Hi All! This is my first post so I hope I don’t do too badly! Here goes (with encouragement from James!)
The Nokia N78 has a controversial keypad design that may take time for people to get used to. When we first received the device we were unsure about how usable the keys would be and how easy they would be to adapt to.
The N82’s keypad was strange to use for the first time but then when I was used to it, after a short space of time, it became easier. When I first saw the N78 I hoped that this would also be the case…
When the device is switched off, no keys are visible, this makes it look sleek and very flat. They do say black is slimming! 
The number pad itself consists of four solid horizontal bars - they aren’t defined in any way. When you are using the numbers, I think they are a little too close together to comfortably be able to use it. I wondered how easy the N82’s keypad would be, but they are spaced out enough so that you do not end up pressing an unwanted button. As the buttons aren’t defined on the N78, you may go too far over on the horizontal bars without looking and accidentally press another key. Over the couple of days I have used the N78, I have managed to get used to where I need to be positioned to get the desired key. You do begin to remember how little you need to move to get to the next line of keys.
With the rest of the keypad, everything is on the one level and they are spaced out enough to be able to access them easily. The only problem here is there is even less definition of the keys because they are not raised and are all on one piece.
Overall, I think that this device is one of those that you will need to adapt to (and it doesn’t take long) but when you do you shouldn’t have many problems from there. Each of the keys give a good enough feedback and there is a satisfying click once pressed. If you are a heavy texter, or have larger fingers (with the greatest of respects), this device probably isn’t for you!
The D-Pad is easy to use although I feel that if the silver surround was a bit wider, it would make it easier still. Sometimes when in the menu and you press the left or right key with the NaviWheel activated, you sometimes move past the menu item that you wanted. However, I think that the sensitivity of the NaviWheel, when I do use it, is good and you can navigate through lists and menus quickly and easily. I feel that it has been implemented a lot better than the N81; it can be used in a lot more areas of the OS and the sensitivity is much better.
Moving onto the multimedia key, I wonder if it would be better if it was raised very slightly further than it is. There is a lot more space around the key so this reduces the chances that you are going to hit it by accident and bring up the multimedia menu when it is not wanted. This is mostly due to the ‘C’ key being at the bottom right of the keypad.
What do you think about the N78’s keypad and how do you think it could be improved?
Hope this wasn’t too painful to read!
Filed under: Technology | Tagged: Review
Good job for a first time reviewer Tash!
I own an n82 and yea the keypad wasn’t very good but got used to it now.
Tried my mate’s n78 it was way worse than the 82.
It just doesn’t seem like a keypad
I have two n78 and both of them have a same problem!
sometimes when I want to use the dial key,left selection key works instead of that and there is no way in order to use that key except that I have to lock the key board and open it again to solve the problem!
I don’t know whether it’s a software problem for this kind of cellphone or a hardware problem.
My problem with this cellphone is just this problem but unfortunately,It’s a serious problem.