I have been looking for that one phone I can be happy with for a very long time now. I am also a fan of QWERTY keyboards. I had a Nokia Communicator 9210 since 2001. After that, I moved on to an O2 XDA lls which was a complete disappointment. Plenty of software and firmware bugs. Resetting the device was up to 5 times a day. In less than 3 months (I am a patient person!) I changed to a Treo 650 which I always fall back on whenever I feel I need something reliable on trips. Recently, I moved to another part of the world and needed something capable of multi-language, multi-tasking (namely copy n paste, translating received text and email messages and also composing, on the device and also to and from my notebook computer instantly), capable of GPS (not necessarily built-in) and able to clearly display and enlarge scanned road maps on a larger display. Not wanting another Treo, I ended up getting a WM5 HTC P4350 (aka Dopod C800 in this region). Having used WM before, I was a bit skeptical if a WM based device is now mature enough. It does all that I need it to do pretty well except that resets are still needed once every one or 2 days! Hardware-wise, the slide-out keyboard is quite disappointing. Over a short time and with only occasional usage, there already is an approximately 1mm gap between the screen side and keyboard side. There is that irritating wobble when tapping the screen or pressing the front buttons. The in-call sound quality is not quite “there” even with a bluetooth headset. I have also tried all the registry tweaks I could find but with no success. As with the Treo 650, the speaker mode is as good as not having the feature. Nothing I have used is as good as the sound quality that the Nokia 9210 produces. The speaker mode is really impressive! (The Motorola V3 RAZR is not bad though) I am still using the Nokia 9210 today but I don’t usually take it around with me due to its size. It always sits on my desk because its such a pleasure to answer and make calls in speaker mode. With it, I have never needed the handsfree headset while driving. Simply set it to “auto answer”, leave it open on the dashboard and I have an instant handsfree solution.

I have had my Nokia 9210 for a long time and is my mostly used phone but I wouldn’t declare it my favorite (I bought a new battery for it last year as the original one was at the end of its life span. 6 years, hmmm… not bad!) The Treo is more reliable but not a favorite either. I will keep my HTC/Dopod for what it can do but its unlikely I will want another WM device. I have used the IPhone but don't own one or want one as at yet. But if I did, can it be a favorite? Unlikely! An out-of-the-box IPhone is a monopoly and has plenty of limitations compared to what is already out there. So, unless and until it matures, I don’t think so. I don't want to spend so much time upgrading from one firmware to another just to be able to make it work for me. I do have an IPod Touch and frankly I am already tired of the frequent updates.

I am really keen on the Nokia 9210’s sibling, the improved version of the Nokia E90 (earlier releases had problems with the mic/speaker and the keyboard was marking the internal display). The problem is I can't buy one yet as its not available in any of the Nokia stores where I am now and resellers who have it are asking for prices way beyond its price range which I am not willing to submit to. Could this be my favorite phone to be? If I am able to do what I do on the HTC/Dopod and its speakers are as good as the Nokia 9210, then I'M HOME!!!

I am surprised that the E90 has not been reviewed here yet. Or did I miss it? If I haven’t, Julie, any chance you may be able to review one soon? Please?!? Pretty please... ?!? It has QWERTY! ;-) Thanks.

D