Using an unlocked Nokia E71 on AT&T?
I am at the end of my contract period with Verizon and I would like to step up to a more modern phone. I like the Nokia E71, and I've seen them selling unlocked phones that they say will work on AT&T. The phone has Wi-Fi, Voice Dial, Auto-Answer, Email, Bluetooth, Camera, GPS and other nice features. I have several questions about using this on AT&T:
1. As it has Wi-fi, I assume that means I can use the phone to connect to the internet via my home wireless router (or those at various public places) without having to purchase a data plan..?
2. I assume that AT&T will not REQUIRE that I purchase a data plan, just because the phone has data capability.
3. Does the GPS feature work (in any useful manner) without having to pay for a m...
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1. As it has Wi-fi, I assume that means I can use the phone to connect to the internet via my home wireless router (or those at various public places) without having to purchase a data plan..?
2. I assume that AT&T will not REQUIRE that I purchase a data plan, just because the phone has data capability.
3. Does the GPS feature work (in any useful manner) without having to pay for a m...
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cjconrad said:
I am at the end of my contract period with Verizon and I would like to step up to a more modern phone. I like the Nokia E71, and I've seen them selling unlocked phones that they say will work on AT&T. The phone has Wi-Fi, Voice Dial, Auto-Answer, Email, Bluetooth, Camera, GPS and other nice features.
I have several questions about using this on AT&T:
If you do purchase the E71 be warned there are 3 (THREE!) different models out there. The only real difference between the 3 models are the 3G bands they use. You want the E71-2 model which has AT&T's 3G bands. Newegg sells the correct model for AT&T.
And supposedly AT&T might be coming out with its own versi...
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KSWind: thanks for such a quick and informative response -- all answers that affirm that this is the best phone out there (for me, anyway).
If I can be so bold as to ask two follow-up questions:
(1) What is the largest memory card I can add to it (I will order from NewEgg concurrent with the phone order)?
(2) Is there a web site that identifies all of the optional software (especially free) that is available for this phone?
I am really looking forward to this ...
Thanks!!!
If I can be so bold as to ask two follow-up questions:
(1) What is the largest memory card I can add to it (I will order from NewEgg concurrent with the phone order)?
(2) Is there a web site that identifies all of the optional software (especially free) that is available for this phone?
I am really looking forward to this ...
Thanks!!!
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cjconrad said:
KSWind: thanks for such a quick and informative response -- all answers that affirm that this is the best phone out there (for me, anyway).
If I can be so bold as to ask two follow-up questions:
(1) What is the largest memory card I can add to it (I will order from NewEgg concurrent with the phone order)?
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cjconrad said:
KSWind: thanks for such a quick and informative response -- all answers that affirm that this is the best phone out there (for me, anyway).
If I can be so bold as to ask two follow-up questions:
(1) What is the largest memory card I can add to it (I will order from NewEgg concurrent with the phone order)?
All that typing and I messed something up and it killed all my typing.. Le'sigh. Gotta remember to hit the preview button first. Wish this board had an Edit Post function.
According to the specs 8GB is the max.
I would go over to the Nokia discussion forums and read up on the E71. There are some 'bugs' in the software which may or may not get you.
http://discussions.nokiausa »...
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Hope you've played around with the Nokia E71?
I had one with ATT briefly...very briefly. The E71 in my opinion is VERY high class, made for the very white collar worker.
Shiny metal back, very thin, but kind of heavy. And I didn't think the ear piece was loud enough.
Don't get me wrong it's a VERY nice phone. It was just too nice for me.
But I did think the blinking indicator around the D-pad for alerts was a really nice touch. 😁
I had one with ATT briefly...very briefly. The E71 in my opinion is VERY high class, made for the very white collar worker.
Shiny metal back, very thin, but kind of heavy. And I didn't think the ear piece was loud enough.
Don't get me wrong it's a VERY nice phone. It was just too nice for me.
But I did think the blinking indicator around the D-pad for alerts was a really nice touch. 😁
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Also, the 3.2MP camera took grainy pictures. I have also encountered that with the Nokia 6650 Fold I have now.
Maybe I have the settings wrong, or maybe it is a camera issue. Kinda odd it has happened on two Nokia's I have used.
Maybe I have the settings wrong, or maybe it is a camera issue. Kinda odd it has happened on two Nokia's I have used.
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The grainy pictures would more than likely be a hardware bug. I personally think it's electrical noise being introduced into sensor and that gets captured into the pictures.
A firmware update to the camera program would probably not fix that problem unless they introduced some serious noise filtering into it.
One guy over on the Nokia forums said the video camera took better pictures. It only appears that way because the 'high quality' setting is really just a 320x240 recording.
With that small of a recording you can't see that darn grainyness. I can't believe they call that high quality. While the picture IS nice. I would have expected the 'high quality' setting to be at least 640x480.
A firmware update to the camera program would probably not fix that problem unless they introduced some serious noise filtering into it.
One guy over on the Nokia forums said the video camera took better pictures. It only appears that way because the 'high quality' setting is really just a 320x240 recording.
