In this gallery we take a closer visual look at the Nokia C7 (C7-00), one of three Symbian^3 phones that were announced at Nokia World 2010 last week. As usual, we show off some of the key hardware features of the phone and include some first impression commentary. The C7 marries sleek design and outstanding build quality with Nokia's new hardware platform and the powerful Symbian^3 software. We'll have more C7 coverage, including a first look preview, on the site in due course.
Pictures from Nokia World 2010; the C7-00 in these photos is pre-sales hardware and is running pre-sales software.
C7-00 Sample Image Here's a sample image captured by the Nokia C7-00. It's a good example of how an EDoF camera can produce excellent results.
Bear in mind this image was captured on a prototype C7-00 so there's likely to be further camera tweaks before the retail release.
C7 mute light The C7 has a number of 'hidden' features. A good example of this is the mute light. If you mute a voice call (e.g. during a conference call), then the light on the home key glows. This might seem like a small thing, but consider this... if you mute a call the only well to tell on most phones is through an on-screen indicator... However if the screen switches off (which most phones do after 30 seconds), then there's no way to tell if the call is muted or not, without picking up the phone and turning the screen back on.
Social software 2 The C7 has the ability to aggregate several social networks together, presenting you with an 'All Activity' view. This integrated approach makes a lot of sense, as many people use more than one social network.
C7 theming Here's a great example of how themes and the customisability of the homescreen can give the phone a different look. This can be used to reflect the consumer's personality or change their personal user experience.
C7-00 versus C6-01 Medium and small in the Symbian^3 line up. The C7 is thinner and has a bigger screen (3.5 inches instead of 3.2 inches), but each device will have its own fans.
Sample camera pictures The lack of auto focus on the C7's EDoF camera has attracted a few criticisms. However EDoF cameras are better at capturing 'grab and go' images, so there's actually a lot to be said for choosing an EDoF camera. Camera purists might be upset by that statement, but I think most people won't be concerned in day to day usage.
This photo show some of the sample images taken by the C7, that were being shown of at Nokia World. Very impressive indeed.
C7 from the front The C7 might not use Nokia's new CBD display technology, but it's 3.5 inch AMOLED capacitive screen is still a big step up from Symbian^1 devices.
C7 from the back The C7's metallic back cover showed no sign of movement. No squeaks or rattles here I'm very pleased to report. The top and the bottom of the device, which is where the aerials are, are made of plastic. They are painted with bio-paint, a first for a Nokia product. Outside these areas the dominant materials are metallic.
C7 - from the side The C7 is impressively thin; certainly a departure from the 'ate all the pies' Nokia 5800.
This is partly a natural consequence of good design, but is also an example of impressive industrial engineering. Take the battery out, and you wonder where on earth they have managed to squeeze everything in.
Social software Social software is important to the C7's target market. Here's an example of one of the features available out of the box - location check-ins, which work on multiple social networks.
Nokia C7-00 with Ovi Maps The C7 has an impressive array of Ovi services, including Ovi Maps, which provides free drive and walk navigation in more than 40 countries around the world.
C7 with curves The C7 has a beautiful design - pictures don't really do this phone justice.
It's hard to put into words, but the rounded edges, when combined with the outstanding build quality, give a reassuring solidity, while maintaining stylistic flair.
Landscape mode Even with its unfinished software the C7 was a fast performer. The switch from portrait to landscape mode is a great example of this.
I also feel this is a device that particularly benefits from landscape mode. It's clear the device has been designed to feel well balanced in either orientation.
Music cover-flow Symbian^3's reworked music player, includes cover-flow functionality, which takes advantage of the new graphics engine in the platform.
C7 from the top Standard microUSB (support for USB OTG too) and 3.5 mm audio ports (also used for TV out).
Noise cancellation microphone You can't really see it in this picture, but there's a second microphone just under the back cover release. This is used in the C7's noise cancellation feature in calls (make you sound clearer to the other end of a call). It means you should be able to make a call in noisy environments and still be heard at the other end.
Real buttons The C7 has 'real' button for the send and end key - something missing on many recent Nokia (and other) touchscreen phones. There's no doubt that it easy to find and push a real button by touch alone... and even if you're looking at it, its a more intuitive action than pressing a membrane.
