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Nokia N95

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For other uses, see N95 (disambiguation).

Nokia N95
ManufacturerNokia
Availability by regionMarch 2007 (N95)
September 2007 (N95 8GB)
PredecessorNokia N80
Nokia N91
Nokia N93
SuccessorNokia N96
Nokia N86 8MP
RelatedNokia N73
Nokia N75
Nokia N76
Nokia N77
Nokia N81
Nokia N82
Nokia N93
Nokia N93i
Compatible networksHSDPA (3.5G), Quad band GSM / GPRS / EDGE GSM 850, GSM 900, GSM 1800, GSM 1900
Form factorSlider
Dimensions99×53×21 mm
Weight120 g
Operating systemSymbian OS v9.2, S60 3rd Edition
CPUDual CPU, 332 MHz Texas Instruments OMAP 2420 (ARM11-based)
Memory160 MB (N95)
8GB (N95 8GB)
Removable storageMicroSD (N95)
none (N95 8GB)
BatteryBL-5F (950 mAh)
Rear camera5 Megapixels (back)
Front cameraCIF video call (front)
Display240x320 px, 2.6 in, TFT LCD
ConnectivityUSB 2.0, Bluetooth 2.0, Wi-Fi b/g, InfraRed
Data inputsKeypad
Development statusDiscontinued (2009)

The Nokia N95 is a mobile phone produced by Nokia as part of their Nseries line of portable devices. Announced in September 2006, it was released to the market in March 2007.[1] The N95 ran S60 3rd Edition, on Symbian OS v9.2. It has a two-way sliding mechanism, which can be used to access either media playback buttons or a numeric keypad. It was first released in silver and later on in black, with limited edition quantities in gold and purple. The launch price of the N95 was around €550 (about US$730, £370).

The N95 was a high-end model that was marketed as a "multimedia computer", much like other Nseries devices.[2] It featured a then-high 5 megapixel resolution digital camera with Carl Zeiss optics and with a flash, as well as a then-large display measuring 2.6 inches. It was also Nokia's first device with a built-in Global Positioning System (GPS) receiver, used for maps or turn-by-turn navigation, and their first with an accelerometer.[3][4] It was also one of the earliest devices in the market supporting HSDPA (3.5G) signals.

After the introduction of the original model (technically named N95-1), several updated versions were released, most notably the N95 8GB with 8 gigabytes of internal storage, a larger display and improved battery. The 'classic' N95 and its upgraded variant N95 8GB are widely considered as breakthrough devices at the time of their launch. The N95 was well-regarded for its camera, GPS and mapping capabilities, and its innovative dual-slider form factor, and some have hailed it as one of the best mobile devices to have been released.[5][6]

History

[edit]

The phone was unveiled on 26 September 2006 at the Nokia Open Studio 2006 event in New York City.[7] It was considered to have been a turning point in the mobile industry due to its various capabilities; however, the device took a further six months until it was released. On 8 March 2007, Nokia was shipping N95 in key European, Asian, and Middle Eastern markets.[8] It was on sale in many more countries during the week of 11 March. The N95 was still only available in limited quantities at this early stage and therefore its price was briefly raised to 800 euros.[9]

On 7 April 2007, the N95 went on sale in the United States through Nokia's Flagship stores in New York and Chicago and through Nokia's nseries.com website. No US carriers were expected to offer this phone. The U.S. version started retailing without carrier branding or discounts in Nokia's flagship stores in New York and Chicago on 26 September 2007.[10][11]

On 29 August 2007, two updated versions of the N95 were announced at a press event in London; first, the N95-2 (N95 8 GB), an updated version for the European/Asian markets with 8 gigabytes of internal storage and larger screen;[12][13][14][15] secondly, the N95-3 (N95 NAM), replacing the original 2100 MHz W-CDMA air interface with support for the 850 MHz and 1900 MHz frequencies used for the 3G networks of most GSM-compatible mobile carriers in the Americas, including AT&T Mobility.

