Nokia E65: Review
If you believe that smartphones are big, ugly, technically-complex products, the Nokia E65 should prove you wrong. Even with a large screen, the product is small, slim, and elegant. The keypad slides under the screen, keeping the unit compact in size. This quad-band GSM smartphone comes with a bundle of features, such as Wi-Fi for high-speed Internet access, 3G mobile network connectivity, a 2 megapixel camera, an MP3 player, and a dedicated key for conference calls.
Key features:
- Quad-band GSM phone for 850/900/1800/1900 frequency bands and 3G connectivity for WCDMA 2100 networks.
- Built-in Wi-Fi 802.11b, 802.11g, with WPA2 and WPA security.
- VoIP (Voice over IP, or Internet telephony) software for low-cost phone calls over the Internet.
- Color display in QVGA (240 x 320 pixels) resolution. Displays up to 16 million colors.
- 2 megapixel camera.
- Video capture in 352 x 288 resolution 15 fps (frames per second). The camera can record video in H.263, MPEG-4 formats.
- Video player can stream and play 3GP and RealMedia audio and video. Flash Lite software for viewing animated images is included.
- Music player software can play MP3 and AAC tracks, and MIDI and AMR audio files. MP3 songs can be assigned as ringtones.
- HTML Web browser. Email access (with attachments) to POP3, IMAP4, SMTP, and IMAP4-Idle messaging systems. Instant messaging client that conforms to OMA IMPS 1.2 standard.
- Calendar, Notepad, Contacts, To-Do List, and Calculator applications.
- 50MB of internal phone memory for user data. MicroSD memory card slot for extended storage space.
- Bluetooth 1.2 and infrared wireless connectivity.
- USB cable for transferring information to and from a PC. The connector on the phone is Nokia's proprietary Pop-Port interface.
- Java MIDP 2.0 applications can be downloaded to the device.
- Symbian OS v9.1 operating system with the S60 3rd Edition software.
- Battery life: 3-6 hours on a GSM network and 1.5-2.5 hours on a WCDMA network. Battery life when using Wi-Fi (for instance, for VoIP calls) is considerably shorter. Standby time is about 7-11 days on GSM networks and 8-14 days on 3G networks.
Our first impression of the Nokia E65 was that it looked like any other ordinary phone. Only when we held it did we realize how compact it was and how it fit into the palm of the hand. The slider mechanism felt solid when the keypad was pulled out from under the screen.
Typically, devices built on the Symbian OS/S60 software come with dedicated number keys (if it is not a qwerty-keyboard device), backspace key, navigation key, multitasking (or menu access) key, two soft keys for menu selection, and often, a volume key. The Nokia E65 includes a number of new keys.
In case you already have a Symbian OS/S60 smartphone but didn’t know about this feature, you can quickly access ringtone profiles by pushing the power key. The Media key is another key included on the E65 that has been around for awhile. You can assign any four applications to the Media key. Then, when you hit the key and push the navigation key in a direction, it launches one of the configured applications. The edit key has been moved to the side of the device, which is an awkward location. A dedicated key for conference calls has been placed on the front panel. Other new keys are mute/unmute and contacts. Volume keys are located on the side of the device.
It is not possible to install Skype on the Nokia E65 because the software is not available on Symbian OS yet, but there's another option for enjoying VoIP on a Symbian smartphone: Fring. This application is compatible with Skype, allowing you to make free phone calls to any Skype user. When you use your Skype login name for Fring, your Skype contacts can see your presence information, you can access your Skype contact list, and you can chat with Skype users.
The E65 has plenty of functions for managing phone calls. Options are voice dialing, voice commands for controlling menus, locking the keypad, and changing the profile. There are dedicated keys for contacts, mute/unmute, and conference calling. It is also possible to record audio, effectively using the device as a voice recorder.
We believed that every ringtone trick known to mankind had already been invented and used thousand times (including video ringtones), but the E65 surprised us. A new feature, Talking Ringtones, can combine the name of the caller with a ringtone so you can identify the caller without looking at the screen. If you dare to use this feature, that is – people near you will hear the name of the caller as well. The device also has an integrated, hands-free speaker.
