N96 from T-Mobile - any joy?

[megaboost]

I'm due to renew with T-Mobile this month, my 18 months with the 95-1 is coming to an end, so I thought I'd opt for the N96 and keep the N95 as a backup in case there are any niggles.

Called up yesterday to see if I can preorder but no joy, they still say they have no release date due to software bugs and haven't got any pricing yet.

In the past I've always been fairly late to adopt a new phone but with the N95 I picked it up on release day, it's worked out that I should be able to do the same with the N96 which is kind of nice.

Just curious really - those of you who have been through this before, do T-Mobile ever let you order before a phone comes out? I guess each release is different but you know what it's like, you get an idea in your head and then you want your new gadget asap :)

The chap on the phone was really helpful and has agreed to call me if there is any news at all, this was after he tried to tell me I should just get the 8GB though

Anyone else harassing their provider about an N96 already? Are the other network providers adopting the same stance?

[dtm]

I heard the launch of it was delayed anyway!

I wonder what price plan they would offer it on anyway probably £60 a month of something daft like that! Its £50 a month for the 8GB which is a year old. I was due a upgrade and asked about the N95 8GB they said it would cost me £40 a month and £150 for the handset... I told them where to go and went to the Vodafone store and got the 8GB for £35 a month (600 mins, unlimitied texts and 500mb internet) and didnt pay a dime for the phone. Im waiting for the N85 rather than the N96.

You could however just wait for it to become available then upgrade you aint forced to upgrade straight away.

On play.com it states..

Due for release on 05/10/2008

[megaboost]

Yeah, I'm just putting my feet up and waiting to see what happens, I'm still not 100% decided on the N96 but it's my primary choice at the moment based on various things - someone might bring out an alternative that wows me in the meantime :)

[Moz]

The date of shipping to the UK is October 1st. It normally takes UK Operators arond 10-14 days to geet these in stock and up on updated tariffs.

Out of interest, what interests you about this phone over the N85 ?

[megaboost]

Originally Posted by IJM

Out of interest, what interests you about this phone over the N85 ?

It's 11 better! ;)

Seriously... to be honest I haven't really looked at the N85 in any detail, the N96 drew me in with the lure of all that storage, I need an MP3 player and saw it as a way of getting most of my collection on a device that I'll always have with me rather than carrying two around.

I'm a bit of a sucker for the gimmick of the TV side of it (which I already know will probably suck), the kickstand is a welcome addition (but could be replaced with a piece of cheese or a keyring to get the same effect), the .2" extra screen maybe nice (I doubt I'd notice it)... I'm clutching at straws to be honest.

Aside from the storage there doesn't seem to be much in it now I've looked... apart from it being 11 better of course ;)

More research needed I suspect, thanks for highlighting this.

[Bartmanekul]

The TV will indeed suck, since it doesnt work in the UK.

I have to voice how amazed I am again, at the fact they didnt release another version with a different DVB receiver for the UK.

[Moz]

Here is some facts for you.

Both cameras have the same running system. Camera, and Wifi programs.

N96 is 32g heavier, but has 16GB on board memory storage.and a micro SD swap for a further 16GB - Maybe 32GB

N85 as 70 MB onboard memory storage, and a micro SD swap for a further 16GB - Maybe 32GB

N96 is thicker, wider, longer than the N85

The N96 has a 900mAH Battery, which is the same as the N95-1 Which is poor. The N85 has a 1200mAH which is used by the N95-2 and other N series devices.

The N96 has a DVB-T tuner for freeview, this is not working in the UK till 2012.

Instead the N85 has a FM Transmitter.

The N96 has NO 3d graphics acceleration chip for gaming like the N95 does. The N85 has this included as standard.

The N85 uses a OLED type or screen, it's brighter, clearer, sharper and used 20-30% less battery than the standard LCD the N96 has. Comparison HERE

The N96 will be more expensive on any Sim Free website, and also more expensive on a Contract with a provider.

That's the main differences.

Now obviously it's your choice, but I hate for people not to know the alternatives before you nose dive into it :)

[Bartmanekul]

Also worth mentioning that the N85 has a lenscover, to some its important.

The N96 does not.

The N85 also supports charging by USB (natively, rather than buying a cable).

The N96 AFAIK does not.

[Moz]

Buggar! , I knew I forgot something. :)

[megaboost]

Cheers :)

I'm starting to feel converted to the N85, the more I read, the more sense it makes. I do like a lens cover!

The Nokia site suggests a max memory card size of 8GB though.