Nokia E61i review
I try to limit my new mobile purchases to one device a year. I follow new releases very closely, and try to spot that gem which will do everything I need it to do well. The Nokia E61i, released last month, caught my attention as a potential gem.
I’ve been using my N73 since last summer (you can see my review on HoFo), so I’ll obviously compare my experience with this device with it. The main reason to buy an E61i was that I wanted to try out wifi and qwerty, which are critical for a true convergence device. I did not need GPS so I felt the ridiculous price of the N95 was not for me, and I don’t like sliders.
The box came with the following: phone, manual, CD, charger, USB cable, headset, 256m memory card.
This is the firmware information: 1.0633.22.05 15-02-07 RM-227
Hardware
As seen in pictures, this device is very nice looking and thin. It’s obviously wider because it’s a qwerty device, and you get a large screen. It feels a lot more solid and better built than even my N73 which wasn’t that bad. The back cover and front is all aluminum with plastic around the edges. The screen is very big and of excellent quality. The loud speaker is pretty standard compared with past phones, and the notification light is useful and customizable.
The keyboard is very nice. I have to get used to qwerty since I’m used to the normal phone keypad, but the keys are nice and the D-pad is such an improvement over a joystick. I find it weird that the side buttons are on the left side instead of the right side which would seem more intuitive for using it with the right hand, but the buttons are fine and easily usable.
Battery
Battery life is very good. The day I got it, I spent hours at 1 bar left and it never gave me a battery low warning. After charging in once overnight I have yet to drain the battery with heavy use. This is one of the major reasons for getting this device, as I really didn’t feel like charging a phone every night. This thing will probably be charged once a week and never come close to running out.
Software
This is where I think the E61i really shows what kind of device it is. The OS is S60v3, and does not include FP1. The UI (so far) is very stable and hasn’t crashed or given me a memory error at all. While FP1 would have been nice, I also see the N95 bug threads pop up and am glad they play guinea pig. Although stable, I did find the menu browsing to be slightly slower than my N73, but not enough to be annoying. I installed all my usual (GMail, Google Maps, etc) without any problem. As a test, I loaded the device manual in the PDF reader. On my N73 any time I tried to do that, I could not zoom in or browse it without crashing with an out of memory error. I was pleased that the E61i could view it with no error.
Another nice thing I found out is the device comes packed with software. Not only does it have all the usual Nokia stuff like messaging, Web, IM, PTT, WLAN wizard, quickoffice, etc, but it also comes pre-installed with Worldmate which I think is a very nice program, as well as installers for Exchange and Blackberry connect for those who need it, a golf game, Widset, Podcasting, a Reuters news app and even location and positioning software already on the device for use with a bluetooth GPS module. Note that mine came with a 256m memory card and most extra software were on that, so versions in other markets may vary.
As far as connectivity goes, it has everything from GSM, UMTS (which I can’t test here since I live in Canada), bluetooth, ir, wi-fi. The built in WLAN wizard works well and had no issue finding my network. The implementation is good, and it creates an access point so all applications can select to use wifi just as they would use a normal access point. I tried the built in wi-fi telephone app but couldn’t figure it out, I guess you need a SIP service for that. I just installed Friing and Skype was working right away.
Multimedia
The big change over previous messaging handset is the 2MPx camera. From reading comments I feared that this would be a weak spot that couldn’t take pics inside, but it’s not true at all. I found the quality to be quite good for a 2MPx and it works fine indoors and outdoors. The camera does not have auto focus or a flash so obviously sufficient lighting is required.
The gallery app is the standard non-Nseries gallery. It doesn’t have the fancy features, but it’s faster and it’s not buggy. This was the single most buggy area of my N73, and I can’t tell you the number of times my N73 crashed, froze or gave a memory error while using the camera or gallery software. The E61i doesn’t have the enhanced multimedia features of the Nseries such as picture editing but I prefer it to bugginess.
The music player is the same, which I find pretty basic, and it comes with the usual RealPlayer and such.
Conclusion
I think for what it’s purpose is, this is the perfect device for people wanting a well built, stable Internet device. It does everything it supports well, from browsing, messaging, editing documents, doing some basic multimedia and connecting in various ways. When looking at the competition in this area, I think this is a top solution. Over my N73 I gain the qwerty keyboard including a much better D-pad, wi-fi, a more solid build, at the cost of enhanced multimedia features of the Nseries.
