Life after N95... Suggestions on a new Nokia 3G mobile phone please

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heavenlywild

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#28842 13-Dec-2008 17:34

Hey guys,

I have owned my trusty N95 since April 2008 and am now looking for a replacement.

Although function-wise, it is still working well, the casing and the buttons are starting to wear out - that's my excuse for getting a new phone anyway, haha.

I would like a 3G Nokia phone. I was looking at the N85 but it appears to look plastic-y and cheap. N96 is great but there is no lens cover, which is annoying.

Apart from calling and texting, I frequently use the phone to surf the net, check Gmail, etc, over wifi.

Any suggestions? Thanks guys!

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#183923 13-Dec-2008 20:28

N85 is good, but more evolution rather than revolution, after the N95.

The N82 is still a very very good handset, but its only offering you a substantial improvement in the camera.

You might like the E66/71? Or the 5800, if you can cope with a device thats poorly supported at present and has no physical keyboard.

Personally I think I'd hold out until the N97 and go for that in next April-ish.

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NZtechfreak

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#183924 13-Dec-2008 20:31

The Sony Xperia has quite a bit to offer, if the camera and brand are are not integral to you decision making process. I really like mine, browsing is amazing in the Opera browser, and all the better for the 800x480 screen resolution. For the things you're talking about I find it superior to Nokia's current S60 offerings.

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heavenlywild

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#183926 13-Dec-2008 20:50

NZtechfreak

Thanks for your suggestions. Hmmm, N82 is good for its camera but the screen size is too small for me.

I must say E71 looks very tempting. It has a decent camera and a beauitful screen.

Darn it, must I wait until April or May for the N97? I reckon it will retail for close to $1800, which, to be honest, is insane for a phone, no matter how great the functions are.

NZtechfreak, from your posts, I see you own plenty of handsets. Do you use two at the same time or do you alternate? What would be a good combination of phones to use?

euanandrews

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#183930 13-Dec-2008 21:34

I say, hold out for the N97 as well...I am.

Will likely retail around $1300-$1500 NZ

NZtechfreak

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#183937 13-Dec-2008 22:19

I tend to agree with that estimate for cost.

Regarding multiple handsets - my N82 I use for the camera if I'm going out at night (low light conditions), or doing something where I want decent photos and the xperia is for everything else. If you're in Auckland (from memory you are?) I'd be happy to show you them, just sold my touch pro, but still have my Xperia, N82, and 5800.

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Adamal

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#186049 25-Dec-2008 09:54

I agree with NZTechFreak. Wait for the N97.
Getting something like the N85 or N96 is only worth doing if you're coming from something like an N70, like I did. Seeing as you're coming from an N95, theres not really much that would be a 'revolutionaly' step for you!

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heavenlywild

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#186052 25-Dec-2008 10:04

Yes I am definitely holding out for the N97.

I feel the N97 is going to a wonderful "portable computer" for me. However, I may need a smaller phone as well to go with the N97 when I go out.

What would you think is a good complementary phone to use with the N97?

NZtechfreak

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#186135 26-Dec-2008 11:22

If you want a going out kinda phone then my suggestion would be candybar form factor - N82 would be one option, particularly if the camera is an important aspect.

If the camera is less important then the options open considerably... Perhaps let us know what exactly you'd want from a complementary handset in terms of features?

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euanandrews

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#186161 26-Dec-2008 15:17

Need something smaller to go with the N97?...

Bit of a contradiction aint it?

If you have the N97 with you at the same time, then 2 phones is certainly larger and takes more pocket space, than just 1 large phone by itself.

I am a fan of spending more to get just 1 device that does it all...can't understand people who have an iPod, 2 cellphones, a digital camera, a camcorder, a PSP etc etc...if ya willing to shell out more in one go for a top quality full featured gadget, ya actually likely end up saving money overall having not needing to purchase all those multiple gadgets.

That said, once I have brought myself an N97, I plan to ditch my home internet completly, and use it extensively as my internet browsing/communication tool (all browsing/social site updates, no media downloads)

The N97 is going to get me out of my cave and out being social again (in theroy)

heavenlywild

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#186162 26-Dec-2008 15:18

NZtechfreak:
If you want a going out kinda phone then my suggestion would be candybar form factor - N82 would be one option, particularly if the camera is an important aspect.

If the camera is less important then the options open considerably... Perhaps let us know what exactly you'd want from a complementary handset in terms of features?

A good camera phone is very important:)

The N82 is a great camera phone but it is a bit out of date - or am I just too picky?

To complement the upcoming N97, I guess something like the N82 would be great! Maybe a N85? Which option do you think I should go for? I guess it comes down to N82 v N85.

NZtechfreak

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#186234 27-Dec-2008 07:14

Although its a year old the N82 still really stands up as a great handset.

If the camera is important then the N85 can't really hold a candle to it I'm afraid, the Xenon flash makes a huge difference and a recent allaboutsymbian piece seems to show that the current 5mp cameras are slightly worse than the older ones (which they speculate is down to the lack of 3D acceleration).

3D acceleration is the other thing that the N85 lacks, so no Quake III on that phone, whereas you'll be rocking it on the N82.

Since we're talking about this being a complementary phone to an N97, which will essentially have the same camera as the N85, I think the N82 makes more sense despite its age.

If you did an N82 make sure its a Black one, they improved the D-Pad and tactile feedback on the keys a little (apart from the fact that its better looking). Wherever you get it make sure they let you open the box and try it out for a couple of minutes - make sure there is no creaking on the keys (some have it, particularly on the left softkey).

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Nirodha

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#186445 29-Dec-2008 04:31

heavenly_wild: Hey guys,

I have owned my trusty N95 since April 2008 and am now looking for a replacement.

Although function-wise, it is still working well, the casing and the buttons are starting to wear out - that's my excuse for getting a new phone anyway, haha.

I would like a 3G Nokia phone. I was looking at the N85 but it appears to look plastic-y and cheap. N96 is great but there is no lens cover, which is annoying.

Apart from calling and texting, I frequently use the phone to surf the net, check Gmail, etc, over wifi.

Any suggestions? Thanks guys!

Unless you're really dead set on upgrading I'd just get a new housing for the N95. The N85 wouldn't be much of an upgrade for you anyway. And, the N96, quite frankly, doesn't seem worth the money to me. However, the N97, while expensive, would definitely be a true upgrade from the N95. Also, the 5800XM might be worth consideration, if you wanted to go the touch screen route. And, it will substantially cheaper than a N97.

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NZtechfreak

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#186449 29-Dec-2008 07:21

Don't go for the 5800, I have one (trying to sell it). I don't particularly like it - not enough support at this time from Nokia and third party software developers + numerous bugs...

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BrentR

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#186457 29-Dec-2008 09:13

NZtechfreak:
Don't go for the 5800, I have one (trying to sell it). I don't particularly like it - not enough support at this time from Nokia and third party software developers + numerous bugs...

What bugs have you come across?

I've had one for just over a week and am utterly surprised at the lack of bugs to be honest. (FW 11.0.008)

I fully agree on the lack of apps though... I missing my widsets :( Although the apps I do have a great.. (AccuWeather looks so purdy!)

I've found the 5800 to be more stable and bug free than the E71, N96, N85.

euanandrews

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#186466 29-Dec-2008 09:44

NZtechfreak: Since we're talking about this being a complementary phone to an N97, which will essentially have the same camera as the N85, I think the N82 makes more sense despite its age.

A N97 + an N82?...thats a little more than loose change, require some serious money.

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