Tucked away in my office for days on end, exploring the frontiers of technology, at least in the smartphone world, it's exciting to tinker with the latest touchscreen smartphones and generally live on the bleeding edge. But heading out into the 'real world', as I've been doing for the past week, a world inhabited by parents and cousins and grandchildren, it's best to fall back on hardware and software that's going to be 100% reliable. And, in this case, with the classic Nokia N82, to do some things that no other smartphone could have matched anyway.


Read on in the full article (http://www.allaboutsymbian.com/news/item/9293_The_Nokia_N82_on_a_Belated_Ped.php).

I have been using the N82 for over a year and I found it to be extremely stable and reliable. Its photographic abilities have not been matched yet as far as I know and it performs well as a phone, organiser and multimedia device. Its main limitations are screen size which renders internet browsing awkward although still possible if necessary and the lack of a full QWERTY keyboard. Although my contract is due for an upgrade I don't intend to do so any time soon as I don't think there's been any major leap in mobile technology since the N82 was released. I would rather wait and upgrade to something which will not be much outdated technologically in 18 months time when my next upgrade will be due.

I own a Nokia N82 too and so far have not found a viable upgrade path. As you mentioned, the xenon flash is invaluable. Using the phone indoors produces the best pictures I have seen from a camera phone. I recently bought a Nokia N79 for my wife and the LED flash is really found lacking compared to the N82. The GPS also works brilliantly, finding a signal very quickly and performing on par or better than my standalone tomtom. Obviously you don't benefit from the large touchscreen that the tomotm has, but it certainly holds onto a signal better.

I was also very sceptical regarding the thin keys but soon got used to them. More than anything the phone just feels very solid and I've been bashing it around for over a year now. I too thought that by now there would have been a phone that had all of the N82 features but better, but to be honest it has just not happened. I can see my sticking with the phone for some time yet.

Complete agree with Steve. I try other phones, like G810, N96 (the worst one), E71, E90, 5800 (the second worst...) and always return to N82. Like the previous comment I thing keep my N82 for more time, or even buy a spare N82, since the price drop and it´s a good deal now. It´s the best camera, GPS, Podcast, and a lot, lot more, always without any reboot and with good battery life (like Steve Said, the low level it´s the screen - dimension and resolution). Sad to see that Nokia it´s on a innovation limit... the time goes away, and nothing match N82.

Couldn't agree more.

Normally around this time of year I would be pondering my next phone but this year there is no incentive to move on from the N82. Even last year I "downgraded" from the N95 to the N82 and it was such a shrewd move.

I'd live to have the iphone interface but I know that I'd be bitterly disappointed with the camera as photos and video capture are a must (young family). I cannot see an S60 device that I'd want to move to and I certainly am not brave enough to dive into any other flavour of smartphone - I've been there done that and got the finger burn marks to show it.

Rock on N82

Yes, you are completely right to put the N82 up on the pedestal, where it belongs!!!

Better late than never... :D

It does belong on a pedestal! I haven't found a greater phone still... My only gripe would be the small screen, but it helps to keep the petite size on the phone. I've tried the N96, 5800, Touch Diamond, Touch Pro, Omnia, G1, and I always go back to my trusty N82!

Wow, completely amazed, this is a very good article and I have to say that I enjoyed reading it very much. Sadly the N82 does not have USA 3G :(

Herself and meself both have one and have never looked back. A sweet, sweet handset and ridiculously cheap with it. To think that none of the Irish operators carried it makes me sad.

Completely Agree. I cant do without my N82, and there's still no S60 device that I consider an upgrade to it. Once you use the Xenon flash, you simply just cannot do with LED (single or Dual) at all.

G810 matched it all the way, and added 3X OZ in to boot :)

My N82 has been my portable media player, a dig cam and web browser. Am sure that the N82 will still remain the best imaging smartphone despite the nearing arrival of the Nokia N86!

i got one (silver) very cheap from subscription...was forced to trade though to "upgrade" to e71...now am back to n82 (black this time)...so far so unmatched: will readily play ipod-sized free video podcasts downloadable from itunes, 5 megapixel of good quality pics, candy bar form (the most rugged, stable, lasting, & durable form factor), long battery life (4 days for me), has all the applications/software i'll ever need (games, bible, office & dictionary). the only way/s it can improve? add dual-led for videos (but retain the xenon for photos), improve screen size to 2.6" or 2.8", amoled, scratch resistant, increase internal memory to 8gb, increase battery capacity (to offset the bigger screen size), replace with qwerty ala e71 (e71 width is still ok for one hand operation) and improve stereo speakers. i dont mind if overall size will increase (heck, i've had the brick e90). i dont want the touchscreen.

long live n87?

