Has anyone purchased and used the E61 from Nokia? I am interested in this phone given my disappointment with the SE P990 (no EDGE, no 850ghz) and its much higher price than the Nokia. Being a quad-band phone, I should be able to pop-in a Cingular SIM and be on my way.

From the photos, it looks like the Nokia is significantly smaller than a Treo, and even abit smaller than a Blackberry

I am more interested in its consumer-friendly features rather than business features - such as playing music, watching video content, messaging and web browsing. I didn't see any mention of a camera on the website, though...if this phone has no camera, then I guess it's back to considering a used SE P910A.

I have never been so frustrated than trying to pick a new phone. Choosing a laptop was cakewalk compared to picking something as dumb as a cell phone these days.

I have been using this new Nokia E61 for 3 weeks now. My recommendation: BUY IT! Reasons: JavaScripts, Cookies. Much better than WM5 in accessing the Internet. I am a software developer in mobile and Internet applications. I hold off buying a poket PC with WM5 because it cannot execute the Javascripts. , the most important thing in Internet access to the Internet server database. Example: I did used the E61 to book regular and award tickets in United.bom, including selecting seat assignments, exactly like the regular PC access. (what more can one ask for?)

Other not than important advantages: 3G for Japan and Korea roaming, Wi-Fi in 8011g, Word and Excel inputting, easy for email access, very nice screen format, good construction (my daughter just throw this E61 to the stone ground last night out of frustration, and only a few scratch, what a relief!)

Bad points: no camera, that means no video call in 3G area.

I was considering buying Treo, Dopod, Backberry, HP, but none of them fulfill my requirements. I need a 3G, Wi-Fi, Javascript with cookies, full Word and Excel. This E61 fulfills all my requirements. I hope the information help the OP.

Test driving one...hope they let me keep it (especially now the Goodlink client is available).

The E61 is slightly wider than a Treo, the same length (excluding the Treo's protuding aerial), about 2/3 the thickness, and significantly lighter.

The lack of camera is of no concern to me...

I've used an E61 over the summer in both the US and Europe, and I can honestly say I love it. I switched from an N90, so definately took a hit in the imaging capability (2MP vs no camera), but the fact that the E61 gets really good battery life (I run mine in GSM-only mode), has a very capable web browser, works great for e-mail and can act as a light iPod replacement in some cases (stereo headset + 1GB mini-SD) made it worth switching to.

Oh, and the mobile version of Google Maps works nicely with this, saved me a couple of times...

How does the E61 compare with the Moto Q in terms of size?

Thanks for your advise, everyone. I am interested in the unit, but I gave it more thought and had two concerns...the lack of camera is going to be an issue and if it's bigger than a Treo 700, that might be a problem too, since I am avoiding the Treo due to its size. The unit seems geared towards the business market, and I am looking for something more balanced between productivity and consumer friendly.

I guess if I could get my hands on one and have a closer look, it might change my mind, but I can't find any retailers that carry it Seems to be an 'import-only' unit you buy unlocked.

I wish Sony Ericsson had the W800i in an 'A' model with 850ghz They seemed to have abandoned the US market - all their good phones go to Europe and Asia and the crap carriers give away for free is sent here. All they had to do was make their phones quadband with US supported UMTS and they would work anywhere.

I bought one about a month ago.... I have to say the phone is pretty amazing and the software is very strong and fast. Also, if you are in Dubai, you can pick up one for around $250 unlocked, factory direct. Good Luck...

Regards,

Billman

Thanks for the info; was thinking of E61 or the new HTC phones a la TyTn or Qtek S200, any ideas on pricing for the latter 2 phones ^ ? I can perhaps get it shipped if the price is right..

Many thanks,

a.

I've always avoided these HTC units because there is no easy way to just use them as a plain old phone - it's a big complicated deal to just dial a number, given there is no easily accessed numberpad. I've read alot of complaints about this on different forums.

Also, the Microsoft OS is a deal killer for me. If it had an easy dial option and Symbian, then I might look more closely...

you can't use skype on this right? otherwise it looks great. i'm looking for all these features plus skype use when on wifi.

e61 has a interent telephone option, skype, I am not sure, but it does have wifi, which works very well. As for the 2 phones above, I have also heard bad things on them, not sure on the prices.

ohh, ok, thanks for the info..

ad..

*perks up* ooh, where from?

I have friends in Dubai over the summer, and I'd been contemplating getting this phone to replace my old P800.

Ok so I have had my E61 for about 3 weeks now and find it frustrating as all hell.

It was bought from the U.S., they sourced the phone in Hong Kong and it is pre-loaded with Planet 3 stuff!

The firmware says it is the latest version. When I try to use the nokia software updater, it says nothing to update. A hard reset on the phone did not get rid of the Planet 3 stuff.

If I flash the phone using Phoenix (& crack) and then install the firmware will that get rid of the junk and put the phone into a normal state? Since the model is not officially sold in Canada, Nokia is not interested in helping.

Any ideas?

The E61 is very much a business tool and does actually look quite good in this respect. The only thing that has stopped me going out and buying one (they are available to buy SIM free quite inexpensively here in the UK) is that I've not seen a single report of one of these phones being used successfully with BWC.

The P910 is a none starter for me. SE have gone from having one of the best smart phones with the best UI on the market to having a buggy smart phone with a UI designed by a committee and a smaller screen (albeit with the same resolution, I believe).

Oh well, I continue to look for the smart phone/PDA that does everything (Blackberry, good PDA, good imaging and video recording etc).

From early next year, I suspect I will be carrying around a combination of an N95 and a Blackberry (plus my iPAQ).