Nokia N78 (Nseries)
Published by Rafe Blandford at 11:19 UTC, June 3rd 2008 under Phones in S60 3rd Edition|| 32 Comments / Post New Comment
The Nokia N78 is the new entry level Nseries device (still a relatively high end phone of course). It has a 3.2 megapixel camera, GPS for navigation and location functions, 3G and WiFi connectivity, and an FM transmitter (for sending audio to radios). Its runs S60 3rd Edition Feature Pack 2 (the first S60 phone to do so). It can be seen as a replacement for the N73 and as such is likely to be one of the best selling Nseries devices.
Nokia N78 UK Retail Version
This is the Nokia N78 (UK SIM-free retail version). There's a sleeve highlighting the navigation features of the phone, but the main box is in the usual Nseries style.
You can view the photoset on Flickr here. View as a slide show here.
You can read our N78 preview here.
Gallery Discussion
Dr Tran
Comment: I want to hear about the Events settings
Rafe
Comment: The Event settings you refer to are part of themes (effectively), also known as Audio Themes. They allow you to set tones or a voice read out for particular events. It also consolidates things like ringing tones, messaging tones, alaram tones into one place which makes a lot more sense that what went before.
Unregistered
Comment: Have there been any more solid release dates confirmed yet? Specifically for Ireland? Because we generally get phones around the same time as our British brethren but there hasn't been word one on it yet.
Also the keypad seems to be an issue, but most of the videos up only concern the Navi-wheel and softkey, could you make a video of writing a text or something like that? Thanks!
Also the keypad seems to be an issue, but most of the videos up only concern the Navi-wheel and softkey, could you make a video of writing a text or something like that? Thanks!
Rafe
Comment: Basically it is available from now. However as ever it will take a while to get into channels (SIM-Free). I would expect wide spread availability by the end of the month. For operators this will obvisouly take a bit longer.
Yes I think keypad will cause debate, but it is really not as bad as people seem to think. It is an improvement over the N73, in my opinion, for example. It's one of those keyboards that looks a lot worse than it is. A bigger gripe for me may be the positioning of the S60 and C keys.
Yes I think keypad will cause debate, but it is really not as bad as people seem to think. It is an improvement over the N73, in my opinion, for example. It's one of those keyboards that looks a lot worse than it is. A bigger gripe for me may be the positioning of the S60 and C keys.
krisse
Comment: [quote]Have there been any more solid release dates confirmed yet?[/quote]
It has been available in Finland for a few weeks, so it is leaving the factories and I'd expect to see it across Europe very soon.
It has been available in Finland for a few weeks, so it is leaving the factories and I'd expect to see it across Europe very soon.
mtomczak
Comment: I had been playing with N78 today for about 15 minutes, and I must say I'm impressed. Great quality, and I like 3,5mm jakck for headphones :) I'll get it and buy 8gb microsd card and use it as my music phone.
But the biggest drawback isn't the keypad. It's fingerprints. They are everywhere. I own now 6120 classic and I really hate them to clean my phone everyday.
Overall the N78 should be a bestseller imo.
Cheers.
But the biggest drawback isn't the keypad. It's fingerprints. They are everywhere. I own now 6120 classic and I really hate them to clean my phone everyday.
Overall the N78 should be a bestseller imo.
Cheers.
Unregistered
Comment: Stefan C said in his brief review that the audio quality (when listening to music) was better than in N82. Do you hear any difference?
Henrikki (TheBlueNile)
Henrikki (TheBlueNile)
Unregistered
Comment: Hmmm. The N78 is inferior in every way to the N82 and yet the N82 can be had new off EBay for around £250 plus or minus about £30, compared to the £300 for the N78 you quote above.
Sorry, but what is the advantage of an N78???
Sorry, but what is the advantage of an N78???
Unregistered
Comment: What kind of improvements are there with this new version of S60?
Dr Tran
Comment: Is the call log fixed?
Hardeep1singh
Comment: I saw one last sunday, its available in India for Rs. 19,500 almost the same price as N82, which is at Rs. 19,300. Looking at the featureset, I'm sure the price for N78 would come down very soon, if only this phone had an accelerometer, it would've been a perfect device.
malerocks
Comment: [quote=Unregistered;379689]What kind of improvements are there with this new version of S60?[/quote]
I agree with this point. It would be great if someone can come up with an article (or point us to one) highlighting what new, better or improved in S60 9.3.
