Average Reviews:
(More customer reviews)Beware that this is lengthy! I figure that if you consider spending several hundred dollars on a phone, the more information the better. :)
The first thing to get straight about this phone is that it is not about form, but function. It is not the slimmest or sexiest phone out there, nor does it have the most awe-inspiring user interface compared to the likes of the iPhone. On the other hand, it has every capability that you will find on any phone these days:
* A 5MP camera with autofocus, LED flash, and VGA video recording, Carl Zeiss lens, and a 1/2.5" CCD (same as in most compact digital cameras). Various shooting modes (macro, night, night portrait, sports, etc...), ISO control, flash control w/red-eye reduction. Immediately send pictures via bluetooth, email, MMS, etc.
* GPS with Nokia Maps application and optional voice navigation. Various third party applications (e.g. Google Maps for S60) support its built-in GPS as well.
* 3.5G (HSDPA) connectivity (see note about models below), This gives clearer voice and much faster data downloads (theoretically up to 3.5 Mbps; in practice I have seen from 900 Kbps to about 2.2 Mbps, depending on location and time of day).
* WiFi (802.11g) with WEP, WPA/WPA2, and EAP/802.1x authentication (for corporate environments)
* Support for nearly every Bluetooh profile in existence: A2DP for stereo audio, DUN for tethering the phone's internet connection with a laptop (for on-the road use), OBEX to send/receive files and browse the internal filesystem from a computer.
* 3.5mm headset jack, infrared port w/send/receive utility, FM tuner.
* "Dual slider" design: Slide display up to reveal numeric keypad; and down to reveal four multimedia buttons (Play/Pause, stop, rewind, fast forward). Sliding it down also changes the display orientation from portrait to landscape; sliding it up switches it back.
* Symbian S60 smartphone OS: In addition to thousands of available generic Java (J2ME) mobile applications, there are also nearly an equal number of native applications that can access additional functionality/hardware on the phone (for instance, there is one that uses the built-in accelerometer to control your computer's mouse cursor by simply tilting the phone, and another one that uses the built-in GPS to "geotag" pictures with your location as you use the camera).
* Built-in applictions include QuickOffice to read Microsoft Office files (DOC, PPT, XLS), Adobe Acrobat Lite reader (PDF), RealPlayer (most media files/streams), home screen "Search" applet to search the Internet and local content, various organizer apps (clock w/unlimited alarms, phonebook with unlimited entries, calendar w/unlimited meetings, todos, memos, reminders..), calculator, unit converter -- you get the picture. Notably absent, though, is a Timer/Stopwatch application; however you can easily download a third party one (e.g. from Smartphoneware).
* Other S60-specific applications include Nokia's Internet Radio to stream live radio streams, "RotateMe" to automatically rotate the screen depending on your phone orientation, "Fring" mobile Skype/AIM/MSN/Google Talk/etc.. client, Google Maps with GPS support, Google home screen search applet, Mobile Weather app, "ExtGPS" to share the internal GPS information over bluetooth (e.g. to the Nokia N800 Internet Tablet), YouTube player, emTube (also for YouTube access), etc.
* One of the best mobile web browsers out there. Based on AppleWebKit (a.k.a. KTML, the web engine used in the likes of Apple Safari and KDE Konqueror), it renders web pages "as they were meant to be". And unlike that other phone that claims to do the same, the N95 also has a built-in Flash Lite player - so web pages that use flash will work as well. Plus, you are of course free to download and use other browsers, such as the excellent, super-fast and bandwidth-saving Opera Mini (operamini.com).
* Mail client with POP-3 and IMAP support (including IMAP-IDLE, a.k.a. "push mail"; alternatively it can poll at specified intervals).
* Mac OS X users: Although the phone does not come with bundled software for Mac OS X, you can download "Nokia Multimedia Transfer" (to synchronize photos and music with iPhoto and iTunes) and an iSync plugin (to synchronize the address book, calendar, todo etc) with your Mac - both from Nokia's web site. Also, setting up your Mac to access the Internet via the phone (providing that you have a data plan, e.g. the $15/month "MEdia Net Unlimited" from AT&T) is super-easy: When you first pair with the phone, the needed WAP/APN information is pulled automatically from your Phone's SIM card. (Ironically, this works for nearly every phone, except Apple's own iPhone; this one has a very crippled bluetooth stack, and does also not support tethering). UPDATE: I've learned that such tethering violates AT&T's Terms of Service. Moreover, there are no plans available for this phone (or most others) from AT&T that specifically allow tethering. If you do so anyway, stay under the radar, and don't abuse it - e.g. by using your cellular data plan as your main internet service. MODELS:
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There are 5 subflavors of the N95 released to date:
* The original N95 (a.k.a. N95-1, a.k.a. RM-159) targeted mainly the European and Asian markets; while it had quad-band GSM (2G) support for use in nearly every country, including the USA, it had support only for the international W-CDMA (UMTS/HSDPA, a.k.a. 3G/3.5G) frequency (commonly referred to as UMTS-2100). Nonetheless, this phone was later made available for retail in the USA as well, through Nokia's flagship stores, online site, and 3rd party retailers. It had manual shutter lens protection (you would slide it open to start the camera), 64MB of runtime/dynamic memory (RAM), and a 900 mAh battery. Common complaints about this phone was that it would often run out of memory when several applications were open, and that the battery life was too short.
