Nokia E7: A sleek Symbian slider

MANILA, Philippines - With Nokia joining forces with Microsoft earlier this year, a lot of people have been wondering what exactly will happen to the Finnish titan’s line of Symbian smartphones.

Sure, the logical answer might be that the OS will die a natural death, but Nokia itself said it will continue to keep the software and its ecosystem alive.

Which is probably — despite the epic partnership — the Finns continue to churn out phones like the Nokia E7. Quite simply, this unassuming slider could very well be the most exquisite Symbian smartphone Nokia has ever made. Fittingly, it’s available from the Philippines’ leading wireless network, Smart.

Say what you want about its one-phone-per-lifestyle motto, but there’s no denying that Nokia knows how to make phones. The smooth lines and subdued finish of the Nokia E7 makes it one of the least flashy phones in the market. At the same time however, it’s one that cannot be taken (let alone, ignored) at face value — one look and you know that its true talents are hidden within.

Running on Symbian^3, the latest version of Nokia’s homegrown OS, the E7 carries with it the feeling of familiarity Filipinos have grown accustomed to. The Philippines has been and still is “Nokia country,” so even luddites should have no trouble adjusting to the user interface.

Simple tasks such as making calls and typing text messages are a breeze. Internet browsing and e-mail messaging are made easier, too, thanks to the 1-2 punch combo of the slide-out QWERTY keypad and to the scratch-resistant four-inch touch screen. Of course, availing oneself of an unlimited surfing package such as Smart’s UNLIsurf is a must if you truly want to enjoy the wonders of the mobile Web.

While the Nokia E7 emanates an aura of being a straight-shooting business phone, its entertainment purpose cannot be beaten. Its four-inch AMOLED (Active Matrix Organic Light Emitting Diode) screen means that it could reproduce colors in stunning clarity — a definite boon especially as this phone has a camera that’s capable of capturing videos in HD. You can even pump out footage to your living room HDTV via the HDMI connector.

If mobile apps are more of your thing though, the Nokia E7 has complete access to the Nokia Ovi Store. Choose from the thousands of games and productivity applications on the platform such as the award-winning Angry Birds by Rovio Mobile, The Sims 3 by Electronic Arts, and Skype.

Fully equipped to take on Wi-Fi and 3G connections, the Nokia E7 works best when used on the smartest network with the “nationwidest” coverage. And for a limited time, this super Symbian device is available on Smart Plan 1800 (one plan lower than usual) and comes with exciting freebies.

For more information on the Nokia E7 and to know more about Smart’s postpaid plans and packages, visit the nearest Smart Wireless Center or visit www.smart.com.ph.