Size doesn't bother you? Then get ready for the stars and the moon, for the communicator gives it all: internet, GPS, excellent camera and many others.
The Nokia E90 Communicator is the latest addition to the set of contemporary high-performance devices for executives. We had to wait three years since the last Nokia 9500 Communicator appeared. Our patience was duly rewarded at the 2007 3GSM Congress, when Nokia unveiled the ultimate no-compromise mobile communication device. It remains faithful to some of the family traditions, others it forsakes, but the outcome is downright worth it. Nokia E90 has the familiar body construction: a hefty handset, which opens up to reveal a wide landscape display.
Nokia E90 Communicator official pictures
Before the E90 appeared, communicators used to be a class on its own in the Nokia portfolio. They had their own UI, which brought forth a number of issues. Above all, every application had to be adapted to the uncommon S80 UI. Quite unaffordable and therefore rare, communicators were ostracized by software developers. That's exactly the flaw, which has been addressed in the new Nokia E90. The phone features a standard Symbian 9.2 and 3rd edition S60, working on a giant display and ensuring far greater compatibility.
First live photos from the 3GSM in Barcelona • also available in red
In closed position E90 looks like a traditional, though well oversized, Nokia bar. For the lack of a better reference point for size and weight, we compare it against the older Nokia 9500. The newer release has notably reduced size and still packs in near full contemporary functionality. The table below compares the essential features of the last two Communicator generations.
Nokia E90
Size is the first thing you'll have to put up with about the Nokia E90. And it may as well be the last. What you get is unmatched keypad space and display size.
E90 is a direct descendant of the Nokia 9500. Different age, different design
| Nokia 9500 | Nokia E90 | |
| Size | 148 x 57 x 24 mm | 132 x 57 x 20 mm |
| Weight | 230 g | 210 g |
| Outer display | 128 x 128 pixels, 65K colors | 240 x 320 pixels, 16M colors |
| Inner display | 640 x 200 pixels, 65K colors | 800 x 352 pixels, 16M colors |
| OS | Symbian 7.0s Series 80 | Symbian 9.2 S60 3rd Edition |
| Memory | 80 MB + MMC | 128 MB + microSD |
| Camera | 0.31 MP | 3.2 MP |
| Connectivity | GPRS, EDGE, Wi-Fi | GPRS, EDGE, WCDMA, HSDPA, Wi-Fi |
Key features
- Full-fledged keyboard
- Big and high-resolution display
- Integrated GPS
- Built-in maps and basic navigation without charge
- 128 MB memory
- 512 MB microSD in the standard package
- Integrated WLAN, HSDPA
- Quality e-mail client
- Office applications, document creation and editing enabled
- Seamless synchronization with computer (PC Suite)
- MiniUSB universal connector (Mass storage enabled)
- Built-in camera with autofocus
- Stereo FM radio and A2DP-enabled Bluetooth for wireless stereo headphones
- Quality loudspeakers
- VoIP support
- Elegant and presentable appearance
- Quality construction
- UI compatible with other Nokia phones
- System speed
Main disadvantages
- Size and weight
- Third party applications incompatible with the built-in GPS
- Charges for navigation capabilities
- Multitasking still not perfect
- Inadequate battery life
- No small-size charger like in the N95
- No camera lens cover
- Wired headset with a 2.5mm jack, no volume control on the remote
- No USB Mass Storage for the phone memory
- Price
Opening the treasure chest
Not that it's that important, but the most expensive Nokia comes in a plain box, like most of the brand's common models. Nothing ostentatious, nothing of the 8600 Luna stuff. Who would want that in a device that means business anyway? Purpose is what matters. You get a stereo headset, a 512 MB microSD card, miniUSB cable, a battery and a charger. The package also contains a Quick Start guide and a User Manual. The latter is 120 pages and still fails to cover all the features. The enclosed DVD ROM has the essential PC Suite application.
