iPhone vs N95 Review
So when the iPhone was announced I was super excited about it and ready to hand over whatever the cost to Apple. As more info became available during the past few months my excitement tapered off...And when it finally did arrive its features paled in comparison of my current latest phone - the Nokia N95. But the Apple fanboy in me really showed itself as I got caught up in all the obsessive iPhone coverage that appeared online in the past week leading up to the release of phone yesterday at 6 PM. I read every professional and user review that popped up to find out if the iPhone was worth selling my N95 for (I could sell my phone on ebay, buy an iPhone and still have some spare change left over..)..And today I went to the Apple store and messed around with the iPhone in person. I am convinced that the current version of the iPhone is simply to weak for me. It's a fine if not fantastic phone if you are used to normal phones..like the majority of people are. I am used to a high standard of features on my phone so the current version of the iPhone is not good enough. Some pro and cons compared to the N95
iPhone Pros
- Fantastic web browser.
- Good email.
- Beautiful User Interface. It really is slick and fluid like the commercial. Never seen anything like it.
- Fantastic crisp and large screen.
- A no comparison music and video player (although the video is limited to a few formats). It's an awesome new iPod interface.
- Voice call quality seemed better than the N95
- Undeniably cooler than any other phone (see cons).
- Quicker camera than the N95 (but inferior in quality and control)
- Very slim.
- Long lasting battery compared to N95
Nokia N95 Pros
- 5MP AUTOFOCUS camera with flash
- Same web browser as the iPhone (even though I would say the iPhone browser is a bit nicer to use)
- MMS Messaging (I personally don't send MMS, but I do receive them from people)
- GPS Navigation
- You can save stuff from the internet (ie: you can save pics and files to the phone. Can't do that with iPhone)
- Can use a plethora of applications and games to do what ever you need - iPhone can't.
- physical keypad - Personal preference, but I like tactile feedback.
- Easy One Hand operation. You can do it with the iPhone but it is far from natural.
- Real Bluetooth connectivity - you can send files back and forth. Can use stereo bluetooth headsets.
- Send text messages to more than 1 person at a time
- Nice loud stereo speakers
- Removable battery.
- Not limited to built in memory (but the iphone comes with 4GB or 8GB built in..So that is enough for most people)
- Built in RSS reader.
- Not locked into a 2 year contract.
- No one has any clue what it is and will be much less common than the iPhone.
- DVD quality video recording.
- File browser system.
Nokia N95 Cons
- User interface can be laggy. Not even close in fluidity when compared to the iPhone.
- Get "out of memory problems" when doing to much at once.
- Music and Video interface not as nice as the iPhone and can't play iTunes songs without converting them first.
- Smaller screen - 2.5 vs 3.5 inches
- Battery doesn't last long.
- not slim or slick at all.
iPhone Cons
- A very closed system. Can't add any real applications (but you can use web apps, but they can also be used on the N95 since they use pretty much the same web browser so no advantage for the iPhone)
- No tactile feedback (again, this is a personal preference)
- Can't use your own ringtones (at least not yet..and not for free). N95 lets you use anything you want.
- Can't save anything from the internet. Not even pics! You can only look at it.
- Weak camera. No flash. No autofocus.
- No MMS
- No GPS
- No video recording
- Recessed small headphone jack. So not all headphone work with it. You have to buy the adapter for some headphones.
- Not a fan of the empty home screen. The N95 has your upcoming calendar events listed on the home screen.
- Every one and there mom is going to have one since they are so "cool".
- One-hand use is limited.
- No 1-button dialing. Or voice dialing.
- Locked up bluetooth connectivity - no file transfer and no stereo.
- No file browser system.
- If you have an active EDGE connection you will not receive an incoming call.
Pro for both phones:
- Both have Wifi with constant scanner.
- Both better than the majority of phones on the market today.
- Full internet browsing
- Both have youtube programs
Cons for both phones
- Both work on EDGE and are not 3G. I personally don't mind EDGE for browsing. I usually get 180-200 kbps
- Price. iPhone- 499/599 and the N95 - 680-750 (depending on where you get it).
- No flash support in the browsers.
So I think if you have a "normal" phone then the iPhone is the best upgrade you can do. If you just want internet, email, and a 4/8 GB iPod then I say the the iPhone does the job well.
I bought the first generation iMac, iPod, 17inch Powerbook, 30 inch Display, AppleTV, etc. So while I am an Apple "Fanboy" who likes to be the first with the latest electronic toys I am a gadget freak first and the N95 fits me a bit better - at least for now.
If the next iPhone has built-in GPS, 3G, and a few software updates to open up the system just a bit then I will probably pick one up. I really use GPS on a regular basis so it is a must for me.
