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Topic: Hardware

Nokia World 2010: Hands-on with the E7 business smartphone

Summary: The Nokia E7 was announced at Nokia World 2010 today and is designed as the successor to the Communicator series of devices. It has a beautiful display, functional keyboard, and is a pretty sweet device.

Matthew Miller

By for Smartphones and Cell Phones |

Nokia kicked off Nokia World this morning and then opened up the Innovations Lounge for attendees the chance to get some hands-on wit the latest Nokia devices. The one that probably most interests people here on ZDNet is the E7 Symbian^3 device. The device definitely is a beautiful piece of hardware that should appeal to the Nokia business user, but will probably have the same limited impact as other Nokia devices here in the U.S.

Specifications of the Nokia E7 include:

  • Symbian^3 operating system
  • Penta-band 3G data radio (AT&T and T-Mobile USA supported)
  • 4 inch AMOLED display at 640 x 360 pixels resolution
  • Full QWERTY keyboard
  • 8 megapixel camera with dual LED flash
  • Front facing VGA camera for video calling
  • 802.11 b/g/n WiFi
  • Bluetooth 3.0
  • HDMI port
  • USB-to-go port
  • FM radio
  • 1200 mAh Li-Ion battery
  • Aluminum body in dark grey, silver white, and blue. I saw a green one too.
  • Dimensions of 4.87 x 2.44 x 0.51 inches and 6.21 ounces

I pre-ordered a Nokia N8 and after seeing the E7 announcement was thinking I would cancel it and hold out for the E7. However, the E7 doesn't have that great camera found on the N8 and is larger with the 4 inch display and QWERTY keyboard. It is still reasonably sized for a device with these features and capabilities, but it is not a small device. I have pretty much moved on from needing a hardware QWERTY keyboard and with keyboards like Swype I am not sure they are a necessary as they once were. Then again, many people still like physical keyboards and this looks to be a fine one with good key spacing and tactile feedback.

Who knows, I may end up with both the N8 and E7 when they are released. I was hoping to see more about MeeGo and the rumored N9, but that is not going to happen at Nokia World. I still plan to check out the Quickoffice application, Exchange email, and other business capabilities of the E7 over the next day.

Topics: Hardware, Mobility, Nokia, Smartphones

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11 comments
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  • What is the price ?

    What is the price?
    solawd
    Reply Vote

  • RE: Nokia World 2010: Hands-on with the E7 business smartphone

    It is one of the best mobile available with QWERTY keyboard, but what is lacking is the OS. It does not look polished like IOS or Andriod

    Ben
    Ben_rockwood
    Reply Vote

  • RE: Nokia World 2010: Hands-on with the E7 business smartphone

    All the hands on reviews and the Engadget demo video seem to point out how slow and laggy the E7 (and C7) is. The email app on the E7 in the video took, like, nine seconds to open. That's laughable.
    Theseus
    Reply Vote

  • I'm waiting for the N7

    Commander Shepard's communication device of choice.

    Joey
    voyager529
    Reply Vote

  • RE: Nokia World 2010: Hands-on with the E7 business smartphone

    Any news on which U.S. carriers might carry any of these new S^3 phones (I guess N8 is first in line) ?
    jkohut
    Reply Vote

    • RE: Nokia World 2010: Hands-on with the E7 business smartphone

      @jkohut <br>I'm guessing, none. At the event, they sounded off mostly Euro-region carriers. If, say, T-Mo USA or At&T were to carry it, I'd bet they'd be featured front and center.<br><br>You can still get it unlocked at full price though, so there's that.
      Theseus
      Reply Vote

      • RE: Nokia World 2010: Hands-on with the E7 business smartphone

        @Theseus Why would it be featured front an centre? The event was in London. That's the one in Europe.
        DJL64
        Reply Vote

  • RE: Nokia World 2010: Hands-on with the E7 business smartphone

    If Nokia can't get U.S. Carriers to subsidize, you have to wonder how they expect much success. I purchased my Nokia E71 through Amazon (I think I paid about $230 for it when Nokia was still wanting about $320). Maybe Nokia will continue to partner with someone like Amazon in the U.S. to discount it a bit, but I doubt seriously if I am going to pay $540 for the N8, especially not when the jury is still out on performance, Flash video capabilities, S^4, etc...
    12MP camera and video just aren't worth that much to me.
    jkohut
    Reply Vote

  • E72 is way superior

    I don't see any improvements over the E72 here.

    It's bigger, has a sliding keyboard. 3G - what speeds? E72 supports 14 Mbit/s down and 7 Mbit/s up ie '3.5G' (HSDPA+/HSUPA+).

    Also the E72 has a 1500 mAh battery.

    I wouldn't switch from my E72, I don't see any improvements.
    Daniel Breslauer
    Reply Vote

  • The USA is the world!

    "will probably have the same limited impact as other Nokia devices here in the U.S."

    I'm sorry, is this site only for a USA audience? Maybe reporting on an event in London might be interesting for non-US phone users?

    There are 6.8 Billion of us not in the USA, and Nokia is the biggest supplier of phones (and smartphones) to us.

    And I don't care what US networks support it.

    But I do agree with Daniel575 that the E72 still looks like a better business phone.
    nicey1966
    Reply Vote

  • RE: Nokia World 2010: Hands-on with the E7 business smartphone

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    jackson1984-24316069205748857739440257893812
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