N95 to N86 - Two years of evolution
Published by Steve Litchfield at 17:08 UTC, July 18th 2009
I've mentioned the direct lineage between N95 and N86 before here on All About Symbian, so let's break this down - how far HAS Nokia come in the last two years?
Everyone agrees, even the staunchest anti-Symbian zealot, that the Nokia N95 was a game changer (just as they'd later admit that the Apple iPhone was a game changer in a different way a year later). When introduced it took the entire smartphone world up a gear in terms of raw specifications, introducing a dual-slide form factor, 5mp camera with mechanical shutter and built-in camera glass protection, VGA video recording, GPS, accelerometer, Wi-Fi and stereo speakers as standard features in top end phones. If your current phone has all of those then you've got the N95 to thank. If your current 2009 phone still can't match that list then it just emphasises how cutting edge the N95 was and indeed is.
Since its introduction, the N95 has received an unprecedented number of firmware updates from Nokia, fixing the inevitable bugs and keeping it as current as humanly possible. And yet, even beyond these improvements and even beyond the spec level of the N95, smartphone evolution has meant that its outclassed by the latest in its family tree, the N86. Let's chart exactly how far we've come from the initial N95 release to the current (v11) N86 8MP....
| Function | Nokia N95 with launch firmware (Spring 2007) |
Nokia N86 8MP (v11, Summer 2009) *NB. Very important. Almost all the software elements below have been added to the N95 in firmware updates (to v31 at present) and in standalone free add-ons |
| Form | Plastic bodied dual slider, main frame somewhat flimsy, screen recessed, dust prone and 'soft' | Metal and plastic bodied dual slider, with flush tempered glass front, metal frame and metal slider mechanism |
| OS | Symbian OS 9.2, S60 3rd Edition Feature Pack 1 | Symbian OS 9.3, S60 3rd Edition Feature Pack 2, much better codec support, power optimisations, better Settings organisation |
| Memory | 64MB RAM (18MB free after booting); microSD expansion up to 2GB (limit later raised with support for SDHC) | 128MB RAM (80MB free after booting), plus demand paging (more efficient use of RAM); (8GB flash) mass memory built-in; microSD expansion to 32GB extra |
| Internet | Web v3; S60 Messaging | Web v7, smoother, slicker and twice as fast; Podcasting; Ovi Store; Nokia Email (next-gen Nokia Messaging) |
| Maps and navigation |
GPS, Smart2Go navigation system (renamed quickly to Nokia Maps), Assisted GPS support added in v12 for faster fixes |
Assisted GPS; Ovi Maps (effectively Nokia Maps 3.0), faster, smoother operation, extra features (traffic, 3D buildings, speed camera alerts etc); digital compass |
| Music and entertainment | Music player, FM radio | Music player, FM radio, Nokia Music store; FM transmitter; Internet radio; N-Gage client and full games compatibility |
| PIM, office, files | Calendar, Contacts, Notes, Quickoffice 3.8 viewers | Calendar, Contacts, Notes, Quickoffice 6.2 viewers, Msg reader (text to speech), Dictionary, Nokia Search (Internet and local) |
| Screen and graphics | QVGA transflective, 2.6", OMAP 2420 graphics acceleration | QVGA AMOLED, 2.6", far brighter indoors, but worse outdoors, custom graphics hardware |
| Camera | A game changing, high quality, large-apertured 5 megapixel stills camera, LED flash | Bigger sensor, bigger (variable) aperture, dual LED flash, 8 megapixel resolution, better photos in all light conditions |
| Camcorder | The first mass market 'phone' to have VGA video recording, and with surprisingly good audio. Camera hardware allows pre-set focus in video mode, of around 2 metres. Built-in (licensed) video editing suite. | Same base video performance to N95, but with better low light videos (wider aperture and more of the sensor used), plus the possibility of night videos, AND real digital zoom without picture compromise, up to 4x or so. Basic video trimming and merging only. |
| Battery | 950mAh, charging via mains/2mm jack only | 1200mAh, charging via either microUSB/data cable or mains charger; OLED screen means greater battery life, too, because it's more efficient than traditional backlit screens |
| Hardware notables | Camera glass protection particularly well thought out and effective; loud stereo speakers | Kickstand around camera lets the N86 be propped up for easy video watching; keylock toggle switch; rather tinny stereo speakers |
| Communications | USB 1.1 data transfers via miniUSB | USB 2.0 high speed data transfers via microUSB |
In almost all areas above, you can see significant progress, though, admittedly, Nokia's generosity with firmware updates has meant that the original N95 'classic' can now match almost all areas of the current devices in terms of software. Even demand paging of RAM was added, in firmware at v20 firmware, in one fell swoop dramatically increasing the multitasking ability and performance of the N95. And, even today, many owners swear by the N95, preferring it (e.g. for loud speakers, 3D accelerated graphics, video editor) over current day, 2009 alternatives.
