I spent about 2 months comparing options and finally chose the E61i in October, and I know I have not made a mistake. I have used it for over 2 months now, and am still learning new stuff every once in a while. Like all new devices and products it took a while getting used to and at times with inadequate support and manual, I felt like I was facing the wall. But once I kept exploring it, I am extremely happy for the time I invested evaluating this phone(against the Black Berry, HTC, Motorola and other variants). I did go through a touch and feel experience with all phones, and also checked user review and ratings on websites and cnet.com(always relied on my new electronic purchases).
The phone is slightly crippled in the US, as it does not support the 3G bands in the US, though it work for the rest of the world(I think UMTS supports 3g bands in USA v/s WCDMA rest of the world).
The keyboard, sound quality, and display are extremely good. I have started to use the voice-call and that is very useful while driving with the connected ear-phone.
WLAN is a powerful feature and enables VOIP which is a great deal for long distance calls. Actually due to some of its super rich features the US market service providers(AT&T) did not accept it but asked for a scaled down E62 which is missing all the good stuff. This pushed the price to over$400 as against a contract locked phone for$200.
As look at this phone I see it has just about all the man-on-the-move requires. Messaging, e-mail, team-conferencing setup, scheduling, contacts - and one of the most tingling of all is the Nokia map support(but of course with an external GPS that I bought). The map and reasonably priced and optioned voice navigation are really excellent.
This phone for me can be a lap-top replacement(I am stretching this a little here), Voice Navigation System, and hey I just forgot the camera for times like oh-I-wish-I-had-my-camera. Coming to the camera, it can also record and play video. It has a music player, but will its hidden down under.
The office features are good like the office suite and other tools(not used much though - it’s easier to type and manage larger documents on the laptop).
In addition to this I have added some other applications(and what a boon compared to some closed persnickety (i)phones). I have the standard useful free(uncle scrooge!) apps. Some worthy mentions are StportsTracker, golf, gizmo, indevice status, and internet radio. I continue to explore for more.
Well that’s it from me - and I do not consider myself a Smartphone expert, but I guess it’s the users who have the final say. Who needs to know the intricacies of classical music or opera, but as long as you enjoy it, you got it.
Thanks for reading - and I’ll add more as I go
Added on 19-March-2008(Phoenix USA)
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I have added the data plan on my phone and use the Blackberry services. I am absolutely pleased with mail, and data handling capabilities other than the WiFi. Something really interesting I observe is that I am charging this phone once in every 3-4 days. It is always hooked up on EDGE, I use some nework dependent applications and I think the battery charge life stands the test.
I have even downloaded and viewed a complete feature move on my 2 GB micro-SD that already has quite a bit of applications. I got that idea when I watched one of my fellow passenger making most of out of his travel time watching a movie on the phone.
So it getting good and better, and the next thing I am waiting for is Nokia Maps 2.0 on this phone. I am already using the voice navigation of the current Nokia map version while driving. I also have google maps installed, but that is after the data plan.
It’s like a great companion and toy for me!