Finally, later on 7 January 2008, Nokia introduced the N95-4, which is the US 8 GB version of the N95-3. The phone got its FCC approval on 30 January and launched 18 March.[16][17] The first carrier to utilise this approval was Rogers Wireless in May 2009. Also at CES 2008, a red-coloured limited edition Nokia N95 was announced and released that year.[18]

The N95's main competitors during its lifetime were the LG Prada, Apple's iPhone (1st generation), Sony Ericsson's W950i and K850. The N95 managed to outsell its rivals. Despite Apple's much-hyped iPhone with its multi-touch technology, thin design and advanced web capabilities, the N95 had several key features against the iPhone, such as its camera with flash, video camera, Bluetooth file sharing, 3G and 3.5G connectivity, GPS, third-party applications and several other features.[19]

Even after the release of later Nseries phones, the N95's retail price was still around US$400 (about €300) as of early 2010 despite its three-year-old age.[20]

Features

[edit]
The Nokia N95 open

Integrated GPS ability

[edit]

The N95 contained an integrated GPS receiver which was located below the 0 key on the keypad. The phone shipped with Nokia Maps navigation software.

Multimedia features

[edit]
The N95's dedicated multimedia keys were accessed via the 2-way slider

Out of the box, the N95 supported audio in MP3, WMA, RealAudio, SP-MIDI, AAC+, eAAC+, MIDI, AMR, and M4A formats. Its two-way slide, when opened towards the keypad, allowed access to its media playback buttons. A standard 3.5 mm jack is located on the left side of the phone and allowed the user to connect any standard headphones to the unit. With the AD-43 headset adapter the N95 introduced support for multiple remote control buttons on the headset. Users can also use Bluetooth for audio output using A2DP, or use the built-in stereo speakers. The N95 is also capable of playing video in 3GP, MPEG4, RealVideo, and, in newer firmware, Flash Video formats. All of the phone's video output could also be played through the TV-out feature. TV-out is a feature offered by the phones OMAP processor, that allowed users to connect the smartphone, using the supplied cable, to a TV or any other composite video input. Its main purpose was to allow users to show photos and videos on a large screen. The N95's built in UPnP and DLNA capabilities also allowed the user to share the phones' media over a WLAN network. This provides easy access to the photos, music, and videos stored on the phone, from other UPnP/DLNA capable devices on the network, enabling them to be watched or downloaded over the air.[21]

Internet

[edit]
back of an N95, with the lens-cover open

The N95 had built-in Wi-Fi, with which it could access the Internet (through an 802.11b/g wireless network). The N95 could also connect to the Internet through a carrier packet data network such as UMTS, HSDPA, or EDGE. The webkit-based browser displayed full web pages as opposed to simplified pages as on most other phones. Web pages may be viewed in portrait or landscape mode and automatic zooming was supported. The N95 also has built-in Bluetooth and works with wireless earpieces that use Bluetooth 2.0 technology and for file transfer.

The original N95 did not support US-based versions of UMTS/HSDPA; UMTS features in these versions of the phone are disabled by default. Furthermore, the later N95 US versions support only AT&T's 850/1900 MHz UMTS/HSDPA bands, neither 1700 MHz of T-Mobile USA nor 2100 MHz bands are supported internationally.

The phone could also act as a WAN access point allowing a tethered PC access to a carrier's packet data network. VoIP software and functionality is also included with the phone (though some carriers have opted to remove this feature).

Accelerometer

[edit]

The N95 included a built-in accelerometer. This was originally only used for video stabilization and photo orientation (to keep landscape or portrait shots oriented as taken).

Nokia Research Center allowed an application interface directly to the accelerometer, allowing software to use the data from it. Nokia has released a step counter application to demonstrate this.[22][23] Another Nokia-created application taking advantage of the accelerometer is Nokia Sports Tracker.

Third-party programs were created, including software that will automatically change the screen orientation when the phone is tilted, a program that simulates the sounds of a Star Wars lightsaber[24] when the phone is waved through the air, a program allowing the user to mute the phone by turning it face-down, etc.

N-Gage

[edit]

The N95 was compatible with the N-Gage mobile gaming service.

