I recently got my grubby mits on the Nokia E63, which is somewhat of a dumbed down version of our beloved Nokia E71. The phone is built of plastic, instead of high-quality metal, and offers nearly the same feature set. Noticeably missing from the E63 are the 3.2 megapixel autofocus (the E63 only has a 2 megapixel cam) and the built-in GPS receiver. Unfortunately, these are two major features of my E71 that get alot of use. Nokia’s current major focus is on GPS and location-based services, and it’s completely silly that they would release a smartphone without a built-in GPS receiver.
The Nokia E63 is also quite a bit thicker than the E71, which reduces the visual appeal, and brings it down to the level of similarly designed BlackBerry smartphones, like the Curve. The keyboard is mostly the same, which is a plus, though the E63 suffers from a smaller space bar, which can be frustrating for fast typers. The E63 has also been relieved of its side-mounted volume rocker, which, as we know here on E71blog.com, is remarkably useful thanks to MagicKey.
One of the more annoying things about the Nokia E63, specifically as compared to the E71, is that the dedicated power button was removed and integrated into the end key, which means if you press the ‘end’ key from the Active Standby screen, the phone profiles menu pops up, annoyingly. Also, on the E71, you can press and hold the end key to end all data connections, such as WiFi and cellular data. You can still do this on the E63, but you have to be careful not to hold too long, or you’ll turn the phone stinkin’ phone off!
To be fair, depending on where you shop, the E63 is nearly $100 cheaper than the E71, though in my opinion, that certainly doesn’t justify the lack of a decent camera, or worse, the removal of the built-in GPS receiver. It’s almost silly that Nokia even released the E63, since it’s so close to the E71 in terms of features, and also priced so close.
There are currently 8 responses
Why is it ‘completely silly’ to release a phone without GPS? It’s not vital to all, helps keep the cost down too. Some people just want messaging on the move, and the E63 offers a reachable affordable product, extends the encroachment into popular Blackberry territory too.
It’s silly because Nokia’s latest emphasis seems to be on GPS, both for navigation and for tagging photos. There hasn’t been an S60 phone released from Nokia without GPS for months, and yet for some reason this was.
it has a 3.5 mm audio jack though..one adv over E71
I see the GPS as becoming less important; in urban areas cell tower location only in Google maps is accurate under 200m. With growing databases of Wifi access point coordinates cell tower + wifi location info could allow the e63 (and like devices) to work almost as well as a phone with a full GPS.
You mentioned ‘..though the E63 suffers from a smaller space bar..’ ; but failed to note that it adds a few extra buttons to the lowest row,which is more useful for speed typers. Long-pressing the space-bar also turns on the flash light to use as torch. Does the e71 have that feature.
Your comparison is biased, as you seem to believe in a business model for Nokia that you have discovered by yourself (where does nokia mention that GPS is it’s upcoming basic-feature). Not everyone finds a use for the GPS feature. Nokia needs to cater to all it’s customers.
Finally, as raju mentions, E63 has a 3.5mm jack unlike E71’s 2.5mm
So, E63 is not a ’silly’ production.
Ha! OWNED
Not having owned or used the E71, but having read sooo many comparisons, I still find that the E63 is a very good piece of equipment. I continue to ‘discover’ new features almost on a weekly basis. One very pleased owner.
even I like e63 , it has decent look while e71 looks very okward to me by its metal finish , I bought e63 because of only 3.5 audio jack , because I want to connect my phone with big speakers in telecon.
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