Yet the objective observer would have to conclude that the leap from N95 with launch firmware and software bundle to N86 8MP is significant, maybe even 'impressive'. As with other areas of the mobile world, two years is a long time and, clearly, Nokia haven't been standing still.
The acid question though is "Can this form factor be taken much further?". In other words, what else can be improved in terms of a non-touch, button driven form? Possibly not a lot beyond detailed improvements to individual applications - S60 3rd Edition Feature Pack 2 is a pretty darned mature operating system and interface. Camera zealots will still yearn for a Xenon flash in the camera (though the N86's sensor partly makes Xenon unnecessary), music lovers will ask for better speakers, screen-tech-geeks will want a return to a transflective display of some kind that can be seen in direct sunlight. But we're not talking about huge jumps here. In truth, the N86 is, more or less, the ultimate one-handed, dual-slider, S60 phone.
So what of the future? I doubt that this form factor will die out - it's simply too popular. But the attention of the tech media is definitely on touch-based phones at present - these things do go in cycles and the N86 is released at an unpopular point in the cycle. I just refuse to believe that the N86 is any the worse a device for the timing of its launch....
Steve Litchfield, All About Symbian, 20 July 2009
Categories: Comment, Software, Hardware
Platforms: S60 3rd Edition
Feature Discussion
Unregistered
xenon flash (for the love of god, please!) + video light/torch
battery to 1500mAh
return of a manual lens cover (missing from my 8GB)
FM transmitter
usb charging
battery to 1500mAh
return of a manual lens cover (missing from my 8GB)
FM transmitter
usb charging
alsiladka
A point I have raised pretty often - Check the font in the menu for the N95 & N86. The bold text in the N86, N85, N79 etc looks freaking ugly to me. The normal thin text on the N73, N95 look pretty cool. Wish they change the same for the N85 etc.
Coming to the last argument you raised about "what else can be improved in terms of a non-touch, button driven form?"
I feel the biggest improvement to rule all the current features is yet to come - BATTERY!
Although the phones might have a GPS, WiFi, Bluetooth, FM Transmitter, N-Gage & etc.. But use them all together, and your phone will crumble on its knees. I don't mind the next flagship carrying the best of all the current features, but with a battery to power them all for atleast a day! All the time..
Coming to the last argument you raised about "what else can be improved in terms of a non-touch, button driven form?"
I feel the biggest improvement to rule all the current features is yet to come - BATTERY!
Although the phones might have a GPS, WiFi, Bluetooth, FM Transmitter, N-Gage & etc.. But use them all together, and your phone will crumble on its knees. I don't mind the next flagship carrying the best of all the current features, but with a battery to power them all for atleast a day! All the time..
JCB_Digger
> xenon flash (for the love of god, please!) + video light/torch
You'll never get both - the way a Xenon flash works is to store energy up in a capacitor and then deliver it all in one big, erm, 'flash'
If you want a torch, you need LED's which are able to be driven continuously.
You'll never get both - the way a Xenon flash works is to store energy up in a capacitor and then deliver it all in one big, erm, 'flash'
If you want a torch, you need LED's which are able to be driven continuously.
Unregistered
Quote:
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Originally Posted by Unregistered
xenon flash (for the love of god, please!) + video light/torch
battery to 1500mAh return of a manual lens cover (missing from my 8GB) FM transmitter usb charging |
clonmult
The N86 is the first phone I've actually considered as a viable upgrade from the N95.
However, some of the new features aren't exactly that amazing
N-gage - I've tried a few of the games, but none stand the test of time
Internet Radio - thats an add on available for the N95, so not exactly a selling point (its nice to have though)
Fm Transmitter - tried a few of these, and they aren't exactly great. Also with the digital switchover, how will they then fare?
Nokia search - added to the N95, its pretty damn useful
I'm intrigued by the digital zoom on the N86 though - you can't have "real digital zoom". Its just cropping. The only real zoom is optical.