Come on Steve,

It's bad enough when the Tabloid Press do it.

Do you honestly think putting a rectangular block over the the eyes of someones face really stops them being identified ?

I always found it a bit silly.

I think some scientific research needs to be done into this. Anyone able to recognise any of the children in the picture ? :)
Zuber

I totally agree.

I also find it a bit depressing that a ~18 month old device is still the best out there. And really, it still have all the features I want from a mobile device, I just wish for something slimmer (13-14mm instead of 17mm) and with another keypad (the N86 keypad looks very good to me).

A new N82 with the N86 keypad, FP2 and the looks of the E51 would be perfect, although I doubt it's possible to make a good xenon flash device that thin as the xenon flash occupy quite a bit of space. Oh, and the damn media key should go away. No extra keys, I want my symmetric look.

if the device has to be 17mm thick for a xenon flash i REALLY do not mind it bein 17mm thick...

if the device has to be 17mm thick for a xenon flash i REALLY do not mind it bein 17mm thick...
It doesn't. 6220 Classic is 15,2mm and I'm sure they would be able to get it below 14mm if they tried, and still give the phone a decent 5mp camera.

After trying different phones such as iPhone 3g, samsung omni, blackberry bold, etc. I must say that I'm very found of my n95 8gb nam and wouldn't trade it in for nothing. Can't have it all on a device but n95 comes close.

Jon Pritchard

I agree that the N82 is one of the best devices out there still. You cannot match the quality of the shots, although in night shots I get really bad red eye even with the reduction turned on. The keypad was also an initial sticking point for me when I was considering buying it, but it's proved to be fine in day-to-day use.

The only things I wish my N82 had were the battery life that everyone else is talking about, I get barely a day out of mine... thinking about replacing the battery there.

I wander if the Sony Ericsson C905 can compete with these shots, as it too has a Xenon flash but an 8 Megapixel camera.

Despite hardware acceleration FP2 phones like the 5800 and N85 feel faster in day to day use and in video tasks that you would expect the N82 to do better in.

After getting my N82 I wouldn't buy another Nokia without Xenon flash, I don't care if it adds a bit of thickness, the N86 should've had a Xenon flash with a protected lense, and then bar the horrible face keys, it would've been the mobile to get.

I agree, this phone is Da Bomb. Specially now that there is a brightness hack.
But a tiny 2'4 screen is a crime.

Its about time Steve, N82 has been drawing legions of supporters all over the world specially now that the price have dropped significantly, I could now see more and more people using it and read more and more positive feedbacks and comments about it. This is the only phone that has this effect after a year or so of existence. Usually support wane out as time pass by but its totally opposite for N82. I could read several comments from people who have been to N95, iPhone, N96, N85, N79, N78, Omnia among others who are now using N82. Isn't that fascinating?

You are absolutely right Steve..and you sure do have good eyes!
I have been looking at the current models of the N series (apart from the N97 of course), the only ones worth buying are either N82, N95/N95 8GB, if you want a true monster phone that is..
Thanks for the review, it makes me more convince on recommending it to someone who is new to S60 phones =D

Is it worth getting with the N97 so close?

I already have an N95 8GB (and a 5800) but it's getting a little creaky around the edges.

Thoughts?

It is sad that after creating such a fantastic device Nokia went braindead and haven't been able to create anything better. I really hope their creativity hasn't peaked.

N82 is also my weapon of choice and I don't see another device in the market I could 'upgrade' to.

do you think that it is worth to upgrade my n82 to omnia hd?

n82 is really a good phone, but omnia hd looks very promising

I'm interested... take away the 5MP camera with Xenon flash and lens cover - is the N82 fundamentally better than most N-series phones of the same era?

Well, what can one say? Its already been said, and covered in depth. Well done Steve, I would not agree more about the N82 handset, it certainly deserves its place on that pedistal for sure. I just wish that Nokia would listen to the end users more, and take on board what we are looking for in new devices, yes, I know they have improved the camera lens in the N86, giving it wide angle capabilities, and dual led, but Im sure when pitched against the N82, it won't fair as well, but here's hoping.

