“Every message brings us closer” this is the tag line of Nokia’s new offering E5. I have been using it now for nearly one week and I think its enough time for first impressions. I will try to do a video review regarding the software later, and here we will just get a quick look of the hardware offering.
What’s in the box ?
Nokia E5 comes in an all dark blue color box, which now seems to be a Nokia standard. We have seen the latest Nokia N8, C6 and touch and type phones being shipped in the same color box. The packaging is standard and you will find the following in the box:
- Nokia Wall Charger
- Wired Stereo Headset
- Nokia branded Mini Usb data cable
- Handset and Ovi quick start guide
- Warranty card
The content of the package may also depend on your local market.
The Hardware
Nokia E5 comes with 600 MHZ ARM 11 processor, Symbian OS v9.3, Series 60 rel. 3.2 . It has 250MB of internal memory and 256MB ram, which really makes it really snappy during usage. Nokia is known to make great hardware and E5 is no exception. The build quality is excellent and the phone feel really good at hand with no slippery surface.
The front panel
As you can see the front panel is finally very clean compared to Nokia’s older E series phones like E71, E63, E72 etc. The screen size is 2.36” with a resolution of 320px X 240px. I have been using a Nokia N97 and hence the screen size is really small to my likes. Below the screen you have left and right menu keys. Same metal piece form Call and End call key ( which is also used to turn on the phone ). Home and Messaging button are soft press button which is really neat. The keypad is made up of cheap plastic and give a queaky sound when you rub your fingers on it. The keys are small and the keypad take some time in getting used to. I have fat fingers so many times I ended up pressing two keys simultaneously. Once you get used to it, I don’t think it will be much of a problem.
The D pad was bit a disappointment for me, I was expecting it to be a touchpad as seen in E72, even I spent some time hunting for the settings thinking that touch pad might be turned off or so. The directional D pad is little hard to press when trying it with one hand while navigating numerous menus. I really wonder why Nokia decided the other way after the same was implemented in E72. I do keep swiping my thumb over the D pad thinking how awesome it would have been if it was implemented here. However, if you have not used an E72 before, you wont miss it anyways.
The second disappointment is the missing secondary camera. Considering the fact that this is a 3G phone, I was expecting a secondary camera for Video calls over 3G network , or via an IM app like Fring or talkonaut. I actually interpreted the light sensor in the front with the secondary camera, later realizing its absence.
Microphone is placed just below the spacebar.
The Sides
Nokia E5 is quite a simple phones at sides. The left side of phone is free with any buttons other than the one to open the battery cover.
The right side is has volume rocker, which can be used for zooming in an out also. This key is also little stiff and a pain to press.
Top of the phone house a micro USB port which can be used for charging the device via a PC or a compatible USB charger. Next to the microusb port there is a Nokia’s standard 2mm charging port and a 3.5mm audio headset connector.
The back panel
The back panel showcase a fixed focus 5megapixel camera with single LED flash. The photo capture is not all that great, but during optimum lighting condition the results could surprise you for sure. Next to the camera there is a loudspeaker which is very very loud and very clear. Its easily audible in a noisy environment, but I personally don’t prefer to keep the ringing volume at high level, due to the loudness. The batter cover is made up of stainless steel Nokia E5-00 engraved on it. The back feels really nice while holding the phone, and also gives it a bit of a facelift too.
Size Comparison with Nokia E63
Nokia E5 is little slimmer than Nokia E63, but lengthwise both feel almost the same. I liked the D pad of Nokia E63 much better than E5, which is way softer than E5 for single handed use. However, the clean look of E5 wins many folds over E63. Check out the comparison shots. I thought of comparing the size with N97, but that would be a weird comparison due to different form-factors.
Conclusion
Nokia E72 is still costly than Nokia E5. Nokia E71 could be almost the same prize and E63 is way cheaper than E5. However, I am kind a confused about the positioning of E5. It could be said a big upgrade over E63, but missing front camera push it one step back. However, with huge internal memory , greater ram and faster processor it can very well challenge Nokia E72, but lack of touch sensitive D pad and autofocus camera again push it one step back. Having said that, I think Nokia E5 is a unique device and very rightly priced for people who are looking for cheaper blackberry alternative. The device feels premium at hand and great availability of apps via Nokia ovi store is always an add on.
In the next part we will review the software part of E5.
Nokia E5 video
So if you are planning to buy a Nokia E5 and still have any doubt, do leave your questions or feedback in comments and I will try to answer all of them.
hi
i just bough NOKIA E5 and found its right side key is really stiff and makes sound while using, i am afraid do i need to go to nokia customer care for its sollution or this model is like this only ? please help me as i am not a hi-tech savvy of Mobile phones and dont know much about it.