I’ve never been a big fan of Eseries. The devices just never did it for me. But when I had one thrust in my hand yesterday (on loan!) I couldn’t resist giving it a go. 24 hours in and I have to say I’m pretty impressed.

The first hurdle any phone has to jump before it lands in my pocket is Mac syncing. A quick search last night revealed that not Nokia, but Mactomster, had already come up with the goods - an iSync plugin with support for the E71. It worked flawlessly and I was synced and ready to go faster than when I went through the same ritual with my N95 a year ago.

Setting up mail was described at Monday’s launch as being really simple. Another thing I’ve struggled a bit with before (though with some fettling the N95 did comply) but the E71 has it licked. Even our obscure “work” email took four bits of info to get it working. Initial settings I’d chosen meant sending didn’t work but a quick fiddle sorted it. Gmail, by comparison was distressingly simple. Username, password, connect. Done. Genius, or about time, depending on how you look at it.

There’s no denying the E71 is stunning. Checking mail in Clapham Junction at lunchtime attracted the attention of a guy standing next to me. He thought it looked “boss”, which I believe is a complement. He wanted one, though thankfully not mine. It’s light in the pocket, despite it’s weight, and the feel is just right - I’m actually finding it hard not to find reasons to touch it. And the chrome - oh, the chrome. Lush.

I still don’t understand why, but my preference for Google Maps over Nokia Maps is still there so that’s been my only app install so far. It works flawlessly, as you’d expect, picking up my location in a couple of seconds rather than the time-wasting wait included with Nokia Maps.

The one thing that stands out for me though, is the speed. It’s rocket fast. Bouncing round menus, opening and closing apps, and that neat function of typing someone’s name from the homescreen (to make a call) all make for an ultra efficient handset. It makes my N95 look like a turgid, slow old donkey. And that’s with the latest firmware (though to be fair it’s over a year old now, so getting on a bit).

So now it has a place in my pocket, will it get to keep it? Given my relative lack of interest in all things media (music and film) and total reliance on email, web and maps, I really can’t see myself going back to the N95 anytime soon. In fact, probably not at all. Yes, the E71 is that good. And, when this one eventually goes back, I might even buy myself one.