The N86 being given the 3rd gen led dual leds will be interesting to see compared to the N97 standard dual leds, if like the 5800, the N97 will receive quite negative response no doubt from early adopters, myself possibly included.

In this an example, a family day out, I feel a dedicated camera would perform better...

Camera phones are great for times when you don't have anything else available and in that respect the N82 is still the best out there but my trusty point and shoot cam (Ricoh GX100) is still much better. There is no way I would take a camera phone on a family trip but for a few snaps of fun down the pub then of course a camera phone wins hands down.

I think the form factor of the N82 is excellent - candy bar phones are such good long term investments.

Great review Steve, I love the Nokia N82 - a fab phone indeed, have had the silver version and now have the black version... no complaints and what great photos it takes!

Question Steve: Did you buy a new phone or just change the casing of your N82, the picture you posted on the article has a flawless casing and you made an article before that you slip through with N82 on your hand damaging the outer casing.

Ive had my n82 on tmobile here in the US nyc for a year and a half . Ive spent several hours with the samsung memoir g1 and a few others trying to upgrade my phone since i just renewed my contract . My decision is clear . Im keeping my trusty do all n82 . If my phone had feelings i would apologize for wanting to trade her in lol . This still is an amazing multi computer . Ive been without my laptop now that broke two weeks ago . You should see the speed that im typing this blog entry on opera mini over wifi . Me too at first hated the keyboard and wanted a qwerty . Now im so use to it and pretty quick too . This phone also replace my olympus camera . The flash is amazing so is picture quality . I do wish there was US 3g but wifi is plentiful around here . Sometimes using an open wifi :-) . Ive done everything with this phone wifi calls , fring , gps also impressive , qik over wifi , flixwagon , video streaming , live tv over wifi and slow edge and it just blows my mind . The apps that comes out for this phone i always try them and am so happy i found this little gem . Thanks nokia you hit the nail on the head with this little gem :-)

Count me in the army of soldiers putting their lives on this weapon to survive!!!!

Question Steve: Did you buy a new phone or just change the casing of your N82, the picture you posted on the article has a flawless casing and you made an article before that you slip through with N82 on your hand damaging the outer casing.

That image was taken months ago, before the accident 8-)

N82 is all about photography, the real xenon flash,etc. it's great on the street., it would be great to have these updates in the future: shooting custom mode, such as no flash,(save the battery for the phone calls), no shutter sound (don't want to scare some pets), vivid color mode (love saturated colors). And the picture review zoom function should be built in the physical buttons, like how it work with the Maps.

Xenon flash? Don't get what all the fuss is about. There are many practical reasons why Xenon is impractical in phones, not least the fragility and bulk of the capacitor and the high trigger voltages, the ungreen manufacture ...the list is quite long and boring.

For high quality photos, night or day I suggest people use a dedicated camera.

Well, I disagree with people that wants xenon flash. I prefer LEDs because of its capability to be used as flashlights (I miss very much my 5500 for this reason) or during video recording. I think it's a matter of time they get more powerful than xenon, and in the mean time... well I need more often a flashlight or a video light than I need a xenon flash.

About n82.. I think it's a little too big (if it was N79 size it will be perfect) but I think it have one of the best keyboards available on recent nokia smartphones (save E series)... which really is something nokia should be ashamed of.

My upgrade is coming up near the end of the year and I too don't know what upgrade to take up, there is nothing on offer that beat's the N82 hardware wise it's just the OS is a bit dated. I wouldnt mind a thinner phone like the E51 but I want the features so I was willing to accept the extra bulk.

i really with nokia would have made a NAM for this one...

I know everyone likes "sticky" posts, but I really like to see newer posts at the top of the page.

Is there a reason the N82 post stays on top? Is there a designation, somewhere, that says, "This is a "sticky post?"

When I look up the page on my mobile, I see the first post and often don't bother looking below that to see if there is new data. I don't think the N82 article is any more important than the rest on the "home" page.

Nice phone, but it doesn't deserve "top" placement :)

I know everyone likes "sticky" posts, but I really like to see newer posts at the top of the page.

Is there a reason the N82 post stays on top? Is there a designation, somewhere, that says, "This is a "sticky post?"

When I look up the page on my mobile, I see the first post and often don't bother looking below that to see if there is new data. I don't think the N82 article is any more important than the rest on the "home" page.

