At first glance it looks like a slimmed down E90. But then you realise it's utterly miniscule. Here's my review of the Nokia E51, which packs much of the E90's style and functionality into the slimmest and smallest S60 smartphone ever made. Any downsides? Only a few hard-to-press side keys stand in the way of the E51 being the perfect smartphone for an awfully large chunk of the phone and smartphone market.
Read on in the full article.
I think its about time that Nokia came up with a similar phone in the Nseries range. It would be really wonderful to have a slim and small multimedia device. All the current devices may not be very bulky, but they are definitely large.
Looks great; I'm very tempted to get one ASAP, despite only having had my 5500 for a few months. It's a very similar package, with several of the deficiencies fixed (no WiFi, small RAM), though it doesn't have the torch 😉
Does the E51 have a hands-free mode? I.e. does it work as a speaker phone, or play podcasts etc. without having to use headphones?
And what does it use instead of the Edit (pencil) key, which it doesn't seem to have?
Yes, a similar Nseries device would be very nice. Needs a larger display, though (at least 2.2"😉 and ideally a 3.5mm headphone jack...that would make a nice small music phone!
And while they're at it, they should start using the Eseries high quality materials for their Nseries handsets too...
Can we expect a dedicated video review by either Rafe or yourself or shall we wait until the next episode of The Smartphones Show?
AndyM: yes, full speakerphone mode etc. Though nowhere near as loud as the speakers in Nseries devices. So only really of use in quiet rooms.
Stefan: yes, video review in Smartphones Show 47, out tonight. 8-)
"And what does it use instead of the Edit (pencil) key, which it doesn't seem to have?"
The pencil key has been merged to the # key in all upcoming s60 devices by nokia.
I noticed in one of the screenshots in the Tools folder there is the app "Switch" I am assuming it does the same job as the rotateme app does on other S60 phones... great phone in a great size...seems very hard to beat...😊
hargs48 wrote:I noticed in one of the screenshots in the Tools folder there is the app "Switch" I am assuming it does the same job as the rotateme app does on other S60 phones
My bad you are a right it is just named differently on the E51,its the "Transfer" app you get on the other S60 phones.The icon is the also the same.
Also a video review from me once i get my hands on one. Plus I'll probably look at a comparison with the other small phones. For E50 / Nokia 5500 / Nokia E65 / Nokia 6120 users this could be a tempting upgrade.
Rafe wrote: For E50 / Nokia 5500 / Nokia E65 / Nokia 6120 users this could be a tempting upgrade.
See above; this 5500 owner for one is very tempted. 😉
What does the key under the d-pad do?
Jonek wrote:What does the key under the d-pad do?
I just noticed something. The * key also has a bluetooth icon. Is that a shortcut to turn on / turn off bluetooth?
Thanks malerocks! I've been using me E61 so long that I forgot about the C-key. It certainly looks like this is a Bluetooth on-off key. Very handy indeed. This phone looks great, but I think that I will miss my qwerty. But it's tempting, really tempting.
"Changing the old, confusing 'S60' key with the 'swirly thing' logo to a simple 'Home' icon is a masterstroke and instantly simplifies the interface and makes things obvious for new users, especially in an iPhone world where the idea of a prominent home button to bring up the main app menu is familiar. Well done, Nokia - now make this the standard on all future devices!"
Shhh, don't say that! They might listen! I want my Menu key left untouched!
How to lock the keypad? Since the left softkey is set to menu, I hope is not only with the power key...
The ideal phone BUT I got seriously lost in a very nasty dangerous area in a foreign country a week ago. Built in GPS essential in a world traveller's business phone even if it does make the machine slightly bigger. I will wait until GPS integrated into this otherwise perfect business phone.
Can you get to the bottom of why there seem to be 2 backplates? One with a metal dot pattern and another with swirly lines. Compare Steve's picture to this one on Smape: http://img.smape.com/images/review/Nokia/E51/ph/Nokia_E50_main_015.jpg
The one friend I had in ES just moved over to M to there goes my direct source to the division that makes the best Nokia products. 😞
Us living in the US need a US version of this! (correct me if there already is one) 😊
viipottaja wrote:Us living in the US need a US version of this! (correct me if there already is one) 😊
Several reliable U.S. shops are offering them for pre-order, so I think it will be distributed in the U.S. through Nokia USA.
Question for Steve: Several commentators have said the "2-inch screen" is simply too small to be usable. What did you think?
BTW, I use an E60, and this looks like a terrific upgrade for that one, too.
Excellent reviews here and on the Smartphone Show. Thanks!!!
Several commentators have said the "2-inch screen" is simply too small to be usable. What did you think?
The 6120 (which I reviewed) has an identical screen to the E51, so I hope it's okay if I answer this too.
Saying it's not usable is way way too general. It really depends on who you are, and what kind of device you're comfortable with.
I had absolutely NO problems whatsoever with the 2 inch screen, I used it for web browsing, text messaging, email etc quite a lot. I loved using the 6120, it's probably the best phone I've ever used. I had an N95 loaned to me at the same time, and the 6120 was (for me) better in every way despite having a much smaller physical screen size.
However, I have fairly good eyesight, not everyone does.
If you have poor short range eyesight, if you have trouble reading the ingredients on food packets, then you may want to consider a phone with a physically larger screen (such as the N95).
The same goes for the buttons, if you have large fingers the 6120's buttons may be too small for you, and I'm guessing the same applies to the E51 too.
Hi, I too was interested in the backplates "issue". According to photos of the e51 on the Dutch Nokia website, it seems that the silver one does not have the swirly pattern, whereas the black one does. Can't discover any pattern on the bronze one though, but my eyes may be deceiving me.
I assume photos will be exactly the same when looking at Nokia's e51 pages in other languages.
Wocius, thanks, but what I meant was a US version, i.e., with US frequencies, including HSDPA.
In response to the question of an equivalent NSeries device up above, you need look no further than the Nokia 6120 - it is an NSeries in all but name, and I agree with krisse just above, it is the best phone I have ever used, and I've handled a few NSeries devices. It's really lovely, and suprisingly powerful and capable for such a small, light package. If you really need Wifi go for the E51, if you don't go for the 6120.
If I am not mistaken, 6120 does not have even a 2.5mm jack, which would be another addition (preferably 3.5mm) that would be needed to make it match the more recent N-Series offering.
krisse wrote:... I hope it's okay if I answer this too.
...
I had absolutely NO problems whatsoever with the 2 inch screen, I used it for web browsing, text messaging, email etc quite a lot. I loved using the 6120, it's probably the best phone I've ever used. I had an N95 loaned to me at the same time, and the 6120 was (for me) better in every way despite having a much smaller physical screen size.
Thanks, Krisse -- I'm delighted you responded! I use an E60 and have no problems reading it, either, so your answer perfectly addresses my concern.
viipottaja Wocius, thanks, but what I meant was a US version, i.e., with US frequencies, including HSDPA.
Oops, sorry. It's quad band, so it can be used on GSM throughout the USA. I use T-Mo, which doesn't have 3G or HSDPA yet, so I can't really answer your question, but I think it could be used on ATT's 3G network.
I have one on order (in all-black). I'll post reactions when I receive it.
Wocius, unfortunately, the European 3G bands don't work here. The only ones I know of are the N75 and the US version of the N95 (which also has the first HSDPA for the US market from Nokia).
anyone agree that it doesnt look like a nokia anymore?
i mean it looks like something HTC or HP would come up with, doesnt look nokia 😞
