Upside
The Nokia N96 is a step up from the Nokia N95 8GB and offers some truly mouth-watering features. There's 16GB of on-board memory and the option to expand via a microSDHC slot, which puts the new iPhone to shame.
Picking it up we immediately took to the large colour screen, which pushes all of your digital content right in your face and almost takes up the entire front of the N96. Everything feels well laid out and its keys are relatively easy to press.
Unlike the N95, there's a 3.5mm jack on the top of the phone instead of the side, which is much more practical and means it's less likely to get in the way when you put it in your pocket.
All the connectivity options that you got on the Nokia N95 are also available on the N96, including GPS, HSDPA (3.5G) and Wi-Fi.
One of our favourite features, and probably the N96's most modest one, is the kick stand on the back of the handset that allows you to rest your phone upright on a table -- useful if you're trying to watch a full-length film and don't fancy holding it for an hour.
Downside
While battery life was improved between the original N95 and its 8GB revision, Nokia's battery cycle estimate of 2.5 hours talk-time for the N96 is less than encouraging. We understand there's a lot of powerful features sucking the juice in this handset, but there'll be little point in owning one if your phone is constantly on the charger.
You either love 'em or hate 'em, but it seems Nokia isn't ready to get rid of its dual-sliding dedicated media keys. We're not massive fans, but they are useful when you need to control your media quickly and it does mean not having to use on-screen alternatives -- which as we all know is the devil's work.
Overall
We're huge fans of the N95 8GB, and the N96 looks to be a cool bit of kit -- but we can't help feeling a little underwhelmed that there isn't more on offer. Call us greedy but we expected something a touch(screen) more exciting from the Finns.
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Trent
05/08/2008, 02:41 PM
rating
9/10
I've had my N95 for 16months which is a record for me; I just can't find a phone that is better. My biggest complaint on the N95 is the cheesy plastic chassis and this seems to be taken care of on the N96. So I will have Nokia replace my plastic on my N95 ($65USD) and then I will trade it in for the N96 when it becomes available. It makes no sense to get an iPhone when the Nokia N96 is avaialble. I have an iPod touch which i really like but for my phone I'll stick with the Nokia and get more out of it.
Pros: WiFi, bluetooth, GPS, 5Mp, 16G+, podcasts directly to the phone (no need for PC), internet browser good on mobile screen, internet radio and phone, great video, business email is easy, look and feel much improved (ala N81), bar code reader, many more...
Cons: No qwerty, slow camera, battery life is so-so, lousy Nokia PC suite interface
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[heyhey]
02/08/2008, 04:39 PM
rating
10/10
it is a awsome phone ^^
its got heaps of goodies and it looks fab (like me lol)
Pros: its good lookin'
good camera
big screen
lots of bundeled items
good brand (nokia)
storage is pretty awsome
awsome features
Cons: i cant say there is nothing. we'll just have to wait and see
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riley.r
01/08/2008, 07:07 PM
rating
10/10
a truly awsome phone by a truly awsome company
Pros: okay price.
not over the top camera
gps
games
storage
+++++more
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jap_isawsome
30/07/2008, 10:10 PM
rating
10/10
really good phone.
nokia is a good brand
acceptable price for how great it is
Pros: many video and music files supported
beautiful glossey design
i just love the 2-way slider!
i like the little stand, its a small cheap thing that makes a big difference!
heaps more
Cons: nuthin
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lumpy_dumpy
30/07/2008, 10:06 PM
rating
10/10
an awesome phone from an awesome brand that has everything u want, in the appropriate price range
Pros: approx $900 be4 tax and stuff is really good
5 mp camera Isn't over the top, i'm sick of hearing about 8.1mp camera's, its just unnecessary.
i just luv the 2-way slide
gr8 design
heaps more!!!
Cons: mite be a few things, not sure.
xenon flash would be good, but oh well
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tjorg16
28/07/2008, 12:38 PM
rating
2/10
Its way to much.
the price need to be cheaper for anyone to buy.
Pros: 5 mb camera, maps, can hold lots of stuff
Cons: need to be cheaper
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banisters_mind
18/07/2008, 01:28 PM
rating
9/10
Since I have been sooo underwhelmed with the iPhone 3G and seem destined never to achieve my goal of integrating my phone and pda into one device that will do absolutely, positively everything I want, the N96 may well be the device to sustain my love affair with the Nokia N-series. If I could ever be convinced to try Quickoffice I might even stick to this device.
Pros: Lucious looking device with large screen area and every physical characteristic that I have so adored about the n81.
Cons: Ho-hum battery life
Limited use of all functions given my geography
Slow GPS
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Mandingo
17/07/2008, 05:37 PM
rating
10/10
WOW WOW WOW!!!..
Now I really want one too.. I was thinking of the Nokia N95 8G model but looks like I will wait and see when the N96 comes out.
Apart from the lack of a touchscreen it kills the Iphone. Heaps of memory and expandable!! Go NOKIA!!.. Plus heaps of features like the N95's.. Ohhh how cool would it be to watch TV on your mobile and not get charged to view short made up videos that your carrier charges you for. Well done again NOKIA. The FM radio is cool also.. Ohh wait the iphone dont have that either. Shame Shame SHame Apple..
Battery life is the bad point. However if you read the CNET review on the iphone they got 12 hrs on one charge. It seems today's phones that are packed with features and do not last as long. Better batteries should be developed.
Whats next?... Video plug or DVD plugins to watch your movies like a portable DVD player?.. Ohhh how cool will mobiles be in 5 years. :D
Thank you Nokia for designing a phone that users can access the features without having to fork out $$$ to access to their carriers. Well done..
Pros: Read above..
Cons: Read above..
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smohanv
04/07/2008, 01:28 AM
rating
3/10
There is huge improvements in N96. N95 8GB has all the features except few which is found in N96... Anyone thinking of investing a huge money N96 is not worth thinking..
Pros: DVB TV if it works well...
Cons: Processor is very small to handle multitasking... How nokia ignored the fact that the processor must have been more than what we could see in N95 8GB phones.
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techs82
23/06/2008, 07:56 PM
rating
9/10
It's a great looking phone and I really want it. But the price is really going to hit us. In the UK it 600 pounds so im guessing it will be over the $1000 mark in Aus. But the u pay for what u get.
If u want the phone for the DVB-T tuner to watch tv dont bother. Its not in Aus yet and probably wont be for another few years. Of cause by then Nokia will have better phones.
Pros: Looks good, lots of features. 5mp and games play well on it. Also has it's own FM freqasey (I know its spelt wrong) put ur music on the phone go to ur car and set any FM raido to ur phone then listen to all ur music on it, great for long car trips. Also the 16 gig of memory.
Cons: Short battery life, DVB-T tuner (cant use it here).
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