With that small of a recording you can't see that darn grainyness. I can't believe they call that high quality. While the picture IS nice. I would have expected the 'high quality' setting to be at least 640x480.
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Andy, no, I haven't played with it at all. I've just drooled over the reviews.
I'm a white-collar worker (project manager and software architect), but I've never had anything other than a basic camera phone before. I'd like to have the more advanced functions (web browsing, basic GPS, email, etc). I have a communication system on my motorcycle (and helmet) as well, so auto-answer and voice dial are a must for me (my three-year old LG flip phone does this now) so that I can receive/take calls hands-free while cruising the highway.
Is it a big risk to buy before seeing one?
Thanks, Craig
I'm a white-collar worker (project manager and software architect), but I've never had anything other than a basic camera phone before. I'd like to have the more advanced functions (web browsing, basic GPS, email, etc). I have a communication system on my motorcycle (and helmet) as well, so auto-answer and voice dial are a must for me (my three-year old LG flip phone does this now) so that I can receive/take calls hands-free while cruising the highway.
Is it a big risk to buy before seeing one?
Thanks, Craig
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KSWind,
Thanks for another follow-up. I had seen the specs list the 8GB, but I was sort of hoping that these were conservative specs (perhaps because they hadn't tested anything larger), not technical limits. I will order 8GB.
I am concerned about the bugs you refer to -- I'd really like a clean experience with this new (expensive) phone. If Nokia has a good history of releasing software upgrades/fixes, it won't be so bad. I'll check out the forum you referenced.
I will also search around for software.
Thanks, Craig
Thanks for another follow-up. I had seen the specs list the 8GB, but I was sort of hoping that these were conservative specs (perhaps because they hadn't tested anything larger), not technical limits. I will order 8GB.
I am concerned about the bugs you refer to -- I'd really like a clean experience with this new (expensive) phone. If Nokia has a good history of releasing software upgrades/fixes, it won't be so bad. I'll check out the forum you referenced.
I will also search around for software.
Thanks, Craig
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KSWind,
I overlooked your comment stating "I hope you are not buying this phone expecting it to be a multimedia powerhouse. You will be disappointed as it was not designed to be a multimedia phone"
I have to admit that I'm not sure what defines a "multimedia phone", so I'd like to discuss this a bit further.
Though I'm a "white-collar" guy, I've never had anything other than a basic camera phone. I am looking forward to higher functions like internet (web browsing, email) and basic GPS. I need auto-answer and voice dial to make/take calls hands-free while cruising on my motorcycle. FM Radio is a nice extra that I don't have on my bike now.
While MP3/Video playing and JPEG viewing, would be nice, I have much of that on my iPod Na...
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I overlooked your comment stating "I hope you are not buying this phone expecting it to be a multimedia powerhouse. You will be disappointed as it was not designed to be a multimedia phone"
I have to admit that I'm not sure what defines a "multimedia phone", so I'd like to discuss this a bit further.
Though I'm a "white-collar" guy, I've never had anything other than a basic camera phone. I am looking forward to higher functions like internet (web browsing, email) and basic GPS. I need auto-answer and voice dial to make/take calls hands-free while cruising on my motorcycle. FM Radio is a nice extra that I don't have on my bike now.
While MP3/Video playing and JPEG viewing, would be nice, I have much of that on my iPod Na...
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cjconrad said:
KSWind,
I overlooked your comment stating "I hope you are not buying this phone expecting it to be a multimedia powerhouse. You will be disappointed as it was not designed to be a multimedia phone"
I have to admit that I'm not sure what defines a "multimedia phone", so I'd like to discuss this a bit further.
Though I'm a "white-collar" guy, I've never had anything other than a basic camera phone. I am looking forward to higher functions like internet (web browsing, email) and basic GPS. I need auto-answer and voice dial to make/take calls hands-free while cruising on my motorcycle. FM Radio is a nice extra that I don't have on my bike now.
I am not a power user by any means. I real...
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CJ,
If you supplied your own phone, you can activate it with a no commitment contract. I do this for customers a couple of times a month. No sense locking you in to a contract if you supply your own phone.
You can get the plans with M2M included, although othes will tell you otherwise.
If you get an E71, PM me and I would be happy to switch you over. Free SIM. One time activation fee of $36 that at&t bills. Other than that, you are set.
Will
If you supplied your own phone, you can activate it with a no commitment contract. I do this for customers a couple of times a month. No sense locking you in to a contract if you supply your own phone.
You can get the plans with M2M included, although othes will tell you otherwise.
If you get an E71, PM me and I would be happy to switch you over. Free SIM. One time activation fee of $36 that at&t bills. Other than that, you are set.
Will
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Will,
Wow -- thanks for your offer! Since my posting, I've had another twist in my needs. First, I am on a Verizon Family Plan with three lines, so I need to move all three lines. I had thought I'd buy a new phone and we'd use the other two we currently have, but I've been told that the Verizon phones (I think they are LG 8100 phones) won't work on AT&T. So, I need new phones for them as well. Unless I want to buy these phones as well, I might *need* to get an AT&T plan/contract. Also, I work for a company that has a negotiated employee discount with AT&T (they did with Verizon as well), and i *think* that requires a commitment. So ... I might be stuck with a commitment contract.
