HMD Global, the Finnish company that now produces Nokia-branded phones, has been on a journey of rediscovery. After several years of producing standard Android smartphones with varying degrees of success, the company has found its strongest footing when connecting to its historical roots. The Nokia E73 represents the culmination of this strategy—a device that honors the beloved E-series business phones while thoroughly modernizing the concept.
“We’ve been listening to our users who miss certain aspects of mobile phones from the past,” explains Mira Kantola, HMD Global’s Head of Product Development. “The tactile satisfaction, the reliability, the focus on communication first. But nobody wants to give up the capabilities of a modern smartphone. The E73 is our answer to that challenge.”
Nokia E73 phone Design
The E73’s design immediately evokes memories of Nokia’s business-focused E-series, particularly the E71 and E72 models that gained popularity in the late 2000s. The device features a compact chassis with a premium feel—aircraft-grade aluminum frame with a slightly textured back panel that improves grip without collecting fingerprints.
At just 10.8mm thick, the E73 is certainly not the thinnest phone on the market, but its slimness wasn’t the design priority. Instead, the slightly thicker profile accommodates a physical QWERTY keyboard that slides out from beneath the touchscreen. This keyboard includes backlit keys with surprisingly satisfying travel distance—a far cry from the flat, membrane-style keyboards often found on modern attempts at physical keyboard phones.
The 4.5-inch AMOLED display might seem small by today’s standards, but it’s perfectly suited to one-handed use. With a 1080p resolution, the screen delivers excellent clarity and vibrant colors without unnecessarily draining the battery. The display is protected by Corning Gorilla Glass Victus 3 and maintains good visibility even in bright sunlight.
Nokia E73 phone Performance
Under the hood, the Nokia E73 runs on a customized version of Android 16, powered by a Qualcomm Snapdragon 7s Gen 3 processor. This isn’t the absolute top-tier chipset on the market, but it provides more than enough power for the phone’s intended use cases while maintaining excellent energy efficiency.
The device comes with 8GB of RAM and 256GB of storage, expandable via microSD up to 1TB. While these specifications won’t impress hardcore mobile gamers, they’re more than sufficient for productivity tasks, communication, media consumption, and even moderate gaming.
What sets the E73 apart from competitors is its software approach. HMD Global has created a custom productivity-focused overlay called “BusinessSuite” that works alongside stock Android. This interface offers enhanced multitasking capabilities, robust security features, and optimized applications designed specifically for the physical keyboard.
Nokia E73 phone The Keyboard Advantage
The sliding QWERTY keyboard is undoubtedly the E73’s defining feature. In an era when virtual keyboards have become the unquestioned standard, Nokia has created a compelling case for physical keys. The keyboard is thoughtfully designed with slightly domed keys that provide excellent tactile feedback. Each key is individually backlit, making typing in low-light conditions effortless.
Beyond the standard QWERTY layout, the keyboard includes dedicated function keys for quick access to common tasks. Users can customize these keys to launch specific applications or perform complex actions. The keyboard also supports gesture controls—sliding a finger across the keys can scroll through documents or webpages without touching the screen.
For professionals who spend significant time writing emails, documents, or code, the physical keyboard represents a genuine productivity advantage over touchscreen alternatives. Early users report significantly faster typing speeds and fewer errors compared to virtual keyboards.
Nokia E73 phone Camera System
The Nokia E73 doesn’t attempt to compete with camera-focused flagships, but it still delivers a capable photography experience. The main camera system consists of a 50MP primary sensor with optical image stabilization, a 12MP ultrawide lens, and a 5MP macro camera.
Image quality is excellent in good lighting conditions and respectable in challenging environments. Nokia has focused on computational photography algorithms that deliver consistent, natural-looking images rather than the over-processed look that some competitors prefer. Portrait mode performs particularly well, with accurate edge detection and pleasing background blur.
The front-facing camera is a 16MP unit that produces sharp, detailed selfies and works reliably for video calls. The camera app includes a “Professional Mode” that gives users manual control over exposure settings, while the standard mode offers intelligent scene detection and optimization.
Nokia E73 phone Battery Life
One area where the E73 truly excels is battery life. The device houses a 4,800mAh battery that, combined with the efficient processor and modestly sized display, delivers exceptional endurance. Most users report easily getting through two full days of moderate use on a single charge, with some stretching to three days with lighter usage.
The phone supports 33W wired charging, which can fill the battery from empty to 60% in about 30 minutes. Wireless charging is also supported at 15W, though naturally at a slower pace than wired options.
Nokia has included intelligent battery management features that learn from usage patterns to optimize power consumption. Background processes are aggressively managed to prevent unnecessary drain, and the system will suggest adjustments to help extend battery life further when needed.
Nokia E73 phone Connectivity and Business Features
As a business-focused device, the E73 excels in connectivity options. It supports 5G networks, Wi-Fi 7, Bluetooth 5.3, and NFC. The phone includes dual SIM support, allowing users to maintain separate personal and work numbers on a single device.
Security features are particularly robust, with a side-mounted fingerprint sensor, face recognition, and advanced encryption for sensitive data. The phone comes with Nokia’s “Business Vault” feature, which creates an isolated environment for work applications with additional security layers.
For enterprise customers, HMD Global offers enhanced support options and management tools that make deploying and maintaining multiple devices significantly easier for IT departments.
Nokia E73 phone Software
The custom BusinessSuite interface enhances Android 16 without overwhelming it. The launcher emphasizes quick access to productivity tools, with customizable widgets for calendar events, tasks, and communication.
Nokia has also developed several proprietary applications optimized for the physical keyboard. “Notes Pro” is particularly impressive, offering advanced formatting options and seamless synchronization with popular cloud services. “Mail Commander” provides a powerful email client with keyboard shortcuts that make managing large inboxes significantly more efficient.
HMD Global promises three years of major Android updates and five years of security patches for the E73, demonstrating a commitment to long-term support that business users particularly value.
Nokia E73 phone Market Position and Price
The Nokia E73 occupies an interesting position in the market. At $699, it’s priced below premium flagships but above mid-range devices. This pricing reflects its specialized nature—it’s not trying to be everything to everyone but instead focuses on delivering exceptional value to its target audience.
The primary market for the E73 is business professionals who prioritize productivity, communication, and reliability over gaming performance or camera capabilities. Secondary markets include privacy-conscious consumers, physical keyboard enthusiasts, and longtime Nokia fans who appreciate the brand’s distinctive approach.
Nokia E73 phone
The Nokia E73 represents a refreshing departure from the homogeneous smartphone market. Rather than chasing the same features and design elements as every other manufacturer, HMD Global has created a device with a clear purpose and identity.
The physical keyboard won’t appeal to everyone, but for those who value tactile typing, the E73 offers an experience unmatched by any other modern smartphone. Combined with thoughtful software optimizations, excellent battery life, and robust build quality, it makes a compelling case for its existence.