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My top three favourite Nokias. Ever.

By JBC on 29 October 2009

No 6310, but here are the others

GLOBAL – With myriad devices to choose from, selecting my top three favourites was never going to be easy. My relationship with Nokia devices is a long one, and there’s no shortage of highlights from it. There’s a few lowlights too, but most of those I’ve forgotten about now. My first Nokia smartphone (pre mobile computers) was the Nokia N91. Four big burly gigabytes of storage (you could hear it whirring, sometimes) and a metal case so solid, in some countries it could be considered an offensive weapon. It was a music device, and I loved it. But it didn’t make my top three. Read on to find out what did.
The other week I wrote about the 6310 and how much of a joy that was to use. That’s why it makes it into my top three. That and its solid build, unending battery life and sheer usability. Of course, it’s had its day now and today it would be about as useful as that old N91. That doesn’t mean I couldn’t be tempted by it though – if only someone could snip my email umbilical cord.

Which brings me neatly onto the second of my top three and my current phone of favour the Nokia E71. It isn’t without its foibles and even when I first saw it when it was launched I wasn’t sure. But, after using it for a week or so, I’ve not been able to let it go since. I’ve had a few flirtatious liaisons since (step forward various Nseries devices) but each time my E71 has taken me back, given me a big warm hug and reintroduced me to mobile productivity. Of course, my wife hates it. With a passion. But it is my mobile umbilical cord and nothing can take that away. No, it isn’t all singing (the camera is okay, at best) but it’s beautifully built, is one of the best designed Nokia’s ever and won’t give up, even under my tempestuous beatings. For outright flair though, there’s another Nokia which wins the day.

The N95 was utterly ground breaking when it was launched three years ago. It’s gone on to be one of the most successful devices Nokia has ever created. And it’s no surprise. As an all rounder it was virtually untouchable. The N95 8GB follow up was lovely too, but my favourite is still the original. I got mine as soon as it was available in the UK, and used it (abused it, more like) for about 14 months, until the E71 came along. By that time, the N95 had introduced me to the real world of mobile email, taking and sharing pictures and videos and of course GPS. For that, I will be ever grateful.

I’m not sure if I could put these top three in any order. They’ve all given me different things at different times and responded to my needs in a current and resilient fashion. And that’s what a favourite mobile device should do. Serve your needs as best it can, keep you connected when years previously you couldn’t be and most of all, occasionally, display little flashes of genius which reminded you why you bought the thing in the first place.

Now, what are yours? We’ll be adding the most popular to the Almanac over the coming months.

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Ash Says:
October 29th, 2009 at 6:03 pm

3310, E65 and N95 8GB!

Juha Ylitalo Says:
October 29th, 2009 at 6:34 pm

Two first ones are real oldies, but …
2110i
6110 (1997 model)
5140i

I have my hopes up on N900, but it is still too early to say, how well it will fit to my daily life.

Fede Says:
October 29th, 2009 at 6:50 pm

6131, 5310 and 5800

Freebee! Says:
October 29th, 2009 at 7:35 pm

6630 – Amazing S60v2 phone that I used and abused for 2 years.
N93 original – Say what you want about how big it is, this was THE phone.
N82 – Can proudly call it the only Xenon flash N Series device.

d.hofburg Says:
October 29th, 2009 at 7:44 pm

- 6020 – great phone, didn’t hang up once, lot of useful functions for a small device
- 5530 – we’ll see, for now it’s exelent, UI of n97, but much thinner, fast, wifi.

Horia Stanescu Says:
October 29th, 2009 at 7:46 pm

That’s a tough question isn’t it with a Nokia released every two weeks or so.
Can’t forget the 3650 with its ergonomic circled keyboard.
I miss the 7710 touchscreen phone: I remember a pic was opened in 45 seconds in gallery.
Uhhh, and the N81 was great too. The slider mechanism is unforgettable.
—
There were days when Nokia had emotion and knowledge and passion and something warm I cannot define.
The God that failed.

laalaa Says:
October 29th, 2009 at 7:52 pm

the E65 was my first nokia since i had ventured to the dark side (sony ericsson k750i). but since then i have gone through dozens of devices (such as the iconic N93i and amazing E71).

yet, i have to say that the N82 still holds a very special place in my heart due to its xenon (leds simply don’t work in party situations).

finally, the N95 really was a revolution in its time. hope that the N900 will start another revolution…

ronald Says:
October 29th, 2009 at 9:27 pm

my favorite nokia devices would have to be the 6682 for its impressive 1.3 mp cam and sharp finish, n80 had my attention from the moment i saw it online. Very compact and advanced, i still use it to this day. Even though the n95 8gb got unpopular reviews from some users, they couldn’t appreciate the new cool looking phone because of the lacking micro sd slot. To me its one of the sleekest due to the gloss black finish and high volume speakers to hear the tones while car stereo cranked up. This phone i also use to this day.

gregg003 Says:
October 30th, 2009 at 3:45 am

My top three fab phones at the moment:

It has to be my Nokia N82 on top of my list, Camera, Xenon, N-Gage, etc. its unbeatable at the moment.

