Review: Nokia C7 Astound
This forum is for discussion of this review. For general discussion of the Nokia Astound / C7-00, please check out our Nokia Astound / C7-00 forum ›
over in the "Nokia Astound / C7-00" discussion:
This is Not a 4G phone
The phone is listed as 3G/4G, however HSPA 10.1 is not a 4G speed.
over in the "Nokia Astound / C7-00" discussion:
Finally
Been waiting for a phone like this for a very long time. I've tried android, it's OK, but in the end, I seriously distrust google, and really don't care for all the data they're collecting from me as an android user.
For me, this nokia has it all--- really solid form factor, great camera, and just enough apps for the 'casual' user-- letting me check email if I need, etc.
T-mobile even touts the tethering ability of the phone, unlike many other phones and cell companies.
While many say "symbian is dead" (which may be true in the end), I'm still going to enjoy this particular device for the next few years.
For me, this nokia has it all--- really solid form factor, great camera, and just enough apps for the 'casual' user-- letting me check email if I need, etc.
T-mobile even touts the tethering ability of the phone, unlike many other phones and cell companies.
While many say "symbian is dead" (which may be true in the end), I'm still going to enjoy this particular device for the next few years.
I wish T-Mo would have Android phones as feature rich as this is. I especially like the fact that this phone can support not only the T-Mo data frequencies but those of AT&T by including the 850 and 1900 WCDMA bands (after unlocking.) Perhaps the anno...
(continues)
(continues)
...
Somewhat of a fair review
Honestly, I'm more impressed with this review than your usual reviews of Symbian products (which tend to be harsher.)
I don't see how you say the homescreen is chaotic with different size widgets when that is what defines Android. Symbian had 6 same-size widgets at first and were castrated first, and then switch to different sizes for different apps and somehow it's bad?
That said, I urge you to find a decent Android phone for $70 either. Most are close to the same specs as offered by this without the power efficiency of Symbian. This phone may freeze (and that is terrible and should be mentioned) but lower end Android phones have their own problems as well.
Overall though, not a bad review.
I don't see how you say the homescreen is chaotic with different size widgets when that is what defines Android. Symbian had 6 same-size widgets at first and were castrated first, and then switch to different sizes for different apps and somehow it's bad?
That said, I urge you to find a decent Android phone for $70 either. Most are close to the same specs as offered by this without the power efficiency of Symbian. This phone may freeze (and that is terrible and should be mentioned) but lower end Android phones have their own problems as well.
Overall though, not a bad review.
To be totally honest, I am sort of found of the chaotic, different sized widgets..there is something about the asymmetry that catches my eye.
I dislike how iOS is just a bunch of tiles and really hate how webOS and BlackBerry waste so much screen spa...
(continues)
I dislike how iOS is just a bunch of tiles and really hate how webOS and BlackBerry waste so much screen spa...
(continues)
...
Biased Review
It seems that a super-functional phone at a low price is still not getting a fair shake from the reviewers. The Nexus S review has a large section dedicated to the inactive NFC but the Astound also has NFC and it is not mentioned. The Bluetooth 3.0 feature isn't mentioned and neither is the FM transmitter or the USB OTG. It also has WIFI calling.
The complaint about the microSD under the battery isn't really as much of an issue because it also has flash storage as well as the OTG.
The misnomer about AT&T roaming is not correct. The device doesn't roam on AT&T networks because there is no roaming agreement between T-Mobile and AT&T. If there were or when AT&T merge and makes it's 3G towers available, it will be able to roam on them wit...
(continues)
The complaint about the microSD under the battery isn't really as much of an issue because it also has flash storage as well as the OTG.
The misnomer about AT&T roaming is not correct. The device doesn't roam on AT&T networks because there is no roaming agreement between T-Mobile and AT&T. If there were or when AT&T merge and makes it's 3G towers available, it will be able to roam on them wit...
(continues)
I certainly disagree that it's biased. Even though we try to write very in-depth reviews, we can't possibly cover every last feature, especially ones that very few people use. (Have you actually used USB-OTG?)
I will address NFC, specifically, thou...
(continues)
I will address NFC, specifically, thou...
(continues)
...
Android is more accessible--
--yeah, yeah...we all understand that. But Symbian is an extremely solid OS. And at $70, I could live with it for a couple of years.
I was really impressed by Symbian and after not touching a Nokia since 2004 I was really used to Symbian after a day or so.
Maybe it is just how my brain works, but I found it very intuitive.
I would definitely give it another shot when it gets the...
(continues)
Maybe it is just how my brain works, but I found it very intuitive.
I would definitely give it another shot when it gets the...
(continues)
Sounds familiar
While I realize that the Astound is also running Symbian^3 and Mr Zeman reviewed both the N8 and the Astound, I really get the impression that he cut and pasted a lot of the N8s review into this one.
Sure they deserve similar write-ups but come on- rephrase things a little bit more:
The only way I was able to sync my vast contact database with the N8 was to set up an Ovi account and use Nokia's account sync tools. They are clumsy, and not as simple as those offered by others.
The only way I was able to sync my vast contact database with the Astound was to set up an Ovi account and use Nokia's account sync tools. They are clumsy, and not as simple as those offered by others.
For the record Mail for Exchange will sync with Google c...
(continues)
Sure they deserve similar write-ups but come on- rephrase things a little bit more:
The only way I was able to sync my vast contact database with the N8 was to set up an Ovi account and use Nokia's account sync tools. They are clumsy, and not as simple as those offered by others.
The only way I was able to sync my vast contact database with the Astound was to set up an Ovi account and use Nokia's account sync tools. They are clumsy, and not as simple as those offered by others.
For the record Mail for Exchange will sync with Google c...
(continues)
Pentaband 3G?
The Astound is a penta-band 3G phone, but since it is locked to T-Mobile's network, it can't roam onto AT&T's 850/1900MHz 3G network.
Does this mean that if you unlock the phone and insert an AT&T SIM card, you can use their 3G network?
Does this mean that if you unlock the phone and insert an AT&T SIM card, you can use their 3G network?
Yes. Unlock and ATT 3G will work.
over in the "Nokia Astound / C7-00" discussion:
Smartphone
I this phone considered to be a smartphone?
To *me*, this is a smartphone - because it has support for applications, email, web, etc.
Hardcore phone people too often only classify a phone as a "smartphone" if it's running either IOS (iphone), Android, or Windows Mobile.
The vendors often ...
(continues)
Hardcore phone people too often only classify a phone as a "smartphone" if it's running either IOS (iphone), Android, or Windows Mobile.
The vendors often ...
(continues)
...