Reception

[edit]

The N95 was much talked about after announcement[25] but was initially viewed as a niche feature-packed device. However it became a huge sales success for Nokia when released in most regions. 7 million Nokia N95 units were sold by the end of 2007.[26] In its Q1 2008 report, Nokia claimed that 3 million N95 (including 8GB variant) units were shipped that quarter, bringing the total to at least 10 million.[27] It managed to outsell rivals such as LG Viewty and iPhone.[28]

Its camera capabilities put it in competition with phones such as Sony Ericsson K850i.[29]

On 6 November 2007, AllAboutSymbian declared the N95 8GB as the "best smartphone ever".[30] Years later on 24 January 2013, PC Magazine described the Nokia N95 as "One of the best smartphones in history on any platform".[31] Gsmarena described N95 as "the best mobile phone on the market with no adequate competitors".[32]

A slightly improved model in a candybar form called Nokia N82 was released in late 2007.[33] The next year saw the introduction of the Nokia N96.[34]

The 2010 Indian Malayalam-language experimental film Jalachhayam was shot entirely using a Nokia N95 8GB,[35]

Specification sheet

[edit]
Feature Specification
Form factor two-way slider
Operating System Symbian OS v9.2, S60 3rd Edition, Feature Pack 1
Screen QVGA Matrix, diagonal 2.6" (N95-1, N95-3, N95-5) or 2.8" (N95-2, N95-4, N95-6), 16 million colours, 240x320 pixels
Size 99 mm × 53 mm × 21 mm
CPU Dual CPU,[36] 332 MHz Texas Instruments OMAP 2420 (ARM11-based)[37]
Internal Dynamic Memory (RAM) 128 MB (55.9 MB for N95-1)
Internal Flash Memory 147.3 MB (8 GB for 8 GB versions)
Camera Frontal CIF video call & main rear 2592 × 1944 camera with auto-focus, Carl Zeiss optics, capture Aspect ratio (image) 4/3 (1.33:1)
Video recording Yes, VGA (640×480) video capture of up to 30 frame/s, same aspect ratio as camera see above
Graphics Fully HW accelerated 3D (OpenGL ES 1.1, HW accelerated Java 3D)
Memory card slot Yes, microSD/microSDHC (except N95-4; 8 GB model) - supports up to 32 GB cards
Bluetooth Yes, 2.0 + EDR; supports most profiles, including: HSP and HFP for hands-free calling; A2DP and AVRCP for stereo audio and control; HID to attach a compatible keyboard; DUN to use phone as a modem for internet tethering from other devices; OBEX to send and receive business cards, pictures, and other files
GPS Texas Instruments GPS5300 NaviLink 4.0 (receiver located under the 0 key)
Wi-Fi Yes, with wireless LAN (802.11 b/g) and UPnP (Universal Plug and Play)
Infrared Yes
Data cable support Yes, USB 2.0 via mini USB port
Email Yes (ActiveSync, POP3, IMAP4 and SMTP, with SSL/TLS)
Music player Yes, Stereo speakers with 3D audio
Radio Yes, Stereo FM radio, and Visual Radio (wired headphones or hands-free required)
Video Player/editor Yes
Polyphonic tones Yes, 172 chords
Ringtones Yes, MP3/AAC/AAC+/eAAC+/WMA/M4A, RealAudio
HF speakerphone Yes, with 3.5 mm audio jack and 2.1A2DP wireless stereo headphone support
Offline mode Yes
Battery BL-6F 1200 mAh (BL-5F 950 mAh for N95-1)
Talk time up to 160 min (WCDMA), up to 240 min (GSM)
Standby time up to 200 hours (WCDMA) or 225 hours (GSM)[38]
Latest firmware v35.0.002

Variants

[edit]

N95 8GB (N95-2)

[edit]
The N95 8GB

A revision of the N95, called N95 8 GB (N95-2, internally known as RM-320), was announced on 29 August 2007, and released in October 2007.[39] It was released in a black color, instead of silver like the N95-1.

Because of this new model, the original N95 is often referred to as N95 Classic.[40][41]

The changes compared to the original N95 are:

Improvements

[edit]
  • 8 GB separate internal memory
  • Larger display (up from 2.6 inches (66 mm) to 2.8").
  • 128 MB RAM (up from 64 MB), 95 MB available.
  • Demand paging (although the N95 supports this too, since firmware version 20.0.015[42])
  • 1200 mAh battery (BL-6F), up from 950 mAh
  • Cosmetic changes to media and front-panel buttons
  • New model of handsfree/remote control, AD-54[43] (as opposed to AD-43[44] for previous N95 versions)
  • New multimedia menu, with Nokia's Ovi content integration
  • Built-in Automatic Screen Rotation (ASR) in software versions v20.0.016 onwards for the N95 8 GB version and from v30.0.015 for N95-1, respectively.
  • Black faceplate instead of the original silver.
  • Sturdier battery cover.