I agree with this point. It would be great if someone can come up with an article (or point us to one) highlighting what new, better or improved in S60 9.3.
Unreg'd in USA
Comment: Any word on when the US version will come out?
And to those wondering why someone would choose the N78 over the N82, check out the THICKNESS. 2.3 mm doesn't seem like much but it makes the N82 a brick.
And to those wondering why someone would choose the N78 over the N82, check out the THICKNESS. 2.3 mm doesn't seem like much but it makes the N82 a brick.
JuhaN
Comment: Could anyone that have used N78 or any other Feature Pack 2 device comment about the new Access Point handling. How automatic is it if I have set up a couple of WLAN networks and 3G as a last choise. I've heard that the new WLAN Wizard checks if it can make connection to internet when searching for open WLANs. Does this work properly?
=)juha
=)juha
haekon
Comment: i really have to know. is audio quality in n78 better than n82 through earphones? please tell me this based on your actual experience. thanks.
Rafe
Comment: [quote]I had been playing with N78 today for about 15 minutes, and I must say I'm impressed. Great quality, and I like 3,5mm jakck for headphones :) I'll get it and buy 8gb microsd card and use it as my music phone.
But the biggest drawback isn't the keypad. It's fingerprints. They are everywhere. I own now 6120 classic and I really hate them to clean my phone everyday.
Overall the N78 should be a bestseller imo.
Cheers.[/quote]
Yes it definitely does attract finger prints. The black colour helps, but only in as much as fingerprints are less obvious at first glance.
[quote]Stefan C said in his brief review that the audio quality (when listening to music) was better than in N82. Do you hear any difference?
Henrikki (TheBlueNile)[/quote]
I can't say I can hear a big difference, but I'll try and do some comparisons.
[quote]Hmmm. The N78 is inferior in every way to the N82 and yet the N82 can be had new off EBay for around £250 plus or minus about £30, compared to the £300 for the N78 you quote above.
Sorry, but what is the advantage of an N78???[/quote]
S60 3.2, size, style and performance are the reasons people would choose an N78 (assuming equal pricing). Of course the price will go down and will probably settle below that on the N82 in a 4 months or so.
[quote]What kind of improvements are there with this new version of S60?[/quote]
I'll be doing a specific piece on this.
[quote]Is the call log fixed?[/quote]
Not sure what you mean. Its the same call log as previous S60 3rd Edition phones.
[quote]I agree with this point. It would be great if someone can come up with an article (or point us to one) highlighting what new, better or improved in S60 9.3.[/quote]
Watch this space.
[quote]Could anyone that have used N78 or any other Feature Pack 2 device comment about the new Access Point handling. How automatic is it if I have set up a couple of WLAN networks and 3G as a last choise. I've heard that the new WLAN Wizard checks if it can make connection to internet when searching for open WLANs. Does this work properly?
=)juha[/quote]
Essentially it has three group access points - Internet, MMS and WAP. In those destinations you can put as many access points as you like and prioritise them. Thus if you have WLAN networks first it will use those where available. The caveat is that not all application use the new groups.
But the biggest drawback isn't the keypad. It's fingerprints. They are everywhere. I own now 6120 classic and I really hate them to clean my phone everyday.
Overall the N78 should be a bestseller imo.
Cheers.[/quote]
Yes it definitely does attract finger prints. The black colour helps, but only in as much as fingerprints are less obvious at first glance.
[quote]Stefan C said in his brief review that the audio quality (when listening to music) was better than in N82. Do you hear any difference?
Henrikki (TheBlueNile)[/quote]
I can't say I can hear a big difference, but I'll try and do some comparisons.
[quote]Hmmm. The N78 is inferior in every way to the N82 and yet the N82 can be had new off EBay for around £250 plus or minus about £30, compared to the £300 for the N78 you quote above.
Sorry, but what is the advantage of an N78???[/quote]
S60 3.2, size, style and performance are the reasons people would choose an N78 (assuming equal pricing). Of course the price will go down and will probably settle below that on the N82 in a 4 months or so.
[quote]What kind of improvements are there with this new version of S60?[/quote]
I'll be doing a specific piece on this.