Out of all the convergence devices out there (Windows Mobile, Palm, Blackberry, Symbian) I believe right now the E61i is the best choice, at least for me.
Pros:
- Solid build
- Battery life
- Wide range of connections
- Included software
Cons:
- Missing extra Nseries multimedia software
Score: 9.5/10
Nokia site for the E61i: http://europe.nokia.com/A4344018
nice review. thanks. I would like to try out this device as well!
It has silver buttons, which often means poor contrast with the backlight on. When the backlight comes on, can you still see the letters in dimmed environments? (club, pub, restaurant, conference)?
That’s true it’s less visible than other phones, but it’s not a problem for me.
Nice, detailed review. Thanks. I was all set to buy the E61i & then, yesterday, I see the new Sony-Eric’ P1 ! How do you think the two compare ? I realise it’s a diffcult comparison as the P1 isn’t out yet. Would appreciate your opinion anyway.
The P1 certainly looks like a good handset. It beats the E61i on several points. However it’s not out yet, we don’t know the price point, and it will most likely run UIQ instead of S60v3, which means less software available.
Great review! Feel more sure thats the one. Was hoping that Nokia would include a better camera though. Have been trying it at Nokia’s Flagship store in Helsinki, and it seems to be an incredible phone. In the end of 2006, I changed my Nokia for a sonyericsson W850i, which had more compatible applications with my vaio, but I have to say it was not a good decision. Sold my mobile last week and will get a NOKIA again. Few things Id appreciate to receive your comments on: 1) functionality as a PC remote control via bluetooth; 2) how is the synchronisation with PC via wlan?; 3) Is it possible to use skypeout via Friing?
Thx in advance!
1- Never tried it
2- I don’t think that can be done, I use bluetooth for that
3- Yes you can
hi,
how’s the video playback? assuming i have 2 gig memory card, can i load and play a full length movie here? appreciate any feedback.
thx for your comments. Regarding the 2gb micro sd card… Does anyone know which one is the fastest in the market nowdays? The speed might affect a lot the performance of the phone, doesnt it?
Have been surfing around and reading about the e61i, which i just bought on ebay… found some useful information:
1) while checking available software, i found the MobileDVD (S60 3rd Edition), which might answer bert’s question - “MobileDVD is the easiest and most enjoyable way to play videos on your S60 phone. Moreover, with the MobileDVD free Convertor for Windows you can shrink any video from your desktop PC”
http://www.businesssoftware.nokia.com/bc_product.php?pid=1702&cid=00100000000000000069&f=0&m=242&c=7
2) I also found a very detailed review on http://www.allaboutsymbian.com/reviews/S60_3rd_Edition/
(divided in 3 parts)
enjoy
[...] Comment from Patrick [...]
thank u for the review elfguy…it was really usefull for me any way. this is my next mobile phone. i have one question though..did u try to watch a movie on this phone? how is the video and audio quality and did you get any errors or something like freeze or lag while viewing the movie…i know this is more of a busines-internet phone…but the size of the screen and its 16 M makes u wonder..it would replace an ipod
thanks in advance and wish u all the best. Raul from Romania
The screen is better than an iPod. The issue is that all videos have to be converted to play on RealPlayer. Most people say they prefer SmartMovie although I haven’t used it myself.
i have uploaded pics taken with e61i and n95
http://www.flickr.com/photos/hakeem
I like your review. Very much want to have the E61i except that it does not has 3.5G connectivity, which is available in my country. 3.5G will make the internet (web, email, etc) very much faster. Do you happen to know any device like E61i with 3.5G connectivity?
Is there a add on software I can buy that will add T9 predictive text input for typing my sms on a e61 /e61i?
Thanks
Sony ericsson price the products very high initially.. so the P1 will surely be very costly.. Nokia e61i has infact better features than P1 for business use. Except the touch screen.. and e61i is not very costly.. in India its around Rs.19000..