On the one hand, the extra keys will make life easier once you learn to use them; but, on the other hand, many manufacturers are already turning their attention to touch screens. There is no limit to the number of keys (dedicated, soft, or what have you) on a touch screen.
We had a problem with the Nokia E65's excellent screen. The screen is fairly large and its resolution is high (which is nice), but the text on the screen is really small. You need fresh, young eyes or fresh reading glasses in order to comfortably read the screen without developing a headache.
The E65 is not the only smartphone that's designed with a sliding keypad. The Motorola Moto Z8, Nokia N80, and T-Mobile Wing are examples of products with similar features.
Who likes this product:
Although the product is packed with features that are incorporating the latest telecommunication and Internet technologies, it is not a product for nerds. On the contrary, its elegant design suggests that it is a product for ordinary, grown-up people who are proud to use it in the office or during an intermission.
Style:
The Nokia E65 is among the best-looking – if not the most tasteful – smartphones we have seen from Nokia so far. Its design is well-thought-out. Although slim, it's not too thin. Even though the screen is large, the slider mechanism saves the phone from becoming a large PDA-style slab. We have spotted both black/silver and red/silver units out on the street; but, even though we had a chance to try out the red/silver model, we can't confirm its availability in all markets.
The slim unit is easy to slip into a pocket or purse. Its dimensions are: 105 x 49 x 15.5 mm / 4.1 x 1.9 x 0.6 inches. It weighs 115 g / 4 oz.
Value for the money: 4 out of 5
We regard the Nokia E65 as a very good value for the money. It is a product for anyone who wants a full-featured smartphone with maximum style and minimal size. The high-speed Wi-Fi and 3G connectivity lets you access your email, Web pages, or make VoIP phone calls via the Internet. The device is powered by the Symbian OS/S60 operating system, which makes possible (for instance) the ability to listen to music and view photos at the same time.
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Reader rating
K RAVI 02.08.2007 11:37
I have a Nokia E65 and it is a wonder phone. I have it all except one problem , TALK TIME. I am a Heavy user and my talk time is only about 1 hr 45 mins to 2 Hrs. this menas i have to carry the Charger whereever i go. Any suggestions to increase my talktime.
Ari 03.08.2007 02:00
Active use of Wi-Fi requires plenty of energy and can quickly dry the battery. Switch off WiFi when you are not using it. Bluetooth is pretty modest with its power requirements, but if you let it run all the time in the background (or use a Bluetooth headset) it takes its share of the battery power. Again, switch it on only when you need it.
Paragua 25.02.2008 17:44
My Skype doesnt work under e65 by 3 net. www.fhbshop.co.uk
qampu 02.04.2008 05:28
The best Symbian slider phone!
germaine 29.04.2008 06:40
oh yes - E65 is the best except for 1 thing - it doesn't have Skype and it can't be installed
Lolita 18.06.2008 18:35
I recently got a E65 and works wonderful!!! I'm really impressed by the little thing! You cannot install skype as such but you can install a little app call fring http://www.fring.com/ and you can use IM, Gtalk, msm and skype over wifi. I'm using at the moment and it works great!!!!
ian Cardarelli 28.08.2008 15:02
how do I increase the default time of 1 minuteon the voice recorder of my e65
ASSLY 09.09.2008 03:21 msn.com
i look 4 securety fackshen key 4 E65 nokia i try older 12345 not working Pls help me thanks
suresh 20.03.2009 23:10
for last 1 week my e65 mobile lost the charge within 6 to 7 hrs. After replacing a new battery the same problem repeated. please give solution
elmringer 21.03.2009 01:15
Suresh- if you have had the same problem from the beginning, you should update the phone software. Flash the firmware. Nokia provides free tools on its web site. If this is a new problem, you may have an app running in the background. I once had an Wifi app that drained my battery just like you describe.
Tajinder Sangha 04.09.2010 14:17 mobile
I cannot open hotmail and locked code also forget. My phone is Nokia E65.