E75 does everything I want.. Superb built quality and the mechanical QWERTY is amazing, got a lot of uses.

Finally the 5530 XpressMusic, music player at its best and Touch UI for better web browsing.

Got the best of everything c”,

sujith Says:
October 30th, 2009 at 4:20 am

I second E 71, It is really a marvelous piece from Nokia

illusionado Says:
October 30th, 2009 at 5:24 am

N82 – even i dont have this phone but still its the best phone with 5mp and a good hardware spec phone

e71 – this is what we are talking of uses and looks

n81 – hmmmm..the best music guy….

so i just need qwerty, best cam, and a music mania fever

mbrett Says:
October 30th, 2009 at 8:37 am

For me it has to be the N95 8GB, which for me has proven to be a rock solid phone from a functionality point of view. Expanded the useful functionalities a phone could have by a huge margin for me.

Then the 8910i, purely from the style point of view. Still love it now. Bit of a “oooOOOooo Touch the phone”. That slide mechanism is beautiful. The number of time I have left the room and returned to find my wife playing with it.

The surprise for many in my eyes is the N97. I know it has a few issues (OK loads), but I feel that many Nokia handsets in the past have started their life with loads of issues. Take the N95 first Incarnation.

Despite it’s issues I feel that once the lense harmer (sorry protector) has been replaced and the GPS patch has been replaced and the v20 FW has been installed I think it will be a very capable handset. I’m sure we will get further updates after that too. Maybe to incorporate a more stable version of the Maps 3.03 (post BETA) and incorporate the long awaited Skype. When these things become part of the FW then space will begin to appear on the C: drive increasing the phone’s capabilities further. Maybe we could even see QuickOffice 6 incorporated into the FW so that we don’t have to loose that chunk of the C: drive. Vlingo has already made it in (I have many ideas for this app but they should be discussed over in the competition at the N97 Geeks Homepage (Ends this weekend). Would be nice to loose Boingo and JoikuSpot though.

Ovidiu Says:
October 30th, 2009 at 11:03 am

6310

Piellie Says:
October 30th, 2009 at 1:58 pm

3310
6230
N95

illusionado Says:
October 30th, 2009 at 2:37 pm

Ok. So I bet that N82 has a great chance here =P .

people love n82 so its time for nokia to here us even here.

still loving the n82 and the n86 white

Widget2 Says:
October 30th, 2009 at 3:27 pm

Still using N95 8GB after ..two years! too fond of it to let go! All my previous phone upgrades ended up on Ebay…my next contract renewal is due this November and thinking of the N900 (so far no UK mobile company is offering it) or the N97 mini (its elder brethren have had too much bad publicity of late)…so still undecided…

Craig Says:
October 30th, 2009 at 3:35 pm

1: 6230 – not my first phone with BT, but my first with BT, OK camera (for the time), FM Radio, Music Player & WAP Internet.

2. N95 8GB – still have it, swap between this and….

3: E71 – enough has been said about this…one of the best ever.

Scofflaw Mike Says:
October 31st, 2009 at 4:44 pm

2190- Oh, birth of interchangeable faceplate!

6000- The first integrated and customizable themes

N95 (8Gb)- Goodbye ipod, digital camera.

Scofflaw Mike Reply:
October 31st, 2009 at 4:46 pm

N95 (8Gb)- Goodbye ipod, digital camera. Mine went in the drink in 2007 and its still working strong!

Jason Says:
October 31st, 2009 at 7:05 pm

Top Fav Phones:

N82 – Revolutionary Camera phone, packs features of the N95!
N95 (8GB) – I’ve always loved the design and once again, all rounded phone
N86 – Have yet to get, but just beautiful -> Revolutionary Camera lens, with a built in FM transmitter, once again, a new push into what phones can do!

Gary H Says:
October 31st, 2009 at 8:39 pm

A good phone is when over a year of ownership later you’ve found something new it can do but only just realised. The 6310 became the 6310i, but don’t remember what the improvement was. In went birthdays & historical events. Became a must have gadget in the kitchen for timing the pasta. I still have it. Shall I buy that new keypad? The N95 8GB shows how such small changes make a big difference to a phone. Bigger, clearer screen, much nicer buttons to press – soooo important. It’s such a classic, I’m eyeing up the N86 next.

How about the best piece of software ever put on a mobile phone? I like birthdays & calendars S40 style. So useful. Now it’s an “app” we have to buy

saed Says:
October 31st, 2009 at 10:27 pm

nokia 5800\e71\n86 8mp

Harshal Says:
November 1st, 2009 at 1:10 pm

3310 was my favorite. Best first phone one could have. Sturdy built to survive enough drops, reception when most other phones said “No Network”, inexpensive. Even now I have suspicion that Nokia stopped shipping it because it wanted users to move onto new and expensive phones.

