Steve Reviews the Newly Announced Nokia E71
Published by Ewan Spence at 12:17 UTC, June 16th 2008
Having been using the Nokia E71 for a little while now, Steve Litchfield delivers his verdict - what's new compared to its predecessor, the E61i? And how close does the E71 get to being the perfect smartphone for the modern professional? With predictive text and a wealth of other tweaks to S60, the E71 certainly delivers more than you'd think at first sight.
In some ways the E71 is the iPhone's nemesis - using almost the identical dimensions in a totally different way, for a totally different set of users. The iPhone excels at media consumption (Music/photos/video/web), while the E71's strengths are in media creation (typing documents, Office work, camera, camcorder, and so on - the usual Nokia/S60 strengths). Both devices can do most of what the other does, just not as well. The attempted crossover is evidenced by the iPhone 2 platform adding enterprise features while the E71 now plays DRMed WMA music, etc. Then there are the starkly different form factors. And the different target markets (personal vs company use). Add in the elegantly-simple- but-not-as-deep UI of the iPhone compared to the useable but-you-need-to-be-fairly-tech-savvy-to-find-everything approach for S60 on the E71, and I can only emphasise once again that they're polar opposites.
Read on for Steve's full review of Nokia's latest Eseries device, the E71.
Categories: Hardware
Platforms: S60 3rd Edition
News Discussion
krisse
Great review Steve!
Interesting on the word completion feature, there's something similar on the Nokia tablets and I did wonder if they'd ever use it on the phones.
Also fascinating that they've upped the multimedia features by including such a good camera, and compatibility with things like podcasts. Most interestingly, as the N71 has Nokia Music Store built in along with several games, I can't see any reason for it to be excluded from the N-Gage platform, as that's just as much pure entertainment as a music store.
Interesting on the word completion feature, there's something similar on the Nokia tablets and I did wonder if they'd ever use it on the phones.
Also fascinating that they've upped the multimedia features by including such a good camera, and compatibility with things like podcasts. Most interestingly, as the N71 has Nokia Music Store built in along with several games, I can't see any reason for it to be excluded from the N-Gage platform, as that's just as much pure entertainment as a music store.
Unregistered
"The Messaging application itself is largely unchanged from earlier devices which is something of a dissapointment "
FAIL.
Next, please.
FAIL.
Next, please.
Unregistered
Holy noise and purple Batman!
I was SO looking forward to this phone since with all those features it would have been a near perfect device for blogging my upcoming half year trip around the world. But then I clicked on the camera samples and .... WTF?! Hey Nokia, 2001 called, they want their crappycam back.
Am I the only one constantly puzzled about all companies' incompetence when it comes down to produce a no-crap device? Seems like some random (yet for my purposes essential) feature is messed up on each phone these days. So now I can choose tween going windows mobile or doing mobile blogging without qwerty. Sheesh, thanks Nokia.
I was SO looking forward to this phone since with all those features it would have been a near perfect device for blogging my upcoming half year trip around the world. But then I clicked on the camera samples and .... WTF?! Hey Nokia, 2001 called, they want their crappycam back.
Am I the only one constantly puzzled about all companies' incompetence when it comes down to produce a no-crap device? Seems like some random (yet for my purposes essential) feature is messed up on each phone these days. So now I can choose tween going windows mobile or doing mobile blogging without qwerty. Sheesh, thanks Nokia.
Unregistered
It's strange that this uses FP1 whilst the N78, launched earlier, uses FP2. The multimedia stuff is a little disappointing too, I was hoping it'd be an all-rounder to replace my N82 and Blackberry with :(
krisse
Quote:
| It's strange that this uses FP1 whilst the N78, launched earlier, uses FP2 |
If Nokia started work on the N71 a long time before the N78, it would make sense that the N71 is based around an earlier version of S60v3.
Unregistered
I'm a long-time Nokia user, for better or worse.
I upgraded from E61 to N95 8GB because I wanted HSPA and and a less sluggish device -- that has worked well enough -- but I just cant get along with only 9-key number pad anymore... it's so painful to input text, and how often do we really dial numbers manually anymore?
So I need a small qwerty with HSPA. E71 looks a good from that perspective.
I upgraded from E61 to N95 8GB because I wanted HSPA and and a less sluggish device -- that has worked well enough -- but I just cant get along with only 9-key number pad anymore... it's so painful to input text, and how often do we really dial numbers manually anymore?
So I need a small qwerty with HSPA. E71 looks a good from that perspective.
bheetebrij
Thanks for the great review! Despite some really good things - such as the calendar tweak, modes, home-screen quick contact search, installed podcasting and share on-line apps - it is no home-run for me. Particularly, the multimedia part is slightly disappointing.
I realise that my wishlist is odd, and have to congratulate Nokia on a really good all-round device!
I realise that my wishlist is odd, and have to congratulate Nokia on a really good all-round device!
nj7
More of the same boring screen resolution... I´m tired of that! None evolution at all, phone after phone:mad:
langdona
Seems like a perfect replacement for my battered E61.
Battered because I stupidly did not zip my pocket whilst on a large roller coaster on Part Aventura leading to it flying out.
Surprised because someone handed it in.
Even more surprised that the only damage was chunks missing out of the aluminium cover and my memory card was missing. It works perfectly. Tough things these Nokias!
Battered because I stupidly did not zip my pocket whilst on a large roller coaster on Part Aventura leading to it flying out.
Surprised because someone handed it in.
Even more surprised that the only damage was chunks missing out of the aluminium cover and my memory card was missing. It works perfectly. Tough things these Nokias!
