Nokia E63: The Reasonably Priced E71 Sibling

You probably read some reviews already about the E63 or big brother E71. But nevertheless, here's my short take on the Nokia E63 after getting a brief hands-on with a friend's unit yesterday.

At first glance, the Nokia E63 looks like a phone meant for the young, easy-going, fun-loving, working yuppies -- that doesn't necessarily mean it's any less hardworking.

Even if the E63 doesn't look as striking as its QWERTY sibling, the E71, it doesn't look as smudge-prone and fragile. Its tactile keys are a treat to type message on. The only downside on the keypad though is its backlight, which is not enough for a big keypad. One can barely see the keys at the very bottom when using it in the dark.

It's a good thing the E63 has good battery life, as one will get carried away surfing the web via WiFi hotspots. Aside from having a rich landscape screen perfect for browsing, it supports Java and Flash, so you'll get your fill of silly YouTube clips on the go.



Much like most Nokia phones, the E63's interface is intuitive even for the first-time QWERTY users. And despite the hip facade, the phone underscores its business features -- Quickoffice, a pretty intricate calendar, and even printer support, among others -- by not having any games installed in the phone. The only source of entertainment on the E63 is its music player and FM radio that support your standard 3.5mm heads. These help boost the phone's otherwise thin sound quality. On the video front, the E63's two-megapixel camera yields decent photos, if you don't mind a little noise and no autofocus.

So, should you get the E63? If you've already got the E71, it's silly for you to get one. But if you're shopping around for a new phone, maybe now's the time to learn the QWERTY smart phone ropes -- especially since the Nokia E63's price tag is just as reasonable as typical mid-range phones in the market.

Specifications at a glance:
- Full QWERTY keyboard
- Touch sensitive Navi wheel
- 3.5mm audio jack
- 2.36" 320x240 pixels, 16 million colors QVGA display
- 120MB internal memory
- microSD memory card slot
- Quad-band GSM and dual-band UMTS with 3G
- Bluetooth with A2DP, Wi-Fi and microUSB
- 2 megapixel camera
- 432 hours standy, 11 hours talktime
- 113x59x13mm, 126g

AT&Ts New Batch of Smartphones for Spring 09

AT&T’s releases new batch of phones made for texting and emails this spring. The new line up includes the LG Xenon, LG, Neon, Samsung Impression, Samsung Propel, Samsung Magnet and the Nokia E71x. Samsung Impression and Propel Pro will arrive in AT&T stores on April 7 and 14, respectively, and the LG Xenon will go on sale on April 8. The Nokia e71x, LG Neon and Samsung Magnet will be available in the following weeks.



Press Release:

DALLAS, March 30, 2009 -Text messaging and email are still the ‘killer app’ for mobile phone data use and AT&T is responding with a great new lineup of phones for the Spring season. AT&T* today announced a fresh new lineup of smartphones and quick messaging phones that make it easier for customers to message with friends and family and manage their business and personal lives on-the-go. Arriving in AT&T stores and online at www.wireless.att.com in the coming weeks, these integrated devices add to AT&T’s leading mobile phone portfolio.

In the smartphone category, AT&T debuted the Nokia E71x and the Samsung PropelTM Pro, two stylish smartphones that inspire fun, while delivering serious functionality. In addition, the Samsung ImpressionTM and Samsung MagnetTM, and LG Xenon and Neon emerge to the lead AT&T’s lineup of quick messaging phones and expands the number of full-keyboard mobile phones in AT&T’s lineup to seven. Pictures of the new lineup are available at www.att.com/mobilehandsets-news.

“Smartphones and quick messaging phones are no longer for early-adopters and text-happy teens,” said David Christopher, chief marketing officer, AT&T Mobility and Consumer Markets. “The ability to text often, or check your email from a phone is easy and more customers demand these features. These phones are a great addition to our best-in-class lineup and we can’t wait to get them in our customers’ hands in the coming weeks.”

Nokia E71x
The thinnest smartphone on the market, the Nokia E71x, will be available in the coming weeks for $99.991 and features a black steel finish and award-winning design. The Nokia smartphone, based on S60 on Symbian OSTM offers the Wi-Fi and the flexibility of many Symbian-based applications, in addition to AT&T’s most popular services, including AT&T Navigator. The Nokia E71x is just 10 millimeters thin and will turn heads when you text friends, or check your corporate or personal email. Customers can learn more at http://www.att.com/nokiaE71x.

Samsung PropelTM Pro
The Propel Pro, a full-QWERTY silver and chrome compact slider smartphone with Windows Mobile 6.1 allows users to run full enterprise applications on the same platform they use to text and send photos. Evolving from the popular Samsung PropelTM, business users and consumers looking for a full-feature smartphone with Wi-Fi will look to the Propel Pro, available in April for $149.991.

Samsung ImpressionTM
The nation’s first commercially available AMOLED (active-matrix organic light-emitting diode) screen results in one of the brightest and clearest displays in the U.S. and is paired with a keyboard underneath an amazingly slim, metallic blue quick messaging phone that’s all touch screen on the outside, all buttons on the inside. On sale for $199.991, the Impression has an included 3.0 megapixel camcorder-capable camera, 3.2-inch screen and full browser to maximize every pixel of color.

LG Xenon
A quick messaging phone boasting a full keypad for text messaging beneath its vibrant colors and large touch screen display with customizable and intuitive user interface, the 3G-powered LG Xenon snaps 2.0 megapixel photos and offers the full suite of AT&T entertainment services such as AT&T Navigator, Napster Mobile, eMusic Mobile, and more. Xenon will be available in three colors: black, blue and red for $99.991. The Xenon is also featured in MTV’s upcoming series “The Phone”, executive produced by Justin Timberlake.

LG Neon
Teens and text-happy adults will enjoy the LG Neon, a low-cost touch screen device available in the coming weeks. The green and white quick messaging phone features a full keyboard, 2.0 megapixel camera, and access to Instant Messaging, Mobile Email, AT&T Music, and the mobile Internet.

Samsung MagnetTM
The Magnet is an incredibly slim orange and black bar-shaped device that will appeal to teens who need a low-cost, quick messaging phone. The Magnet features a WAP browser and integrated camera in its sleek package and will be offered at an affordable price in the coming weeks.

All six devices can be paired with messaging bundles offering 200, 1500, and unlimited messages that cost $5, $15 and $20, respectively. Unlimited messaging is available for AT&T FamilyTalk® plan customers for all lines for $30. Data plans vary per device.

Samsung Impression and Propel Pro will arrive in AT&T stores on April 7 and 14, respectively, and the LG Xenon will go on sale on April 8. The Nokia e71x, LG Neon and Samsung Magnet will be available in the following weeks.

For the complete array of AT&T offerings, visit www.att.com. For product photos, visit www.att.com/mobilehandsets-news.