Hi elfguy. Its a wonderful review and I like it. Just wanted to ask you one thing, I heard the Nokia E61i does not have support for A2DP so you cannot use the stereo headphones as per the review on gsmarena from where I got your link. (http://www.gsmarena.com/nokia_e61i-1858.php) But, the retailer said it supports A2DP and it is also listed as being supported by this stereo headphone - http://www.expansys.com/p.aspx?i=147999&stack=compatability&action=open#compatability. Do you have any idea on what is the truth. I am based out of India and it costs Indian Rs. 19,000 (US$472)
Hi elfguy. This review definitely convinced me that E61i would be my next change. However can i just ask, how easy is it to run Skype? Does the skype connect over wi-fi in the phone?
There’s no S60 skype client yet, so you have to use third party programs like Fring. Check out their forums for comments about the application.
Hi Elfguy, checked out Fring and the application it offers is excellent. Just another question, do you feel your E61i a bit too broad.. when you put in the pocket, it kind of a bit bulky??
Dear Elfguy,
what an interesting review! i am glad i made this decision and not any Windows Mobile Dopod or O2.
i have owned the E61i for 3 weeks now, and so far have travelled to Singapore, California, and Tokyo. Works like a gem, however, i only use it for BB push-mail, and surfing-its great! WiFi surfing is fast and the D-pad works great on web-sites, its intuitive.
i use my N73 for calls etc. Who wants to look like he is talking to his calculator? haha
Question: Do you know how we can force the key-pad backlight on? in dimly lite places it doesnt come on and the keys arent so visible. Help? -Long-sighted fellow
i been trying to purchase this fone for quite sometime but i’m still confuse to get the smaller size E65 or the bulky but useful e61i , anyway doez the office app able to modify the excel files or is just viewing only? like the e65 i tested u can modify the office files when you purchase it an upgrade. is e61i the same?
thx
Hi elfguy, tks for the comprehensive review. What is your frank assessment when comparing E61i with Samsung i600i?
Tks!
Some comments:
1. Skypeout is very expensive compared to services as SIPDiscount.com. And you can configure E61i to use SIP to make and receive calls, without having to install any software.
2. If your company has VoIP, you can route your extension to your SIP-enabled E61i phone (or any other Nokia phone on this generation). No software installation is required.
3. This generation of Nokia phones has excellent WiFi power performance. People told me they stay a day and a half constantly connected to WiFi networks without recharging. Obviously they don’t transfer data the entire day, so you’ll be connected but very savvy in power. This was unique in the industry. You won’t find this efficiency on any Windows Mobile, Blackberry, Palm, etc. Today a specialist told me only the new Apple iPhone has such an low power consumption with WiFi.
Hi,
Great helpful review, could you however confirm if the e61i can run turbo msn messanger on its software, i currently have a nokia e50 and turbo msn is not supported which was earlier supported on my n70. also how were you able to install skype and google maps etc
thanks
how about e61i in surabaya indonesia? what plus minus fiture betwen n9500 and e61i? is there audio adapter in sby ina , so i can use my standart 3,5mm headphone .thanksss
mail me : gagal_tiyo at yahoo.com
Nokia E61i has 60MB built-in memory and memory can be expanded using MicroSD cards up to 2 GB. Instead of a MiniSD slot, the Nokia E61i has a MicroSD slot, that’s a good thing because MiniSD cards are getting harder and harder to find on store shelves. Came across something very interesting on E61i at
http://www.g2bux.com/myaction.do?product=388
I think Nokia’s are pretty over-rated, this phone looks pretty cool but as you state the software is lacking…
The worst part of this phone is:
The back cover above the volume buttons,
while you’re typeing it’s cracking
The battery live 2 days with enoghf wifi surffing.
Everything else is outstanding.
Incredible mobile device.
To the soft devolopers in Nokia:
Idiots, put advanced alarm setings, please…….
[...] my E61i review, I gave that phone a 9.5, and this phone is clearly superior, mainly because of the better plugs, [...]
Nokia e61i is really a nice phone but I wished the ones for the Russian speaking market had the Cyrilic letters with different color. Although I am quite a good typist I get confused by the cyrilic and latin letters while typing. May be I will get used to but it looks ugly and uncomfortable anyways.
I downloaded Fring and it looks great. Hoewever I do not what how many data is transmitted when using a 3G Internet connection instead of WIFI, so I could not calculate if its worth it or not to connect through 3G when WIFI is not available.