The latest C7 launched by Nokia use the technology to navigate on the web, to take movies in HD and to connect with the Facebook community. Anyway, this is a smartphone full of qualities … but it seems that can be improved. After N8 model (launched last year), Nokia C7 impresses us once again, but it would have better ergonomics to be perfect, as we want to be. The expectations before test
The C7 smartphone is powered by the latest operating system, launched by Nokia, Symbian 3 that we had discussed during our testing of the other Nokia phones. The gadget is powered by an ARM 11 processor running at 680 MHz with 256 MB of memory. The phone it also has 350 MB of internal memory, supported by a second internal memory storage of 8GB, and is able to work with microSD cards. Side of the equipment, this smartphone is full of features: eight-megapixel sensor with two LEDs for photos, a second sensor front for video calls, a radio receiver, a GPS included, etc.. It’s very clear that Nokia pushes all the guns to return in the fight against Apple and Android mobile technology. We must see which ate the C7 ambitions positioned.
The reality
The finish quality of the Nokia C7 is undeniable. The Nokia C7 is a very pleasant surprise for us but it’s in Nokia tradition. This smart phone has just 1.1 cm thick and weighs only 130 grams. This good weight is accompanied by a great 8.9 inch diagonal AMOLED display, with a resolution a bit small but correct at about 360 x 640 pixels. The back case of the phone is covered with a metal plate. The whole assemble is very well made with good materials and a good solidity that inspires confidence. We just wish another choice for the cover plate of the screen, maybe a little bit brighter, which magnifies the glare and fingerprints.
Impressive multimedia
If you compare this model with the N8 (also powered by Symbian 3), the C7 is another Nokia multimedia smart phone. Its video player is compatible with all video formats (Xvid, H.264 main profile base, DivX, 3GP, MPEG-2) and the format of the file most used (even AVI MKV formats). We are impressed, the C7 behaves perfectly in this area and may read all these videos up to 720p (not able to read 1080p). The music player offers a Coverflow mode (inspired by the iPhone 4), extremely fluid and responsive. It’s a real pleasure to use this gadget. It could easily read virtually any format that we have submitted it (MP3, MP3 Pro, AAC, WAV), and with very good sound quality ! We recommend however to use a real headset, because the poor earphones supplied by Nokia as are not able to show the quality of sound reproduction device. It lacks compatibility with OGG (open) and Flac (lossless compression) to achieve perfection.
However, it is possible to adjust an audio equalizer and to choose between a few profiles, but without any manual adjustment. Anyway, the quality of sound rendition of the phone is excellent, without even applying a particular profile. For video, the drive is full, you can quickly move forward and back with all file formats. We’ve seen just a single small problem: it does not propose to resume playing a video at the point where the user has previously stopped. This can be a problem if you want to see a long movie and you want to come back at a previous moment.
However, it is possible to adjust an audio equalizer and to choose between a few profiles, but without any manual adjustment. Anyway, the quality of sound rendition of the phone is excellent, without even applying a particular profile. For video, the drive is full, you can quickly move forward and back with all file formats. We’ve seen just a single small problem: it does not propose to resume playing a video at the point where the user has previously stopped. This can be a problem if you want to see a long movie and you want to come back at a previous moment.
Functions almost complete
The transfer of the files on the smartphone is very easy to perform, it’s almost like a USB key transfer. Windows OS recognizes as the C7 media device and offers, apart from simple operations on files, the full access of the application store called Ovi Music Store and Ovi Music. This device seems to be perfect.
Another interesting feature is the geolocation system of C7. It is very fast and responsive, with access to the Ovi maps for free to the world maps and in offline mode for the geographical areas most used. The maps are accompanied by supplemental information like Michelin and Lonely Planet for example. Similar with a real GPS this smartphone has a car function very well projected. You can choose from many voices guides available in several languages. We tested the gadget and the calculation and clarity of the route are very well done. However, this is better than browsing the latest integrated Google Android phones, and unlike similar applications for iPhone, it’s completly free!
