My Nokia N95 salute to the iPhone

So much is being written about the N95 vs. the iPhone these days . “Experts” quoting random facts and drawing up feature charts and stress test reports.  “Emotional Users” who claim one is is better than the other based on nothing but a thin understanding of both devices. Kinda stupid really…

Heres an unbiased review (ive used both):

The N95 is a superior internet device and phone. The Apple iPhone is a better media device. Simple.

Internet Browser: Comprable
The premise apple is trying to sell its iPhone on is laughable …so what if it can display youtube vids…the N95 does that and alot more. Its HSDPA (3.5G) browser effortlessly displays ajax and web 2.0 sites at breakneck speed that more than levels the safari browsers performance.

Phone Functionality: N95 Superior
The N95 is a better phone. It interfaces with multiple cell networks effortlessly which means your sms / mms success rate is way higher and more reliable and the voice quality does not break when you are in low signal areas. (This is what Nokia brings to the table).
Also the 3G capability doesnt hurt when you travel to places like singapore,paris and other parts of europe often.

Phone Design: Apple Wins Here
Apple is known for its sexy design sensibilities and they have used them to the max on the iPhone. Nothing ugly here at all.
The N95 nifty slider and its quick access menu is the best “design feature” on the Nokia.

Multimedia Handling: Comprable
Both the N95 and the iPhone have excellent audio capabilities where music is concerned. The iPhone displays the content much more aesthetically. The N95 is still fuctional in its handling of some media.

When it comes to the camera though, the N95 eats the iPhones lunch both in quality and on features. Clearly alot of work has gone into the N95 camera and this is definitely a feather in Nokias big fat 5mpx cap. The iPhone barely manages a good quality 2mpx shot.

Suming up the iPhone

It tries hard to straddle both worlds as a media device and cell phone, but does neither very well and so what it ends up being is a pretty device for novices who like pretty things. It needs to stake its claim as a rich media device that comes with a pretty decent phone. Nokia clearly owns the reverse end of that equation.

Its pretty and it is simple and thats exactly what the iPod was. What it isnt, is a good enough phone.

Summing up the N95

The N95 is a great phone and an even better internet device. Its loaded with amazing internet features and supports “over the air” EVERYTHING. In addition, its versatile enough to manage media decently and so the N95 is an easy choice for any one who wants a high-end stylish, reliable phone. The 5 Mpx camera sweetens the pot and i hardly use my old heap of a camera anymore. (I dont need to).

The Bottom Line:
Let it be known, i will probably buy an iPhone as well and use it as a media device (because im greedy for gadgets and i can) but unless apple offers me more storage (upwards of 30gb) on the iphone and makes it 3G capable / modular battery pack, it is unlikely that it will ever earn my respect or for that matter the respect of a sophisticated mobile phone user.

~ by koc1978 on July 18, 2007.