Following on from the E52 thread, and in a clarion call for higher build quality among Symbian OS-powered smartphones, I've pooled my own and other people's comments, to produce a Top Dozen Best Built devices. With the current E52, E55 and N97 perhaps near the top of a 'Worst built' list, I think it's fair to say that terrific build quality is something to be cherished in models of all vintages. Read on.
Read on in the full article.
A barrage of high end phones here but for me the most indestructible would be the Nokia 5110! I can still see units being sold here in my country, eat that Steve! 😃 You can even throw it on your enemies face and he'll be dead in no time.
I use a clear crystal (plastic) case on my N97 to make it more robust. The clear ones seem to be stronger than the black ones where the little clips lip over the phone, the current one I'm using has been on for a month or so and still in good shape. Otherwise I find the phone to be too creaky, slippery when typing, and feels weak!
What about the Nokia 5500 Sport? It was designed specifically for strength and durability, being made out of metal and rubber.
How can you forget E50?
Yep, the e51 made me fall in love with Nokia's design and Symbian. It also raised the expectations for the N97 a tad little to high...
Might I suggest the 5500 gets tagged on the end of that list? I'm surprised you forgot that one =)
The problem is that the manufacturers seem to expect people to buy a phone on contract and then toss it away when the contract is over, so why build something that lasts? It only gonna be used for 12-24 months anyway. Which, in my opinion, is a rather horrible view. I want something that lasts.
While I do like the extra processing power, the GPS and the 3.5mm jack of the E52, I am disappointed that the build quality isn't on par with the E51. The E52 would have been so perfect if it was.
Or maybe it's just impossible to get something that say quality today without buying a premium priced Nokia 8800 Erdos, but that's way out of my price range.
I must agree with your list Steve. My N82 itself has fallen more than 25 times and it is still working like a champ. Initially, I'd thought that the GPS, at the least would become malfunctioned due to my "careful" handling. However, when I tested it yesterday, it was still able to guide me to the airport effortlessly.
That being said, I would like to express my heartiest thanks to Nokia for producing such an excellent phone like the N82.
I wouldn't say the N97 is famous except maybe for disappointments. The fact they have released a mini version means they got the original design wrong also. I agree with the E71 - the whole of the E series deserves an award.
I havent used the E51, IMHO N73 and N82 are the best built Nseries devices till date, still i am finding one to replace my N73me it had gone through some severe treatment but it still runs rock solid
If these phones are so good, why change? Because what it inside becomes outdated before the outside gets worn out.
Also it's back to the 'do I want to carry a brick in my pocket' scenario. Build a phone case from steel and you will have a very robust mobile device indeed, but a very heavy one.
Then there are those who buy a phone and have to wrap it up in a leather or plastic case to give it added protection, adding to the weight even more. If they are that concerned maybe a cheap handset that can be replaced if the original gets damaged would be the better bet.
If you are paying �400/�500 for a mobile device then you are mad as well as being ripped off. No device is worth that money, most of the cost is pure profit to the seller. You can buy a laptop, a blue ray recorder/player DVD or a 32" HD ready flat screen TV or the latest games consol for less.
Compare the Nokia 5530 at �129.00 and the N97 mini at �399.00 and tell me what extra's the N97 mini has that are worth �270.00.
The N97 mini and the iphone etc. are priced high because some people are willing to pay a high price that's all.
I didn't forget the otherwise wonderful little 5500 - it had a design flaw whereby the keypad started peeling off after a while. FAIL.
Why is the E90 there. Didn't it have problems with the keyboard touching the screen?
The Quality of mobiles as got worst as the produces think you buy a mobile nowdays on its looks,but i always read reviews about any mobile produced before i decide to give the phone a try,the cost as gone over the top nowdays on mobiles,they used to produce mobiles when you could easily change the fascia set but nowdays they are not very easy to change an could damage your mobile trying to change fascia set
Unregistered wrote:Why is the E90 there. Didn't it have problems with the keyboard touching the screen?
Early models did (including mine), but to me it's hardly a problem. I just clean the screen every now and again with the same wipes I use to clean my glasses, and it's as good as new. This design flaw aside, the "build quality" is superb, very robust; my phone is 2 years old, but you certainly couldn't tell that by looking at it.
