Nokia N96

Nokia’s N95 8 GB was, perhaps, one of the most balanced Symbian-based smartphones we’ve ever had the pleasure of reviewing. Most people look at such high-end phones as a sum of their feature set. For us, a cellphone is a more personal device, and the operation, ergonomics, intuitiveness of menus and ease of use are equally important as the features — especially when one is shelling out over Rs 30,000.

The N82 was thought to be a replacement for the N95, but without the slick two way slider, and a smaller screen, it was never an N95 killer. Now Nokia faced a dilemma — how to improve upon near perfection? Simple — improve the few noticeable flaws. And thus was born the N96.



Livered in a slick satin black facia with metallic silver all round the sides. The rear is satin black, with fine grey lines between — very similar to the finishes on the Nokia N82 and N78. Some may like such finishes — we personally don’t, and the N95 8 GB looked much more a serious phone than a rich boy’s play-toy.

The screen remains the same (2.8 inches) although it’s now become glossy, which gives the appearance of better contrast, but in reality this isn’t so. The speaker grilles are now much better looking. The revamping of the menu buttons isn’t successful however, and the four-way joypad is now much harder to use.

The menu button isn’t bevelled any more and its flush fit and closeness to the call accept button may lead to a few false key presses — very annoying. The volume and camera buttons on the side are now a lot harder to use, and feel tackier than the N95s keys. The number pad now has flat keys and their close spacing means using them is a pain — the N95 8 GB had bevelled keys — Nokia should have stuck with that.....

Nokia N96