N96 Inov8 N85 My next phone

[riverboat]

Having real trouble deciding on these phone.

I know I'm not the only one itching tobuy one...but which?


N96 pluses
BBC IPlayer download and save programs at home to watch later via TV out.
Voice Dialling
FM transmitter
Phone Stand
Nokia maps - if i can tranfer over my subscription
probably better 3rd party software at launch?

Minuses
No lens cover
Cost

Inov8
Pluses
8MP
Lens cover
divx - xvid

Minuses
No voice dialling


N85---not a clue, is this an N96 without the dvb-h


Use phone for
calling
text
Internet (opera mini)
Mobilcast (podcast app)
taking pictures
Voice dialling (will really miss this if i go for the Samsung)

[seki]

Originally Posted by riverboat

Having real trouble deciding on these phone.

I know I'm not the only one itching tobuy one...but which?


N96 pluses
BBC IPlayer download and save programs at home to watch later via TV out.
Voice Dialling
FM transmitter
Phone Stand
Nokia maps - if i can tranfer over my subscription
probably better 3rd party software at launch?

Minuses
No lens cover
Cost

Inov8
Pluses
8MP
Lens cover
divx - xvid

Minuses
No voice dialling


N85---not a clue, is this an N96 without the dvb-h


Use phone for
calling
text
Internet (opera mini)
Mobilcast (podcast app)
taking pictures
Voice dialling (will really miss this if i go for the Samsung)

Does all your above plus has FM transmitter - DOES have a lens cover has a BEAUTIFUL (I cannot stress this enough) OLED screen. Its also cheaper than the other 2 options.

[riverboat]

Originally Posted by seki

Does all your above plus has FM transmitter - DOES have a lens cover has a BEAUTIFUL (I cannot stress this enough) OLED screen. Its also cheaper than the other 2 options.

Which one, the N85?
I've seen the Samsung quite a bit cheaper than the other two.
Apparently the OLED screen is difficult to see in sunlight, do you have one, whats it like.

I don't understand why Nokia has got TWO phones so similar

[bchliu]

Samsung Innov8. The N96 is such a disgusting disappointment with the drop in specs and the fact that DVB-H is only "in beta" at the moment in most countries.

You can get the BBC player to work with nearly any S60 phone anyway.. Dont know what the big deal is there (much like Apple's much hyped Google maps - that works on anything not just the Iphoney).

[riverboat]

Originally Posted by bchliu

Samsung Innov8. The N96 is such a disgusting disappointment with the drop in specs and the fact that DVB-H is only "in beta" at the moment in most countries.

You can get the BBC player to work with nearly any S60 phone anyway.. Dont know what the big deal is there (much like Apple's much hyped Google maps - that works on anything not just the Iphoney).

In these days of hands free, how did Samsung miss "voice dialling"

I thought the DVB-h thing was the only major difference between the N85 and the N96, which is why i thought it might be better value for money, why pay for something we can't use?

[kontraband]

yeah, the OLED screen is great but it is also a bit harder to see in bright sunlight... tho if youre in the UK you dont need to worry about that much!

[riverboat]

So, back to the voice dialling thing.

If i'm driving along, i only have to press either one button on my phone, or bluetooth headset, speak a name and 90% of the time it picks the right one, and dials it. The great thing is you can also use voice commands for opeing apps

How is this handled by the Inov8?

I've asked a similar question over in the inov8 forum, so I know it doesn't have voice dialling, so how do you safely initiate a call whilst driving?

It's a shame it can't be added via a firmware update, or via a third party app....

Oh bugger why is it sooo difficult to choose, so many people must be in the same boat struggling over which one to buy. My N95 classic has been a really great phone, but now i want something better, the lure of an 8mp slimmer camera is strong.....

Is there anything else on the horizon? Say before Christmas

[bartmanekul]

Main difference between the N96 - N85 is the memory. The N96 has 16GB and a card slot, while the N85 only has a card slot. So 16GB max at the moment (though 32GB cards are coming).

Also, the almost pointless DVB, kickstand, and slightly larger screen on the N96. Though its not OLED like the N85.

In sunlight, the N85 isnt great, but I didnt find it that different to my E66.

Theres a few other minors, like the N85 has a lens cover, USB charging, etc.

[bchliu]

Riverboat:
Understand your fustriations about the voice dialing thing.. I dont know - its a function that I hardly ever use and even if I do, its not entirely accurate and can dial the wrong number if the recognition fails.. I am willing to bet there will be a 3rd party app that will allow that at some point in time anyway..

I'm in a similar boat - I just find the N96 so horribly unattractive (not just in looks, but the disappointment of the downgrade of the hardware).. and even then the Innov8 is not that much better to justify a $1k (AUD) upgrade..

There isnt too many good phones on the horizon.. probably until the flagship version of the Tube comes out I think.

For the time being, I have been using an E71 as a secondary phone (mainly emails for work).. Its fantastic and very underrated by the public if you ask me. (has nearly all the functionality of the N95 bar the megapixels, 3D and accelerometer).. but on the plus side, its faster overall (more mhz and optimisations) AND tons of memory (which my N95-1 severely lacked).. But its thin and beautiful..

Lastly, its less than HALF the price of the N96 or Innov8!!

[seki]

into this mix too .. If you like candy-bar form factor .. with a slightly smaller OLED screen than the N85 its still going to look nice .. it has interchangeable colour fascias and if price is your concern its the cheapest yet.
http://europe.nokia.com/A41199655 for all your specification goodness

-seki

[bartmanekul]

Originally Posted by seki

with a slightly smaller OLED screen than the N85 its still going to look nice

Doesnt have an OLED screen.

[seki]

Originally Posted by bartmanekul

Doesnt have an OLED screen.

For some reason I thought it had .. and just ignored that in the spec sheet.

Cheers Bart..