communicator world when it came out in early 2005 or so. I like the E90 best, though the Toshiba G910 may prove to be serious competition.
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I'm really getting into Symbian Software at the moment, finding new and free applications all the time. I come from being a HTC Advantage and TyTn user, and certainly won't be going back to windows mobile in the near future.
Unregistered
'the toshiba is not a competitor for me, aside from any preference for windows mobile anybody might have. its smaller internal screen,'
Careful, the Toshiba internal screen has the best resolution, especially vertical. In your hand it's actually works out well.
I'd still go for Symbian though, if I wanted a big qwerty device. Which I don't.
Careful, the Toshiba internal screen has the best resolution, especially vertical. In your hand it's actually works out well.
I'd still go for Symbian though, if I wanted a big qwerty device. Which I don't.
Unregistered
and what about nokia 9300 ? i think that it was great addition to communicator's series...small, with wi-fi [in 9300i version], good battery - hey, not everybody needs camera ;)
malerocks
I have a recommendation for the article here. Check out this Sony phone:
http://www.sonyericsson.com/cws/prod...x1?cc=in&lc=en
Steve says that it may not be out till the end of 2008, but I still think its comparable
http://www.sonyericsson.com/cws/prod...x1?cc=in&lc=en
Steve says that it may not be out till the end of 2008, but I still think its comparable
Unregistered
I'm sorry but those other handsets are an unfunny joke.
You buy a phone this big & you want the biggest keyboard & screen you can cram into it.
Only the Nokias have put in a screen that comes anywhere close to filling the internal lid space.
The only point of all that wasted lid space is to save the manufacturer money.
You buy a phone this big & you want the biggest keyboard & screen you can cram into it.
Only the Nokias have put in a screen that comes anywhere close to filling the internal lid space.
The only point of all that wasted lid space is to save the manufacturer money.
Menneisyys
You haven't compared the real screen estate utilized in clamshell mode. It's a big plus for the E90 and a BIG minus for the new Toshiba, let alone the Asus MS Smartphone, which is plain ridiculous in this respect. (Incidentally, if the new Toshi is as buggy as the predecessor, the G900, I'm absolutely sure it won't be worth even considering for purchase.)
I've posted my (extensive) rants on this to http://www.pocketpcmag.com/blogs/ind...&c=1&tb=1&pb=1 if interested.
I've posted my (extensive) rants on this to http://www.pocketpcmag.com/blogs/ind...&c=1&tb=1&pb=1 if interested.
Menneisyys
Quote:
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Originally Posted by Unregistered
I'm sorry but those other handsets are an unfunny joke.
You buy a phone this big & you want the biggest keyboard & screen you can cram into it. Only the Nokias have put in a screen that comes anywhere close to filling the internal lid space. The only point of all that wasted lid space is to save the manufacturer money. |
Menneisyys
Quote:
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Originally Posted by malerocks
I have a recommendation for the article here. Check out this Sony phone:
http://www.sonyericsson.com/cws/prod...x1?cc=in&lc=en Steve says that it may not be out till the end of 2008, but I still think its comparable |
Unregistered
It does seem very strange that LG and Asus thought that having such a small internal screen was such a great idea; it almost doesn't seem worth it...
malerocks
Quote:
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Originally Posted by Unregistered
It does seem very strange that LG and Asus thought that having such a small internal screen was such a great idea; it almost doesn't seem worth it...
|
Unregistered
I had a look for more than 8 months to make a choice for the a phone with keyboard and camera (good one) and 3g and wifi and big screen and multitasking and small enough to carry every day to work etc (just everything). And I guess not the best choice but the only choice is Nokia E90 ! If you like it or not, I am sorry.
It is pity, I agree, that the price is so high, but the reason is not the phone is so perfect. The reason is there is not on the market a real competitor for this type of phone.
And I guess that's it.
There is no use to speculate about it.
We have to just wait for a real competitor. And in the meantime use the E90 (possibly in the near future with better nokia software and more free software as well)
It is pity, I agree, that the price is so high, but the reason is not the phone is so perfect. The reason is there is not on the market a real competitor for this type of phone.
And I guess that's it.
There is no use to speculate about it.
We have to just wait for a real competitor. And in the meantime use the E90 (possibly in the near future with better nokia software and more free software as well)
Unregistered
As a owner of many Nokia phones with keyboards (9500, 9300, 9300i, 9300b, 6822, E70, E61, E61i and E90) for daily usage the E90 keyboard is one of the worst in terms of tactile pressure needed to use the keyboard.
I also have a Sony E M600i and P1i - both of these phones have faster email clients (POP, Exchange and Blackberry) and their little keyboards are actual much superior for heavy email creation on a daily basis. You can almost type faster and your fingers and hands don't hurt at the end of a day!
The Nokia 9300i has a higher performance email (Exchange and Blackberry) software and the keyboard appears to be better for extended usage than the E90. Just think how old the 9300i line is!
The E90 is only marginally better that the 9500 or 9300i handset. The bugs on the E90 are much more significant than those on 9500 or 9300i.
I wish it was different. The E90 could be a much better product with a different keyboard, better software performance and operational characteristics. Don't get me started on the GPS usability in the real world.