Another thing is the presence of an FM radio receiver, now classic, but also an integrated FM radio transmitter, which already is a lot less! In this way is possible to switch the music from the phone to a radio or car stereo without any connection, just by picking up the FM preselected on the phone. An interesting thing is that Nokia producer has really made efforts to make his smartphone very attractive to compete. Another thing is the system of multitasking, very well-organized and easy to use.
Nokia C7 does not include everything, but still point out the high quality of the virtual keyboard on the phone. Tha phone has a full keyboard that appears when the device is held horizontally. Its use is very easy to perform. The keys may seem too close together, but the keyboard is well calibrated and typing errors are not present. The excellent reactivity of the keyboard also allows users to type very quickly, even with the completion system automatically activated. It a certain thing that Nokia C7 offers good performance for its price.
Another interesting feature is the geolocation system of C7. It is very fast and responsive, with access to the Ovi maps for free to the world maps and in offline mode for the geographical areas most used. The maps are accompanied by supplemental information like Michelin and Lonely Planet for example. Similar with a real GPS this smartphone has a car function very well projected. You can choose from many voices guides available in several languages. We tested the gadget and the calculation and clarity of the route are very well done. However, this is better than browsing the latest integrated Google Android phones, and unlike similar applications for iPhone, it’s completly free!
Another thing is the presence of an FM radio receiver, now classic, but also an integrated FM radio transmitter, which already is a lot less! In this way is possible to switch the music from the phone to a radio or car stereo without any connection, just by picking up the FM preselected on the phone. An interesting thing is that Nokia producer has really made efforts to make his smartphone very attractive to compete. Another thing is the system of multitasking, very well-organized and easy to use.
Nokia C7 does not include everything, but still point out the high quality of the virtual keyboard on the phone. Tha phone has a full keyboard that appears when the device is held horizontally. Its use is very easy to perform. The keys may seem too close together, but the keyboard is well calibrated and typing errors are not present. The excellent reactivity of the keyboard also allows users to type very quickly, even with the completion system automatically activated. It a certain thing that Nokia C7 offers good performance for its price.
Weak ergonomics…
On the ergonomics chapter, the problem is change. Let’s see in the first step the Nokia Web browser. Even is full compatible with all versions of Flash (not play videos, however), is really weak at aesthetics and usability chapter. The history of navigation is difficult to access, URL suggestions are bad and the menus without many options. In short, a little weak as the rest is in point: the fluidity of page scrolling is good, just like the zoom-multipoint. It still have problems at the ability to configure the browser to not show the simplified mobile versions of Web pages (probably absent, or very difficult to find). The solving of the problem is given by the Opera browser, available for download and solve this problem, although the flash and zoom multi point are absent.However, in our tests, the smartphone phone held abut 9 hours in voice communication, 4 hours 40 minutes in web surfing and 3G + and 5 hours 20 minutes of video playback. However, another weak point: the sensor does not focus, photos are blurred, day or night.
Ovi Store access
Ovi Store is an online shop with applications from Nokia is not the point of this phone. The Ovi Store works when it wants: the installation of some applications was not possibl(a lot of errors after downloading the installation kit), including Skype or games. Very annoying, unreliable, with an very low interface, the Ovi Store requires change of its functions and a profound alteration. In this moment is very far from competitors: the Apple AppStore and the Google Android Market.
The test and review conclusions
After our tests we can say this smartphone is a success for Nokia. Its Symbian 3 Operating System is technically excellent and reliable and the device has an impressive array of features. However, ergonomically, it remains unsatisfied because the phone seems to have some weak points at this chapter. It does not get five stars after our tests because of these imperfections and, more importantly, because of Ovi Store.
Positive points (pros)
* The HD video mode, able to read multiple file formats;* The AMOLED technology used for the display;
Negative points (cons)
* Ergonomics must be improved;Technical specifications and features
Operating System: Symbian 3 Version;Keyboard: No physical keyboard – touchscreen;
Play Audio: Yes;
Video Recording: Yes;