In the middle of 2007, Nokia has released the N95 smartphone, which became the most "packed" mobile phone of that time. It has combined high efficiency and powerful multimedia features, for what the manufacturer has named N95 a multimedia computer. After a year, Nokia has presented the successor of the first multimedia computer – the N96 smartphone.
It was expected, that Nokia N96 will lift the smartphones edge of functionality on a new level. But the manufacturer has decided in another way. If N95 was a multipurpose combine or the smartphone-monster, then with N96 is another story, it has a precisely expressed specialization - it is made for video work.
The smartphone’s orientation on a video content is emphasized by several things. First, Nokia N96 has installed a big 2,8 inches screen, displaying 16 million colors. Its maximal resolution - 240х320 pixels. The picture is very bright and juicy. On the sun, even if the screen fades, but the image remains clear.
Besides, the mobile phone is equipped with mobile TV reception module. Also, N96 can search for videoclips in the Network and automatically sort them according to the user’s inquiry.
An addition which emphasizes the smartphone video orientation is the leaning back frame of the digital camera on its back panel. It serves as a support for the phone body, having it transformed in a mini TV.
By the way, the smartphone is delivered with the "Transformers" movie on board (at least, the test sample). It will allow to test Nokia N96 as a mobile TV right after purchase.
For those who do not love small screens, with Nokia N96 there is a cable for connection to the TV included in the content package. Basically, N96 can be used as a pocket videoplayer, especially due to its high memory volume of 16Gb plus the microSD card.
On the Nokia N96 screen it is possible to watch not only downloaded from the web video, but also your own made video rollers. For this purpose, the smartphone is equipped with a 5Mp digital camera and Carl Zeiss optics. It allows to record video in VGA resolution with a 30 fps speed.
Precisely the same digital camera has been used in Nokia N95. But there, it looked more seriously. All the aspect is made by the protective lens cover used for N95. N96 lacks the lens cover.
Instead of the lens cover, N96 has two light-emitting diodes which serve as a flash at bad illumination. Probably, for a top smartphone, a xenon flash would have looked more logically, but the Nokia engineers know better.
One more asset of the mobile phone is the GPS-navigation. Here all is standard: it is possible plan a route, to search for the shortest way, to measure the made distance, speed of movement and the time spent for taking a route.
For navigation, Nokia N96 uses the on-line application - Nokia Maps. It means, that all the maps are loaded from the Internet, therefore it is necessary to be prepared for the traffic charges. Especially it is actual for those who prefer to use satellite pictures, instead of schematical images of the district.
Design
Externally Nokia N96 looks strictly enough. The smartphone is black, except the lateral sides the digital camera frame. The plastic is varnished, and it means that will not pass five minutes and all the device will become covered with fingerprints. Especially they are appreciable on the front panel.
On the back panel of N96, the fingerprints are visible much worse. But there is another misfortune - scratches. At a good illumination it is visible, that they cover almost all the battery panel. A possible solution is probably one - a pouch.
As well as Nokia N95, the N96 smartphone is executed in the double slider form factor. If to slide the cover upwards, the basic push-button keyboard opens. When sliding down the cover from its initial position, it will open the player management buttons. However, in N95 when the multimedia player buttons were opened, the multimedia menu itself was starting in the same time, at Nokia N96 anything similar does not occur.
One more difference from N95 became the management tools which have changed not in the good part. If in the first Finnish multimedia computer the keys were emphasized with a relief surface and quite good ergonomics, then in N96 all is on the contrary. Here all buttons are flat and smooth, what does the blind work with the smartphone practically impossible.
Besides, the multimedia player buttons are executed in the form of usual keys. Probably, it is more practical and it is more convenient, but precisely is less effective, than in Nokia N95. In the last one, these keys were also mechanical, but covered under a continuous piece of plastic. This fact made them to look as touch keys.
Slightly overloaded seemed the operating keys block located below the smartphone screen. Besides, it is absolutely unclear why the player management buttons were doubled here.
A little disappointing was the quality of the case assembly. It creaks. If you will press a little stronger than usual, then a characteristic plastic scratch can be heard. Other claims to the quality of assembly are not present.
One of the basic characteristics of any mobile device is its time of independent work. For Nokia N96, according to the documentation, it makes 3,8 hours in conversation mode and 230 hours in standby. The power supply of N96 is a lithium-ionic battery with a capacity of 950 mAh.
To speak by phone 3,8 hours without interruption during testing it was not possible. The same goes for standby, the battery do not last 230 hours.
But it was possible to find out, that as video player, Nokia N96 works almost five hours. If to use the smartphone as a GPS-navigator, the battery will last approximately three hours. At a more sparing mode of operation including till two hours of listening to music, a short web-surfing and check of mail, a full N96 battery sufficed practically for three days.
Conclusion
Who will buy Nokia N96? First of all, the Nokia fans. Then all the others who need a multipurpose and reliable smartphone for all the life occasions which should have a pleasant appearance.
The N96 appearance deserves a separate attention. It is neutral. It is impossible to tell whether the smartphone is appealing or pushes away. Its design is universal. Perhaps, N96 will look equally harmoniously with a strict suit, as well as with informal jeans.
One of the N96 pluses is the Symbian S60 platform. There are a lot of applications compatible with this platform, fact that will expand essentially the smartphone functionalities.
But the pragmatic people will hardly look at Nokia N96. Why? Probably, because the differences, between N95 8Gb and N96 are minimal. However, it can not be said the same about the price: N96 is substantially more expensive than the N95 8Gb. If to go further, an usual Nokia N95 (with 2,6-inch screen and support of microSD memory up to 8Gb) now costs about twice cheaper than the N96.
Also, it is necessary not to forget, that one of the basic features of Nokia N96 is the mobile TV module which become useless in the countries where this service is unavailable.