Out of the box and down to business
Nokia has learnt a lesson from constructing communicators, the touchy hinge now has metal reinforcement. The E90 proudly puts its shiny ends on show. Two distinct stops are noticeable when opening the device: one at near 100 degrees, the other in full flat position. None of them is perfect though, the good thing is that the device is stable in almost any selected angle in-between.
Two working positions to choose from: the cover at 100 degrees or fully flat. Virtually all positions in-between are comfortable to use.
Although the casing looks uniform, the materials used are not the same. The front is almost all made of metal, except for the plastic keypad. The rear side is plastic, the battery cover the only metal element. Surfaces are of exceptional quality, the finishing of all elements is excellent.
As we already mentioned, in closed position the handset looks a classic Nokia bar, a generously sized one, that is. The traditional layout has taken advantage of the available space and all controls are ample enough and very user-friendly. The D-pad is brilliant, comfortably raised and with a very well-sized confirm key. The keypad is a truly up to the highest standards of the brand. The external display supports QVGA resolution. Though smaller than the inside one, it's by no means secondary, as it takes the better part of the phone-related workload of the communicator. An interesting detail halfway down the right side of the display is the ambient light sensor.
Space on the front is more than enough, even to spare below the keypad. At the right corner of the display is the power key allowing, as usual, quick access to profiles.
On the side: voice key, infrared port, capture key • at the bottom: mini-USB port, charger connector, 2.5mm jack
The soft and smooth backlighting of the alphanumeric keypad is atoned to the display
The multimedia elements are at the back. The lens of the 3.2 megapixel camera is unprotected and risks suffering damage. At least, it's sunk half a millimeter inside its nest, thus out of contact with the surface when using the communicator in open position. Next to the lens is the LED flash. Two tiny grills mark the loudspeakers. The sound they produce is loud and fine.
The camera and the LED flash
Did anyone say notebook?
Comparing the Nokia E90 to a laptop computer could be a little too far, but certain similarities can't be overlooked. Opening the communicator gives the user a QWERTY keypad of unrivaled size and a huge landscape display.
There are five rows of slightly elevated alphanumeric keys, with control buttons on both sides. Made of hard plastic, the keys are very responsive. Marked by a delicate click, every press is precise and perceptible. Although we're talking of unmatched keypad size, in mobile phone terms of course, all-finger typing is still out of the question. The perfect setup seems holding the communicator with both hands and using both thumbs to type.
Typing on E90 in the best possible way
You maybe interested how the two parts of the Communicator behave in the hinge area. When you're closing the Communicator, the display hinge starts to fold first. Only when you've reached its closing point, the keyboard hinge will start to fold too. If you deliberately change that order, the two parts will touch indeed, but this time it doesn't seem to be a problem. Just the opposite, the two halves are easy to fix at a comfortable angle for working with the device. With the keypad part considerably heavier than the lid, the E90 is very stable in laptop-like use. You're only likely to break the balance when using the control buttons on both sides of the internal display.
Back to the QWERTY keyboard, on the right, above the Enter and Backspace buttons, is the 5-way navigation key. It's almost identical to the one on the front cover of the handset. Reasonably enough, this time it's a tad smaller and flatter, and therefore a little less comfortable to use.
The Bulb key on the left turns the keypad lighting on
Backlighting does look pale, especially compared to the bright display. Surprisingly enough, that didn't stand in the way of working with the E90. Much to our disappointment, the main control keys aren't backlit.
A row of seven application keys and the Symbian key are framed in chromium above the alphanumeric keypad. With them, Symbian multitasking gets a whole new dimension. On the sides of the display there are two pairs of buttons: the Call and End keys on the left, and the Selection keys on the right.
Another point of interest is whether the keypad is touching the display in closed position. We regret to inform you that it does. We did a few tests moistening several keys and closing the lid with as little pressure as possible. Folding the Communicator open revealed moisture stains on the display, and that's bad news given our experience with notebooks. With laptops the contact area is incomparably bigger, but the display of the Communicator is also facing problems in the long run. Folding it hundreds of times with the keypad obviously touching the screen, you're in for a trouble. Pity, raising the rubber cushions in the corners of the lid by an extra millimeter could've been enough.
