Nokia's smartphones are known more for their business capabilities than their good looks. But with the E71, Nokia's image may be changing: This is a serious smartphone that still manages to look good, too.
Price and Availability
Like many of Nokia's phones, the E71 is only available in an unlocked version in the U.S. That means you're not tied to a lengthy carrier contract--but it also means you don't get a carrier subsidy on the price. You can expect to pay anywhere from $350 to $450 for the E71. You'll also have to supply your own SIM in order to use its voice and data features; the phone will work on AT&T and T-Mobile networks.
Design
The Nokia E71 is 4.4 inches tall by 2.2 inches wide--and, remarkably, it's just .4 inches thick. The screen measures 2.4 inch diagonally, and has a resolution of 320 by 240 pixels. Most of the phone is gray with silver accents, and you get a full--but compact--QWERTY keyboard for typing.
Web Browsing
The E71 will support AT&T's 3G HSDPA network for speedy browsing, and it will connect to Wi-Fi networks, too. The included Nokia browser supports Flash, so you can view many animated sites.
Software
The E71 runs the Symbian operating system; while it's not the most advanced mobile platform out there, Symbian-based phones do provide you with plenty of software applications. It comes QuickOffice, which lets you view and edit Microsoft Office documents, as well as a variety of other productivity tools. And you can easily download more applications directly to the phone.
Messaging
The E71 supports a wide range of e-mail accounts, including Microsoft Exchange, POP3, IMAP, and SMTP accounts. It also includes a setup wizard that simplifies adding an account to the phone; you enter your user name and password, and the E71 can automatically configure most accounts.
Camera
The included camera is a 3.2 megapixel model that includes a flash and auto-focus. It captures still photos and videos, and includes support for Nokia's Ovi service, which lets you share your photos online.
Music and More
The E71 includes a basic music player and the included earbuds feature an FM tuner, so you can listen to the radio, too. The phone also comes with a podcast application pre-installed. It also supports GPS, and you can get turn-by-turn directions, but you'll have to pay a monthly service fee.
The Nokia E71 packs a lot of features into its slim frame: You'll find plenty of productivity tools, and lots of ways to keep yourself entertained, too.