Price and specifications of Nokia E7 advantages, disadvantages, and a comprehensive explanation

Overview of Nokia E7

The Nokia E7, announced in September 2010 and released in February 2011, is a notable device in the history of Nokia's Eseries, designed for enterprise and business productivity. Despite its discontinuation, it remains a classic example of Nokia's approach to combining functionality and design.

Design and Build

The Nokia E7 features a robust design with dimensions of 123.7 x 62.4 x 13.6 mm and a weight of 176 grams. It includes a full QWERTY keyboard which emerges from underneath the display via a slide mechanism, a signature feature that appeals to business users who require efficient typing for emails and messaging. The device is available in several colors, including Dark Grey, Silver White, Green, Blue, and Orange, providing users with some level of customization to suit personal preferences.

Display and Protection

Equipped with a 4.0-inch AMOLED display with a resolution of 360 x 640 pixels, the Nokia E7 offers vibrant colors and excellent viewing angles, a staple for devices using AMOLED technology. The screen-to-body ratio is approximately 57.1%, which ensures a decent display area for its time. Additionally, the display is protected by Corning Gorilla Glass, which enhances its durability and resistance to scratches and minor impacts.

Performance and Platform

Powering the Nokia E7 is a 680 MHz ARM 11 processor, complemented by a Broadcom BCM2727 GPU. The device is initially based on the Symbian^3 operating system, which is upgradeable to Nokia Belle OS, offering improved user interface and functionality enhancements. Though the 256MB RAM may seem limited by modern standards, it was standard for devices in its class at the time, providing adequate performance for day-to-day tasks.

Camera Capabilities

The Nokia E7 is equipped with an 8 MP main camera featuring a dual-LED flash, capable of capturing high-quality images for a device of its era. It supports video recording at 720p@25fps, which later received a software update to support 720p@30fps. For video calls and selfies, the device has a front-facing VGA camera, which was sufficient given the period's technological limitations.

Memory and Storage

Internally, the Nokia E7 features 16GB of storage, providing ample space for applications, media, and document storage. However, it does not support expandable storage through a card slot, which was a slight limitation for users needing more capacity. Despite this, the built-in storage suffices for typical use cases in a professional setting.

Connectivity and Communication

The Nokia E7 includes a suite of connectivity options suitable for professionals, including Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n, Bluetooth 3.0 with A2DP, and GPS with A-GPS support for location services via Ovi Maps 3.0. It also supports microUSB 2.0 and OTG for direct connectivity to other devices and accessories. The phone provides 2G and 3G network capabilities, ensuring broad compatibility with global network standards.

Multimedia Features

For entertainment, the Nokia E7 comes with a stereo FM radio with RDS, along with a standard 3.5mm headphone jack, allowing users to enjoy music and radio broadcasts. The loudspeaker supports various audio outputs with clear sound quality, including voice calls, ringtones, and media playback.

Battery and Power

The device is powered by a non-removable Li-Ion 1200 mAh battery (BL-4D), providing respectable battery life for everyday tasks. It offers up to 432 hours of standby time on 2G networks and up to 480 hours on 3G networks. Talk time reaches up to 9 hours on 2G networks and 5 hours on 3G networks, sufficient for a full day of typical usage without frequent recharging.

Sensors and Additional Features

The Nokia E7 integrates several sensors, including an accelerometer for orientation detection, proximity sensor for power savings during calls, and a compass for navigation apps. The device’s browser supports WAP 2.0/xHTML, HTML, and Adobe Flash Lite, ensuring a satisfactory web browsing experience for its users.

Legacy and Impact

The Nokia E7 symbolizes a significant era in mobile technology where smartphones began to meet the needs of professional users with enhanced designs and productivity features. Despite being discontinued, the E7's combination of a physical keyboard and touchscreen was valued by users seeking a practical device for business use. Priced at approximately 150 EUR during its release, it offered a reasonable balance of features and cost.

Conclusion

The Nokia E7 remains a noteworthy device in the annals of mobile technology history, representing Nokia's commitment to robust, user-centric design. While modern smartphones have eclipsed the E7 in terms of performance and technology, its impact is still felt by those who appreciated its focus on practical features and reliable performance.