[Since I really scoured the web researching the E62 before I got one from Cingular... I owe it to the web/usenet community to post my experiences!]This is a good looking PDA phone. My family is subscribed to a Cingular Family plan, so I was looking for a good PDA phone from Cingular, rather than go thru the hassle of switching carriers to get the juicy BB Pearl or an EVDO offering... and when the E62 came out, it appeared to have everything I needed in a PDA phone (looks and features). I knew it didn't have WiFi (disappointing), but, well, I thought with one of their Media Bundles, and with all the hype about EDGE, I hoped the E62 will prove to be a convenient and efficient PDA phone.
There are three ways you should look at this phone when considering using with Cingular.
1. As a standalone device.
2. Cingular's data plans that are suitable for this PDA/phone.
3. The usability of E62 when combined with Cingular's data plans.
There are too many aspects of this device, and I will not be able to touch all, but I'll try to update this review a few more times after submitting this.
1. As a standalone device.
Beautiful screen. 16million colors. The PDA itself is very sharp looking, even with the Cingular stamp on it. The QWERTY keboard is really awesome. Wider than the Treo and very comfortable to type. If you haven't used Palm OS, then you'll love the general interface as well. But if you are used to Palm (or maybe even the Pocket PC), Symbian desktop needs a little getting used to. Switching from app to app has some delays (2 to 5 seconds sometimes). The Menu is confusing at times. Will need to spend a few hours to really get to know to use this device efficiently.
The E62 does not have a scroll wheel; nor does it have a touch screen. It has a joystick, which is quite convenient to move the cursor on the screen. I still felt a clickable scroll wheel on the side would be a good addition.
The built-in browser is Ok, but very confusing to save bookmarks, and to go to a new URL. The calendar is good for a new PDA user. But if you are used to Datebook or Datebook+, this calendar is very simplistic. I installed the mobile google maps app. Looks good on this PDA. But, an irritating popup comes up everytime asking "Allow application Google Maps to use network and send or recieve data?". Even if I click "Yes", it doesn't remember... and will ask again in a few seconds as google tries to get new data when you move in the map. I didn't find an easy way to persist this setting. This irristating popup happen for other apps too. (pop email for example). So right there, that's a big negative. Some of your browsing experience becomes unpleasant right away because of this stuff.
Browsing to sites such as google news is not that bad. The page loading times take anywhere from 4 to 12 seconds (using Cingular's EDGE). A little long for my taste.
The E62 comes with an Instant Messaging App for Yahoo, MSN and hotmail. I tried Yahoo IM. The outgoing messages go quickly. Incoming messages have a big lag. Upto 10 seconds, and sometimes even 30 secondss. So, this is not very interactive for fast typers... and high speed IMers! (For me, personally, the delays were really disconcerting) Still, this could be useful if are stuck in a train (with good EDGE coverage!) or a long line at the Drivers license office!
Personally, I felt that EDGE is all hype and it is not really super fast. I hear good things from the EV-DO camp (that Verizon provides). People who compared EVDO with EDGE have consistently said that EVDO is blazing fast.
Very sleek and thin and light weight. It can slip easily from your hands though. Does not have an ergonomic rubber grip or anything of the sort on the sides. A good 3rd party case should alleviate this problem. (If you are looking for a Blackberry type holster, no luck. Cingular doesn't provide any case for this phone) (Blackberry users are used to their BB behaving differently when it senses that it is in the holster. The E62 has no such intelligence)
Voice quality is Excellent. 5 stars on this one. Speaker phone is beautiful, with good polyphonic support. Very convenient to quickly record audio memos too.
Contacts/Addressbook is Ok. Not as good as Palm's or Blackberry's.
Excellent battery life, even with using the multimedia features. I haven't timed it, but after almost a full day of intermittently using and experimenting with the PDA, the battery only went down by a notch and a half.
2. Cingular's data plan.
Whoever is heading the Cingular's Marketing department, hasn't done enough to know the prime Customer for this product. I got this phone not for business use, but for regular personal use. Going by their web page, I believed I could sign up for Cingular's Media Max 200 bundle for 19.99/month (unlimited web, 200 text msgs). The operator first added the Media Max, and once she realized I had the E62, basically said, sorry, you can't have this plan... she then proposed what she saw as the only plan on her screen A PDAConnect plan for 59.99 (unlimited). This is completely out of sync with Cingular's web page where there is no "PDAConnect" plan. They have DataConnect plans ranging from 19.99 to 44.99. But the Cingular operator (she was very nice though) just could not see any of those plans from her screen. Finally she found the DataConnect plan for 44.99 somewhere (but not the other cheaper ones) and put that on my plan.
At this point, for a personal user, I'm wondering if the 44.99 is worth it. Well, if the browsing experience is quick and fast, it could be. But the browsing experience is not that great, as I mentioned above. (I also plan to download the Opera mini and see if that part of web usage becomes better).
