So I've decided on the N95...

[Boba Fettuccine]

First of all, thanks to all who participate in this forum. The information I have gathered after just a couple of hours here has saved me tons of time, money, and potential headaches. To think that I was shopping for N95s on Ebay...

Most of my friends are getting Iphones and I am super jealous of the cool apps and 3G internet, but after doing some basic math I have come to realize that the phone with a 2 year contract will, in the end, come out to $2359 before tax... not ideal. While perusing the cellphone shack on Something Awful I came upon a little gem known as the Nokia N95. The N95 seems to be a worthy competitor to the Iphone... but the lack of a super binding contract pushes it way over the top for me.

I have a few basic questions:

1.What is the difference between the N95-3 and the N95-4? Jkoppee's N95 FAQ wasn't too specific about the difference. Will I be able to use a data plan from AT&T with the N95-4 and be able to access the 3G network?

2.Does the N95 support microSD cards? Jkoppee's guide says it does, but I was under the impression that memory expansion slots were a tell-tale sign of a clone.

3. Will the N95 be mostly functional on the AT&T network(meaning, will there be alot of apps that I won't be able to use)?

4. Any recommendatons on where to purchase one from? Newgg.com has N95 8G's for $450. Sound resonable?

Apologies if the questions are asinine. I just don't want to wind up with a $450 dollar paperweight. Any other advice for a newbie would be welcomed.

[Sp00k]

Glad you found the information on here to be useful... I can't answer any of your US-relevant questions but I can say that although it may lack the eye-candy appeal of the iPhone, you'll find that the N95 is infinitely more capable!

As a small example, by installing a free program called joikuspot, one member on here enabled his N95 as a localised WiFi hot-spot, he then told his iPhone-owning friend to search for a WiFi signal and whilst his friend was excitedly saying that he'd found a new open source, blew him away by explaining that his N95 was the source of the new hot-spot! ;)

[kbayer]

Lots of good info as well as the difference between the various models... Nokia N95 - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Check Amazon pricing and reviews as well... That's where I got mine, with the 30 day return policy, can't go wrong... http://www.amazon.com/Nokia-Unlocked...6510908&sr=8-1

[Boba Fettuccine]

Originally Posted by sp00k

As a small example, by installing a free program called joikuspot, one member on here enabled his N95 as a localised WiFi hot-spot, he then told his iPhone-owning friend to search for a WiFi signal and whilst his friend was excitedly saying that he'd found a new open source, blew him away by explaining that his N95 was the source of the new hot-spot! ;)

Haha, this is awesome. I seriously can't wait to get one.

Originally Posted by kbayer

Lots of good info as well as the difference between the various models... Nokia N95 - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Check Amazon pricing and reviews as well... That's where I got mine, with the 30 day return policy, can't go wrong... Amazon.com: Nokia N95 8 GB Unlocked Cell Phone with 5 MP Camera, 3G, GPS, Media Player--U.S. Version with Warranty (Black): Cell Phones & Service

Thanks alot, kbayer! Both links are valuable to a newbie.

Can anyone testify as to how well the N95 works with AT&T's 3G data network?

[david c]

You are making the right decision getting the N95.
You can tailor it to your own needs,keep it updated with firmware upgrades and take advantage of all this info on this great site.

[93tid]

Originally Posted by Boba Fettuccine

I have a few basic questions:

1.What is the difference between the N95-3 and the N95-4? Jkoppee's N95 FAQ wasn't too specific about the difference. Will I be able to use a data plan from AT&T with the N95-4 and be able to access the 3G network?

2.Does the N95 support microSD cards? Jkoppee's guide says it does, but I was under the impression that memory expansion slots were a tell-tale sign of a clone.

3. Will the N95 be mostly functional on the AT&T network(meaning, will there be alot of apps that I won't be able to use)?

4. Any recommendatons on where to purchase one from? Newgg.com has N95 8G's for $450. Sound resonable?

1 & 2. N95-3 has slightly smaller screen (2.6"), has a microSD slot for memory cards and has no built-in mass memory. N95-4 has the larger 2.8" screen and 8GB of built-in memory, no card slot. They should both support 3G on AT&T.

3. Most third-party apps are not network-dependent.

4. Not familiar with US market, so someone else will have to cover that one.

[aubie96]

My N95-3 is getting delivered tomorrow and I believe it works just fine on AT&T network.

I wanted to say that from a price point, you will get the N95-3 for about 325 (I got mine for 299 last week) while you might have to shell out 450 for N95-4 (the 8GB version). My rationale was that I can always use a 16GB SD card which I believe is working for quite a few folks as opposed to getting limited to 8GB if I were to go for N95-4.

Will be soaking up more from these forums once I get a chance to charge that phone and play with it.

UPDATE: Just found this deal. Maybe it might help you in your decision.
http://www.adorama.com/NON85CO.html?...36563643400762

[Boba Fettuccine]

Originally Posted by aubie96

My N95-3 is getting delivered tomorrow and I believe it works just fine on AT&T network.

I wanted to say that from a price point, you will get the N95-3 for about 325 (I got mine for 299 last week) while you might have to shell out 450 for N95-4 (the 8GB version). My rationale was that I can always use a 16GB SD card which I believe is working for quite a few folks as opposed to getting limited to 8GB if I were to go for N95-4.

Will be soaking up more from these forums once I get a chance to charge that phone and play with it.

UPDATE: Just found this deal. Maybe it might help you in your decision.
002J601 Nokia N85 Unlocked Cellular Phone with GSM Technology, USA Version, Copper

Thanks a million! That is quite the deal. Now I have to decide between the N95-3 and the N95-4... quite the decision indeed. Whilst browsing the forums, I saw that Sandisk are working on 32gb microSD cards. That would be quite interesting to have that much memory on my phone.

Definitely let me know how you like your new N95-3, aubie. Are you completely new to the n95? If so I would be interested to about your experience. Other than the microSD slot, were there any other factors that swayed you to the N95-3??

[GSMGuy]

Not sure if the phone will support 32gb card tbh....

I loved my N95-8gb, dare I say it, more than my new N96....

Mike

[aubie96]

I am true newbie wrt N95 and eagerly tracking its progress via UPS.

Will post my feedback (if it really counts ie) once I get to play with it for a couple of days.

The price factor was also big for me going to a N95-3 in addition to the flexibility of upping my memory at will and not being constrained to 8GB. I also travel international at times and wanted to make sure this US version of N95-4 does not affect my usage outside of country. Maybe I am paranoid but I just did not want to take a chance.

Good luck with your decision.