Nokia E66 Comprehensive Review Specs Pricing & Verdict

Overview of Nokia E66

The Nokia E66 was part of Nokia's popular Eseries line, which catered primarily to business users. Launched in June 2008 and released a month later, it quickly gained a reputation for its robust build, sleek sliding form, and rich feature set aimed at business professionals. Its design focused on providing a perfect balance between personal and professional use, embodying the typical characteristics of a smartphone that emphasizes functionality over form.

Design and Build

The Nokia E66 features an ergonomic design with dimensions of 107.5 x 49.5 x 13.6 mm and a weight of 121 g, making it a compact and lightweight device. The device employs a sliding mechanism that reveals a traditional numeric keypad, complementing its TFT display of 16M colors and a resolution of 240 x 320 pixels. The overall aesthetics were enhanced by a metallic finish available in colors such as White Steel, Grey Steel, Black, and Red. This steel chassis gave the E66 a premium feel, while the slide-out keyboard offered tactile feedback that typing enthusiasts would find appealing.

Display Specifications

The E66 features a 2.4-inch display that occupies roughly 33.5% of the front body. Although compact by today's standards, the 240 x 320 pixel resolution provided a respectable 167 ppi density, making the display crisp and clear for the time. The screen's ability to display 16 million colors ensured vibrant and vivid visual experiences, whether browsing the web, viewing photos, or navigating through the Symbian operating system.

Operating System and Performance

Running on Symbian OS 9.2 with the Series 60 v3.1 UI, the Nokia E66 promised reliable and stable performance, essential for professional environments. The device is powered by a 369 MHz ARM 11 processor, which was more than capable of handling day-to-day tasks and running the various business-centric applications available on the Symbian platform. Although the 128MB of RAM and 110MB internal storage may seem limited compared to modern standards, it was adequate for users at the time, especially with the microSDHC slot offering expandable storage options.

Connectivity Options

One of the Nokia E66's strengths was its wide array of connectivity features. The device supported GSM and HSPA technology, providing reliable voice and data capabilities across different regions with its support for various bands. It could achieve HSPA speeds of 3.6/0.384 Mbps, which was quite fast for its time. Furthermore, connectivity was augmented with Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g for seamless internet connectivity, Bluetooth 2.0 with A2DP for wireless audio streaming, and a microUSB 2.0 port for computer syncing and charging.

Camera Capabilities

The device came equipped with a 3.15 MP autofocus rear camera, complete with an LED flash for low-light conditions. It supported video recording at 320p@15fps, suitable for capturing quick moments on the go. While not groundbreaking, the inclusion of these features was in line with other business-oriented smartphones of the era. Additionally, it offered a videocall camera for video conferencing, an essential feature for business users.

Battery Life

Nokia E66 was powered by a removable Li-Ion 1000 mAh battery (BL-4U), which provided up to 264 hours of standby time on 2G networks and up to 336 hours on 3G networks. With a talk time of up to 7 hours and 30 minutes on both 2G and 3G networks, it assured users of a full day's use, catering to the needs of busy professionals who needed reliable battery life.

Additional Features

Some noteworthy additional features of the Nokia E66 include an accelerometer for auto-rotate functionality, an FM radio for entertainment, and a browser capable of handling WAP 2.0/xHTML and HTML content. It also included GPS and A-GPS with Nokia Maps for navigation, making it a handy tool for users on the go. Although it lacked a 3.5mm jack, it offered downloadable polyphonic, monophonic, and MP3 ringtones, ensuring personalization was possible.

Audio and Sound

The device's audio capabilities were average, focused primarily on voice clarity and consistent audio performance. The loudspeaker provided a sound level of 66dB, which was adequate for clear voice calls. While it did not feature cutting-edge audio technology, its noise and crosstalk suppression levels ensured clear communication, which was of utmost importance in professional environments.

Conclusion

The Nokia E66 was a quintessential business phone of the late 2000s, combining functionality with a stylish design that appealed to both business users and everyday consumers. It embodied Nokia's commitment to reliable, user-friendly devices and demonstrated the company's ability to innovate within the constraints of a business phone marketplace. Despite its discontinuation, it remains a notable entry in Nokia's storied history, symbolizing a time when mobile phones were beginning to merge the lines between communication devices and smart technology.