Nokia has been a recognized leader in the mobile device market for many years. We can say that the history of the brand contains more information about such models as 6700 and the like, which have become true legends.
Today we will talk about a device that has also gained success among buyers. This is the Nokia E5, a functional smartphone with a full QWERTY keyboard.
In the article we will consider the reasons why the company decided to release such a device, as well as the characteristics of the phone, its advantages and disadvantages. In addition, to understand more about the model itself, we will turn to the reviews of those who were lucky enough to work with the device.
Why QWERTY?
To begin with, let's note the main reasons why the Finnish company decided to produce a device with a large keyboard containing all the physical keys. So, the release date of the model is 2010. A couple of years earlier, another mobile device maker, BlackBerry, had been successful with its devices. As you probably remember, they were equipped with the same QWERTY keyboard.
Apparently inspired by the success of competitors, Nokia set to work on a whole line of such phones. As a result, Nokia E5 entered the market,E71, 72, 75 and others. In fact, the company began to massively “transplant” its customers to devices of this type. Nothing unambiguous can be said about the success of this campaign: on the one hand, the indicated models were really actively acquired by middle-class people. On the other hand, a design similar to Nokia E5 has not found its further application in a wide range of new models. Therefore, perhaps, time has shown that the touch screen is better than the QWERTY keyboard. And, of course, as of 2010 Nokia had yet to find out.
Market position
At the time of the release of the device, it was designated as a budget smartphone. Its cost, for example, immediately after the debut was limited to 200 euros. Given the exchange rate of the ruble at that time, the phone really seemed relatively affordable.
In addition to the price, one can positively characterize the stuffing of the model, its equipment. So, the phone has everything you need for basic, everyday use. After reviewing its specifications, Nokia E5 should be classified as a smartphone, since such functionality really makes it possible to solve a lot of tasks in the most comfortable way.
Besides, despite attempts to reduce the price, the manufacturer does not resort to “substitution” of values and deterioration of quality. This refers to the tactic according to which the developer tries to create the appearance of a cool phone, recouping on its materials, assembly, and so on. In the case of the Nokia E5 (the photos in the article mayserve as the best proof of this) there is none of this. Read more about the design feature of the phone below.
Appearance
In fact, a smartphone with a full keyboard cannot be fundamentally different from the BlackBerry family, which are probably the creators of this class of devices. The Nokia E5 has the same business-like features that make it look like a quality and stylish smartphone that can become a style highlight. And in general, the device has a reliable appearance, which can clearly be attributed to the advantages of the device.
An important role in this image is played by the metal in the case. Since a phone for 200 euros cannot be completely made of such an expensive material, the developers went for a combination of plastic and metal. It ended up being pretty good.
Most of the phone is a matte, soft-touch plastic that protects the device from most external influences. Only the back cover of the device, as well as the pad on the function buttons are made of metal. The decision is quite successful, considering that these parts suffer the most as the phone is used.
A nice thing is the variety of device styles. So, on sale the phone is presented in 5 variations - black and white (classic); copper, silver and blue. The dimensions of the model, as befits versions with such a set of keys, are somewhat increased compared to classic push-button phones, but nevertheless the E5 fits in your pocket. Yes, and to the dimensions of the deviceyou get used to it pretty quickly, this is confirmed by a large number of reviews.
Navigation elements on the phone are arranged in the usual order, on the front there is a set of keys, a display and a speaker; on the back - a camera eye (more about it later), a flash, a speaker. On the side faces you can see the volume control key (working with it is not as comfortable as it seems at first glance - it is slightly recessed).
Screen
Since we are talking about a phone released back in 2010, respectively, Nokia E5 specifications are somewhat outdated. It uses a TFT display capable of transmitting a total of 262,000 colors. Of course, it makes no sense to compare it with modern devices.
But with a diagonal of 2.4 inches, the display is an excellent means of conveying visual information on such a functional device. Of course, the keyboard on the Nokia E5 plays an important role in this.
Camera
As already mentioned, the gadget has a main camera endowed with fairly strong technical parameters. So, if you believe the description from the manufacturer, it has a matrix resolution of 5 megapixels, which allows you to create high-quality images without additional settings.
Sorry, this device does not have an autofocus option. Without it, you can’t count on clear pictures - in order to be able to read the photographed text, you just need perfect lighting.
Front camera designed for communication in the formatvideo call (or in the future - using the same Skype) is not here. Experts explain this state of affairs by the fact that the model belongs to the budget class, within which such an option would be inappropriate.
Battery
The article is not about a sensory “gluttonous” device, but about a simple push-button model. The instructions included with the Nokia E5 indicate that a 1200 mAh battery should last for 7-8 hours of talk time (or 600 hours spent in standby mode). Therefore, even taking into account the multimedia capabilities of the device, you should not take care of its autonomy - the model is very tenacious under any conditions. Charging once a week under normal use will be sufficient.
Processor and software
Of course, the smartphone entered the market even before the popularization of the Android system, so the E5 operates on the basis of the third generation S60 platform. The processor here is ARM (with a clock speed of about 600 MHz), which provides fairly high performance in everyday tasks. At least, users failed to detect any delays in the operation of the device, judging by the reviews.
As for the operating system, here is Symbian OS, which is familiar to many Nokia models. It is distinguished by its simplicity and at the same time wide functionality. And those who already had experience with models from this manufacturer are familiar with this software.
Communication
In 2010 there was no such fashion for 2 SIM cards as we can see today. ATTherefore, the E5 comes with 1 slot. However, it supports mobile networks and, together with a mobile browser, can become a full-fledged Internet smartphone.
However, to get started, you will need to enter some basic information about your ISP. There is nothing complicated in how to set up the Internet on Nokia E5 - you need to specify an access point, a network name, and also fill in a number of additional parameters. You can ask for help in this either from a contact center specialist, or in any communication salon.
Settings
In our review, in addition to everything that has already been listed, I would also like to note the possibility of flexible settings. This is the peculiarity of Nokia - a high level of "customization" of devices to the user's preferences. All Nokia E5 settings are carried out in one menu, but when you go into it, you will see a lot of sub-items responsible for certain systems and modules. At the same time, everything is organized quite simply and concisely.
Reviews
What can be the recommendations of users about this model? First of all, all of them list the advantages that the phone has. This is a stylish look, high-quality assembly, reliable and stable performance. In addition, we can note a durable battery, the presence of a camera, the ability to work in mobile Internet networks and a number of other points. Putting them together, you get the image of a truly functional work smartphone at an affordable price.
Consthere are not so many in the reviews, which is already a good indicator. These include uncomfortable browsing of the Internet (which is carried out using a joystick); not the clearest camera (we mentioned this in the review); no additional screen protection. Some pointed out even more serious shortcomings of the device, such as the insecure fastening of the top row of the keyboard, as well as temporary slowdowns in the system.
Conclusions
The smartphone in question in this article deserves attention as a reliable, stylish device. Of course, in modern conditions, it belongs, rather, to the class of “dialers” with an average set of functions - but at the time of release, the E5 model certainly had no equal on the market. Due to this, obviously, Nokia managed to attract such a large number of users to their products.