Another downside we came across is that the keyboard layout seems market-dependent. We failed to find a setting allowing to switch form QWERTY to an alternative QWERTZ layout. Changing the input language didn't do either. It looks like it will take a third party application to address this issue.
The internal display is the pivotal aspect of the Communicator. It will only take a few seconds to see the point in carrying an oversized brick in your pocket. With the E90, mobile web browsing is a truly novel experience. Some people on the team claimed they came across noticeable shades when changing images but I have to disagree. On the other hand, I can't afford to overlook the excellent color rendering, outstanding contrast and fineness without visible rasterization.
The big display
Opening the treasure chest
Not that it's that important, but the most expensive Nokia comes in a plain box, like most of the brand's common models. Nothing ostentatious, nothing of the 8600 Luna stuff. Who would want that in a device that means business anyway? Purpose is what matters. You get a stereo headset, a 512 MB microSD card, miniUSB cable, a battery and a charger. The package also contains a Quick Start guide and a User Manual. The latter is 120 pages and still fails to cover all the features. The enclosed DVD ROM has the essential PC Suite application.
Out of the box and down to business
Nokia has learnt a lesson from constructing communicators, the touchy hinge now has metal reinforcement. The E90 proudly puts its shiny ends on show. Two distinct stops are noticeable when opening the device: one at near 100 degrees, the other in full flat position. None of them is perfect though, the good thing is that the device is stable in almost any selected angle in-between.
Two working positions to choose from: the cover at 100 degrees or fully flat. Virtually all positions in-between are comfortable to use.
Although the casing looks uniform, the materials used are not the same. The front is almost all made of metal, except for the plastic keypad. The rear side is plastic, the battery cover the only metal element. Surfaces are of exceptional quality, the finishing of all elements is excellent.
As we already mentioned, in closed position the handset looks a classic Nokia bar, a generously sized one, that is. The traditional layout has taken advantage of the available space and all controls are ample enough and very user-friendly. The D-pad is brilliant, comfortably raised and with a very well-sized confirm key. The keypad is a truly up to the highest standards of the brand. The external display supports QVGA resolution. Though smaller than the inside one, it's by no means secondary, as it takes the better part of the phone-related workload of the communicator. An interesting detail halfway down the right side of the display is the ambient light sensor.
Space on the front is more than enough, even to spare below the keypad. At the right corner of the display is the power key allowing, as usual, quick access to profiles.
On the side: voice key, infrared port, capture key • at the bottom: mini-USB port, charger connector, 2.5mm jack
The soft and smooth backlighting of the alphanumeric keypad is atoned to the display
The multimedia elements are at the back. The lens of the 3.2 megapixel camera is unprotected and risks suffering damage. At least, it's sunk half a millimeter inside its nest, thus out of contact with the surface when using the communicator in open position. Next to the lens is the LED flash. Two tiny grills mark the loudspeakers. The sound they produce is loud and fine.
The camera and the LED flash
Did anyone say notebook?
Comparing the Nokia E90 to a laptop computer could be a little too far, but certain similarities can't be overlooked. Opening the communicator gives the user a QWERTY keypad of unrivaled size and a huge landscape display.
There are five rows of slightly elevated alphanumeric keys, with control buttons on both sides. Made of hard plastic, the keys are very responsive. Marked by a delicate click, every press is precise and perceptible. Although we're talking of unmatched keypad size, in mobile phone terms of course, all-finger typing is still out of the question. The perfect setup seems holding the communicator with both hands and using both thumbs to type.
Typing on E90 in the best possible way
You maybe interested how the two parts of the Communicator behave in the hinge area. When you're closing the Communicator, the display hinge starts to fold first. Only when you've reached its closing point, the keyboard hinge will start to fold too. If you deliberately change that order, the two parts will touch indeed, but this time it doesn't seem to be a problem. Just the opposite, the two halves are easy to fix at a comfortable angle for working with the device. With the keypad part considerably heavier than the lid, the E90 is very stable in laptop-like use. You're only likely to break the balance when using the control buttons on both sides of the internal display.
