When it was announced last September, the Nokia N95 was billed as the single most exciting handset ever created. In the six months since, we’ve heard about the iPhone and had numerous other launches. Can the most anticipated device ever, still live up to the hype?
The short answer is yes. It’s difficult to comprehend the range of genuinely useful features this phone, sorry - multimedia computer, is packing. The N95 boasts full-on SatNav, 5-megapixel camera, HSDPA connection, Wi-Fi, media player, killer big screen, stereo speakers, and smartphone functionality. And that’s just for starters.
First up is SatNav. It works brilliantly, is quick, clear and finding your way around the menus on the Nokia is obvious. Once you’re up and running you’ll be able to work out where you are and where you want to go in no time. On the downside, voice guidance is an optional extra and because the GPS antenna is hidden beneath the keyboard, you need to have the phone in portrait mode to pick up any satellites. That aside, you can download a range of city guides (for a cost) but the best bit is having access to maps for over 100 countries. On a device no bigger than a pack of cards.
Snaps from the Nokia N95’s camera are sharper and more vibrant than we expected but don’t demand much when the lights go dim. We’re still dealing with an underpowered flashlight rather than a proper room-brightener. The addition of the Carl Zeiss lens though is a big plus.
Navigating the phone is Nokia’s usual slick affair. Slide the screen down (instead of up to reveal the keyboard) and you’re treated to a secondary set of keys to take care of media functions. The N95’s screen also drops into landscape mode, encouraging you to fire up the video player. With YouTube on board you can dive right in and, with a good connection, be downloading video in a few ticks. The screen is bright and clear and shows off footage brilliantly.
There’s too much on the Nokia N95 to fit everything into one review but rest assured the rest of the features work as well as the big hitters. Buy this phone and you’ll be on a voyage of discovery for months to come. And you’ll enjoy every minute.
Verdict:
Although not everything is perfect, there’s too much good stuff to even think about the bad.
Best features:
SatNav
Media player
Camera
Menu
Double keypads
Not so good
Paying for voice guidance
No memory card
Best features
Quality stereo speakers
Expandable microSD memory slot
Oddly attractive obese shape
Not so good
Poor playlist options
Naff screen
Camera isn’t up to much
100% secured payment
