New guy need some advice on which phone to buy - N95-2, N95-4, or N96

[mcdonaldpd]

I currently have a 2G iPhone. It isn't a bad phone, but I am getting tired of the things it cannot do (stereo bluetooth, MMS, FM radio, flash, etc). I have only been researching these Nokia model for a few days. I've read a bunch of threads here and anything else I could find. I would like some advice on which model to buy between the N95-2, -4, and N96.

I live in an area in the Midwestern US where 3G isn't available, but I do travel to nearby cities that have 3G. My last phone before the iPhone had 3G, and it was nice to have when I was somewhere it was available.

Is one of the main differences between the N95-2 and -4 the fact that the N95-4 offers 3G access? If so, I don't know if paying the difference for the N95-4 is worth it. Are there any other differences between the two devices that make it worth the extra cost (battery life, extra functions, etc)?

The N96 looks really sharp. However, I don't know that it really offers anything over the N95 that I would use anyway. The TV function would be awesome if I lived in an area that supported it. So I am leaning toward purchasing one of the N95 models instead.

I want a phone that I can email, text (regular and MM), browse the web, listen to music and podcasts (via stereo bluetooth), watch TV shows and movies I have, play games, synch my calender with Outlook, and occassionally view/edit Word/Excel files with. I would also prefer something a little more open to customization than my iPhone.

The only two things I feel like I would be giving up with the iPhone is the qwerty keyboard that comes up on the screen and how easy it is to browse full webpages with the zoom and shrink function. I wish the N95/96 had a full keypad for texting or emailing. Does anyone miss that? How is browsing web pages on these phones?

Sorry for the long post. I really appreciate any feedback someone could give me as far as which phone I should buy, if I should wait for the prices to come down since the N96 just came out, and if these phone would meet all the needs I have listed. Thanks so much for your help and this great forum!

[Bartmanekul]

Thats difficult. Web browsing will definatly be a downer for you coming from the iphone, but it depends how much you miss the other features.

Everyone has a different expirence when using it for a purpose. Personally, I find web browsing fine, but I strongly recommend going into a mobile store and trying one for yourself.

Failing that, someone you know that might have one?

What would be your main uses for a phone (apart from the telephony, obviously)? List them in order of preferance, then everyone gets a good idea of what you need.

[Micky]

Welcome to the forums mcdonaldpd

I want a phone that I can email, text (regular and MM), browse the web, listen to music and podcasts (via stereo bluetooth), watch TV shows and movies I have, play games, synch my calender with Outlook, and occassionally view/edit Word/Excel files with. I would also prefer something a little more open to customization than my iPhone.

Does sound like you need an N95 in your life.

[mcdonaldpd]

Thanks for the replies!

The difference in webbrowsing and the lack of a qwerty keyboard does worry me.

Here is my list in order of importance:

Phone (duh :))
Email
Text
Music/Podcasts (would be nice to add stereo bluetooth)
Web
gaming
Video (movies,tv,etc)
calender synching with Outlook
Word/Excel file viewing/editting

I think I could handle the webpage differences because the most important pages I visit have mobile versions or apps to access your info (eBay, Google, Yahoo (fantasy sports, etc), AVSForum, eTrade)

Hopefully that list gives you an idea of what I use my phone for. Honestly, the iPhone is not bad at all for what I use it for, but I would like more access to apps and games instead of the list offered from Apple. I jailbroke my iPhone, but there really aren't that many better apps that Apple offers honestly. Thanks again for the help!

[giodelgado]

I would say wait for the N85, it will be better than the N95 series in my opinion, I am eagerly waiting for a Nseries qwerty or a touch/qwerty that has the featurest hat a N95 offers.

btw the Tmobile G1 looks what I want in terms of hardware but Nokia doesn't offer it.

[cambo]

yeah i also would wait for the n85 and i think the wait would be worth it

[TheLoz]

OP, when you say the N95-2, do you mean the N95-3 (the gray one)? The -2 wasn't released in the USA I don't think, as the -4 is the US version of the -2.

BTW, if the iPhone will run without a SIM, you could use this software on your new Nokia: Joiku - JoikuSpot Light to make your phone a mobile WLAN hotspot, and still use the iPhone's superior browser ;)

Other than that, I think you'd be best off with a NSeries phone. Like these guys said, the N85 looks very good indeed, but if you can't wait then I'd say go with the N95-4.

[tom_moran]

yes the n85 will be good but it has a smaller screen than the 8gb, that would be my choice if i were you.

and as far as your qwerty worries, i saw a roll up bluetooth qwerty keyboard the other day that was about 1/4 the size of a normal one

[tom_moran]

actually i think i may have found exactly what you need:
Nokia promo video spills the beans on business-minded Nokia E72 and E75 - GSMArena.com news

[Bartmanekul]

Im going to get so flamed here, but....


You might be better off sticking with the iphone.

Im always for someone having the correct phone for them, rather than what I think is the best out.

Looking at your list, you dont need any of the hardware the N series has over the iphone.

People mainly switch because of:

Camera

GPS (I know the new iphone has it, but nothing bar google maps currently available)

Video

Decent bluetooth support

etc etc


Personally, I reckon you should have a look at the apps for the things you want on Nokias side, and see reviews on them.

If you really cannot live without MMS and the stereo BT support, a move mght be wise.

Personally, Id find using a keypad *much* quicker than any touch screen qwerty.

Considering you want a large screen, the only other Nokia I could suggest is the E90.