Back to the QWERTY keyboard, on the right, above the Enter and Backspace buttons, is the 5-way navigation key. It's almost identical to the one on the front cover of the handset. Reasonably enough, this time it's a tad smaller and flatter, and therefore a little less comfortable to use.
The Bulb key on the left turns the keypad lighting on
Backlighting does look pale, especially compared to the bright display. Surprisingly enough, that didn't stand in the way of working with the E90. Much to our disappointment, the main control keys aren't backlit.
A row of seven application keys and the Symbian key are framed in chromium above the alphanumeric keypad. With them, Symbian multitasking gets a whole new dimension. On the sides of the display there are two pairs of buttons: the Call and End keys on the left, and the Selection keys on the right.
Another point of interest is whether the keypad is touching the display in closed position. We regret to inform you that it does. We did a few tests moistening several keys and closing the lid with as little pressure as possible. Folding the Communicator open revealed moisture stains on the display, and that's bad news given our experience with notebooks. With laptops the contact area is incomparably bigger, but the display of the Communicator is also facing problems in the long run. Folding it hundreds of times with the keypad obviously touching the screen, you're in for a trouble. Pity, raising the rubber cushions in the corners of the lid by an extra millimeter could've been enough.
Another downside we came across is that the keyboard layout seems market-dependent. We failed to find a setting allowing to switch form QWERTY to an alternative QWERTZ layout. Changing the input language didn't do either. It looks like it will take a third party application to address this issue.
The internal display is the pivotal aspect of the Communicator. It will only take a few seconds to see the point in carrying an oversized brick in your pocket. With the E90, mobile web browsing is a truly novel experience. Some people on the team claimed they came across noticeable shades when changing images but I have to disagree. On the other hand, I can't afford to overlook the excellent color rendering, outstanding contrast and fineness without visible rasterization.
The big display
Feed it before bedtime
Let's take a brief look at the charger. Across-the-board testing managed to get our E90 pretty starved. In extreme cases, when using it as an HSDPA modem with a laptop for example, we were forced to charge the Communicator twice within the same day. A less busy schedule could have seen the E90 going for a good 3 days, but a Communicator is likely to get heavy workloads, so don't expect the battery to last for more than two days. That makes the charger an essential accessory and we're therefore disappointed the E90 doesn't feature the mini version available with the Nokia N95.
Chargers for Nokia N95 and E90: the smaller could've been better • taking out the battery: luckily you won't have to do this too often
The rear metal cover is firmly fixed, but once you've released it the battery will just fall off. We came to wonder why it wasn't a little more secure. Anyway, you'll only have to deal with that when inserting SIM, so this isn't much of a worry. The memory card slot has its own little cover at the bottom side of the device, which we found quite practical.
Press to open the cap, push and easily remove the microSD card. We tried both the included 512MB card, and the 1GB Kingston we had at the office.
Music: Let down by the details
Let's begin with the last element of the accessory package: the stereo headphones. The difference from the older model is clearly noticeable as soon as you open the box. The remote control pad is smaller, undeniably better looking and of higher quality. It still has the Made in China tag but somehow that's not as stigmatizing as it used to be with some older Nokia models.
Headphones: a result of compromise.
It won't be long though, before you get the first disappointment. The remote control pad has no volume controls. The E90 has the wide multi-pin Pop-port replaced by a miniUSB and a 2.5mm jack. The miniUSB is of course more than welcome, but the 2.5mm jack is beyond comprehension. Nokia E90 is clearly a business device and that's one possible reason for not making it like the N95. Could the Communicator have then been much more attractive? If cost was the issue, it may have been worth it.
Headset design with Nokia N95 seemed perfect. Why did they change it with E90?
The sound quality of the original headphones will please all but the most undemanding users. Using alternative headsets will require a jack adapter, plus you'll lose the handsfree functionality. All that may seem as hairsplitting, but it does compromise the music player capabilities of the E90 Communicator.