The N86 is a gradual evolution of the N95 - very typically Nokia, as they haven't done any innovation on the Symbian platform since they release the 7650 - everything has been gradual point increases in functionality.
However, some of the new features aren't exactly that amazing
N-gage - I've tried a few of the games, but none stand the test of time
Internet Radio - thats an add on available for the N95, so not exactly a selling point (its nice to have though)
Fm Transmitter - tried a few of these, and they aren't exactly great. Also with the digital switchover, how will they then fare?
Nokia search - added to the N95, its pretty damn useful
I'm intrigued by the digital zoom on the N86 though - you can't have "real digital zoom". Its just cropping. The only real zoom is optical.
The N86 is a gradual evolution of the N95 - very typically Nokia, as they haven't done any innovation on the Symbian platform since they release the 7650 - everything has been gradual point increases in functionality.
clonmult
Quote:
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Originally Posted by JCB_Digger
> xenon flash (for the love of god, please!) + video light/torch
You'll never get both - the way a Xenon flash works is to store energy up in a capacitor and then deliver it all in one big, erm, 'flash' If you want a torch, you need LED's which are able to be driven continuously. |
kucing_kampung
Hmm talking about separate 'light source' it leads me to wonder if it's possible to make an N95 or N86 (or whatever else) the master unit for, e.g., Nikon SB-800 or SB-900 flash unit. If that's possible and somebody come up with the software for it I'll definitely be paying ;)
Unregistered
How about an N86 with QWERTY? Nokia missed a big chance in penetrating the US market by not providing QWERTY on the N95 classic or N95 8gb. Is it too hard to make a 2.6" or 2.8" Qwerty with N95 like features? Touch screens are seriously good but buttons gets my job done faster.
slitchfield
@clonmult: "You can't have "real digital zoom". Its just cropping. "
I think I know what you're saying and I agree. However, I was trying to find a way to distinguish what the N86 does from what most camera phones seem to do, which is start with a VGA base resolution and then zoom into this, pixellating horribly. The N86 STARTS by correctly rendering VGA from a much larger sensor frame, and then gradually reduces the size of the frame. What this means is that for up to 4x or so, there's no loss of info whatsoever.
I'm not sure I explained that terribly well. See the example videos on my YouTube channel for the proof 8-)
I think I know what you're saying and I agree. However, I was trying to find a way to distinguish what the N86 does from what most camera phones seem to do, which is start with a VGA base resolution and then zoom into this, pixellating horribly. The N86 STARTS by correctly rendering VGA from a much larger sensor frame, and then gradually reduces the size of the frame. What this means is that for up to 4x or so, there's no loss of info whatsoever.
I'm not sure I explained that terribly well. See the example videos on my YouTube channel for the proof 8-)
slitchfield
Quote:
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Originally Posted by Unregistered
How about an N86 with QWERTY? Nokia missed a big chance in penetrating the US market by not providing QWERTY on the N95 classic or N95 8gb. Is it too hard to make a 2.6" or 2.8" Qwerty with N95 like features? Touch screens are seriously good but buttons gets my job done faster.
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seki
Quote:
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Originally Posted by kucing_kampung
Hmm talking about separate 'light source' it leads me to wonder if it's possible to make an N95 or N86 (or whatever else) the master unit for, e.g., Nikon SB-800 or SB-900 flash unit. If that's possible and somebody come up with the software for it I'll definitely be paying ;)
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Unregistered
it would have been better if you had comapared the n95 8gb fw31 with the n86
although you mention that almost all new apps are now available for the n95 but it would have been fair to compare n95 8gb with latest fw
nokia hasnt brought anything new to the table in 2years, there only have been software optimizations but nothing new and the idiotic thinking behind dropping the graphics accelerator!!
by the way after a slew of fw updates of almost every new nokia handset, can we expect a new fw for the n95????
n95 is the KING
although you mention that almost all new apps are now available for the n95 but it would have been fair to compare n95 8gb with latest fw
nokia hasnt brought anything new to the table in 2years, there only have been software optimizations but nothing new and the idiotic thinking behind dropping the graphics accelerator!!
by the way after a slew of fw updates of almost every new nokia handset, can we expect a new fw for the n95????
