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More…When you're shopping for a cell phone, what will $800 get you? For that amount, you can have a Nokia E90 Communicator, a boxy PDA phone with more features--including Wi-Fi support, built-in GPS, and a 3.2-megapixel camera--than you'll find in most phones. Unfortunately, this handset is hard to use, and even harder on the eyes.
Nokia Nokia E90 Communicator
Pricing
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- Spec Navigator
- Processor
- Display
- Operating System
- Camera
- Form Factor
- Battery
- Storage
- Dimensions
- Cellular Frequency Technology
- Features
- Audio
- Connectivity
- Included Software
- Media
- Messaging
- Sync
- User Interface
- Video
Display
| Diagonal Display Size | 4 inches |
| Display Resolution | 800 x 352 inches |
| Display Type | Color |
| Number of Displays | Two |
Cellular Frequency Technology
| Cellular Technology (Voice + Data) |
|
2.5
4 User Reviews Add your own »
$669.98
From 1 Vendor
Get Best Prices »
- Lab Tested
- How We Test Phones »
Pros
Built-in Wi-Fi and GPS
Excellent e-mail options
Cons
Ugly, boxy design
Keyboard is hard to use
Bottom Line
Built-in Wi-Fi can't compensate for a boxy design and a hard-to-use phone.
Nokia E90 Communicator PDA Phone
Nokia E90 Communicator Review, by Liane Cassavoy January 24, 2008
The front of the clamshell-style Nokia E90 features a numeric keypad, a few basic navigation controls, and a small display inlaid in a red rectangular case--the device looks almost like a small, standard cell phone that has been laid inside a brick. And when you pick it up, it feels like a brick, too: At 7.4 ounces, this is one of the heaviest phones we've seen.
It's a quad-band GSM phone, but since it isn't available from any U.S. carrier, you'll have to buy an unlocked version for about $800 to $850. Voice quality was decent, and talk-time battery life was excellent. The phone lasted a full 10 hours in our lab tests (the maximum amount of time we test).
The E90 flips open horizontally to reveal a full QWERTY keyboard and a big (4-inch), beautiful display, looking almost like a laptop. While the full keyboard and its complement of navigation controls are useful for accessing all of the phone's features, the design is poor. First, flipping the phone open is difficult with two hands, and nearly impossible with only one. Second, the keys are flat (not convex, as on other phones), hard to press, and too close together.
Luckily, the phone's software is better than its hardware. It runs the Symbian OS, and includes the QuickOffice suite for working with office documents and Adobe's Acrobat Reader for viewing PDFs. Its excellent messaging options include BlackBerry Connect (even though it isn't a BlackBerry) and Nokia Intellisync Wireless E-mail. It supports POP3, IMAP, and SMTP e-mail accounts.
The 3.2-megapixel camera took snapshots that were markedly clearer than those I've taken with other phones, but using it was more difficult than necessary. I somehow managed to invoke the video camera when I meant to take a snapshot; if this had happened only once, I wouldn't have thought it was a big deal, but I did it repeatedly over several days. I had to go in and manually select image mode each time, even though I'd been in image mode to start. Nevertheless, the results were good, and the built-in flash and autofocus worked well.
The phone's features don't end there. The E90 plays audio and video files (via a proprietary player or the included RealPlayer and Flash Player apps) and includes an FM tuner. Its built-in GPS includes Nokia's worldwide mapping application. It also supports Bluetooth, voice dialing, and--overseas only--the truly 3G HSDPA network. (Users in the United States are stuck with the slower EDGE network when away from a Wi-Fi connection.)
With its full complement of business software and multimedia tools, the E90 is almost like a portable office. But even its significant capabilities can't overcome its unfriendly design and its steep price.
--Liane Cassavoy
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PCWorld Lab Results
- Rating Breakdown
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100
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72
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71
- See Complete Lab Results »
100
76Performance
| Battery Life Average (hh:mm) | 10:00 |
| Battery Life Word Score | Superior |
User Reviews
Average User Reviews for Nokia Nokia E90 Communicator
1 Review Add your own »
- Latest User Reviews 1 review
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Reviewed by: hojomo
Duration of ownership: 5 Months
Strengths: Choice of software, to keep you compatible with MS Office et al. Easily accessible microSD card, no taking the battery out, means you can easily take what you want where you want. Good battery. Indoors, use wifi to get on the Net NOT your mobile line!
Weaknesses: Keyboard could be better, but it's still usable. Size, but that brings it's benefits!
Overall: Have to endorse tigersab2003 review - wonderful gadget! Convergence is my thing, and you don't get all that quality AND software AND usability in a tiny box - don't expect it! Yes, it's a lump, compared to a Motorola Razr2 V8 for instance, but that phone is not easy to open one handed either, and it doesn't pack half the goodies! You don't buy an E90 unless you want all it can offer - namely Convergence, so many things in one place. It comes with a weight premium, yes, but that can also feel like "substance". Most "converged" units, that offer a keyboard, slide or clamshell, are of some size, compared to just "a Phone with frills", and they address different markets and requirements. Superb tool, but you must need it to get the greatest benefit.
Review Now! Already own it? Tell us What You Think
User Reviews From Around the Web
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Reviewed by: boblfixit
Strengths: Has everything.. Wi-Fi, GPS, Video player, MP3 Player, 2 Cameras, Full QWERTY keyboard, with shortcut buttons to Calendar, Web, Messenger, Contacts, etc. Oh yeah, it's a quad-band GSM phone, too!
Weaknesses: None really, it is a little bigger and heavier than most phones, because it is so heavy-duty and high quality made.
Overall: This phone is incredible! It is basically a mini laptop. Very easy to use, with menus and icons. It has a microSD slot that will take up to an 8GB card! It will even read your emails to you! Beautiful 4" screen. I just love it. Real hi-tech and high quality. You will need to read the manual to find out all it can do! Make sure you get the real Nokia made in Finland, not one made in China!
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Reviewed by: zipmale
Strengths: Cool design, plenty of funtions, ability to work with wireless WAN
Weaknesses: Difficulties with accessing phone numbers stored on a SIM card, power plug gets easily bent, too big for chest pockets, doesn't read Russian mp3 files' names, no touch screen
Overall: This phone is pretty reliable but kinda big so you need to have large chest pockets. I was surprised with its ability to work with any wireless network, which are plenty around San Francisco. Its power plug is too tiny and I keep my eyes open when Nokia finally combines mini-/micro- USB for data and power connection for its new communicators. This phone accepted a 4Gb micro-SD card and I can listen my MP3 files now.
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Reviewed by: tigersab2003
Strengths: Nokia E90 is amazing phone,for professionals specially,I can say its a mini laptop notebook combined with mobile phone,model is a mazing beuty and very freindly to use,I recommendedit to my freinds
Weaknesses: Compared with N95 it has a camera 3.2 Mp and its front camera supporting only video conferencing not for routine use,carrying cases are difficult to find in KSA
Overall: As a mobile phone it tops the list for best performence even if compared to iphone (price is cheaper 25%) and also its a mini laptop,Hats off to Nokia for this wonderful gadget
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