I also have a Sony E M600i and P1i - both of these phones have faster email clients (POP, Exchange and Blackberry) and their little keyboards are actual much superior for heavy email creation on a daily basis. You can almost type faster and your fingers and hands don't hurt at the end of a day!
The Nokia 9300i has a higher performance email (Exchange and Blackberry) software and the keyboard appears to be better for extended usage than the E90. Just think how old the 9300i line is!
The E90 is only marginally better that the 9500 or 9300i handset. The bugs on the E90 are much more significant than those on 9500 or 9300i.
I wish it was different. The E90 could be a much better product with a different keyboard, better software performance and operational characteristics. Don't get me started on the GPS usability in the real world.
pierro78
I had a 9300 for a couple of months but had to resell it because radio reception was too weak. I find the reception on E90 excellent.
Maybe gsm reception on 9300i is better than on the 9300 ?
Maybe gsm reception on 9300i is better than on the 9300 ?
bills2north
Nice chart!
But about the keyboards..
Both keyboards on 9300i and E90 are less than perfect but in each case Iīve learned to live with it. It just takes time.
In the end E90 wins hands down. Itīs hardware blows me away. Firmware needs an update thatīs for sure. And maybe there arenīt as many shortcuts on E90 but more than I can remember anyway. ;)
...And a neat tweak I found in E90. Open music player> adjust equaliser> now press menu key to multitask> open other media apps and dig the bass! Works with Realplayer, Internet Radio and even emTube. I doubt other commies can do that!
But about the keyboards..
Both keyboards on 9300i and E90 are less than perfect but in each case Iīve learned to live with it. It just takes time.
In the end E90 wins hands down. Itīs hardware blows me away. Firmware needs an update thatīs for sure. And maybe there arenīt as many shortcuts on E90 but more than I can remember anyway. ;)
...And a neat tweak I found in E90. Open music player> adjust equaliser> now press menu key to multitask> open other media apps and dig the bass! Works with Realplayer, Internet Radio and even emTube. I doubt other commies can do that!
cedesguin
As an early E90 user (after 9210 and 9500 communicators), I would compare it to the Leica: robust, sturdy, away from fast outmoded trends, consistent, comprehensive and versatile. Once you are familiarized to it, when all is said and done, it's a frighteningly efficient tool. Difficult to imitate, as this article demonstrates.
Of course it has drawbacks, but I can live with them.
Of course it has drawbacks, but I can live with them.
enolaguy
OK E90 is cool is new is nice and is etc.
But if you ask the real world ! You hear that ! 9500 is better than the E90 !
Because
e90 have a fax ? No
e90 search its phone book by telephone numbers ? No
e90 open a same time two and three page in the internet ? No
e90 have take a specific DNS number or change the dns number ? No
e90 office specifications have 9500 office specifications ? No
e90 keyboard useful as 9500 keyboard ? NO
e90 s60 systems shortcuts have s80 9500 systems shortcuts ? No
e90 have four specific button as 9500 ? No
e90 have two stage direction buttons ? No
e90 return button is intelligent on the internet as the 9500 ? No
e90 help menu is powerfull and usefull as 9500 ? No
e90 have the pull down menu system as 9500 and PC ? No
e90 have esc button as 9500 ? No
what are we talk about
But if you ask the real world ! You hear that ! 9500 is better than the E90 !
Because
e90 have a fax ? No
e90 search its phone book by telephone numbers ? No
e90 open a same time two and three page in the internet ? No
e90 have take a specific DNS number or change the dns number ? No
e90 office specifications have 9500 office specifications ? No
e90 keyboard useful as 9500 keyboard ? NO
e90 s60 systems shortcuts have s80 9500 systems shortcuts ? No
e90 have four specific button as 9500 ? No
e90 have two stage direction buttons ? No
e90 return button is intelligent on the internet as the 9500 ? No
e90 help menu is powerfull and usefull as 9500 ? No
e90 have the pull down menu system as 9500 and PC ? No
e90 have esc button as 9500 ? No
what are we talk about
candykk
thank you for your sharing
Unregistered
It is my first communicator and I like it a lot. The big screen is great for use of calender, web (mail) etc. Shortcuts are good. Great for taking notes. Super to put appointments in while calling. Great as an outlook companion whith a keyboard that actually is usefull. Allso good for photos and filming on business trips, although not really easy to operate. Maps are still to complicated for practical use.
I know several people who prefer the 9500 as argued above. Would be interesting to see this evaluation with the new models launched in Q1 09
I know several people who prefer the 9500 as argued above. Would be interesting to see this evaluation with the new models launched in Q1 09
phoenixlipo
I have a E90 and l love it.The E90 works superbly as a phone. The E90 is, amazingly, (in my opinion) as good a stills camera and camcorder as the N95.
jApi NL
I also miss the escape button (9500 , 9300 , 9210) . But there is a workaround :
> press the red Phone/end key .
This closes the actual application in use , then start the application again , when needed . It's not that elegant but sometimes usefull .
☺ Regards jApi NL
> press the red Phone/end key .
This closes the actual application in use , then start the application again , when needed . It's not that elegant but sometimes usefull .
☺ Regards jApi NL