Someone has forgotten to tell Nokia that business phones are supposed to be efficient, functional and not the least bit sexy. It’s latest handset, the E71, may flaunt a full blown QWERTY, but is so deliciously slimline and oozing lashings of style that it’s close to completely transcending it corporate rep.
And with an impressive multimedia feature-set that will make those boardroom bores choke on their spreadsheets, this Symbian Series 60 swinging E71 smartie is also one of the most successful blends of business and pleasure we’ve come across.
For starters, its 10mm profile makes the BlackBerry flock look like a family of porkers. Nokia has also upped the production values with stainless steel rear paneling and quality construction. But if you’re fretting its compact and ultra-trim trunk may hamper the QWERTY’s thumbability, then don’t - it’s spacious and receptive enough for quick message drafting.
The current fastest connectivity options are all covered; HSDPA download speeds for downloading emails and web browsing is poised should you fall outside a Wi-Fi hotspot. Salarymen will also particularly dig the neat PIM flourishes like the granny proof email set-up, homescreen contact search and split-panel calendar. But it’s not all work, work, work with a capable autofocus-led 3.2-megapixel snapper and a built-in GPS and Nokia Maps 2.0 combo for sat nav completes the E71’s sparkling multimedia line-up.
Verdict
The business boys finally get an uber-stylish smartphone that dazzles down the local and in the boardroom.
Best features
Compact and ultra-thin
Highly thummable QWERTY keyboard
Fast HSDPA and Wi-Fi download speeds
Not so good
Very little
Closest rivals
Nokia E65
This popular business-centric slider brilliantly crosses over into the mainstream with 3G download speed and a two-megapixel snapper.
Nokia 6110 Navigator
Road-warriors will love this sat-nav centric smartphone with a built-in GPS receiver and Nokia Maps to get you from A to B.
Sony Ericsson K660i
With HSDPA download speeds and internet shortcut keys, this compact candybar is geared for the web browsing gorger.
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