@ moonshot
If you are paying �400/�500 for a mobile device then you are mad as well as being ripped off. No device is worth that money, most of the cost is pure profit to the seller. You can buy a laptop, a blue ray recorder/player DVD or a 32" HD ready flat screen TV or the latest games consol for less.
As I want a mobile phone which can do what I want, when I want, it is worth the money to me, rather than the alternatives you suggest. And I don't consider myself mad...
Steve:
Care to comment on what are the countries of origins of the phones. Let's see if we can correlate quality in that manner.
Of course there are always the VERTU phones - they are built to last!!
But then I guess now many readers actually own one!!!
Andrew
Agree on 100%, my n73 passed to my son, it survived even canyoning and still, after almost 4 years, is worthy smartphone. Moreover i fully agree with buster's comments - you have to pay for being mobile
7650. Solid as a rock.
I know that other people might not think it as the most robust phone, but my n95 fell out of my pocket at the top of stealth (rollercoaster ride at thorpe park) and not only survived the fall but was still switched on and receiving calls and texts (made it much easier to find) - not only an amazing phone but can withstand anything
buster wrote:
As I want a mobile phone which can do what I want, when I want, it is worth the money to me, rather than the alternatives you suggest. And I don't consider myself mad...
You have missed the point.................. you should be able to get the phone that can do what you want, when you want without it costing what it does cost. But while you are willing to pay inflated prices for what is after all only a phone with a cut down pc, games machine, iplayer and camera built in, then Nokia and others will be happy to take your money.
I just read that article and I'm little bit terrified - just bought e52 to replace my e51, still waitin' for it to be delivered to me and you guys tell me that it's build quality is inferior to any other symbian nokia...i mean come on - is it really such a serious problem?
And by the way - could anybody tell me is there tv-out in e52? I can't find such info on Nokia page, but found out that on wikipedia there is mention of '3.5mm AV connector'. Is it possible that there is such functionality and Nokia just forgot to inform us? 😉
Hey, nice list but are you sure about N86? I had the thing and was far away from a good BQ phone, slider was moving right and left from day one, last keys on keypad got scratched after few days and lens coves scratched the lens it was suppose to protect, and finally it was so bad looking phone, just a great camera.
Hello Robot :P
Nice list, E -series dominates quite rightly, i have a G810 which i imported from Canada via Asia 😊
No N series in top 10 for me, however Innov8 certainly should be up there!
No 6110 Navigator? Thats one of the best IMO. Agreed with the N82. I've dropped mine countless time. I've even changed the housing on my own, its working as good as ever.
I just upgraded from an E51 to an E52 - it would be perfect, if only they'd stuck with the E51 body. Why mess with something that's already perfect? Just widen it a bit and stick in a bigger screen.
E51 case + E52 insides = the perfect smartphone.
How is the N90, the toughest device, not on the list? Its at least top 3. I have one right now that was thrown out of my sunroof going 68 mph on the highway that bounced down a 25 foot concrete embankment. When I returned to try to retrieve it and couldn't find it in the dark, I'd almost given up. That is, until it rang!
That was nearly 5 years ago, and though the exterior display is cracked, the device still works. The battery has died, The camera's lens protection is gone, leaving the lens exposed, and its full of scratches, but the device is still my favorite Symbian device and smartphone period OF ALL TIME! The large amount of moving parts makes it even more legendary. Nokia's materials choices were second to none back then. You guys missed the mark on this one...
taras wrote:I just upgraded from an E51 to an E52 - it would be perfect, if only they'd stuck with the E51 body. Why mess with something that's already perfect? Just widen it a bit and stick in a bigger screen.E51 case + E52 insides = the perfect smartphone.
Re: N90. Yes, I had one too. But, as you say the sheer no. of moving parts meant that it inevitably DID go wrong sometimes. Great materials, but like the N93 I just couldn't bring myself to include it in the top 12.
Re: N86. Wierd, this one. Some people, like me, have a ROCK solid unit. A few others have had wobbly, dodgy units - anyway, I compromised by putting it lower in the list than was my initial feeling.