After that, I used a lot of phones (all Nokias) but no one would to make it to this list apart from:

E51, a feature packed, compact phone with WiFi and Blackberry connect.

Gary H Says:
November 1st, 2009 at 4:23 pm

By the way, dummy phones stuck on walls in mobile phone shops don’t do the phone any justice. I would never have bought the N95 unless a friend had demonstrated theirs to me first.

Filipe Alves Says:
November 2nd, 2009 at 3:21 am

top 5 favorites:

N95 8GB
6230i
N82
7610(old version)
N86

Paul Alibone Says:
November 2nd, 2009 at 10:22 am

Easily the N95 8GB for me. No hanging, sturdy, reliable, good battery, new world of apps. Still use it today as its better (quicker) than my SE C905.
Worse…N96. Huge letdown after the N95 8GB. Sent it back repeatedly.
Hope Nokia have learnt and ensure this doesn’t happen to N900.

just me Says:
November 2nd, 2009 at 3:01 pm

3210 (!!!)
6680
N93: first flirt with mobile wifi, impressed people in the bar showing them their favorite websites
N95 8Gb: first class!

YogenTri Says:
November 2nd, 2009 at 5:32 pm

E65, 6280, 6610

jixm Reply:
November 3rd, 2009 at 2:52 pm

my favorites are by order:
1- 6310i
2- 6230 – 6230i
3- E52 (discarding software issues – its a joy to use as well)

Vitaliano Giannangeli Says:
November 2nd, 2009 at 7:09 pm

The best three nokias i have ever used…., well is a tough question, since i have been using nokia phones since 1996. Well, the list is reduced to the latest smartphones. I’ ve used in the past two and a half years:

N73, N95, E51, E71, N82 and finally 5800 XM.

In this list the winners are N82, N95 and E71. Closely followed by the e51 in terms of performance and the Tube in terms of new features.

stiv222 Says:
November 2nd, 2009 at 7:09 pm

next n900 )))))))

Dayo Olutunfese Says:
November 2nd, 2009 at 8:55 pm

For me, there was the Nokia 6600 the very first phone I did yahoo chat on, then the 9500 powered by series 80 a very powerful and highly intuitive user interface, and I still hope to see some aspects of series 80 implemented on s60. Finally the E71, the most stable phone I’ve ever used.

Andélson Marcelino Says:
November 3rd, 2009 at 7:53 pm

My old and good 6230, N95 and 5800 XM (current), all of them made all I need in its time. Love it all.

Anonymous Says:
November 5th, 2009 at 9:31 am

nokia n97
n85
e71

Stadtionalist Says:
November 10th, 2009 at 4:17 am

Mine would be the 3310 to start with, indestructible and it basically gave face to image of durability that Nokia knows today.
Therefor the 6700 is my second favorite, a great follow up on the 6300 which basically is that durability Nokia still has today.
And the third one is the 8800 Carbon Arte, since it’s, in my eyes, the best version of the luxury designs of Nokia. Great design and specs that aren’t even that outdated.
The reason why the E and N series aren’t among my favorites is because those phones don’t really add something extra to the broad market of cellphones these days. Many other brands offer more “high-tech”, more stable and more affordable phones than Nokia with its E and N series.

imran soorya Says:
November 10th, 2009 at 9:49 am

Nokia 6310i
Nokia E60 (the best phone)
Nokia 6510
Nokia 7650 (the most revolutionary device of ots time)
Nokia E90 (my current favourite. meets almost all my requirements)

Abood Says:
November 10th, 2009 at 8:16 pm

Nokia 6110 Naviator, N82 Black, E66. And from there, the company has gone downhill.

William Calle Says:
November 11th, 2009 at 4:08 pm

1. 5800 Express Music 2. N70 3.an old model Nokia 3220

Mike Says:
November 11th, 2009 at 4:38 pm

I abused the heck out of my E61i. The E71 was great, but the E72 is AMAZING. Looking forward to an N900 soon.

Mbtashan Says:
November 11th, 2009 at 9:04 pm

6110
E50
E51

shaun Says:
November 12th, 2009 at 8:00 am

Did ny1 remember the 3310 dude that was so sweet SNAKES! and wen the battery died u could use it for another day in “text only mode”. If only devices were so energy efficent that they could go all night like old bricky. Next up n95 nuff sed. Im gonna be optimistic and say the n900 for 1st place not 2 happy wiv my n97 its been a rough road to get it to a certain level of usability but it has shown me first hand the potential in the short term future of mobile phones and how quickly they will continue to evole. (Hopefully firmware updates will pick up 2 =)

Lawrence Wambua Says:
November 17th, 2009 at 7:08 am

i bought n80 for far the phone has served me for two weeks without problems,now am saving for n97.thanks for the websites it has all details a client needs to now

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October 29th, 2009 at 8:02 pm

[...] eu encontrei um post no Nokia Conversations que listava os celulares da Nokia preferidos de todos os tempos de um de seus editores, então eu [...]