Customer Reviews

Nokia E65 Unlocked Phone with 2 MP Camera, International 3G, Wi-Fi, Media Player, and MicroSD Slot--International Version with Warranty (Black)

5 star:		(2)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

This phone is compact, attractive, and powerful. It's hard to believe Nokia packed as much into this phone as they did. One of the best features is its ability to make "Internet calls" over a wi-fi connection. I use Vonage for my home phone service, so all I had to do was add a "softphone" to my service plan, enter the connection setings into my E65, join any available wi-fi network anywhere in the world, and I am instantly able to place and receive calls without using my wireless service provider at all! Now when I am in Hong Kong on business I can sit in my hotel room and call home FOR FREE! Likewise, my husband can call me using a local number and reach me wherever I may be in the world (as long as I am connected to a wi-fi network). I can also check email and browse the web on my new phone, watch my Slingbox using their mobile player, listen to audiobooks, use the built-in calendar to keep organized, sync my address book with my Mac using iSync, and the list goes on... True the camera is not the greatest in the world, but this is a phone after all. When I want to take memorable photos I'll use a real camera. It's fine for sending a quick picture message to somebody though. I feel that this little gadget is well worth what I payed for it... and it is kind of cool not to have to carry around the same RAZR clone as everybody else! My one and only gripe is the lack of stereo bluetooth... I'd like to be able to use a pair of bluetooth headphones (real headphones, not the little one earpiece thing) but they are not compatible. Oh yeah, I use T-mobile here in the USA and had absolutely no problem getting this phone to work. I can access my voicemail, T-zones, etc just as if it were a T-mobile branded phone.

This phone has a lot of great features and it's really nice, it takes some time to get used to the menu... the main problem i found is that it has some kind of leathery paint that peels off when i carry it in my pocket, so i don't recommend carrying it in your jeans pocket on days off... now it looks really bad...

My typical usage comprises of text messaging, a handful of calls and browsing the web. This is my first smartphone and so having the capability to open business documents, a built-in html/xhtml browser, wi-fi and gps* are all considerable upgrades from my previous phone. The Nokia E65 will not replace a video or digital camera, ipod, radio or gaming console. I am fine with that since I did not choose it with these add-on capabilities in mind. Its weight and thickness are to my liking. It may not be razor thin but it still remains unobtrusive when tuckered into a jeans front pocket. Here is the rest of my review:

- The phone, bought through Amazon two months ago, has extra [Chinese?] characters on keys 1-5 and # along with Roman alphabet. Yes, I was a bit disappointed at first but getting this keypad version was likely. It is mentioned on Amazon's site and other seller websites that this cell phone is mostly sourced internationally.

- MY startup times** are 43 seconds with the memory card, i.e. seven seconds from the time the on button is pushed to the white screen with 'NOKIA' logo. Another 36 seconds to the menu. 37 seconds without the memory card, i.e. seven seconds before the first splash screen appears and 30 seconds to menu.

- I wanted a slider design and my other choice was an SE W580i. I found its keypad cramped.

- I like how the phonebook search works by matching each character in the order it is typed. On my old phone, only the first character of the contact name is searchable then I had to scroll down the list.

- Wizard for setting up internet access point detected both AT&T Medianet and T-Mobile T-zones. Although I had to modify one setting in T-zones to make it work.

- Humming or buzzing sound emanates from the unit and is, apparently, normal (from what is noted on Nokia forum). It is audible in a really quiet environment. The sound stops when the backlight timeout kicks in.

- There is only one alarm setting and it needs to be reset daily.

- The case creaks when typing a message. My solution is to place a small folded rectangular paper as padding over the sim card area just above the latch.

- The plating below the navigation buttons is prone to smudges since this is where one would typically push to slide up. I covered the area with a screen protector as a remedy.

- A charge lasts three to four days based on my usage with both bluetooth and wi-fi scanning disabled. One week on standby.

* Only if I am crazy enough to shell out more dollars in addition to regular cell phone service.
** Counted as the seconds tick on my watch.

This telephone is great. It works like a charm. If you own a windows base, imagine never having to reset your phone.

this is a really nice phone, visually. it's thin, elegant, beautifully designed, thou a lil on the masculine side.
casing / back doesn't feel metallic, it has a leathery feel to it and that is really neat - hopefully it will be hard(er) to drop on the floor.
issue i had with N80 (the fact that it slides open to easy) is fixed - this one will not be opening in my handbag and calling people at will like N80 used to.
menu is similar to all Nokias, thou they never make it exactly the same - so some getting-used-to-time is required.
the only beef i have with this phone is its camera. compared to 3 megapixel in N80 and Sony ericsson 3.2 megapixel autofocus camera, E65s 2 megapixel no flash no nothing camera is a real step back.
its e functions do not justify the reverse evolution in the camera dept.
thus the title and 4 stars.

It's nice, have a lot of features but still, the camera is only 2 mg.