Nokia Nokia N95

Reviewed by: crensi

Duration of ownership:

Strengths: Lots of connection Options, Bluetooth, GPRS, EDGE, WiFi,Quad-band, UTMS(Europe). Email client.Easily syncs with Office 2007.

Weaknesses: No high speed for US, only Europe. However, US G3 is rare.No touch screen.

Overall Evaluation: Mine came with a 1GB mini-SD card. (Not all of the vendors sell it with this card). I bought a 2GB micro-SD card with a mini adapter and use that. Connections: I have used the N95 as an EDGE (GPRS) modem for my laptop to access the net through the T-Mobile network. I surf with it as stand-alone device both Wifi (Home Network, T-Mobile Hotspots) and and EDGE (GPRS on T-mobile t-Zones). When it is used as a modem the battery goes quickly so you need to plug it in some kind of an outlet be it car (DC) or regular AC. Applications: I installed F-Secure Mobile Security. Yes, you will need a firewall and virus protection if you surf the net stand-alone (not used as a laptop modem). Think of it as a computer that can be used as a phone. There are viruses that use text messages to do their dirty deed. There aren't as many viruses yet, but they will come. I downloaded Google Maps even though it has a built in GPS. More on that later. I downloaded the tailored GMAIL for it even though it has a pop application. I like being able to sync Mobile Bookmarks from my PC to the phone. That is, you can define bookmarks in IE or Firefox and move them to the phone bookmarks. Makes surfing easier. I have tailored my phone Google Homepage with the local weather, etc. Easy to check on what's playing at the local movie theaters while on the go. I really like and need the PC Sync for Outlook. It does not sync email with the built-in application. But, it can use any Symbian 60 app. The GPS IS SLOW to find your position. But it does do so. It has a built in mapping application which is OK. However, the special Google maps that you can download does a better job of mapping your trip. I also bought for my 2 adult sons a Nokia n73 (for the Carl Zeiss lens but no Wifi) and the Nokia N80 (so-so camera but has Wifi) since he has a great camera already. They are MUCH cheaper than the N95 and the N80 with all the connectivity options does everything I need to do. I was suckered by the 5 meg camera which I have YET to even read how to use and the GPS which is OK if you don't know where you are. I was really loving this phone until I saw an iPhone. The larger screen and more importantly, the TOUCH SCREEN are to die for. I am sure Nokia will eventually come out with a similar screen with all the capability of the N95 eventually. When they do, I will buy it!!!