Welcome to Esato.com




E71i First impressions


Click to view updated thread with images




Posted by dgable
I've been using the E71 for around a week now and am reasonably pleased with it.

Style
Nearly all people who have seen it think its a pretty phone and like its shiny metal looks.

Phonebook
The minor changes to the phonebook are welcome changes. Your groups are now displayed in with your contact list so if you have a group called business contacts then you will find this group under "B".
There is also a tab at the top of the phone book which allows you to switch between your usual contacts and your windows live contacts which is nice if your a messenger user.
From the standby screen with the keypad unlocked you can now search your phone book simply by pressing a letter (no long presses required)
Txting
Now here's the deal breaker for some the keypad... I find the keys tiny and it does hinder my typing speed compared to my Tytyn2 and even my HTC s710 has more space between the keys due to its horizontal layout. Nokia forsaw this and have vastly improved the predictive txt over the likes of my n95 8gb.
I frequently misspell words by hitting the wrong key to find the e71 knows what im talking about and corrected it for me while still giving me the option to choose my mispelt mess if I wish.
The T9 on the E71i really is that good and is far better than all of my previously mentioned handsets and it needs to be as those keys really are tidgy.
One advantage of the tightly spaced keys are its certainly possible to use the phone to bash out a quick txt on the move single handed although msging or emailing over a long period on it would induce handache for sure.

Handling
Despite the grooves on the back this is one slippy handset. The amount of times i've had to catch it before it crashed to the floor are many. Ive ordered a crystal case to help protect its pretty looks.

Camera
Currently the camera sucks. The rose tints from the early n95's are present though im hoping a firmware update will fix this soon.

Front End
The home screen/desk top is highly customisable so you can remove the annoying search bar that my n95 8gb has with a simple removal of a tick and add a numer of extras below AND in addition the shortcut bar such as radio, music player, wifi, missed call,email and sms notification and these can be different when you "switch" screens.

Ringtones
Being an E series phone I was pleased to see you can still assign videos to contacts for ringtones (I wasnt sure if this was exclusive to n series phones) and the ringing volume is nice and loud without distortion.

My conclusion
Ok so as an everyday phone this beats the windows mobile device's qwerty phones I have hands down. (HTC s710 and TyTyn2) Its pocketable and manageable with one hand. IMO its aimed at techy people who want style and power. As for business users who email lots this handset might just fall short because of those tiny keys.

This phone is ideal for the FACEBOOK generation who want to bash quick msgs on the move. All somebody needs to do is create an app that intergarates Facebook better as currently S60 is way behind the iphone for this and even windows mobile has an app that lets you see what friends are online and view and accept friend and group invitations.
Memory Cards
The phone came packaged with a 2gig card had no problem using my 8gig card.

So im happy with phone im using it as my main handset now while my n95 8gb remains the multi media powerhouse in my coat pocket.

Price.
3 uk users can even pick up the handest in both colours for £240 on pay as you go

[ This Message was edited by: dgable on 2008-08-14 18:12 ]


Posted by dgable


Posted by dgable




Posted by technical-expert
Thanks for the review.Let the E71 make ur life more enjoyable.

U may wish to use sub titles like camera, application standby screen, some users may be lazy to read full length unformatted text.

Best Regards,
TECHNICAL EXPERT,
Technical Advisor, Research Scientist

[ This Message was edited by: technical-expert on 2008-08-14 14:47 ]

Posted by dgable
Thanks dude

Posted by londonlad123
Thanks for the review. £240 on 3 pay as you go?? Didn't see that coming, not on pay as you go anyway. If its unbranded and unlockable then might be worth a try.

Posted by dgable
Thanks londonlad123
The firmware is 3 branded tho there is no branding on the case of the handset at all (whether that will change at a later date i dont know)
Ive rewrote the product code so am just waiting for a new firmware on nokia software update to go generic and the phone cost me £22 to get unlocked and am using my orange sim in it with no problems.

A further addition to the review is the reception is incredible.
I often struggle with my other handsets in the house including my n95 8gb but for some reason the e71 clings to the call where my other handsets would drop the call and display conection error on the screen.