[quote]Is the call log fixed?[/quote]
Not sure what you mean. Its the same call log as previous S60 3rd Edition phones.
[quote]I agree with this point. It would be great if someone can come up with an article (or point us to one) highlighting what new, better or improved in S60 9.3.[/quote]
Watch this space.
[quote]Could anyone that have used N78 or any other Feature Pack 2 device comment about the new Access Point handling. How automatic is it if I have set up a couple of WLAN networks and 3G as a last choise. I've heard that the new WLAN Wizard checks if it can make connection to internet when searching for open WLANs. Does this work properly?
=)juha[/quote]
Essentially it has three group access points - Internet, MMS and WAP. In those destinations you can put as many access points as you like and prioritise them. Thus if you have WLAN networks first it will use those where available. The caveat is that not all application use the new groups.
sparx104
Comment: What's the battery life like? Also, as someone who got the N95 as soon as it came out - it is stable or are we going to have to wait for several firmware updates for that?
The call log problem is that all calls are shown as from a mobile in the log, even if they are from other sources (ie. home, business)
Finally, does it charge from USB?
The call log problem is that all calls are shown as from a mobile in the log, even if they are from other sources (ie. home, business)
Finally, does it charge from USB?
bjornb
Comment: The batterylife is noticably better that the N95 (I have no numbers though). It is pretty stable, more stable than the N95 when it was released (I also own the N95 for over a year now).
The call log icon problem is still there..
It does not charge through the micro usb connector.
BTW, maybe this thread should be moved to the N78 category?
The call log icon problem is still there..
It does not charge through the micro usb connector.
BTW, maybe this thread should be moved to the N78 category?
Unregistered
Comment: Just a quick note:
I tried a N78 vs. my N82 for sound quality. I used a pair of Shure ES 530's as the test headphones. if anyone knows headphones, the ES530's are top of the line and very accurate. I could hear no discernable difference. From jazz, to classical, pop (yuck), and alternative, the sound was about the same. No need to upgrade just for the music player.
By the way, Psiloc has a product called connect, that will allow you to create multiple access points, and then prioritize them. All applications see the one Psiloc access point (be it WLAN, 3G, etc...) and deteremines which is the better option to use. It costs but it is very robust.
I tried a N78 vs. my N82 for sound quality. I used a pair of Shure ES 530's as the test headphones. if anyone knows headphones, the ES530's are top of the line and very accurate. I could hear no discernable difference. From jazz, to classical, pop (yuck), and alternative, the sound was about the same. No need to upgrade just for the music player.
By the way, Psiloc has a product called connect, that will allow you to create multiple access points, and then prioritize them. All applications see the one Psiloc access point (be it WLAN, 3G, etc...) and deteremines which is the better option to use. It costs but it is very robust.
Tom (Unreg)
Comment: Two quick questions on the N78:
1 - Does the MicroSD support SDHC cards?
2 - Does the GPS require the phone to be connected to the internet to operate, or will it work regardless of connection (in the UK)? (I'm sure I read that the N95 GPS needed to connect before GPS worked)
Many thanks,
1 - Does the MicroSD support SDHC cards?
2 - Does the GPS require the phone to be connected to the internet to operate, or will it work regardless of connection (in the UK)? (I'm sure I read that the N95 GPS needed to connect before GPS worked)
Many thanks,
sparx104
Comment: the n95 would connect if using assisted gps for a fast fix. This can be disabled so i would assume so here.
Another question, the n95 supports protected wma files (i use it with a napster subscription), does the n78?
Another question, the n95 supports protected wma files (i use it with a napster subscription), does the n78?
bjornb
Comment: It supports SDHC cards, I use a Sandisk 8GB microsdhc in my n78.
mantrinilesh
Comment: in some contries Fm transmitter is disabled any ideas about product codes then
krisse
Comment: [quote]Does the MicroSD support SDHC cards?[/quote]
I believe ALL new Nokia smartphones support SDHC, and some of the older models have had SDHC support added through firmware updates too.
I believe ALL new Nokia smartphones support SDHC, and some of the older models have had SDHC support added through firmware updates too.
Unregistered
Comment: I'd like to confirm that the n78 GPS will work without a sim card in it ie. no service provider network. This is similar in operation to the N82's GPS. I tried the n78 out at a store close by.