Nokia E71 – day 1: Loving it!
By Dusan Belic on Friday, October 31st, 2008 at 3:26 AM PST In Devices, ESeries, Nokia, Symbian
After sending just a couple of text messages, I consider myself to be a master of the E71’s keyboard. It’s that easy, or that’s just me with my tiny thumbs. 
Right from the bat, I’ve installed two apps which I use on a daily basis. Those are:
- Fring – best Symbian S60 IM client that also works with Skype
- Opera Mini – Java-based super-fast web browser that saves bandwidth
I also wanted to install a Bluetooth keyboard driver, but that was already on place with the unit Nokia (NYSE: NOK) sent me. In addition, I also downloaded region maps via Nokia Map Loader.
The device responds super fast. I can’t believe it’s running a 369 MHz processor under the hood, as it seems like the CPU can handle all the tasks with a breeze.
The 2.4-inch QVGA screen may not impress many if the age of hi-res all-touchscreen devices, but it shows just enough information. If Nokia does opt to use a higher resolution display in future models, it will certainly have to put a larger screen on place and consequently make the device larger. Otherwise, I don’t see a point of a 2.4-inch VGA screen — it doesn’t make much sense…
Anyway, today I’m playing with Fring and Opera Mini, and I’m glad to report that both respond quickly. And did I mentioned I love chatting on E71’s QWERTY keyboard? Well, I do. Tomorrow, I’m bringing this baby to the gym. I’m going to pair it with Motorola (NYSE: MOT)’s active S9 headsets. Stay tuned…
Nice article, Dusan. We have a lot of customers asking for this model. I ain’t such a fan of Nokia models, may I use your words when the customer ask me for some feedback?
Hi Dusan! Yes nice article, as JohnDoe said.
I just wanted to ask you, if you can have a special look on current signal strengths because there were some rumours about some signal issues with the E71.
Thx in advance.
bg
You mean you actually got Fring to work?
I have had my E51 for six months and tried Fring (and Gizmo – Nokia’s own VOIP app) with a variety of routers and operators, but the voice delay and sound quality were always unusable.
I have hung out at the Nokia Support Forum, but have heard of no one who has got them to work.
Please tell me whether Fring or Gizmo are usable or not.
I played a little bit with one of these over the summer, and as a BlackBerry user, it was obviously a pretty smooth transition. I found the biggest difference was simply in the feel of the device – the E71 feels much higher-class. Heavy, body, slim form, and metal backing all helped. Still, the OS was complete Greek to me, so back to the Bold I went.
Greate article ! Yes I love my E71 , more and more for evry day.
Is so sexy and amazing fast response for evrything, It get me sat lock within seconds..:)
Real nice to continue read your reports of the E71 ( I have alredy boked one to my wife..)
Hi Dusan,
.
I hv been using this little genious for last one mont. I am damn sure will be loving this device.
INSTALL ” SKYFIRE ” BROWSER FROM SKYFIRE.COM AND VISIT YOUTUBE then the e71 will be a micro laptop
list of software i hv allready installed n using :
1. Opera mini ( i can not even think a mobile phone for myself without it )
2. Teashark ( browser )
3. Skyfire ( browser, its really great )
4. Nokia web server.
5. DivX player.
6. Mobitubia ( youtube client )
7. Bull ( share market updater )
8. Yahoo Go
9. 10live (online chines television )
10. Infotech (for online Eng 2 bengoli dic )
And my e71 is working very smoothly and fast.
i hv written all these using my e71 
Finaly
It’s truly an upgrade from the E51. The E71 has got it all! After using the phone for over 3 months now, I’d like to mention a few things that Nokia could have looked over before releasing it:
1. The phone’s design is amazing but the steel back makes it really warm after a long telephone call.
2. Navigation from the Business Stand-by to Personal Stand-by isnt really a ’smooth’ operation. After upgrading the firmware (actually just formatting), I realised it wasnt any help in improving processing speed or any clearing up.
3. In Nokia’s attempt to beat the BB Curve series, the keys arent very impressive in quality or even spacing. The way the keys would easily press in a Curve because of the sensible spacing between buttons, the Nokia E71 cannot be managed that easily.
That being said, the best things are the battery life, user friendly interface, overall speed, Symbian – download pretty much any application of your use and the price! Its neatly priced at Rs.19000 in India ($380 – $ – Rs.50 today) quite a fight to the Sony Eric Smarthphones and a run for the money of a BB Curve at Rs.24000.
@ Nakul
- Having a metal back I think is a good thing, cos its better at dissipating heat. So I guess it keeps the insides of the E71 from getting hot.
- A question to the rest, how does this compare to the E90, which I’m thinking of getting (of course, apart from price)?
- Regarding keyboard, I have the SE P1i. i think that’s the greatest, innovative keyboard that’s ever been designed. If you haven’t tried it, make sure you try it out. I can do almost 30-40wpm on that thing. I just wish The P1i was as good, cos its not! It falls short in many areas, but a very good attempt. What SE lacks however is the brains to fix and improve current products than constantly release new stuff with the same prior defects. I’ll be leaving SE soon, especially after the news of UIQ3’s demise.
fring works no problem on e71. it did work on e61 and my brother does use it on e51 too
# Benji about the keypad , I have use a p1 and the keypad on the E71
(take some day to get use to) ,after that the E71 are the best keypad I ever have use on a cellphone.
Nice read , how much the E71 cost unlocked in US ?
ITS A GOOD PHONE… BUT I REALLY PREFER A NOKIA NSERIES PHONE
http://nseries-phones.blogspot.com
I’m an avid Apple Mac user, but I didn’t buy an iPhone because I really wasn’t sure if it was for me. For starters the iPod feature isn’t good enough for my use as I have over 300 albums and 200 music videos on my iPod Classic because I like the convenience of having all my music with me. My partner did however get one and as I explored it I began to wonder if I should too. Then I came across the E71. I did my research and read many reviews which 99% were all very favourable so I purchased one. I have to say to date I haven’t been disappointed. It suits all my needs. The added addition of wifi is a huge bonus in my opinion and the extra apps like Google Maps, World Mate, Palringo, etc. make this phone one of the best. For me it is far more useful than an iPhone. Its thin and light and very convenient to use.
Yes I love the E71 to, Is no wonder it have get all the awards for the best smartphone etc. The price is amasing , like our stuff have get the E71 and love it!
We get 2 E71 for the same price as other in the same class,
and the E71 are still the best when compare.
Hello from Belgium!
What a beauty this E71 Congrats Nokia he’s the best I ever see and work with.I will say it again Nokia,Nokia,Nokia!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Nice greetings CJ