3G Smartphones: Nokia E71
The Nokia E71 has been out for a while now, but it is still one of the best 3G smartphones, offering extraordinary value for money. The phone comes packed with all standard features you would expect from a smartphone now days, but what really makes it a stand-out is the quality and usability of the design.
The phone features a qwerty keyboard that is compact, yet incredibly easy to use. The casing of the phone is strong and sturdy. If you are the kind of user who has a tendency to be a bit rough with your phone, you can be sure the Nokia E71 can handle plenty of drops and falls. The operating system is Symbian, which is very easy to use, especially for those that just want a phone that can do what it promises, without lots of tweaking and problem solving. With Mail for Exchange, you can setup the phone to work with your business’ exchange server quite easily.
Add skype to the mix and you’ve got a fantastic communication device. A GPS receiver is built in, and through Nokia’s online Ovi store, you can download the excellent OviMaps program for free. Conversely, you can opt for Google Maps, but either way you’ve got a solid GPS in your pocket. The size of the phone is one of its greatest strengths. It’s dimensions are 114 x 57 x 10 mm, which means it can slip into your front pocket or handbag without any inconvenience. This phone scores major points with those who don’t want to carry a big paperweight around with them all the time.
The Nokia E71 doesn’t have a touchscreen, but for many people this isn’t a problem. The fact is that touchscreens break easily, and that will not be a problem with an E71. The smartphone has plenty of memory, and a slot of a mini SD card. For some reason, Nokia included a 2.5 mm headphone jack, meaning normal headphones are not compatible. This certain can be an annoyance over time, though most likely not a deal breaker. The camera on the phone leaves a lot to be desired as well, even though it seems to work a lot better for filming short videos.
The Nokia E71 is a fantastic phone, especially for those who just want a phone that can do it all without the fuss. It is geared at business users and consistently performs well. While an iPhone may be a more trendy option, the Nokia E71 may be the more practical one.