n95 is the KING
clonmult
Quote:
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Originally Posted by slitchfield
@clonmult: "You can't have "real digital zoom". Its just cropping. "
I think I know what you're saying and I agree. However, I was trying to find a way to distinguish what the N86 does from what most camera phones seem to do, which is start with a VGA base resolution and then zoom into this, pixellating horribly. The N86 STARTS by correctly rendering VGA from a much larger sensor frame, and then gradually reduces the size of the frame. What this means is that for up to 4x or so, there's no loss of info whatsoever. I'm not sure I explained that terribly well. See the example videos on my YouTube channel for the proof 8-) |
clonmult
Quote:
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Originally Posted by Unregistered
it would have been better if you had comapared the n95 8gb fw31 with the n86
although you mention that almost all new apps are now available for the n95 but it would have been fair to compare n95 8gb with latest fw nokia hasnt brought anything new to the table in 2years, there only have been software optimizations but nothing new and the idiotic thinking behind dropping the graphics accelerator!! by the way after a slew of fw updates of almost every new nokia handset, can we expect a new fw for the n95???? n95 is the KING |
Unregistered
Quote:
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Originally Posted by Unregistered
nokia hasnt brought anything new to the table in 2years, there only have been software optimizations but nothing new and the idiotic thinking behind dropping the graphics accelerator!!
|
The N95 had an appalingly bad GPS sensor, newer phones are much better. And doing some of the clever stuff like video etc would get the phone really hot. The newer ones run much cooler.
I was an N95 owner, I got the 5800 for its better form factor even though I don't like touch interfaces of any kind. I don't miss the graphics accelerator although I notice it compared to N95 it doesn't hinder my use of the phone at all.
As for Xenon flashes, I would prefer LED anytime for a number of reasons. Within 18 months there will be no advantage for Xenon over LEDs with the technology in the pipeline, but many advantages for LEDs.
Unregistered
Quote by alsiladka:
A point I have raised pretty often - Check the font in the menu for the N95 & N86. The bold text in the N86, N85, N79 etc looks freaking ugly to me. The normal thin text on the N73, N95 look pretty cool. Wish they change the same for the N85 etc.
@alsiladka
Yes you are right about the fonts on those phones, i owned a N96 before and i couldn't help but to think why isn't the bold text looks as good as the one on N95 and the other older Nseries?
So N86 still have the same bold text as N85,N79 and N96? The only thing that comes to my mind is that they're FP2, and that might be why they have different kind of fonts
@steve
Yes N86 is an improvement to N95..and you said "I doubt that this form factor will die out - it's simply too popular". True, but don't you think people will start getting bored of the dual slide form factor anytime soon? It's a good thing Nokia released the N97, but in my opinion, that is only to challenge the iPhone 3GS. So what i'm saying is..i want Nokia to release something new..something like N95 at that time, where no other manufactures' phone were alike in the market.
Maybe i'm hoping too much =) N86 8MP is still a good phone though, might try it one of these days.
A point I have raised pretty often - Check the font in the menu for the N95 & N86. The bold text in the N86, N85, N79 etc looks freaking ugly to me. The normal thin text on the N73, N95 look pretty cool. Wish they change the same for the N85 etc.
@alsiladka
Yes you are right about the fonts on those phones, i owned a N96 before and i couldn't help but to think why isn't the bold text looks as good as the one on N95 and the other older Nseries?
So N86 still have the same bold text as N85,N79 and N96? The only thing that comes to my mind is that they're FP2, and that might be why they have different kind of fonts
@steve
Yes N86 is an improvement to N95..and you said "I doubt that this form factor will die out - it's simply too popular". True, but don't you think people will start getting bored of the dual slide form factor anytime soon? It's a good thing Nokia released the N97, but in my opinion, that is only to challenge the iPhone 3GS. So what i'm saying is..i want Nokia to release something new..something like N95 at that time, where no other manufactures' phone were alike in the market.
Maybe i'm hoping too much =) N86 8MP is still a good phone though, might try it one of these days.
argh
Quote:
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Originally Posted by slitchfield
The N86 STARTS by correctly rendering VGA from a much larger sensor frame, and then gradually reduces the size of the frame. What this means is that for up to 4x or so, there's no loss of info whatsoever.
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That was certainly a groundbreaking smartphone at the time, being fast, small and able to play great looking DVD rips with stereo sound at a time when many Symbian phones were mono.
Interestingly, it was released with Windows Mobile 2003SE, but people are still able to run the latest Windows Mobile 6.1 on it, thanks to the ROM flashing community.
