Review by Jay Busari for Nokia 5800 XpressMusic Unlocked Cell Phone International Version with No Warranty 3G, 3.2 MP Camera, GPS, Wi-Fi, MicroSD Slot (Red)
Rating:
I just got a hold of this 5800 Xpress Music.

The price is unbeatable. You’ll keep hearing this line about the price, and when you get a hold of it, you’ll agree.

This is the phone with the most complete set of features I have ever wanted.

The device feels solid and ready for some hard knocks, but a little bulky.

The GUI felt awkward at first, I did not expect the need to “double tap” each icon to start an app.

It’s not quite “touch” sensitive, but “press” sensitive. This proves to be an advantage, since I’m more in control when I use the device on a bus, train, boat or tuk-tuk (a 3 wheel vehicle, with 2 stroke engine, sort of a “Thai Model-T” seen all over Bangkok).

The switch between portrait and landscape mode, is actually much simpler and quite natural once I got the hold of it.

I set up access to my GMAIL account within 2 mins.

Messaging App, Options->Settings->Email, say “Yes” to Define Mailbox, Enter Email Address, Password, choose POP3 or IMAP4, and I’m connected to my GMail Account!

You can choose the best way you see fit to enter text

1. Handwriting recognition

Took 5 minutes to get used to it. I don’t quite like writing in block letters, but the 5800 handled fast writing quite ok. I’m overly critical of all current handwriting recognition products, since they don’t even come close to the Newton, way back when I could expect my own handwriting to be recognized.

2. Small QWERTY keyboard

Most typically used in portrait mode but much more readable than WinMobile keyboards

3. Full QWERTY keyboard

It felt more stable than the iPhone QWERTY keyboard. I prefer to “press” the keyboard as is needed with the 5800 XpressMusic. I don’t like the iPhone QWERTY key since it’s too sensitive to touch and I can’t type when I’m on the move. I’ve never been able to get used to the Blackberry or E71 style full QWERTY keyboard.

The 5800 XpressMusic full QWERTY keyboard switches to landscape mode and feels almost right that I have to use 2 thumbs to reach all the keys…almost like 2 hand typing.

4. Alphanumeric Keypad…just what you’d expect on any Nokia S60 phone. Includes T9. Just need to press the keypad, so avoids the overly sensitive touch when typing.

There’s a really cool driving game that shows the 5800 XpressMusic sensitivity to turns. You literally hold the phone with both hands and “steer” the car!

The RealPlayer is much improved, allowing me to play more types of VDO format files. Quite useful to get the nice video podcasts downloaded and find that they are actually viewable on the device.

The Music Player is the same. Sound quality is really good through the speakers.

The Media Gallery is a little static, with all files arranged as tiles. The N95 Media Gallery would be a nice touch.

You will soon see many useful applications on Nokia’s range of “touch” handsets.

This device requires developers to publish a Symbian sdk5 version of their application.

We tested a few apps released for Symbian sdk3 devices (N-Series and E-Series mainly), and they almost always worked without any changes.

This is an amazing new device which shows why Nokia dominates the mobile phone market with a big choice of innovative designs and experiences suitable for each individual user.

Review by Mr Orpheus for Nokia 5800 XpressMusic Unlocked Cell Phone International Version with No Warranty 3G, 3.2 MP Camera, GPS, Wi-Fi, MicroSD Slot (Red)
Rating:
I’ve been looking for a real competitor to the iphone, for about 2 years, and for me this is it. From all my research its got the best features especially for the money…(which btw is $350 at the nokia store NY). At the moment the 3G is euro standard only, which is a bit of a annoyance but for the time being I am happy.

So far I love the phone, very responsive, bright, small light and cool! its got everything, and more and really looking forward to exploring it and adding various software. it’s browser doesn’t match the iphone but then I can’t expect that (I have to hand it to apple they have the best UI ever)

Get one and help nokia win back some the the us market, (also you gain some sense of identity rather than the clone you become just owning a ithing)

Review by L. BORTOTO for Nokia 5800 XpressMusic Unlocked Cell Phone International Version with No Warranty 3G, 3.2 MP Camera, GPS, Wi-Fi, MicroSD Slot (Red)
Rating:
Overall, this device delivers an amazing multimedia experience.

The only complaint is the poor camera it bears. Do not expect to take pictures with the same quality as N-series phones.

GPS reception is good and the latest firmware version allows you to geotag your pictures.