Nokia N95 8GB smartphone
Hardcore handset that has the whole package
Review Nokia has boosted the spec of one of its most popular smartphones, bolting in 8GB of Flash memory and refining key features. So is the latest version of the N95 a refreshing update for Nokia’s flagship multimedia, GPS-toting mobile?
Nokia's N95 8GB: stacks more memory
Unlike most upgrades, where cosmetic tweaks give a long-running model a new lease of life, there are real and significant differences with this Symbian S600-based smartphone.
The extra 4GB of storage is the obvious headline-grabber here, allowing the N95 8GB to match the capacity of the Apple iPhone and the Sony Ericsson W960i.
But the N95 8GB is a formidably-equipped smartphone in many other ways too. It sports a high-end five-megapixel camera with Carl Zeiss-sourced optics, a network-assisted GPS receiver, a multi-format media player, and good connectivity with HSDPA 3G and Wi-Fi.
There are more instantly notable changes from the original N95 - reviewed here. Nokia has given the N95 8GB a black makeover, making it a sharper, tastier proposition than the silver version. Screen real estate has increased to a noticeably larger 2.8in, 240 x 320 (QVGA) display, up from the original N95’s 2.6in panel. However, the phone’s chassis itself - though still chunky and a hefty 128g - hasn’t got any bigger, so the control key array below the screen has been squashed to accommodate the bigger screen.
COMMENTS
@ Jason
Me thinks you have the original N95 and are now sour grapes. As for no camera cover, I like it, I've had many phones with open lenses, and have never scratched one yet. If you're that bothered then get a screen protector (A crystal one) and cut it down to size.
I own an N95 8GB and can quite honestly say it's the best bit of kit I've ever owned, in relation to build qualitly, support, features ect.
Battery life
I've never understood the complaints about N95 battery life. After conditioning the battery and a few charge-cycles later, and I get 3+ days on standby if I don't use the phone too much. Not great, but not awful either - certainly way better than the <1 day some people report. Can only assume that they are leaving WiFi scanning on permanently or something..
Oh and the assisted GPS is fantastic - around 20 secs to get a fix.
old 4Gb version
slap the latest v20 firmware onto the older 4Gb version and its almost the same - more battery, faster responses, faster startup, and much better camera interaction. still, the 8Gb does give you more 'working memory' (not the 4Gb of extra storage memory!) and the GPS is better.
sadly
it's still a humongous hunk of cheapish plastic. Admittedly, that plastic feels better than one used in the first version.
And another El Reg review that is sorta late. But thank you for making it a written one!
soft-keys and screen labels
Is it just me or do the soft-keys look to be too far away from the on-screen labels? Why couldn't they put the 'Nokia' branding on top of the screen? Then the buttons could be bigger too.
