Nokia E7 review

Is the E7 too little, too late from Nokia?

Nokia E7
The definitive Nokia E7 review

Why you can trust TechRadar We spend hours testing every product or service we review, so you can be sure you’re buying the best. Find out more about how we test.

Nokia E7 review: Verdict

Nokia e7

So much potential! So! Much! And yet… it's rather squandered by a sluggish OS and not a good enough processor to make the media capabilities shine.

For this money, we're not sure you wouldn't want to pick the HTC Incredible S or HTC Desire Z for a more intuitive UI or shell out the extra few pounds a month for a better browsing experience with the iPhone 4.

We liked

It has such a pretty four-inch screen with AMOLED display. The colours are sharp and the screen is usable in whatever light scenarios you can dream up. It has a great battery life for a smartphone, and the keyboard is the cherry-on-top making typing a breeze (with two hands, that is).

There are lots of great features, including the tethering, the HDMI port, the 720p filming capability, the attractive and balanced chassis, the four-inch capacitive touchscreen, the office apps and the QWERTY keyboard.

The outside of this handset is pretty much faultless and we'd be happy to slip the anodised aluminium beauty into our pockets any time.

We disliked

Symbian^3, you're not winning us over, we're afraid. You lag, mate. You make internet browsing more of a chore than it ought to be, especially with such a gorgeous screen to enjoy it on. You make the User Experience a bit… pants.

With a more responsive and intuitive OS, this phone could be a star in its category, but instead it limps behind the HTC Sense UI and is barely a step on from the Nokia N8.

It's also a real shame that the media is so unintuitive to use.

Verdict

It has a plethora of great features, many of which regular Nokia users will take in their stride. It's a pretty smartphone and the QWERTY keyboard is the tops.

But with better software to support the hardware specs, this handset could be a market leader, instead it's simply a little too expensive for its asking price, and forgettable overall.

Latest in Nokia Phones
Composite of three new Nokia phones
3 new retro-inspired Nokia phones will have you rocking out like it’s the 2000s
Nokia G42 in So Purple color
Nokia G42 combines repairability and 5G connectivity in a handsome purple package
Nokia 5710 Xpress Audio with earbuds pictured on the screen
Nokia’s new phone is like a 3310 with earbuds built into the back – and I love it
A Nokia G60 5G from the front and back
A trio of cheap phones from Nokia have landed, with eco-friendly credentials
The Nokia G11 from the back, in someone's hand
Nokia G11 review
A Nokia G21 from the front, showing the home screen
Nokia G21 review
Latest in Reviews
GlocalMe KeyTracker
When I tested this global tracker, it trounced the Apple AirTag in so many ways
An AMD Ryzen 9 9950X3D on its retail packaging
I've reviewed three generations of 3D V-cache processors, and the AMD Ryzen 9 9950X3D is the best there is
Mac Studio on a desk
Apple Mac Studio (M3 Ultra): the ultimate creative workstation
Apple iPad Air 11-inch M3 (2025) Review
I tested the 11-inch iPad Air with M3 for five days, and it stretches the value even further with more power for the same price
Moiraine using her magic in The Wheel of Time season 3
The Wheel of Time season 3 proves that Amazon's Lord of the Rings TV show isn't the only high fantasy heavyweight worth watching on Prime Video
The Honor Pad V9 on a bronze table.
The Honor Pad V9 is the mid-range, Android-powered iPad rival you've been looking for