I really, really appreciate your offer, though.
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Wow -- thanks for your offer! Since my posting, I've had another twist in my needs. First, I am on a Verizon Family Plan with three lines, so I need to move all three lines. I had thought I'd buy a new phone and we'd use the other two we currently have, but I've been told that the Verizon phones (I think they are LG 8100 phones) won't work on AT&T. So, I need new phones for them as well. Unless I want to buy these phones as well, I might *need* to get an AT&T plan/contract. Also, I work for a company that has a negotiated employee discount with AT&T (they did with Verizon as well), and i *think* that requires a commitment. So ... I might be stuck with a commitment contract.
I really, really appreciate your offer, though.
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Craig,
Even if you have 3 lines with Verizon and you still wanted the E71, I can still put that line on a no commitment contract. For lines 2 and 3, I can work you a good deal on handsets with a 2 year discount. Before we work out pricing, I need to know the area codes and where you live. At&t has different pricing based off geographical locations. PM me that info if you would rather not publish that here.
As for your corporate discount, I can get that attached. I just need the FAN number or your employeer. Most discounts have waived activation fees built in to them.
Keeping your numbers is easy, I just need you Verizon account number. PM me if you have any other questions.
Will
Even if you have 3 lines with Verizon and you still wanted the E71, I can still put that line on a no commitment contract. For lines 2 and 3, I can work you a good deal on handsets with a 2 year discount. Before we work out pricing, I need to know the area codes and where you live. At&t has different pricing based off geographical locations. PM me that info if you would rather not publish that here.
As for your corporate discount, I can get that attached. I just need the FAN number or your employeer. Most discounts have waived activation fees built in to them.
Keeping your numbers is easy, I just need you Verizon account number. PM me if you have any other questions.
Will
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Will,
I sent you a PM yesterday. If you have opportunity, I'd love to hear from you ...
Craig
I sent you a PM yesterday. If you have opportunity, I'd love to hear from you ...
Craig
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As has been covered above, you can indeed use the device without the data plan, just on wifi (I also prefer to use internet that I'm already paying for), but if you're looking to move 3 lines from Verizon, than you'll likely be under contract with the other lines, so I suggest this:
Transfer all 3 lines under contract, and get a free or cheap phone for each. If you're planning on using an E71 anyway, you can simply switch the SIM card from the free phone to the E71, and you can either have a back up phone, or sell it to make some back up $$.
Transfer all 3 lines under contract, and get a free or cheap phone for each. If you're planning on using an E71 anyway, you can simply switch the SIM card from the free phone to the E71, and you can either have a back up phone, or sell it to make some back up $$.
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1. You assume correctly
2. You are correct, no data plan required
3. More of a question to ask in the Nokia E71 Forum as AT&T doesn't carry the phone.
4. That person was wrong, no contract is required for AT&T service
5. There is always a risk. If you question is will it become obsolete, that is highly unlikely anytime soon
6. Looks like a sweet device, have fun
2. You are correct, no data plan required
3. More of a question to ask in the Nokia E71 Forum as AT&T doesn't carry the phone.
4. That person was wrong, no contract is required for AT&T service
5. There is always a risk. If you question is will it become obsolete, that is highly unlikely anytime soon
6. Looks like a sweet device, have fun
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My thanks to everyone that assisted me in this quest. I went ahead and switched to AT&T and got a two-year plan. I got three Nokia 6650 Fold phones for next to nothing (after rebate). And, I have orderd my unlocked E71 (and car power adaptor and 8GB memory card) via NewEgg, which I will use in place of one of the 6650's. That will give me a spare phone, which might come in handy.
Special thanks to Will (who responded on this thread as something like "isellthe...outofphones"), as he was very helpful in actually setting up my new service and offering a very fair price on the phones.
My E71 isn't here yet, but I have learned one very disappointing thing about it -- it does not charge via a USB cable, so there is one more power cable I...
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Special thanks to Will (who responded on this thread as something like "isellthe...outofphones"), as he was very helpful in actually setting up my new service and offering a very fair price on the phones.
My E71 isn't here yet, but I have learned one very disappointing thing about it -- it does not charge via a USB cable, so there is one more power cable I...
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Yeah it sucks that it doesn't charge via USB..
BUT.. you do have a couple options.
USB powered charge cable
http://www.nokiausa.com/link?cid=EDITORIAL_356816 »
But that means you use up 2 USB ports. One for data and one for charging unless you plan on using bluetooth to transfer stuff between phone and laptop.
BUT.. you do have a couple options.
USB powered charge cable
http://www.nokiausa.com/link?cid=EDITORIAL_356816 »
But that means you use up 2 USB ports. One for data and one for charging unless you plan on using bluetooth to transfer stuff between phone and laptop.
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