Cingular should prominently inform customers of compatible data plans for this phone before the purchase of the phone itself. I got in for a bad surprise on this one.
3. Nokia E62 with Cingular:
Since the EDGE "high speed" Cingular's network isn't that great... the lack of built-in WiFi is a BIG drawback on the E62. (You can buy an unlocked E61 which has the WiFi). I found that the EDGE performance varies from place to place. At its fastest, the average web response times are 4 to 8 seconds (and for some pages longer). Some pages just time out. The included browser is Ok, not very great. Most places I go, I see WiFi coverage (libraries, restaurants, coffee shops, work place, and of course home), but poor Edge coverage. The data/web experience with the E62 is very unsatisfactory it would be much better if it had WiFi support.
If you want to use it as a regular phone, and as a PDA (without a data plan), this is an excellent choice. (with some of the drawbacks I mentioned above; such as: slow switching of apps, slow startup of apps, slippery form factor). Will be good for mp3s (has a miniSD slot supporting 2Gig card), photographs, video. Symbian has some good 3rdParty software available (not as extensive as Palm or PocketPC). btw, the miniSD slot is hidden under the battery cover. So, the card can't easily be popped out. I think some people may like this, but others may want to have easy access to the miniSD card.
If you plan to use the Data plan, I don't recommend it. I have to say that I haven't used the Blackberry Connect or GoodLink on this one, but I don't think having those plans will drastically increase the performance of this device. Having a BB plan could give you good email performance (but then, you should get a Blackberry, which is really awesome for email/calendar and Outlook syncing).
I love this phone, but I am left with a lingering disappointment. I fell in love with this phone even before I bought it :( ... it has a lovely look and an awesome screen, but, but, I may end up returning it to Cingular within the 30 day trial period :( .
Good luck with your choice. I'll try to update this page as I use this phone more. (It's only a day since I got it). Oh, btw, there's a whole fun world of Access Point settings that you *could* get into with this PDA... but that's for another time.... .
I have had this phone for little over a month as of writing. My previous phones were a Motorola v180 and a Sierra Voq (with Windows Mobile). I bought this as a upgrade/contract extension through Amazon, which provides a great price compared to Cingular, even though contract extension disqualifies you for the Amazon rebate.
There are other extensive reviews, so I'll try to keep this to the point:
(with apologies to Sergio Leone and Clint Eastwood)
The Good:
1. GREAT battery life: 4 days with ~4.5h talk time on one charge.
2. Well-designed QWERTY keyboard: excellent for taking notes (get used to the stiff keys).
3. Decent/good call quality.
4. Good build quality (no cheap plastic)
5. Stiff keys so if the keypad is unlocked and the phone is in your pocket, keys *shouldn't* get pressed (but see Ugly #1 below).
6. MiniSD slot 2 GB cards are now cheap. EDIT: the miniSD card is EASY TO REMOVE, even if it is physically below the battery. You don't have to remove the battery.
7. It's not Windows (no crashes/freezes so far).
8. Pre-configured for MediaNet access, I just use that to access Gmail/Google Maps.
9. Gmail/Google Maps work and look great, except for Bad #1.
10. Bluetooth (e.g. a headset for Bad #6).
11. Lovely screen.
12. Can sync seamlessly with M$ Outlook, using Nokia's PC Suite (included).
13. Nice Nokia wired headset with answer/end button on the microphone stub. Holding the mic near your mouth helps significantly, though.
14. [UPDATE]The iPhone hubbub made me try out the music playing capabilities (haven't had much success with movies). The Nokia Music Manager is pretty nice, can convert MP3s/AACs to eAACs, which produces for me acceptable audio quality at ~1/4th the file size (my MP3s are usually 320 kbps). Useful while biking (mandatory safety warning I have to pay extra attention to bikes behind me).
15. [UPDATE] I recently got a Sony bluetooth stereo headset DR-BT10X, which works well for music, and seems good/OK for calls.
The Bad: (mostly minor)
1. Cingular has restricted the options for Java applications like Gmail and Google Maps to just "never allow access" and "always ask" the Nokia manual gives two more options ("always allow" and, I think, "allow this time"). So if you want to move, say, a little to the left on Google maps, you have to agree to allow Google Maps Internet access, and even re-select MediaNet.
2. SLOW opening of applications, sometimes it gets very frustrating, e.g. looking up the address book. UPDATE: This still makes me mad at times...
3. Stiff keys can be a pain.
4. When the keypad is locked, the backlight doesn't come on when you press any key this can save battery life, but if you want to look at the time, say, you have to unlock the keypad, then lock it again before putting the phone away. But see Good #5.
