FIRST IMPRESSIONS -- A PRELIMINARY USER REVIEW OF THE N95

[raymond42n]

I'm a cellphone junkie. I've used Samsungs (D500, D900), Motorolas (V3i and V3x), Sony Ericssons (P900, P910, P990, K600, K800, M600), O2 Mini and, of course Nokia (N9300, N70, N80, N90, N73, 6300). I'm sure you can get the specs of the N95 even from Wikipedia, so i will limit my comments by comparing the N95's features to the phones i've used in the past.

A. HARDWARE

1. Heft -- bulky (!), but not as big in the hand as the P990; not something you can be comfy putting in your back or front jeans pocket
2. Weight -- feels the same as the N73 or the M600, lighter than the 02 Mini. For some reason, you can't tell the difference in weight with the Nokia 6300 (which has a metal casing, 91g announced weight as compared to the N95's 120g)
3. Slide mechanism -- definitely better than the N80's because of the two raised channels on both sides. Still, there is a noticeable albeit slight waggle in the top slider. In comparison, the slider panel of the Samsung D500 and D900 are practically seamless, with almost no waggle. I'm no nitpicker, though. The waggle in the N95 can sometimes result in hitting/thumbing the wrong keys of the upper panel (NOT the keypad keys, which is rock solid). Finally, because of the double slide mechanism, it almost becomes mandatory that you protect the phone using the leather hardcase.
4. 3.5mm jack -- sweet! Nokia has apparently found a way to use the wire in 3rd party headphones as antennas; thus, one can now use your favorite 3rd party headphones without worrying about that annoying "Connect Headphone" message when you access the radio. Sound output is comparable to that coming from a PSP (i'm not an audiophile though, so take this with a grain of salt :P).
5. 5MP camera -- outstanding. Best output in good or bad lighting. The K800 has obviously a better flash, though. All things being equal, the camera renders the pocket point-and-shoot cams (up to 5MP) redundant. However, expect some shutter lag (though not as bad as a Samsung D500).
6. camera latch -- i personally prefer the N73's camera slider (which is superior to the N70's). It is easier to remember that your cam lens is still open with the N73's.
7. stereo speakers -- loud and acceptable. My ringtones could be heard above the din in a mall.
8. 2.6" screen -- brilliant and penetrating. However, the colors of the Samsung phones have better contrast and saturation.
9. key locations -- better than the N73.
10. keypad and multimedia keys (those when you slide the other way, hehe) -- good feel and tactile response, definitely less plasticky and more response than the N73 and N70.

B. Operating System
1. Accepts all applications (e.g. games), themes and ringtones for an N73 (both phones use Symbian 60 version 3).
2. Less lag in opening applications than the N73. Nokia/Symbian has obviously done something about processor speed.
3. Sniffs Wi-fi hotspots very quickly. NOTE that it has Wi-fi scanning on the mainscreen for easy access.
4. With wi-fi connection, it could browse the Web about twice as fast as the P990.
5. With 3G/HSDPA, 3G connection and downloading of webpages were lightning quick.
6. No GPS system in my country, so i can't give my opinion on this. In any case, the Philippine maps of the software (Smart2go) are quite rudimentary and, thus, practically useless for my purposes.

The only thing i find amusing so far is that the hard leather case looks like a leather cigarette case. It appears to be well-built with "NOKIA Nseries" depressed on the lower right corner. It is billfold-type, and snaps closed at the area where the phone charger is.

Will let you know about battery life in about 48 hours (enough for me to judge how long it will last, with constant use of texts, calls, games etc.)

My initial opinion? If: (i) you live in a country where GPS systems exist and can, thus, maximize the GPS software, or (ii) you are a person who prefers a phone that can replace your camera, then this 'multimedia computer' is a must-buy. Otherwise, considering its price vis-a-vis the current software's inability to do anything other than view (NOT edit) documents and spreadsheets, you would get better value for your money by getting an N73 loaded with the latest software update.

Hope i helped. :)

[pseudofinn]

Originally Posted by raymond42n

Hope i helped. :)

Definately. Infact, I'm think I might get one now. :P

Seriously though- nice comparison. Good to have these insights from a professed cellphone junkie. ;)

[salada2k]

Hmm I disagree about the 'heft'. I find the phone to be extrememly light for size and features. It's not a slim phone - but I dont find it uncomfortable... I guess its what youre used to/expecting from a phone. Although if they could cram the extensive list of features into a smaller package then that would be cool too!

Another thing, I dont understand why you cant use the FM radio with your 3rd party headphones - works fine for me?

[pseudofinn]

Are those wired headphones, or bluetooth you're using for the radio?

[Piesang]

Excellent Review. Now I'm even more convinced.

[raymond42n]

Yo salada2k,

Thanks for the comments, man.
I confirm that the radio WILL work even with 3rd party headphones. I had gotten used to Nokia utilizing their in-box headphones as antennas. Nokia has apparently now integrated an antenna inside the device, which allows users to secure their own headgear. I have amended my original post accordingly.

Further, for the kind of features that it provides, it definitely is a better alternative than the pocket PC's like HP, HTC/O2 and other touchscreen phones because it doesn't need 2 hands to get work done (aside from the faster processing speed). When i commented about heft, i was referring to overall dimensions. Unlike a Motorola V3 or Nokia 6300/6230 that you can comfortably keep in your front jeans pocket without worrying, this baby would be a lump in the pocket. I once put my N90 in my jeans pocket and, due to that camera that swivels, i damaged an internal part (and had to pay US$50 for repair, duhhh!). Ummm..... you guessed it, the N90 had to go, lol! So no, i wouldn't think of placing the N95 in my pocket unless it was in its hardcase.

Pseudo, i'll try to get my hands on a bluetooth headset and give you my take on it. However, since i had already mentioned that Nokia may have already placed the radio antenna internally, i can expect that radio service would work on 3rd party headgear.

Thanks again, guys, for the inputs. :)

[pseudofinn]

Originally Posted by raymond42n

Pseudo, i'll try to get my hands on a bluetooth headset and give you my take on it. However, since i had already mentioned that Nokia may have already placed the radio antenna internally, i can expect that radio service would work on 3rd party headgear.

Right, very good then. AAS reported that a pair of wired headphones need to be plugged in to act as the antenna, and claimed that bluetooth headphones don't work with the radio. Most Nokias that I've seen which have the FM tuning capabilities show the message "Attach an enhancement" or something of that sort when you access the function from the menu. It would be great to hear that the radio can be operated without a wire...

I mean, the thing can receive a freakin' signal from outerspace and tell me where I'm at, but can't get a signal from the radio station in town and play a **** ear shattering Justin Timberlake song?? What's that all about? :P

[Fudgey]

Originally Posted by pseudofinn

I mean, the thing can receive a freakin' signal from outerspace and tell me where I'm at, but can't get a signal from the radio station in town and play a **** ear shattering Justin Timberlake song?? What's that all about? :P

Surely not being able to play a Justin Timberlake song is an added advantage!?

[pseudofinn]

Indeed. I was just in a foul mood over the idea that we still can't listen to the radio on a **** thousand dollar device without pluggin in a fifty cent earbud- so I quoted foul music. 8)

[Fudgey]

Hehe

Fair enough. It doesn't really bother me as I never really listen to the radio anyway. Most of the radio stations in my area play utter tripe 95% of the time. I can see why it would annoy other people though, especially if they were trying to use nice new bluetooth headphones!