Nokia E73 Mode Complete Specs Price Pros & Cons Unveiled

Overview

The Nokia E73 Mode was introduced in June 2010 as part of Nokia's E-series line, targeting business professionals and consumers who required a QWERTY keyboard for easy messaging. This device, equipped with Symbian OS 9.3, Series 60 v3.2 UI, offers a range of features packed into a sleek design that was typical of its time. Despite its discontinuation, the E73 Mode remains a point of interest for technology enthusiasts and collectors of classic mobile phones.

Design and Build

The Nokia E73 Mode presents an elegant design with its compact dimensions of 113.8 x 58.4 x 10.2 mm, making it easy to hold and operate with one hand. Weighing just 127.6 grams, this device stands out with its titanium color finish. The front of the phone is dominated by the QWERTY keyboard, which provides a tactile typing experience. The device supports a mini-SIM and features a robust build typical of Nokia's craftsmanship during the era.

Display

The display of the Nokia E73 Mode is a 2.4-inch TFT screen capable of showing 16 million colors, with a resolution of 320 x 240 pixels (~167 ppi pixel density). While the screen size may seem small by today's standards, it was adequate for browsing, messaging, and basic multimedia tasks. The screen offers a decent level of brightness and color accuracy, suitable for indoor and outdoor use.

Performance and Operating System

Powered by Symbian OS 9.3 with the Series 60 v3.2 UI, the Nokia E73 Mode provides a user-friendly interface that supports multitasking and a wide range of applications available on the Symbian platform. While the specific processor details are not provided, the device performs smoothly for basic tasks such as email, messaging, and calling. This is complemented by a dedicated 250MB internal storage and an expandable microSDHC slot, providing flexibility for additional memory.

Camera Capabilities

The Nokia E73 Mode is equipped with a 5 megapixel rear camera featuring autofocus and a LED flash. This setup enables decent quality photography given the technological standards of 2010, although it doesn’t compete with modern smartphone cameras. The device can also capture video and includes a VGA front-facing camera primarily designed for video calls.

Battery Life

This model comes with a removable Li-Po 1500 mAh battery (BP-4L), which was quite respectable at the time. The battery life in standby mode extends up to 384 hours on 2G and 528 hours on 3G networks. Talk time is reported to be up to 13 hours on 2G and up to 6 hours on 3G, offering reliable performance for users who depend on prolonged usage without frequent recharging.

Connectivity and Network

The Nokia E73 Mode supports GSM and HSPA network technologies, covering a range of frequencies: GSM 850/900/1800/1900 for 2G and HSDPA 900/1700/2100 for 3G, providing decent network support globally. Its connectivity features include Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g for wireless internet access, Bluetooth 2.0 with A2DP for wireless file transfers and audio streaming, GPS with A-GPS for navigation, and a microUSB 2.0 port for data transfer and charging.

Additional Features

This device incorporates useful extras such as an accelerometer and a compass, adding to its capabilities as a business phone. Audio enthusiasts would appreciate the 3.5mm jack and stereo FM radio with RDS. The preloaded browser supports WAP 2.0/xHTML, HTML, and Adobe Flash Lite, making it versatile for web browsing. Additionally, an inclusion of a dedicated card slot supporting microSDHC with a 4 GB card included, grants ample space for media and files.

Market Impact and Legacy

Upon its release, the Nokia E73 Mode was priced at about 120 EUR, providing a competitive option for business users and consumers needing a reliable smartphone at a reasonable cost. Though it has been discontinued, the E73 Mode serves as a nostalgic reminder of the Symbian era and remains a symbol of Nokia's contribution to mobile technology during the early 2000s.

Conclusion

The Nokia E73 Mode encapsulates the essence of early 2010s mobile technology with its combination of functionality, design, and performance. It offers a practical solution for users who valued productivity and connectivity in a compact form factor. While it may not match today's smartphone capabilities, it certainly holds a place in the history of mobile devices as an example of innovation and design tailored to professional use.