We found the Qwerty keyboard action heavier and not quite as springily responsive as the regular numberpad; however, while it's not built for speed touch-typing, it does the job well enough for such a compact design - we felt comfortable using it to compose messages at a decent lick.

Messaging is of course one of the core elements of the E75, and it is equipped with a fine set of email connectivity options. It supports both corporate email, using Microsoft Office Outlook, Mail for Exchange or Intellisync, and internet-based POP3 and IMAP services, such as Google Mail and Yahoo! Mail, and allows remote synchronisation and management of server email accounts.

It's easy to set up and use email, using a home screen wizard, with Nokia Messaging service allowing you to access multiple web-based email accounts. HTML email support enables you to view web content in emails, while MS Office documents sent as attachments can be viewed, edited and sent too, using pre-loaded Quick office software.

The email user interface is pleasingly intuitive, with drop down menus for selecting email folders and viewing categories. Sideways viewing with the keyboard out also provides an easier on the eye way to browse and respond to emails. It's nicely integrated into the phone, too, with the dedicated Email button accessing lists of messages with a single press.

The E75's S60 browser is an effective way to get around full web sites. It supports Flash, and offers the usual Mini Map page overviews and navigation options. Running on HSDPA or Wi-Fi – a breeze to set up – you can get fast online connectivity from the device.

The user interface is reasonable rather than slick – selecting options is standard mobile fare rather than iPhone-esque smooth. Downloading content is fast too, with video or audio files zipping through in seconds.

Other key features have been neatly organised in the main menu, providing a coherent way to find and work the features, applications or adjust any settings you want to. Eseries business-friendly organiser functionality is comprehensively implemented, with an assortment of apps – including calendar, notes, active notes, convertor and calculator, voice memo, Quick office and PDF document readers, and a dictionary function. Instant messaging is also supported.

Another potentially useful feature pre-loaded is Files on Ovi, an app that enables you to connect to your PC over the air and remotely access its content, including images, music and other files, which you can also send to others using the app on the handset. Naturally remote or local synchronisation of data is also part of the Eseries deal.

With A-GPS tech and Nokia Maps pre-loaded on the supplied 4GB MicroSD memory card, the E75 can be used for precise location finding, route planning and searching for local points of interest. The A-GPS is quick to lock on to satellites, and the mapping application does the job very well. Users can subscribe to other add-on services too.

For Sat Nav functionality, the E75 comes with voice guided turn-by-turn navigation, supplied for a three-month trial period. This gives a decent show of Sat Nav on a smartphone, though its smaller screen isn't quite as easy to read in-car as a dedicated Sat Nav set up. Still, it's a welcome extra to have in a handset like this.

Despite its business appeal, the E75 isn't just a no-fun phone for the serious-minded.

In the Applications folder, there are a hefty bunch of features to run through, including a spread of fine media functions.