Nokia N95

21 May 2008
In the United Kingdom, Nokia N95 is a revolutionary camera phone -- the first to hit 5 megapixels. N95's five-megapixel is also a first, and the best by far, for Nokia. Theoretically speaking, five megapixels is at par with a digital camera's capabilities. Some reviews have named N93i as “the king of camera phones”, but settle for N95 as a better, more practical option. In addition, N95's video camera, in 640 x 480 pixels VGA resolution at 30 frames/second (coupled with stereo audio), is an outstanding feature. N95 also has secondary pinhhole-sized camera at 352 x 288 pixels for video call purposes.

N95 also boasts of its connectivity. It features USB and Bluetooth 2.0, Wireless Local Area Network (WLAN), Infrared, a headphone jack and a TV-out. With respect to mobile phone memory, N95 is deemed adequate, with 160-megabye onboard memory and up to 8-gigabyte support for microSD cards.

The N95 has almost every feature of all modern mobile phones flocking the market these days, such as an FM stereo radio, a music player, a hands-free speaker, voice dialing and talking ringtones. It offers users to go for the 8GB version with a larger screen and or to opt for black-colored casing.

Experts contend that one of the best and most interesting features of Nokia N95 is its GPS navigation. This attribute makes the phone capable of direct satellite communication. With a purchased license to be used for Nokia mapping systems, the navigation tool allows phone users to track their position in car or on foot.

The GPS application or “maps” powered by Nokia downloads routes, mini-maps in the locality and in some cases, utilizes voice commands. A map's coverage is roughly 0.5 miles around the N95 user. Some find it to be tantamount to the Internet's Google Earth, which works by showing an image of the Earth from an outer-space perspective, and smoothly swooping in with the GPS aerial locked on. It is an amazing and amusing concept of animation squeezed in a small device.

Nokia's N95 covers about 100 countries. The concept behind it is that it allows users in foreign territories to download their destination's local map. Wi-Fi usage is recommended to avoid unneeded skyrocketing of data charges. Downloading the Map takes about two minutes or less before the system runs. Generally, though, N95's GPS sensitivity is a good tool, with an ability to self-locate through windows.

Usage-wise, most users find Nokia N95 a breeze. It has a control pad under the screen that allows access to keys and menus even when the mobile phone is closed. N95's main camera is located at the back part of the phone. It comes with an LED and a lens cover protection.

The downside? The Nokia N95 phone is built on arguably unstable Version 3.1 Symbian interface to which its non-robust, sluggish nature is attributed to. The phone can be slow, and may even shut down or freeze! It can be pretty heavy and quite bulky at 120g, even with its outer slide design for some users who prefer it handier. But then again, many users are astounded by N95’s technological masterpiece.

Nokia N95's GPS Locator may seem like a neat feature, but just like all new devices, it is not error-free. The GPS application sometimes struggles in locating street names and postcodes.

Potential buyers of this phone are those who think ergonomics and size don't matter as much as other people are bugged by it. It is most probably good enough for those who are not easily put off by a relatively sluggish interface.

In sum, the Nokia N95 is selling like hotcakes, but as always, there are users who tend to be dissatisfied. Nokia N95 offers a wealth of cool, cutting-edge features, but also suffers from industrial drawbacks and disadvantages.

Reviewer: Kenneth Fitoyi - Pretoria, South Africa
Reviewed on: 30th September, 2008
Rating: 9/10
The Nokia N95, 8GB boasts beautiful looks. It appeals to both young and old.Its memory capacity, 8GB, is something extra-ordinary. The set slides to both sides. From the one side, it shows you the touch-pad, which is just like any other phone. However, it has one marvelous safety feature, it locks itself and there is no chance of mistaken calls. Slide it to the other end and it brings you to a world of music. Its music feature is so wide: music player(more than 20 great hits already loaded),music store, podcasting and visual radio. However, the greatest of all its features is the double camera at your disposal. Not to mention the navigator function, which is faultlessly precise. This is definitely a handset for the future.I own one and would readily recommend to anyone who want a return on their investment.

PS: I suggest that the pouch be a standard feature of this futuristic handest. Otherwise, I am over the moon with my baby.

Reviewer: safla - London
Reviewed on: 3rd September, 2008
Rating: 10/10
Nokia N95 is really a great innovative technology in mobile phone technology. I will say "Old is Gold" for this handset. I am using this phone since last 8 months. My all the need has shrink in to single hand held device either it may be picture capturing or connecting with my network of people in my circle. 5 Mega pixel camera is really is great feature with it. I will suggest to buy it to my every friend. Cheers......

Reviewer: Kyla - Dorset
Reviewed on: 1st September, 2008
Rating: 10/10
I have had the Nokia N95 phone for nearly 18 months and would like to say I will not be upgrading it when my contract runs out as this is a great phone. The camera is wonderful and clear even compared to my dvd camcorder. I live in a black spot and this is the first phone that I have ever been able to use inside my house as normally you cant get a signal it doesnt matter the network most phones are just not strong enough.

Reviewer: alex - Falkirk
Reviewed on: 5th July, 2008
Rating: 1/10
this is the worst phone ever i have had it two days and it has froze twice

Reviewer: David Davis - Coventry
Reviewed on: 28th May, 2008
Rating: 5/10
Why are there so few user reviews as compared with the Vodafone 810? Strange!
The N95 is multi-featured but there is a huge problem not as yet mentioned here. Nokias servers have gone corrupt and the corruption is spreading through the servers. I had to reset the phone when my N95 became affected as I could no longer access the internet or see saved pages. Those pages were of course lost after I started from scratch. This will affect Nokia phones, not just the N95. They should get this sorted out!

Reviewer: chris - essex england
Reviewed on: 28th January, 2008
Rating: 2/10
i had the phone for two months and the screen broke (half went black)
i had not dropped or misused the phone in anyway but i still
had to pay carphone warehouse £45 to repair it even though i was told i had a one year warranty. needless to say i wont be using either again when my contract expires.

Reviewer: Jim - Wales
Reviewed on: 23rd October, 2007
Rating: 10/10
Buy this phone, Jim

Reviewer: Tim - Wales
Reviewed on: 17th October, 2007
Rating: 1/10
Do not buy this phone
it is terrible
buy a k800i!!

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