While Nokia has not had a lot of success with many of its higher-end models in the U.S., the E71x showed that the world’s largest mobile device maker can meet this market with a capable handset.
The Nokia Surge, available now on AT&T’s GSM network, aims to push this company ahead in becoming a relevant and versatile offering in this marketplace. This messaging-oriented slider has 3G, a QWERTY keyboard, and social networking software.
It sells for just $30 with a two-year contract and mail-in rebate.
DESIGN & BUILD:
The Nokia Surge – sold overseas as the 6790 – has a slider QWERTY design. However, unlike many other smartphones with this price point or design, the Surge’s doesn’t offer any other means of inputing content other than its QWERTY.
Over my extended time with the Surge, I’ve found that it is not only extremely pocket friendly, but also that the 2.2-inch screen (320 x 240 pixel resolution) is very clear and usable in all conditions.
Below the screen (or to the right of it depending on your orientation) are three function buttons, and then another set of buttons for the soft keys, call, end/power buttons and 5-way directional pad.
My major gripes with the design of the Surge comes in its attraction to fingerprints, and the function buttons being too small.
Being an entry-level device, the plastic body fits in well, though doesn’t feel cheaply put together.
Keyboard
The QWERTY keyboard was a mixed bag — for me, anyway. My daily device has been the Nokia N97. Having both devices for nearly the same amount of time, I’ve grown to like the keyboard of the Surge, but wished that it followed the ergonomics of the N97 more.
The Surge’s keyboard is not too wide. Each button has excellent travel, and aside from a weird placement of the backspace key (under the “P”), it feels great. For the targeted audience, it felt “OK” to quote a teen I asked about it. While wide enough, it was described as similar to LG and Samsung models common to that target group.
Beyond the screen and keyboard area, the rest of the design is fairly minimalistic, with a single speaker, 2.5 mm headphone jack, 2 mm Nokia power port, and a single removable battery cover.
Overall, the build and design works very well. The QWERTY keyboard fits the mood of the Surge as a communication-centric device.
PERFORMANCE
The Nokia Surge is a Symbian smartphone at the core, with S60 version 3.2 (Feature Pack 2). In use, it is similar to the Nokia E71x. Though sporting an antiquated user interface, it’s simple and gets the job done.
In addition, unlike virtually all other mobiles in its class, the ability to view Flash-based media from websites with the WebKit-based Nokia Web Browser adds reputation value.
It is fully capable of being as productive or entertaining as any other smartphone, and comes packed as such.
Productivity
Traditional PIM applications — Calendar, Contacts, Notes, and Messaging/Email – are present.
The Surge also comes with AT&T’s pre-installed software: IM, Yellow Pages, WikiMobile, QuickOffice Viewer, Acrobat Reader LE, and tons more. This includes a 30-day trial of AT&T Navigator.
It has enough applications that its exclusion of the Nokia Ovi Store doesn’t seem like a bad thing. Honestly, it has more software than its target audience will use.
Entertainment
The Nokia Surge comes with solid music and social networking abilities. However, don’t expect it to revolutionize in these areas.
The Music Player is the same one found on other Symbian devices. Reading music from the microSDHC memory card (max 16 GB cards supported), you have play-lists, album art, and a basic equalizer. It should have been tweaked as there are too many steps still to add an item to your play-list, but it still works.
If you have a stereo Bluetooth headset, you can use it with this smartphone.
In addition, this device allows users to post messages, images, videos, and comments to web sites like Facebook with the pre-installed JuiceCaster application.
Wireless
As a phone, the Surge just works simply and as familiar as other Nokia devices. The learning curve is very short when it comes to doing anything call related.
Support for AT&T’s 3G network speeds up browsing on that excellent WebKit-based browser I mentioned before.
Camera
The 2-megapixel camera is nothing but a minor addition. This camera does well with bright colors and well lit settings.
The zoom, while digital and gets in close, just isn’t very good. In a well-lit room though, a student could photograph a smart board and see enough to attach the images to notes.
Overall, the foundations of the Surge on the Symbian platform, along with the included software makes this an ideal student companion. The battery life makes it even better (3 days of hard use between charges is not abnormal).
CONCLUSION
The Nokia Surge is an excellent entry-level smartphone. I think that the name is quite befitting Nokia and AT&T’s aspirations with this kind of device.
Sure, smartphone veterans might have a hard time accepting the Surge, but its not nearly the bargain-basement lemon its $80-on-contract price portends it to be. Its really a better value than other devices, and makes most other feature phones look and feel as if they should be left behind for more lessons.
For Nokia, the Surge might not gain them fame, but it will push them more into North American wallets and hands.
Pros:
- Good battery life
- QWERTY keyboard
- Useful and fun bundled applications
Cons:
- Fingerprint magnet
- Antiquated user interface
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