AVR4000
It´s a nice device but I prefer the E90. The E71 is very interesting in the most areas but the camera department is a dissapointment. I like the E90s abilities in this sector so I thought the E71 would be identical.
The software additions (contacts etc) is good but they could have used the E90 style in more apps.
A question: what is the theme used in the reviewed E71? It looks like the good old 6600 and S60v1.
The software additions (contacts etc) is good but they could have used the E90 style in more apps.
A question: what is the theme used in the reviewed E71? It looks like the good old 6600 and S60v1.
Unregistered
"For video recording, capture is at the new 'phone' standard of QVGA at 15 frames per second"hmm,gsmarena spec sheet says that it has VGA video recording @ 22fps.Any comment on this.
Unregistered
Sounds like there are several potential customers for a consumer/Nseries qwerty handset among the commenters already. From the live feed: "why no consumer qwerty? Consumers are using qwerty more, but geo specific. More products. Yes. No specifics."
Maybe they could approach it from the blogging angle, huh.
Maybe they could approach it from the blogging angle, huh.
Serum
http://europe.nokia.com/A41146123
it states clearly "640 x 480 at 22 fps"
it states clearly "640 x 480 at 22 fps"
tomsky
Any chance we'll see some of these innovations on the e90? I quite like the idea of predictive text on the E90, and VPN would be a dream come true, albeit 3 days too late (don't ask...).
Unregistered
Steve, I used to me Nokia E61i keypad and I type with both hands. But in new E71 there's no space between buttons and the device itself is not so wide to use it with two hands. Is it much less comfortable for both hands operating or not?
Unregistered
Quote:
|
Originally Posted by nj7
More of the same boring screen resolution... I´m tired of that! None evolution at all, phone after phone:mad:
|
352x416 has been left alone for a while. They probably decided to standardize on 240x320 and 320x240 so that their own UI designers and 3rd party app/game developers would have an easier time. I can tell you that at 352x416 and 247.7 dpi (2.2" screen) some applications use too small fonts or images to be comfortable. Mostly I'm happy though, and for the sake of web browsing I'm very reluctant to move to a smaller resolution.
Top Nseries handsets have 2.8" screens right now. I think QVGA is getting pretty limiting and would expect Nokia to use some bigger resolution within half a year to a year. It'll be interesting if they decide to continue with 352x416 once more or go for something like 320x480 which scales much nicer from QVGA. iPhone also uses 320x480 (at 164.8 dpi, 3.5" screen) and I might get one just for browsing - would have to also carry a Nokia for several other things though.
Unregistered
For that screen size I would expect 640x480 and nothing less. Still a rather nice hardware, despite the outdated resolution.
Ewan
Steve's attending the launch event today, so he's not around, hence his normal replies on phone issues isn't as fast today. Rest assured when he's back I'm sure that he'll address them as best he can.
in the meantime, the screen resolution is always a strange one - I do remember feeling a bit depressed when the jump from 176x208 to QVGA didn;t give me more info on the screen, just nicer fonts thanks to more pixels - the pixel density may be bigger but the physical screen sie is still the limit IMO. I think when it comes the next jump will give more clarity in pictures and video, but not ness. in the contents displayed on the screen.
There's no word on firmware updates to the E90, or what could be included, so anything written wouuld be speculation. It would be nice, but then getting XXXX on YYYY device is always nice
in the meantime, the screen resolution is always a strange one - I do remember feeling a bit depressed when the jump from 176x208 to QVGA didn;t give me more info on the screen, just nicer fonts thanks to more pixels - the pixel density may be bigger but the physical screen sie is still the limit IMO. I think when it comes the next jump will give more clarity in pictures and video, but not ness. in the contents displayed on the screen.
There's no word on firmware updates to the E90, or what could be included, so anything written wouuld be speculation. It would be nice, but then getting XXXX on YYYY device is always nice
NiallS
If it gets BlackBerry Connect, I'm in... sounds like there's no agreement over this yet though :(
Unregistered
Nokia clearly decided not to compete with Apple on the visual appeal of the GUI. These icons look like Windows 3.1 vintage designs (or Windows 2000, at the most).
Yes, interaction design is hard, but icon design is easy because you can plop any graphic into that slot of the UI. Furthermore it's cheap to, e.g., outsource icon design to a great Russian artist. Do you know if the screen offers limited color depth? It doesn't seem so from the appearance of photos, which seem to have at least 16-bit color depth and thus should allow for beautiful icons.
Yes, interaction design is hard, but icon design is easy because you can plop any graphic into that slot of the UI. Furthermore it's cheap to, e.g., outsource icon design to a great Russian artist. Do you know if the screen offers limited color depth? It doesn't seem so from the appearance of photos, which seem to have at least 16-bit color depth and thus should allow for beautiful icons.
Ratkat
Well I'd began to think this would never get released, and just when I'd almost decided to get an iPhone, but sod that. It the E71 for me :)
(and I like the nice simple icons and theme)
(and I like the nice simple icons and theme)
Unregistered
Great review.
I see you posted it should be available now. Does anyone know where you can order one now in the US? Nokia's site states it is coming soon, and is not taking pre-orders.
I see you posted it should be available now. Does anyone know where you can order one now in the US? Nokia's site states it is coming soon, and is not taking pre-orders.
Unregistered
Does anybody know what colours are would be available? I like my silver E51 with black keys. I not so sure about the silver/white keys....
fernando20
zomg 4cm macro! Is it automatic (like no need to select anything after opening the camera), or do you have to still go select macro mode when you're taking a picture from 4cm distance?
Unregistered
Is the voip functionality the same as on E51?