Entry-level Symbian device blew me away!

Nokia has done it again -- merging a strong feature set with incredible RF performance and a well-thought out operating system. The E50 is quite possibly one of the best smartphones available today. If you're sick of Windows Mobile, BlackBerrys, Treos, or all the other blah smartphones, take a look at the Symbian-powered E50.

Symbian-powered devices are relatively rare these days, being available mostly from Nokia. This is rather unfortunate given the OS's ease of use, responsiveness, and long list of features. Symbian is a very intuitive operating system, quite the opposite of the BlackBerry or Windows Mobile devices. Icons are logically laid out, as are menus and prompts. Things aren't hidden in a million different menus, and don't require an instruction manual to understand. The beauty of Symbian always has been that it "makes sense". Although it isn't as flashy and nice to look at it, Symbian is incredibly functional. If you have become frustrated with your current smartphone's lousy layout and navigation then take a look at a Symbian device (even if it isn't the E50).

The E50 itself is a compact device that fits into a pocket very nicely. The phone has a very small profile, but is sized to be easy to use. Buttons are the right size, with good separation inbetween. Tactile feedback from the buttons and joystick are quite good, and give the Treo a run for its money. Typos or incorrect presses are a thing of the past, as Nokia has clearly spent a lot of time getting the keypad just right. The joystick is a pleasure to use as well, being very easy to move and making navigation on webpages and phone menus very fast.

The E50 is heavier than you might expect for its size, but this is due to the fact that there are many metal components making up the case -- not cheesy plastics. The weight is surprising at first, but helps give the phone an overall feel of high quality. The E50 doesn't feel like a cheap phone, unlike other smartphones and PDAs. A friend once held the phone and was astonished at how inexpensive it was...he made the remark that it felt like it should cost much more.

Nokia has always prided itself on providing the best RF performance, and again, they have delivered. The E50 makes you "that guy who always has reception". Elevators, basements, and other dead spots are no longer dead spots. The E50 does a fantastic job at finding a signal and holding on to it. Where most will see "Searching for network..." you will see your connection has remained. If you need a phone that doesn't drop calls and always has fantastic call quality, go for a Nokia. The E50 in particular is another home run for Nokia.

The E50's feature list won't blow you away, but it is certainly plenty of phone for most people. If you want to watch movies, listen to MP3s, and do lots of crazy multimedia work, look to the N-series instead. If you need to be productive and make phone calls, the E50 is a good choice for you. All the standard things are here: EDGE data modem, quad-band GSM, organizer, calendar, notepad, 1.2MP camera, etc. The features scream 'smartphone' but are surprisingly straightforward and simple compared to other devices.

Battery life is outstanding at the expense of a rather vanilla EDGE data modem and no WiFi/HSDPA/UMTS modems. Even with regular use, I find myself charging it every other day. It should give you plenty of juice to talk, surf, and e-mail for a day or two.