Review: the tiny and super-stylish Nokia E51

[slitchfield]

At first glance it looks like a slimmed down E90. But then you realise it's utterly miniscule. Here's my review of the Nokia E51, which packs much of the E90's style and functionality into the slimmest and smallest S60 smartphone ever made. Any downsides? Only a few hard-to-press side keys stand in the way of the E51 being the perfect smartphone for an awfully large chunk of the phone and smartphone market.

Read on in the full article.

[malerocks]

I think its about time that Nokia came up with a similar phone in the Nseries range. It would be really wonderful to have a slim and small multimedia device. All the current devices may not be very bulky, but they are definitely large.

[AndyM]

Looks great; I'm very tempted to get one ASAP, despite only having had my 5500 for a few months. It's a very similar package, with several of the deficiencies fixed (no WiFi, small RAM), though it doesn't have the torch ;-)

Does the E51 have a hands-free mode? I.e. does it work as a speaker phone, or play podcasts etc. without having to use headphones?

And what does it use instead of the Edit (pencil) key, which it doesn't seem to have?

Yes, a similar Nseries device would be very nice. Needs a larger display, though (at least 2.2") and ideally a 3.5mm headphone jack...that would make a nice small music phone!

And while they're at it, they should start using the Eseries high quality materials for their Nseries handsets too...

[DevilsRejection]

Can we expect a dedicated video review by either Rafe or yourself or shall we wait until the next episode of The Smartphones Show?

[slitchfield]

AndyM: yes, full speakerphone mode etc. Though nowhere near as loud as the speakers in Nseries devices. So only really of use in quiet rooms.

Stefan: yes, video review in Smartphones Show 47, out tonight. 8-)

[malerocks]

"And what does it use instead of the Edit (pencil) key, which it doesn't seem to have?"

The pencil key has been merged to the # key in all upcoming s60 devices by nokia.

[hargs48]

I noticed in one of the screenshots in the Tools folder there is the app "Switch" I am assuming it does the same job as the rotateme app does on other S60 phones... great phone in a great size...seems very hard to beat...

[AndyM]

Originally Posted by hargs48

I noticed in one of the screenshots in the Tools folder there is the app "Switch" I am assuming it does the same job as the rotateme app does on other S60 phones

I think the 'Switch' application is for transferring data from your old phone to this one.

[hargs48]

My bad you are a right it is just named differently on the E51,its the "Transfer" app you get on the other S60 phones.The icon is the also the same.

[Rafe]

Also a video review from me once i get my hands on one. Plus I'll probably look at a comparison with the other small phones. For E50 / Nokia 5500 / Nokia E65 / Nokia 6120 users this could be a tempting upgrade.

[AndyM]

Originally Posted by Rafe

For E50 / Nokia 5500 / Nokia E65 / Nokia 6120 users this could be a tempting upgrade.

See above; this 5500 owner for one is very tempted.

What does the key under the d-pad do?

[malerocks]

Originally Posted by Jonek

What does the key under the d-pad do?

That's how 'C' is represented in the eseries

[malerocks]

I just noticed something. The * key also has a bluetooth icon. Is that a shortcut to turn on / turn off bluetooth?