Nokia E72 Review: The Seven +E and the Two -E
The Nokia E72
After 2 weeks of using the E72 as my main phone, (I even forget that I have a N97 Mini) the right time has come to give the final verdict. As the successor of the famous Nokia E71, E72 received many criticisms from bloggers and users so maybe it is also the time to prove some blogger’s accusations and to deny the rest of the statements that thoroughly wrong.
Know the basic specs…
- 5MP Camera, LED flash, Autofocus, Panorama, front camera, VGA@15fps video recording
- ARM11 600Mhz CPU
- 128MB RAM, 256MB phone, microSD up to 16GB
- OS: Symbian S60v3.2
- 3.5mm audio jack, microUSB
- 2.36” screen, 320×240 pixels
- QWERTY keyboard, Optical trackpad, Accelerometer, A-GPS
- 1500mAh battery
Derived from E71, but is it worth to upgrade?
Is the upgrade a suicide? Nokia E72 obviously derived from the legend E71. There are some face lifts for the looks, but obviously both phones are look-a-like.
How about their performances and features? Are they both similar on this? Or did E72 live up the expectations?
Well, stating the answers to these questions doesn’t mean I will end up my review on E72 right in this paragraph. Yes, E72 lives up the expectations and deserve to be called the successor of E71. I don’t want to lay down more reasons on this because on the following statements you will know all reasons for this.
+Enhanced multimedia experience to maximum level
Although Symbian Series 60 needs some refreshments in terms of UI and functions, there are still some areas that the UI for S60v3 is advance. In fact, I still find this music and gallery bit winner in terms of organizing your contents. I know that non-touch phones such as the E72 is quite boring sometimes compare to touch phones such as 5800XM, but I still consider the physical keys on the phone as a useful weapons for bringing the fun and excitement on this area.
For the media files, the E72 responds so fast in opening gallery and playing videos. I was really amaze by the speed that E72 can give whilst spelunking on my multimedia files.But for me the screen size and the single stereo speaker are still whatnot and I wish that next successor would be able to provide us larger screen size and better stereo speakers.
Pre-loaded apps on Nokia E72 are quite okay if you don’t need those games and other apps. But thanks to Ovi Store because I saw many lots of free apps and also on Nokia Beta Labs. All are very useful for E72.
No more space for my +E so I will add the voice and command functions here. Right side of E72 are the 3 keys, the volume rocker for up/down and the voice key. Press the voice key then a voice command will prompt and exactly you can open or start some basic applications that are enabled.
Lastly the voice functions that are so cool. You can make a call, create an audio message to a specific contact with just voice commands. Plus other functions are you read messages & read emails.
+Embrace the speed of your phone!
With the 600Mhz processor anything you do on your E72 is always with ease. Even though the E72 lacks some dedicated GPU it is still tolerable because we all know that E72 is more on business/enterprise solutions. The most important thing that I will miss on E72 is its speed. On my previous phones I always complain the slow response of the phone, but not here on E72 anymore.
+Expert in multitasking
Do more with your E72 and that is its motto in terms of multitasking. Crunched in this compact phone is the 128MB ram that are enough for everybody. See my video below on how I tested the multitasking of E72.
+Efficient messaging weapon & battery life
This how E72 became an efficient and productive smart phone. In terms of messaging, the phone is really a savior. Emails and instant messaging are always ready when I need it. I can have multiple email accounts right in E72′s home screen. The maximum display of email tabs on your home screen are two, aside from that you can also have other shortcut icons and notifications.
Managing your other mailboxes is also an easy task because of fast and easy way of creating & setting up your email accounts.
Another worthy features of E72 is the instant messaging or the so-called chatting. Setup your yahoo, google, msn, & ovi accounts right in the home screen and that is another smart feature to be consider.
The E72 is packed with a 1500mAh battery and this phone is really meant for people who do not want to bring their charger or an extra battery. I can keep the phone alive for almost four days with texting, emails, snapping pictures, and some web browsing a day.
+Exquisite design and form factor
Sleek and compact that is E72. Bundled with beauty and cleverness, both fields are really the E72′s expertise. Right from my first use of the phone it was really a comfy device whilst it is in my hands. When off in my hands I don’t know, but I am always staring the E72 Dpad & QWERTY, and especially its metal back cover that is embossed of curvy lines. It is very appealing to anyone.
Whilst in public, people can’t take their eyes on E72 easily. They seem to see some ingenuity on the phone. Compare to Black Berries (?) that are enormous in size you will get your business solutions in more compact phone.
Well, E71 and E72 are just the smart phone that you will like if your consider buying a slim and light phone yet comfortable in your hands.
+Etched to near perfection keys
This another killer feature of the E72, its keyboard and front keys. Let’s start on the optical track pad that was integrated to the dpad of the phone plus you will have the four basic keys of an Eseries; they are the home, calendar, message, & contact keys.