* The N95-2 (a.k.a. "N95 8GB", a.k.a. RM-320) increased the screen size from 2.6" to 2.8" (diagonal), increased RAM from 64MB to 128MB, increased the battery size from 900 mAh to 1200 mAh, removed the slider mechanism for opening the camera lens, replaced the µSDHC card slot with 8GB of internal flash, and replaced the silver faceplate with an all-black design. However, the bands supported were the same: W-CDMA 2100MHz, GSM 850/900/1800/1900 MHz - so although it will work fine with both AT&T Wireless, T-Mobile USA and Rogers, it does not support 3G/3.5G network speeds in North America. Nonetheless, as with the N95-1, Nokia has sold this phone in North America as well until just a few weeks ago; so possibly, this is the phone sold here (Unfortunately, Nokia's own sales channels do not normally make this distinction, and Amazon's product description is also somewhat lacking). UPDATE: As the product description now clearly says, this is the N95-4 (a.k.a. N95 8GB NAM) model.
* The N95-3 (a.k.a. "N95 NAM", RM-160) is the first model targeted for North America. Most of the exterior design is similar to the N95-1 (Silver faceplate, 2.6" screen, µSDHC slot), but like the N95-2, it has 128MB of RAM, a 1200 mAh battery, and no manual slider for the camera shutter. The main reason for its existence is that it swapped the original UMTS-2100 (WCDMA) frequency for UMTS-850 and UMTS-1900, so that it would work with AT&T Wireless's 3G/3.5G network. Until just a few days/weeks ago, this would have been the "best" choice for US customers.
* The N95-4 (a.k.a. "N95 8GB NAM", RM-421) is identical to the N95-2, except that like the N95-3, it swaps UMTS-2100 for UMTS-850/1900. It was released just a couple of weeks ago, though, so if Amazon got their inventory of "n95 8gb" devices from Nokia prior to this, it would have been the N95-2 rather than the N95-4. (The exterior and labeling of both is the same). Also, the firmware revision numbers are different, so some utilities (like the "Nokia Multimedia Transfer" application and iSync plugin for Mac OS X) do not yet recognize this phone. UPDATE: The N95-4 is now fully supported by most applications, including Nokia Multimeda Transfer and iSync plugin.* The N95-5 is for Japan; it is a stripped-down version of the N95-1 (e.g. no WiFi). UPDATE: As someone commented below, it is actually for China.COMPARED WITH OTHER PHONES:
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N95 vs. iPhone
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This is almost an irrational comparison, given how different these devices are:
* The iPhone is almost entirely about "sex appeal": Polished, slim, with a large screen for viewing content, multi-touch user interface (we've all seen how to zoom in and out using finger pinches, do inertial scrolling through a list of contacts, etc). As such, it is very big on "usability". The N95 is not even a touch-screen device. (Personally I actually prefer "hard" keys w/tactile feedback; having used the touch-screen based Motorola A1200 MING in the past. Touch screens are not very good for, for example, dialing a number without looking at the screen).
* The iPhone feature set is, at best, mediocre. Yes, it has WiFi - so does a lot of other phones. Yes, it has a "WYSIWYG" web browser; again, so do so many others (including the 3-year old Motorola A1200 MING, another touch-screen phone by the way). However, it lacks: 3G support, GPS, Infrared, FM Radio, decent camera functionality (no flash, video recording, etc), 3rd party application support (e.g. no...Read more›
Click Here to see more reviews about: Nokia N95-4 8 GB Unlocked Phone with 5 MP Camera, 3G, Wi-Fi, GPS, and Media Player--U.S. Version with Warranty (Black)
Combining a cell phone, GPS receiver, digital camera/camcorder, digital audio player, and PDA into an all-in-one multimedia computer/phone, the stylish Nokia N95 features a unique 2-way slide design for easy switching between telephony, entertainment, and Web browsing. The quad-band Nokia N95 GSM/EDGE phone is also ready to run on 3G networks here in the US (850/1900 MHz UMTS/HSDPA), enabling fast downloads and streaming multimedia while on the go. It also includes integrated Wi-Fi connectivity (802.11b/g) for accessing open networks at work, at home, and on the road from a variety of wireless hotspots.
It's based on S60 software operating on the Symbian OS, enabling you to personalize the N95 by choosing from a wide choice of compatible applications that can be downloaded--including games, navigation, entertainment, and productivity titles. This version of the Nokia N95 (model N95-4) has an internal 8 GB memory, and it doesn't include a MicroSD expansion slot.