5. Locking the keypad requires pressing two keys (On the Voq just press "call end" and hold for a few seconds.)
6. Can't really hold the phone between your ear and shoulder and it is kind of bulky, which makes it a chore to hold up.
7. Alarm clock actually resides in the Menu\Office\ folder.
8. [UPDATE: See Good #15] Plantronics 340 bluetooth headset my experience has been less than encouraging with dropped connections, but that could be the headset's fault.
9. I am still trying to figure out a way to rip my non-copy-protected DVDs so I can use the 2 GB MiniSD card and the lovely screen.
10. No WiFi (The non-Cingular Nokia E61 has WiFi).
11. I have never had a camera phone, so lack of a camera doesn't bother me much.
The Ugly:
1. The Saturday before I left for a conference, the phone was in my trouser pocket, with keypad locked. But when I bent over or sat down, the phone mysteriously turned off! This happened 3 or 4 times that day. I took my Voq along as a backup, but thankfully the problem hasn't recurred. UPDATE: This has recurred on occasion, so DON'T BEND OVER while the phone is in your trouser pocket!
Overall, I am happy with the phone, and mostly also with the PDA. The Nokia doesn't have the narrow form factor of the Sierra Voq (see my review there), but the great screen and long battery life more than make up for it. Now if only Cingular would stop crippling this phone...
Buy Nokia E62 Smartphone (Cingular) Now
Okay, so here's what good:a) keyboard kicks butt. Dont listen to anyone who says different. They are clueless SureType loving nuts. Hey dont listen to me, try it yourself.
b) The phone is relatively slim for other devices in its category. Exhibit A: Blackberry 9700.
c) User interface is mostly awesome. Phone calls are placed at the forefront of the UI, as they should be. Look at Tmobile MDA for an excellent example of how NOT to design a phone.
d) supports BlackBerry Connect as well as Good messaging. Sweet!!
Okay, over to the bad:
a) Sloooooow. The damn device is so freaking slow. It makes the TMobile MDA and the Treo look good, which takes the lot since those devices set the performance bar pretty damn low.
b) No Wi-Fi, No 3G, No Camera.
c) Cingular (of course). The IM client that ships with the E62 USES ONE TEXT MESSAGE FOR ONE IM. Do not get ripped off by using the IM client, Cingular decided it was okay to screw over customers with humonguous text message bills (I sent out 900 texts in one month unwittingly on account of the IM client) even though they already pay upwards of $45 dollars for the data channel. What a scam!!! I downloaded Agile Messenger for 20 bucks and use the data pipes for IM. Take that, evil carrier!
The Ugly:
a) Slow. Oh god, it's so slow.
Read Best Reviews of Nokia E62 Smartphone (Cingular) Here
I got this phone as a replacement after I dropped my treo 650 in the toilet.I have to say, it's a really awesome design. Very comfortable and the sound quality is way better than the treo, which was one of my biggest gripes.
There is one major problem though that I feel is my duty to make known. The java support on this phone has been crippled by cingular so that developers have to pay to have their applications work without an annoying pop up message every couple of clicks. Had I known this before i would have bought something else
Recently google has released 2 breakthrough mobile applications, google maps and gmail mobile, both of which are virtually unusable because of this preconceived handicap.
If cingular (who has an exclusive US contract on this device)removes this limitation, it would be the best phone I've ever used. As of now, it just makes me feel ripped off. Search the net, see for yourself.
Want Nokia E62 Smartphone (Cingular) Discount?
Had this phone for about a week now. The beautiful design and functions is what attracted me to it. First off let me say this phone was bought to replace my treo 650. The phone is sleek, lighter than the treo but wider. The screen is beautiful and with over 16M colors, it beats the treo. The screen is also bigger than the treo but there are more pixels on the treo but that is negligible. The Nokia has built in AOL IM, MSN IM and Yahoo IM, the treo has none. The internet looks much better on this device and loads much faster than the treo did. This phone has push email, meaning you can have email come directly to the phone without logging onto the Internet. The themes are beautiful on this phone whereas the treo you were stuck with the same light blue home screen with numbers. You can get numerous new themes off various sites for free. Sound quaility is excellent using bluetooth headset and is much clearer than the treo. The battery life is outstanding. Nokias PC suite lets you connect to the internet using your laptop with is fantastic, fast enough even for watching video from the slingbox.Some things I don't like about this phone is that its slower than the treo, you hit the key and there is lag. This phone has no touch screen but does have a nice joystick navigator. There is NO camera which is probably my biggest gripe but the phone is aimed at corporate users that aren't allowed to have cameras for obvious reasons. text msg are not as easy to use as the treo.
All in all this is a great device that I love to play with but don't think i'm going to sell my treo as a second phone (just switch your sim cards) in case of an emergency such as battery runs out or something happens to the phone for whatever reason. If you can, get the unlocked E61, which has builtin WIFI which this phone doesn't.
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