A look at the Nokia N95

From Consumerreports.org, a look at the Nokia N95. Everyone wants one, but can it beat the iPhone ?

Product: Nokia N95

Carrier: None yet, but designed to work on GSM networks

Price: $750, unlocked

Availability: Now, through independent retailers and Nokia direct

What it is: The Nokia N95 is a very expensive smartphone that crams many features and capabilities into a small package. It connects over a wireless GSM network for voice calls and text messaging. It's also compatible with a high-speed (HSDPA) wireless data network.

At 3.9x2.1x0.8 inches (HxWxD) and 4.3 ounces, it is smaller than most of the smartphones we've tested. Despite that, its features include: 5-megapixel digital camera, secondary camera for self-portraits and video calls, 2.6-inch color display, digital music player, FM radio, and GPS navigation capabilities.

Here's what our researchers also found while testing the N95:


HIGHS

A very capable camera. The N95 looks--and handles--like a digital camera. It has a built-in flash, auto-focus capability, and an image stabilizer. It can capture full-motion (30 frames per second) "DVD-like" digital video. What's more, activating the N95's camera function is as easy as opening the lens cap. Picture quality produced by the phone's primary 5-megapixel sensor (and Carl Zeiss lens) was much better than expected. Prints were much better than those from other camera phones we've seen, though not quite as good as what you can expect from a good dedicated digital camera.

Plenty of connections. Even compared with other smartphones, there are more options to get digital video, photos, and music to and from the phone. You can transfer files using the phone's built-in MicroSD slot (and included 1GB MicroSD memory card), an included USB cable, or wirelessly using Wi-Fi and Bluetooth. The phone also has PictBridge capability, which allows you to print digital images directly (without a computer) to printers that feature that technology. You can also display images and video on any TV using the phone's "TV out" connection and included cable. You can use any typical stereo headphones with the phone's built-in 3.5-mm audio connection to listen to music. But to talk on the phone with a hands-free headset, you have to use either the included audio adapter or Bluetooth.


LOWS

Hobbled office applications. Surprisingly, unlike other advanced smartphones, the N95 doesn't allow you to create, edit, or save common work files such as text documents and spreadsheets. You can only open and view them.

Keyboard conundrums. Data entry is not the N95's strong suit. Not only does it lack a touch screen common on other advanced phones such as the Palm Treos and the soon-to-arrive iPhone, but it's also missing the QWERTY keyboard that's standard on other smartphones (even quite basic models). To type text messages, you have to use the characters embedded in the phone's standard dial-pad, which we found cumbersome and somewhat difficult to read in bright light.

Below-average battery life. We're still evaluating how long the N95's battery actually lasts. But Nokia's claimed talk time--up to 210 minutes--is less than that of other GSM smartphones we've tested.


THE BOTTOM LINE

The Nokia N95 might be worth considering if you're tired of carrying around a cell phone and a digital camera--and you're willing to pay a hefty $750 to own a device that works as both very capably. (The price will likely drop in exchange for a service commitment, should any carrier decide to offer the phone as part of a plan.) While we're still testing the phone's voice quality, we expect it to be good, based on tests of previous Nokia phones such as the N80. But be prepared to compromise on some other aspects of performance, including possible shorter talk times, composing e-mails and text messages with a cramped keyboard, and the inability to create and edit common office files, such as documents and spreadsheets.

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