This unlocked cell phone can be used with a GSM network service provider and it provides quad-band connectivity (850 MHz, 900 MHz, 1800 MHz, 1900 MHz). It does not come with a SIM card, and it requires that you provide a SIM card for usage with your selected service provider.
Phone Features The innovative 2-way slide concept makes it easy to switch between different modes, going from reading maps to watching a video with a simple slide. A numeric keypad slides out from one end of the device while dedicated media keys slide out from the opposite direction, converting the display into full screen landscape mode.
With the Carl Zeiss optics on the 5-megapixel camera, you can capture print quality photos and DVD-like quality video clips. Carl Zeiss, a world leader in high quality camera lenses, brings an award-winning legacy to the Nokia N95 with state-of-the-art optics for mobile photography and mobile video. The Zeiss name has been associated with cameras from Hasselblad, Rollei, Yashica, Sony, and Nikon.
The Nokia N95 actually has two cameras, a high resolution camera on the back of the device (the main camera in landscape mode) and a lower resolution camera on the front (CIF resolution, 352 x 288). The main camera on the back of the N95 supports an image capture resolution of 2592 x 1944 pixels. (Note that the low-resolution camera on the front can provide two-way video calling; however, at this time no U.S. carrier offers this service.) You can use both cameras to take still pictures and record videos. Images are saved as JPEG files while videos are recorded in the MPEG-4 file format with the .mp4 file extension, or in the 3GPP file format with the .3gp file extension (sharing quality). Photos and video clips can be enjoyed on a compatible television thanks to the device's TV out feature and support for Universal Plug and Play (UPnP) technology.
With instant access to the Internet, sharing life experiences with the world by uploading pictures and videos directly to popular picture sharing and blogging sites is quick and easy. The N95 includes software for uploading images directly to the Flickr.com website, one of the world's most popular photo communities, which allows you to share pics with friends and family, send photos directly to your blog, or simply organize and store.
Aspiring photographers and film makers don't have to stop at just capturing stunning images and DVD-like quality video (640 x 480 pixelsat 30 fps) with the Nokia N95. An integrated photo and video editor allows for music and tags to be added before sending images to friends or uploading them to the web.
The Nokia N95 also offers a large 2.8-inch QVGA 16 million color display, impressive 3D graphics, built-in stereo speakers offering a 3D stereo effect, standard 3.5 mm audio jack, and mini USB for convenient data transfer. Other highlights include 802.11b/g Wi-Fi with WPA2/WPA security, Bluetooth v2.0 connectivity, and 8 GB of internal memory, as well as the following features.
Lifeblog Designed with mobile photographers and bloggers in mind, the Nokia N95's Lifeblog feature lets you view, search, edit, and share your personal digital content with ease. Lifeblog's synchronizing software automatically pulls your media together into an easy-to-browse, searchable multimedia diary: SMS, MMS, images, videos, sounds, and text notes stay organized between the N95 and your PC.
GPS Mapping Plan your route, find your way home, and get to know places you've never visited with the integrated GPS mapping capability. The Maps application includes maps for more than 100 countries, enabling you to explore the world, find specific routes or locate services such as restaurants and hotels and covering more than 15 million points of interest. You can also purchase additional features, such as city guides and voice guided navigation.
Nokia Web Browser with Mini Map View web pages as they were originally intended with the integrated Nokia Web Browser, which enables you to zoom out to a full screen view of the entire page using the Mini Map feature. Find the section you want and then zoom in to the content you need. The text instantly adjusts to the size of your screen. The browser also keeps a history of your browsing so you can quickly get back to where you started.
Universal Plug and Play (UPnP) Universal Plug and Play (UPnP) technology means that the Nokia N95 will discover, interact with, and control other compatible home electronic devices. This includes PCs, media centers, home entertainment systems, new smart appliances, home automation systems, networked peripherals, and Web-based services. With compatible equipment, you can stream video from your Nokia device directly to your TV, or hear music tracks stored on your PC through your living room's sound system.
RealPlayer Multimedia Playback Take your media with you when you're out on the go. With the built-in RealPlayer software, you can stream and download your favorite content onto the N95, giving you access to the latest news, sports, and entertainment updates. Or sync up with your PC and play the music and movies stored on your hard drive.
Vital Statistics The Nokia N95 (8 GB, N95-4) weighs 4.55 ounces and measures 3.9 x 2.1 x 0.83 inches. Its 1200 mAh lithium-ion battery is rated at up to 5 hours of GSM talk time (3.5 hours when using the 3G network), and up to 280 hours of standby time. This quad-band phone runs on the 850/900/1800/1900 MHz GSM/GPRS/EDGE frequencies, as well as the 850/1900 MHz UMTS/HSDPA 3G frequencies (for use in the United States).
What's in the Box Handset, battery travel charger, wired music headset, USB cable (DKE-2), video connectivity cable (CA-75U), Nokia documentation
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