In terms of software, things are almost the same as in other Symbian handsets of the Finnish brand. The appearance of the music player application is the only novelty.
Music player: Symbian classics. Volume can be controlled trough an active item on the taskbar on the main screen.
Nokia E90 features a built-in FM radio. It doesn't support RDS but is stereo, and can even play on the loudspeakers but the handsfree should still be plugged as usual to ensure reception. The Auto settings are worth praising, they scanned the whole FM band in about 10 seconds.
Simple interface of a simple radio: stored stations can be given custom names
Leave the compact camera home
As it does with music, the E90 is lagging behind Nokia N95 in terms of camera capabilities. A camera lens cover is missing, and resolution has dropped from 5 to 3.2 megapixels. LED flash is present (probably the exact same one) and autofocus is available too. Luckily, the E90 proved consistent in terms of photo quality too.
Camera interface
The camera interface is very similar to that of the cameraphone frontrunner N95. Different functions are displayed in the Camera Toolbar at the right side of the display:
- The top one is the Still Camera / Video mode switch
- Shooting mode for getting the right color and lighting settings for specific scenes. The available options are: Auto, Custom (allowing you to set focus, flash, exposure compensation, white balance, color effects, sharpness, and contrast), Macro, Portrait, Landscape, Sport and Night Mode. The Automatic mode is sufficiently reliable; Macro is better set up manually.
- Flash - automatic, off or user-defined. A red-eye removal setting is available too.
- Self-timer - off, 2, 10 or 20 seconds.
- Sequence mode - burst or consequent shots in user-defined intervals of up to 15 minutes.
- Color effects - the classic set: standard, sepia, black & white and negative, topped with a vivid color mode.
- White balance - a very reliable Automatic mode, plus several light-specific presets.
- Exposure compensation - setup in a ± 2EV range; 0.5 EV step
- Light sensitivity (ISO) -setting it to low will eliminate noise, but you get lower shutter speed; and vice versa. Available are three sensitivity levels and an automatic mode. The option to set ISO manually is a step forward, but it works best only when combined with manual exposure setting, which is lacking. Holding the phone still, switch on the self-timer and set a low sensitivity level. Expecting a decent night shot, you will only get a dark picture. The automatic mode does not allow you to extend shooting time too much, so that you don't get a blurred image. In other words, manual exposure settings in cameraphones remain a thing of the future.
- Contrast - to be used for enhancing colors in a dull scene. Since Nokia N95 captures images of high contrast, this function is likely to be used rather seldom. Sometimes you may even need to lower the contrast levels.
- Sharpness - the handset's software can make the outlines of the object you're shooting more clear-cut or blurred. You can be as creative as you please using the three settings available: Sharp, Normal and Soft.
The digital zoom is activated by scrolling left or right on the Navi scroll key. Zooming crops out the image, and as a result you get less sharpness and lower picture quality.
Sample pictures with three zoom levels: no zoom • halfway zoom in • full zoom
Autofocus takes its time but does a perfect job. It allows Macro shots of 7 cm.
Photos taken in good lighting give nothing to grudge about.
Making proper indoor shots requires some playing with the settings.
The white balance is right but Auto flash spoils everything • better off without it
Although the E90 is 2 megapixels behind N95, video recording capabilities are on par. Video can be captured in several resolution levels. The lowest available, and thus ideal for MMS, is in 3GP format. The top one is VGA at 30 fps. recorded in MP4 format, and - just to let you know - a minute long recording will cost you near 20 MB of memory. Recording length is unlimited and only depends on the free memory you have.
The range of settings for video recording is considerably narrower than that in still camera mode. The available settings are Night Mode, White Balance and Color Effects. Digital zoom can be applied when shooting video too, but zooming isn't smooth and considerably lowers image quality. The user can also opt to turn audio recording off.
Video camera menu and setting options
Browsing pictures and video recordings is much more convenient than in Symbian handsets of smaller displays; the preview mode is an extra option. The zoom functionality gets to be appreciated on the large internal display.
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