Unboxing the production Nokia N95 and first impressions
Published by Steve Litchfield at 10:41 GMT, March 22nd 2007
OK, so we weren't actually planning to do a formal unboxing, but the packaging is very different from previous Nseries smartphones (it is a limited edition). Read on for more... [Updated]
Update: It seems that the N95 we received was in limited edition packaging. Retail N95's will come in the packaging (standard Nseries) seen in our earlier photos. Apologies for any confusion caused (although it might be a nice idea to offer a premium version in this packaging along with an A2DP headset or similar).
Original:
Unusually, the N95 came in arty, minimalist packaging. Very stylish (reminds me of Apple's boxes, though in black rather than white):
Incidentally the packaging was designed by a company called TSL; here is a page with some additional information on the N95 launch box. Each side of the main box has a different slogan around the theme of 'many things in your pocket'. And here's the main attraction:
Then there's a box within the box, containing all the paperwork and accessories, INCLUDING a 2GB microSD card (and adapter) and, in this case, a Euro mains adapter, though obviously N95s bought through retail outlets will have the right mains adapter for their country.
Update / Clarification: The 2GB is (probably) not standard, the size of the memory card depends on your market.
So - ten minutes into ownership, it's charging away happily. Rafe and I will be reporting more on the production Nokia N95 over the next week, plus video podcast Smartphones Show 28 will be an N95 special.
Firmware
Firmware is v10.0.018, dated 15-March-2007, which bodes well, it seems stable so far. NSU says there's no more recent update. The bad news is that camera images still have that rose-tinted glow that has been much remarked upon. After talking to the N95 product manager, Rafe has ascertained that they're well aware of the problem and that a fix will make its way into a firmware update. Watch this space.
Samples
Some sample photos from the N95, to illustrate the above comment, click through for full-size raw images:
Nokia N95: The 50 word review
Slim and clinical form factor, bonus points for amazing ultra-convergence (stereo speakers, GPS, 5mp cam, radio, music controls, Wi-Fi), some points lost again for under-performing camera and relatively insensitive GPS. Current firmware can be slow and unresponsive. As ever with Nokia, look for the first firmware updates!
The accessory scene
It's also worth noting that WOM World very kindly included samples of Nokia's SU-8W Bluetooth keyboard, BH-501 Stereo Bluetooth headset and the AD-42W Wireless Audio Gateway. Thanks guys, expect to see these featured in N95 despatches as well, along with (among others) Proporta's latest Wireless FM Stereo Transmitter. It seems that the N95's release has triggered a fresh accessory scene!
Earlier Coverage and Resources
We'll have more coverage shortly, but if you cannot wait then here are some highlights from our earlier coverage.
Nokia N95 First Impressions Preview
Nokia N95 Video Review
Nokia N95 - Your Questions Answered
Nokia N95 Software Directory / List
Nokia N95 Device Photos
Categories: Hardware, Editorial Thoughts
Platforms: Series 60
News Discussion
It's crazy when phone manufacturers advertise a phone's memory capacity ("store up to 1000 music tracks!") and then add in brackets "requires separate memory card purchase". It's like selling a PC without a HDD.
Incidentally Steve, I think the slogans are upside down because that bit of the box is upside down, from the photo it looks like it's meant to cover the phone. That or the packaging designer messed up... :-)
Also, I think FP2 or FP1 allow you to switch to horizontal mode, so you could use all future S60 models horizontally?
It's a small detail, but it might be one of those important ones that changes the way people think of the device. If it has a wide screen they might see it more like a computer than if it has a vertical one.
Apart from the obvious advantages horizontal displays have in video and web browsing, they're also excellent for games, and hopefully Nokia's next gen gaming platform will try to use horizontal modes as extensively as possible.
It is a shame that the handset still has the red tint on the images as you mentioned. Looking foward to your review in the coming week.
Darn.
All Nokia phones come with a protective plastic film on the screen to protect it during shipping. Come to think of it, all phones from all manufacturers come with a plastic screen protector don't they?
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Originally Posted by krisse
"Hi. Are tere any piece of plastic on the screen, to protect it when you unbox it? I cant really see it on the pictures..."
All Nokia phones come with a protective plastic film on the screen to protect it during shipping. Come to think of it, all phones from all manufacturers come with a plastic screen protector don't they? |
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Originally Posted by Andybill23
Ok, thanks. i just can't see it on the pictures. Did you take it of before taking the pictures? :? Your right that all phones comes with the plastic protective film, but some manufacturers has printet a picture on it. Which you cant use as a screen protecter then...
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| The bad news is that camera images still have that rose-tinted glow that has been much remarked upon. Let's hope that Nokia fixes this in a firmware update very, very soon! |
Tom
Compare screenshots of the N90 and the N95, the menus actually look better on the N90 and that is a lower res phone.
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Originally Posted by Ratkat
I can't understand why they have removed the anti-alaising on the text in the menu screens, it makes it look cheap and nasty. Yet the text within apps looks fine.
Compare screenshots of the N90 and the N95, the menus actually look better on the N90 and that is a lower res phone. |
Compared to the devices with 352x416 screens where everything is anti aliased coupled with screens being smaller and having a much higher pixel density, this looks dated and ill fitting on a high end product like the N95.
This, along with the N95's mundane appearance and disappointing camera quality, will make sure I skip it and wait for S60 V3 FP2 devices with VGA screens... although I am a self confessed sucker for eye candy.
aaah... No... I may have got that wrong... It COULD be the much-vaunted built-in GPS facility that's crippled unless you subscribe... Yes! That's it... One of the N95's major selling-points, the GPS system, is the utility that remains silent until you pay the subscription... It will THEN give you turn-by-turn voice instructions.
Using silent GPS to navigate whilst driving unaccompanied, is positively dangerous, as without audible directions, the driver is forced to constantly look at the map-screen... I wonder who'll be the first GPS-navigating non-subscriber to depart this earth, leaving a blood-spattered N95 to their nearest and dearest.
Nokia, by leaving one of the main selling-points of your flagship device only Partially-Functional, you plummet in my estimation... Shame on you for squeezing extra cash out of your customers in order for them to fully-enable all the features of their handset!
I don't see it as such a safety concern. If you can't glance at your navigation software every now and then without becoming entirely consumed, maybe you should just concentrate on keeping two hands on the wheel while you drive around out there. Please.
Scary.
If i can tack on as many widgets and apps as i can with my treo to this bad boy, i reckon it could well be time to head on back into the Nokia corral.