Nice phone, but it doesn't deserve "top" placement :)

I agree with your heading. You are confused. You are still not clear why N82 is on top. Every phone has a loyal fan base but few command a fanatical fan base like iPhone........................like................ .......n82

Your comments hit the proverbial nail on the head. I cannot see Nokia beating their own N82 at the imaging game not for a long time to come.

Thankfully I will never upgrade 'in contract'; for which they usually like to take your old phone away. My N82, thankfully, will always be with me.

So in my mind the next phone i get will completely ignore photographic ability and focus on video functionality instead.

Which is why I really would like the phone formerly known as Omnia HD, thanks to Rafe for the 3 part review of it.

But I have to admit I am a nokia fan boy and love the N97 concept. Can we have a head to head with these two please?

Well...
Two months ago my Brazilian Cellphone Operator Claro gives me for free a N95 8gb. I stay with it 2 days and decided to sell it. I dit and with the money I buy an unlocked N82 silver. What a good decision, pals.
My screes shrinked a lot, its true, but the ergonomics and the Xenon Flash worths the difference between those devices.
Even the keyboard , which scared at first sight, today I dont even recall why I was so afraid to type my hundreds of monthly sms (that´s it, hundreds). The night macro mode is just great , and I can say my Canon S5 stay at home many time, unthinkable thing with another devices...

I previously owed the N70, N73, N95,N95 8g and I can say the N82 is a real winner .

I would like a bigger screen , of course, and a louder loudspeaker but thats ok . Not annoying drawbacks, in fact.
This N82 dies with me. Wont sell it , wont trade it.
But I think we ll have good surprise in a near feature, maybe this year . A improved N82 for those who did not fall into touch fever .
Lets see...
My advice for my friends is ...get one while you can .

Do you honestly think putting a rectangular block over the the eyes of someones face really stops them being identified ?


Oh come on. Why do you assume the intent is to disguise the identity of them?

No, it's obvious to me that Steve simply needs to get some more sophisticated red-eye removal s/w, though I can't argue with it's effectiveness.

pcmag.com post an article today citing N82 as the highest quality video capture among mobile phones. any violent reaction to this steve? :) where's the 8MP phones thats suppose to have better camera specs than this phone.

I fully agree with Steve, as I wrote also on my site a month ago (Link (http://translate.google.de/translate?u=http%3A%2F%2Fs60inside.wordpress.com%2 F&hl=de&ie=UTF8&sl=de&tl=en))

Journalism 101 : Get your facts right.
The G810 is not the 'only other smartphone' to have xenon.
The 6220c has it too.
Sigh. Is it only me or it the quality of journalism declining all around the ecosystem?

Journalism 101 : Get your facts right.
The G810 is not the 'only other smartphone' to have xenon.
The 6220c has it too.
Sigh. Is it only me or it the quality of journalism declining all around the ecosystem?

I don't think AAS is particularly poor in this respect. However, I have noticed the editing is a little poor - grammar and several missing words, for example - but nothing that causes more than a second or, rarely, a third scan.

Journalism 101 : Get your facts right.
The G810 is not the 'only other smartphone' to have xenon.
The 6220c has it too.
Sigh. Is it only me or it the quality of journalism declining all around the ecosystem?

Mea Culpa. I can't believe I'd forgotten about that phone. Sorry.

Steve

I adore my N82! Awesome quality in pitch black! I hate to get tired of it only after a few months but I want something better! Is there a successor to the N82 yet, preferrably a touch screen?

none of the new 8 mp phones have as bright xenon flash as the N82 and not a good image processor.

Steve, I would love to get a N82 - but it doesn't have US 3G. What would you recommend in the states?

Steve, I would love to get a N82 - but it doesn't have US 3G. What would you recommend in the states?

What about the USA version of the N95 8GB?

Steve, I would love to get a N82 - but it doesn't have US 3G. What would you recommend in the states?

The N82.

LOL - What parts about the N82 make you say "you would love to get one"? List those and compare with another phone.

If Xenon Flash is on the list, good luck finding a phone with 3G + Xenon. A decent( if any? ) option just doesn't exist.

Was REALLY REALLY REALLY hoping the N97 was going to have a Xenon but alas, it does not.

My wait continues, with my trusty Nokia N82 in hand.....minus microSD cover. Poor guy.