[ This Message was edited by: dgable on 2008-08-19 11:44 ]

Posted by jackdaniels
I have the e71 locked to 3. Where did you manage to get it unlocked as 3 want me to pay off the contract before i can unlock it.

Posted by Supa_Fly

On 2008-08-14 14:58:03, dgable wrote:

This phone is ideal for the FACEBOOK generation who want to bash quick msgs on the move. All somebody needs to do is create an app that intergarates Facebook better as currently S60 is way behind the iphone for this and even windows mobile has an app that lets you see what friends are online and view and accept friend and group invitations.

[ This Message was edited by: dgable on 2008-08-14 18:12 ]


Good review, but I wanted to highlight this specific point. That app you review to (3rd party) for Facebook that is available for WM is also available for S60 - but its more of a widset that is poorly coded just as on the WM. Also note that the new SportsTracker - available in your phones' Download app (yes the one on the MicroSD card is good; but is updated) will also allow you to upload photos to Ovi and have an Ovi plugin for Facebook. Nokia is working on a Facebook app for S60 phones.

Also note that this phone is targeted for the corporate user, which are already used to the keypad size and domed keys - similar to the BB8800 or Palm Treo WM series devices, or even the BlackJack. When you mention email - are you just using Gmail & Hotmail or are you integrating MFE (MS Exchange free app by Nokia)?

Lastly, those that are used to BES for BlackBerry, take not that Nokia owns IntelliSync; and for business' using it for corporate Email/Remote Server Access/Intranet/Security/App delivery/Etc will find the same functionality as BES. That said the BBDM for PC sync with your BlackBerry uses Nokia's IntelliSync under license .

Posted by dgable
Yeah i had the same problem as my E71 was my brothers upgrade and they wanted £280 upfront for the contract which is ridiculous because if you buy it on pay as you go they will charge you £15 to unlock it.

What area you from? Mine was done in Cheetham Hill in Manchester. It took half a day going back and forth to the shop but was worth the hassle in the end.

Posted by dgable
Hi Prom1
The only facebook app i could find for s60 was letting users no where you are. I was looking for something more along the line of the iphone where you can view certain apps and see which friends are online now. I have just started using the full version of facebook even though it takes forever to load a page.

Arh right i've only used a few coporate type phones and never a trio. Nokia will capture a few more casual users also as im really starting to like this fone and would be lost now without the convenience of s60 AND qwerty.

If you know the name of that facebook app ill check it out.
Thanks in advance

Posted by jackdaniels

On 2008-08-19 19:04:01, dgable wrote:
Yeah i had the same problem as my E71 was my brothers upgrade and they wanted £280 upfront for the contract which is ridiculous because if you buy it on pay as you go they will charge you £15 to unlock it.

What area you from? Mine was done in Cheetham Hill in Manchester. It took half a day going back and forth to the shop but was worth the hassle in the end.


Darn, was hoping you managed to convince 3 to give you the unlock code. A guy on another forum got his unlocked in Manchester as well but im in London and do not know where i could go to get it unlocked.

Posted by dgable
Have you tried those turbo sims the man in the shop said they were getting new ones in which would work with the e71. Check them out on ebay.
I was just too impatient to wait and had took a day off work so wanted it sorting there and then.
There is also a guy on here called totalgsm who said he can get them unlocked perhaps you could pm him and ask the procedure.

Posted by jackdaniels
Yea i tried the new 3g one from Dealextreme but it doesnt work. It was soo hard to get the chip out after as well. I was really worried i would damage my phone getting it out, i will not be trying it again.

Really annoying as i want to put my Tmobile line in the phone as im carrying 3 phones and i only want to carry 2.

[ This Message was edited by: jackdaniels on 2008-08-20 17:45 ]

Posted by dgable
hmm the only thing i can suggest is try one of the small back street phone shops in london if theres any such thing! As its the small shops that tend 2do these things or maybe a computer fair. At least you know it can be done so someone in the london area must do it . Good luck and i hope u get it sorted.

Posted by Supa_Fly
Man I'm Happy yet confused for the moment.

Just got my E71 and I'm LOVING it.

Confused as my WLAN sucks! its not broadcasting even with a -5db antenna.


Click to view updated thread with images


© Esato.com - From the Esato mobile phone discussion forum