Nokia's E50 business class quad-band cellphone

Nokia just dropped their new E50 candybar for business users on a tight budget, i.e., anyone not employed by Google. Billed as the thinnest (which isn't saying much) of the E-series quad-band phones, the E50 goes S60 3rd edition and features the usual support for mobile corporate email solutions like BlackBerry Connect, Visto Mobile, and the like as well as featuring a 1.3 megapixel camera good for a little corporate espionage work and an MP3 player which doubles as that "can't talk now, on a call" boss impresser. And since it's business focused, it's corporate PBX-ready if the infrastructure is in place and supoprts two numbers linked to personal or bidness use. And yeah, they use the word "phone" more than a dozen times in the press release which means there's a run on cod liver oil in Espoo right about now.

[Thanks to everyone who sent this in]

[Justice @ May 18th 2006 7:28AM]

Looks pretty thin

[Alain @ May 18th 2006 8:36AM]

I don't see the problem in using the word "phone" for this device. The "multimedia computer" thing is only valid for the Nseries products!

[Intrepid @ May 18th 2006 8:36AM]

ugly...

[dimitri @ May 18th 2006 9:59AM]

multimedia? lol...

if you read closely the press release info it says "..while lifestyle features include an MP3 player and optionally a 1.3 mega pixel camera." So, this "phone" does not have a camera. So, how much of a multimedia phone is it when it lacks one of the most popular multimedia features?

But hey, how many times does Nokia make a slim phone?? so, this could be a good deal. I never use the camera on my phones. So, i'd take one.

cheers!

[chris @ May 18th 2006 1:05PM]

I'd the use the camera on mine a lot if it didn't take realy crappy pictures.

the VIOP feature sounds pretty awesome though

[Andrew Turner @ May 18th 2006 1:29PM]

The problem for businesses is the ubiquitous inclusion of cameras in any device now (phones, laptops, etc.) Many businesses now restrict bringing phones into their facilities.

Therefore, "business-class" phones really should be full-featured (data, screens) but *NOT* include cameras.

[ben @ May 18th 2006 2:15PM]

This actually looks intresting.

[Russ @ May 18th 2006 2:45PM]

You could destroy the camera on this phone and say it doesn't have one.....
Also, people need to start selling phones that actually work everywhere (quad-band is overhyped). Does this work in Korea or Japan? Quite a few people do business in Asia (me) and they need phones that can work in America and Asia. Right now, most people have to rent. Me? I've got a Sharp 903 unlocked from Japan that works everywhere...

[Rich @ May 18th 2006 4:43PM]

"Billed as the thinnest (which isn't saying much) of the E-series quad-band phones"

Actually, the E61 is quad-band, and pretty thin. If it's thinner than that, that is kind of impressive.

[Steve @ May 19th 2006 10:46AM]

Hi Folks,
How international is Engadget? I mean you all keep showing us the coolest phones that aren't available here. It's tantalizing and frustrating!

Like, I want the N-73. How can I possibly get one and use it on my small rural (Unicel) provider?

Cheers

[Pete @ May 22nd 2006 11:04PM]

Hmmm could be interesting..

I think Nokia has lost the plot with business phones - that's why I still have my 6100 - small and light.

If I want a huge block I can buy one of those from anyone..

[Roman Galas @ Aug 13th 2006 8:57PM]

Nokia,
It is a very disappointing to have to think out of the box (The USA Market) for my next mobile business phone but that is exactly what I am doing! I want to respond to the contact who mentioned the Sharp 903 unlocked phone "THANK YOU!" which works in all markets ...Is this true? I am looking for one TOO! ...

Nokia has some of the best problem free phones in the market in my opinion but they must be intentionally holding back what business travelers are looking for...

Business travelers now want universal phones with a quality camera built-in....I travel overseas and need a universal phone... I do not want to rent a phone in each country I visit...ALL Band Widths, WIFI, Full key board built-in ... Who wants to sell it to me? The "E" series Nokia phones (E70) appeared the most universal ... Is it true?... Until I heard about the the Sharp 903 unlocked working around the world? Korea, Japan, Southeast Asia & the USA Unlocked? I got to check this out!

[nico @ Nov 10th 2006 7:38AM]

It�s a great phone. If you are interested I did a hands on review available here: http://www.about-nokia.com/blog/index.php?itemid=362

Nico, NokiaLand, Finland

[Pranav Kirwadi @ Dec 21st 2006 9:10AM]

I got my Nokia E50 ( RM-170 ) on 25th of dec 2006.. and its been almost a month since i`m using it.. the phone has got all the feaures.. but very sad to say, has lot of hardware problems and software glitches...

The following are some of the problems i`m facing right now..

The phone restarts when a call is in a progres.This happens twice-thrice per day.

Battery dosen`t last more than 18hrs including stand by time...

Very sluggish and response is very poor..

I may have got those unlucky model .. but.. that`s what has been the case with my Nokia E50 !!

[Arel @ Aug 31st 2007 6:34AM]

Hi,

This phone is not working in South Korea and Japan,since they are using CDMA ... Quad band is not enough to use it in these two countries..

Take good care..