I hope that this sort of community becomes available when the Symbian Foundation releases start rolling out.
MonzaMike
Just a quick point re: camera - my N95 has a variable aperture lens: f2.8/5.6 is written on the camera; these may be only two steps, not variable, but streets ahead of other phones...... Also, the '28mm' wide-angle is a GREAT feature of the N86, of greatest use for indoor shots. Do we know what the equiv. focal length of the N95 is?
Unregistered
"Umm.... how about a N95-alike, with 2.6" screen and the best qwerty on Symbian OS? It's called the E75 and it's been out for a few months 8-) Camera's not quite as good, but it's really not far off... and it's also in need of its first major firmware update, to speed things up etc.
seki"
please steve please check the e75's got a 2.4" screen. Ummn so what's your point again?
I have the e71 so not sensible for me to move the e75.
seki"
please steve please check the e75's got a 2.4" screen. Ummn so what's your point again?
I have the e71 so not sensible for me to move the e75.
m.shafik
@JCB_Digger
"> xenon flash (for the love of god, please!) + video light/torch"
Would you believe me if I told you the N86 does pretty well without the Xenon flash? You just can't compare it to the N95 flash!
I will be releasing a thorough photo comparison by the weekend between it, the SonyEricsson C905 (Xenon Flash) and my digital camera (Sony DSC-T10).
As for the video light, the N86 uses the LEDs as video lights.
"> xenon flash (for the love of god, please!) + video light/torch"
Would you believe me if I told you the N86 does pretty well without the Xenon flash? You just can't compare it to the N95 flash!
I will be releasing a thorough photo comparison by the weekend between it, the SonyEricsson C905 (Xenon Flash) and my digital camera (Sony DSC-T10).
As for the video light, the N86 uses the LEDs as video lights.
Donal
2 years is a life time in mobile devlopment. Whilst the N86 is definately an improvement I don't see it being enormous; also the N97 is supposed to be the real replacement and look at the reviews that is getting.
For me, the fact that Nokia haven't replaced last dodgey N95 8GB firmware update (e.g. with the Calander / Alarm issue) from nearly 6 months ago is leading me to question ever buying Nokia again.
For me, the fact that Nokia haven't replaced last dodgey N95 8GB firmware update (e.g. with the Calander / Alarm issue) from nearly 6 months ago is leading me to question ever buying Nokia again.
Unregistered
quagmire
I think the form factor won't die down, mainly because nokia likes to have a broad product portfolio and i think the form factor is actually great for gaming.
If i were to change anything on the N86, it's mainly with the screen. A 3" AMOLED would be great and I don't see why they can't fit one in there, with of course, an advanced resolution. Also, I would like it to be touch sensitive as well, mainly for internet browsing purposes, as a TS is easier to navigate the web with, especially with kinetic scrolling and honestly, if I am going to punch out an email, i'd like the option of a TS QWERTY as well. I think that would be a great hybrid device imo.
Something that nokia can do right now is give the user the option of compressing their photo's. I believe the n86 compresses the file about 40% down to about 1.25 mb, where usual 8mp files are around 3.5mb. I understand their reasoning in making the files smaller for mobile uploads, but I would like to see what the full 8MP sensor is capable of on the n86, uncompressed.
If i were to change anything on the N86, it's mainly with the screen. A 3" AMOLED would be great and I don't see why they can't fit one in there, with of course, an advanced resolution. Also, I would like it to be touch sensitive as well, mainly for internet browsing purposes, as a TS is easier to navigate the web with, especially with kinetic scrolling and honestly, if I am going to punch out an email, i'd like the option of a TS QWERTY as well. I think that would be a great hybrid device imo.
Something that nokia can do right now is give the user the option of compressing their photo's. I believe the n86 compresses the file about 40% down to about 1.25 mb, where usual 8mp files are around 3.5mb. I understand their reasoning in making the files smaller for mobile uploads, but I would like to see what the full 8MP sensor is capable of on the n86, uncompressed.
morpheus2702
Who actually uses the media keys under the top dual slider?
As much as I like them being there, I hardly ever touch them.
As much as I like them being there, I hardly ever touch them.
morpheus2702
Quote:
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Originally Posted by Donal
For me, the fact that Nokia haven't replaced last dodgey N95 8GB firmware update (e.g. with the Calander / Alarm issue) from nearly 6 months ago is leading me to question ever buying Nokia again.
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