For those who are new to E72 or never been experienced the E71 or some Eseries phone, I will teach you how to know the basic moves for your Tap-for-Time, multiple scrolling using your optical trackpad, and the flashlight.
Back to the QWERTY so now it’s totally a hands down to the QWERTY keyboard! I love the keyboard and it is really for everybody. The curvaceous keys are so comfy and you can feel the feedback on it. Even you have some big fingers I’m sure you will be able to use the keys properly because it was designed as very robust and comfy. You don’t need to worry the spacings because all keys are in curvy style so no cumbrous feelings for that.
+Excellent 5MP snapper
For having a 5MP and LED flash is not a killer spec for a cameraphone, but expect an excellent results with its camera performance. Business phone + camera phone is hard to achieve, but not on E72.
The downs here is the E72 lacks camera key and the video recording gives you a not-so-choppy @15fps. I even dropped the phone because it slide in my hands while I’m taking pictures so I think it will be still better to put a camera key even on its slim design (remember you have your volume and voice key at the side).
So check this video samples and pictures I’ve taken with E72.
-Embarked with small screen and that is a real deal!
What can you get with a smart phone that is slim and compact- QWERTY keyboard, Dpad, dedicated keys, great earpiece, 1500mAh battery, 5MP camera, and lastly all the things you need on a smart phone (except touchscreen)? Well, the answer is a 2.36″ screen size. I don’t know how important the screen size for you. I’m okay with this screen size, and with all those said features, but I think it will be better if we put some touch screen on the next successor. Or we can sacrifice those lovely keys and get this enlargement on the screen size.
-Empowerment? How about these…
- Improve the track pad by size and performance even if the multiple scrolling is awesome (in gallery and web page scrolling only).
- Camera key is a must (for me. for you?)
- Some touch will be needed especially a larger screen size (forget the compact and slim style important is you can do it by sacrificing small things on the phone)
- Did you forget to put another stereo speaker?
- Symbian^3 are almost finished so don’t forget that stuff!
- Pre-load your business phone with free apps (yeah, I’m poor, but the world traveler app is meant for free not to be paid with an enterprise phone)
- I’m not sure wether the ‘Stop Recording’ command for voice functions is not working because of my accent, but for sure it is not working on the E72 that I have now (just correct me if you made your voice func work on this).
- Whilst I’m on the camera I get blinking of black screen to live screen when I set the camera settings in over and lesser exposure. Not sure if it’s the optical track pad to be blame (turning off the optical track pad may solve it)
- More RAM? Hmm. Yes, more ram please. 128MB is enough, but I would be happy to see a bigger RAM for the successor.
- Guys if you want a successor for its predecessor, just don’t copy 90% of the looks of the predecessor. E71 is like an E72 or what ever. Hope you take note on this one.
Final thoughts
So forget those 7 +Es – 2 –Es = 5 +Es, I want it personal. E72 is almost the perfect phone for me (also for some of my friends, they just love E72), but there are some features that needs to be change or upgrade. Or we may say it as a FEATURE that needs some enhancement. Specifically if the screen size was larger it would be a too-near-perfect smart phone. I know, I’m not the guy who knows everything about phones, but E72 is really a better phone compare to the other enterprise-oriented smart phone out there.
The speed is really a dream come true for those who always rants about their phone’s lagness. Also, for the people who thirst for multitasking I recommend an E72 for you.
Actually E72 is not just keen on the field for business solutions, I mean that this E72 is for everybody and not only for professionals. I read on other forums that teens now are hooking on this type of phone, especially on the E72. Maybe the reason on that is because the form factor and design of E72 is really an eye candy and lots of people grab that because they want some unique thing.
lastly, sorry if you feel that I gave a not-so-technical review on the E72 because I feel that E72 is really a topnotch phone in terms on that, but on technical aspect the phone is really a choice. 600Mhz processor will give you a smooth experience on E72. From opening apps to deleting the installed apps you will get smooth effect. Your work will be more efficient and always ready in this one tiny (compact) device.
So that’s all I can give on my E72 final verdict and I hope you will ponder this. Thanks to WOM for giving me chance to trial the device. It was a perfect phone for me. And obviously 2 weeks are not enough for me to discover all the phone features. Fortunately I think I already deliver the full extent on this review.
P.S.
These are some of my highlights for Nokia E72
- Download top free apps on Nokia E72
- Nokia E72 vs N97 Mini vs N97 Classic vs Sony Cyber-Shot Camera test
- N97, N97 Mini and E72 Gallery
- Nokia E72 Unboxing
- Nokia E72 first impressions
- Nokia E72 Panorama
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Nice review. It is comprehensive but you need to recheck your spelling. I own a Nokia E72 myself and it serve me good.
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