I bought the N82 a year ago (black version) and had it for about 6 months. Then it got stolen (:(
Now be sure that I read a hell lot about the phone before buying and tracked its progress even after I had it.
Virtually everyone has been talking about the camera and the xenon flash and this and that but you know what...THERE is no match for the pics it takes. I read about the comparison b/w N82 and N86 pics and they say...they don need a xenon flash for the 86. "BULLSHIT". The very fact that they are giving xcuses when compared to N82 about lighting conditions and dual LED being comparable to xenon is a testimony that they messed things up big time. I don’t actually want to comment on the Megapixels part but I believe for a normal eye there is not much difference b/w both on a phone. However these pics can be compared on various tech forums.
But I do wanna comment on real life stuff. Typically an Indian user like me has such a lifestyle that the gadgets possessed by us have to go thru a real hard time. A phone is no different. As for myself, my life runs b/w travelling, office, sports, hiking and much more outdoor work. So I need a robust device. Now I v had my share of Nokia Flaps and sliders too, but none could sustain the lifestyle I talk about. Ultimately I had screen problems and ribbon problems which are common to sliders and flaps. But the N82 bore it all and still looked good enough to go a long way. Great form with many features crammed into it. A real candy treat... :)
Talking about the keypad- I must confess it looked horrible the 1st day i saw its pic. I am a very heavy and one of the fastest typers of text msgs in my fraternity. It roughly takes no more than 3 minutes for me to adjust to any keypad and type my top speed without lukin at the pad. I hate flat keypads coz chances of mishit are high . Old classic Nokia phones give good texting speed like the 1100s or the 2300s due to their big distinct surface. But something likean N73 for me is difficult due to the close keys though they are much better than many other phones. This background is only to emphasize what I am going to say now. The N82 keypad is a typers delight. Tiny as they may seem, but that phone gave me the best speeds I have ever known and I actually succeeded in surprising my own self. The rise on the keys and the spacing among neighbors is designed such that even an amateur could not miss them. But this fact can be verified only when one feels the keys. On web photographs (even today) I can’t believe those keys...."Can those keys actually do that...??"
To be fair and not appear biased I must also mention that the most annoying thing for me with the N82 was that there was no provision for shutting off the camera "click" sound and before clicking it would always point a red light on the target. This meant that I could not use the camera in important meetings (I mean for 'MY' use without anybody knowing :) or for those moments where you want to catch your friends unaware. The red light and the sound always made sure that everyone knew that they were being clicked. But what about the new 8 Mps. Anyone..?? Do they have similar settings in the name of privacy protection..? But anywz...for your information..I was aware of this (due to my research) even before I bought the phone so I was prepared to live with it.

Now I know that the market is full today with so many gizmos with the HD displays and the appealing touch screens and fancy 8 megapics (Samsung also has a 12 Mpxs) and latest technologies one can only dream about in a small handheld. But amongst all these temptations, I constantly bring myself back to the fact that, I want a phone that offers me those features and not features which somewhere down the line also give me a phone. The N82 certainly fulfilled all my requirements.
These days I am on the lookout for a serious phone and am weighing various options in today’s market. Samsung phones look quite promising. I was disappointed with the new N series launches mainly due to the form factor which don't suit my requirements and NO Xenon Flash...Cummon...!!! (No offences to those who do like them). However I still can't pull myself away from the N82 charm. I am bit skeptical about venturing into the touch screen zone coz I really don't know whether they would sustain the robust requirements in spite of all the hype and claims that they can.
And now - for the Grand Finale....For which I take pains to contribute to this forum. The N82 was perhaps the best all-round phone that Nokia launched till its release and is still not out of date. It was also the Gadget of the year 2008 for Tech2.com (Impressive). That this phone has had such a good track record...WHY CAN'T I FIND IT IN THE MARKET......???
The dealers here tell me that it has been discontinued. Amazin...!!!
Has Nokia gone NUTTTSSS..??
The internet is also devoid of any articles or even the news that it has been discontinued. Can anybody help me in this matter..??
It would be a shame for such a fantastic device to depart thus if this is true.
As far as the new phone goes, I might have to switch to some other brand (I am a Nokia Loyalist by the way). I guess then the Samsung Pixon 12 Mp might be an option. It has xenon by the way and also an LED.
I am thankful to the author who gave such a nice review as above and helped me refresh the old memories that I shared with my lost phone.
N82 loyalists..!!! I request you to come out in more numbers and help contribute to let others know what we are talking about here.

CHEERSssss...!!!