After announcing it during Nokia World 2010, the Nokia C7 gathered a lot of fans, thanks to its slim profile, elegant looks and impressive features. However, I have to admit that I wasn’t charmed personally. So when I got the first C7 in my hands, the Charcoal Black one, I was anxious to see how the press release picture would translate into a real device, and it simply left me annoyed. The whole device looked like a black rock that has been squished and smoothed, or a Nokia E66 (which I like) that has been thinned by a rolling pin (which I don’t). Plus, the all-black look was so bland with no charm and no character. It’s safe to say that I wasn’t a fan.
But as luck has it, I got to exchange my review unit and the second one ended up being the Frosty Metal version of the C7. And boy does a simple color change make a difference! I love the “white” C7, absolutely love it. It’s classy in all the right ways, and the silver/white mix gives it an incredible icy cool feel. The photo gallery here is to share with you all the beauty of this awesomely crafted device.
The Nokia C7 is part of Nokia’s new arsenal of Symbian^3 devices, which means it boosts the improved multiple homescreens, the photo and video editing software, the new multitasking UI, the SMS conversation view and emoticon support, and the overall streamlined touchscreen experience. It has support for quad-band GSM and pentaband HSDPA, WiFi, A-GPS with a built-in Compass and free lifetime Ovi Maps navigation, Bluetooth 3.0, FM Transmitter. The most amazing part is that it combines all of that in a super slim profile that makes you wonder where on earth is all that tech crammed.
The front of the Frosty Metal C7 is all silver, with a light metallic rim around the edges, and a slightly darker metallic part around the screen, which is a 3.5″ capacitive AMOLED screen covered with glass. The whole front is super shiny and one of the downsides is that it attracts fingerprints like a flower attracts a bee.
Above the screen is the speaker, the front camera, light sensor and proximity sensor. Below the screen you will find the menu button centered, and the call and end call keys. These appear to be white, but when the display is lit, they will switch to green and red colors.
The back of the Frosty Metal C7 is where all the charm lies, with sturdy and matte white plastics and a stainless steel battery cover. This mix explains the “Frosty Metal” color name as it really looks and feels cold.
The 8MP camera as well as two speakers and the Dual-LED flash are housed in a separate silver bezel, which is the same material as the rim on the front of the device.
The camera glass cover is a bit recessed compared to the rest of the bezel, which adds a tiny protection to the lens and prevents scratches when lying the device flat on its back.
All the sides of the C7 are the same white plastic as the back of the device.
Below the battery cover, you will find the removable BL-5K 1200mAh battery and the SIM card slot which you can get out and reinsert without removing the battery. You will, however, have to restart your device when you insert a SIM card, as they are not hot-swappable as of yet. The SIM slot also has a drawing to show you the right way to insert it.
The funny part is that while the SIM card slot is accessible without touching the battery, the memory card is not hot-swappable, as its slot lies below the battery. However, as with the SIM card, there is a drawing to explain the right way to insert it.
The top of the C7 houses the power button, the 3.5mm headset plug which can also be used for TV-Out if you have the right cable, and the microUSB port which is covered by a flap.
The right side of the C7 has the volume buttons with a Voice Command button between them, the keylock toggle which also serves as a flashlight trigger, and the camera button
The left side is blank aside from the 2mm pin charger hole, and the lower side only houses the lanyard gaps.
Below are a few more shots of the Frosty Metal C7’s back, which I consider one of its most amazing features. It gives it edge and personality and I can’t get over how gorgeous and icy the white and metal feel in this device. I raise my glass to whoever decided to come up with this color combination.
Have you seen the Nokia C7 Frosty Metal in person? Do you agree it’s one of the best designed “white” devices to date, or are you more interested in black and brown colors, despite/because they look bland?