Negative changes

[edit]
  • Pixel density was 142 DPI, compared to 153 DPI for the N95; this is due to the larger display but with the same resolution (QVGA)
  • MicroSD slot removed
  • Slider protecting camera lens was removed to make room for the larger battery; the camera application is now started by holding down the shutter release button
  • Removal of built-in video editor (later added with the firmware upgrades)
  • Mass: 128 g, up 8 g from 120 g

N95 NAM (N95-3)

[edit]

The Nokia N95-3 was a revision of the N95, internally designated as RM-160, designed specifically for the North American market. It was also available in Australian and South American market.

The following was changed from the original version:

  • 128 MB RAM, up from 64 MB.
  • WCDMA (HSDPA) 850 and 1900 MHz, instead of 2100 MHz.
  • 1200 mAh battery, up from 950 mAh.
  • Talk time up to 190 min (WCDMA), up to 250 min (GSM).
  • Slider protecting camera lens removed to make room for the larger battery.
  • Camera flash moved to the vertical axis of the phone, so when the phone is used as a camera it sits to the side of the camera, instead of below as in the N95-1.
  • Cosmetic changes to media buttons.
  • Height: 2.05 cm, down from 2.10 cm.
  • Mass: 125 g, up from 120 g.
  • White keyboard light instead of blue for visibility improvement.
  • Current firmware version V 35.2.001, 13-10-09, RM-160

N95 8GB NAM (N95-4)

[edit]

The main differences to the N95-2 were:

  • Camera lens was now more flush with the phone's face.
  • Multimedia keys were less glossy.

Both N95-3 and N95-4 also had some additional changes, such as the removal of the sliding lens cover for the camera, improved battery life, and doubling of RAM from 64 to 128 MB.[12][13][14][15]

N95 CHINA (N95-5)

[edit]

Featuring the internal name RM-245, the N95-5 was targeted at the Chinese market. The main difference from the regular N95 was the lack of any 3G connectivity support, which has not been yet adopted in China at the time of release,[45] and the absence of WLAN connectivity, due to Chinese regulations.

N95 8GB CHINA (N95-6)

[edit]

The N95-6, internally coded RM-321 was a Chinese market-targeted version of the N95-2, lacking 3G and WLAN support just like the N95-5.[45]

Versions comparison

[edit]

This table lists only the specifications that differ between versions of the N95 models.[46][47][48]

Feature N95
(N95-1) 		N95 8 GB
(N95-2) 		N95 NAM
(N95-3) 		N95 8 GB NAM
(N95-4) 		N95 CHINA
(N95-5) 		N95 8 GB CHINA
(N95-6)
Internal name RM-159 RM-320 RM-160 RM-421 RM-245 RM-321
Release date March 2007 August 2007 November 2007 January 2008 February 2008 February 2008
WCDMA frequencies 2100 MHz 2100 MHz 850/1900 MHz 850/1900 MHz none none
WLAN connectivity yes yes yes yes no no
Internal Dynamic Memory (RAM) 64 MB 128 MB 128 MB 128 MB 128 MB 128 MB
Internal Flash Memory 160 MB 8 GB 160 MB 8 GB 160 MB 8 GB
Memory card slot micro SD/SDHC none micro SD/SDHC none micro SD/SDHC none
Battery 950 mAh 1200 mAh 1200 mAh 1200 mAh 1200 mAh 1200 mAh
Talk time (GSM) 4 hr 5 hr 5 hr 5 hr 5 hr 5 hr
Standby time (GSM) 9.3 days 11.6 days 12 days 12 days 10.5 days 12 days
Screen diagonal 2.6" diagonal 2.8" diagonal 2.6" diagonal 2.8" diagonal 2.6" diagonal 2.8"
Mass 120 g 128 g 124 g 128 g 124 g 128 g
Camera lens cover yes no no no no no

Cancelled revision

[edit]

In late 2020, prototype videos surfaced of a planned revision of the N95 that was never put into production, which included slide-out media controls and speakers, and a kickstand.[49]

See also

[edit]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ "Nokia - N95". mobilephonemuseum.com. Retrieved 5 October 2022.
  2. ^ "Nokia releases N95 multimedia computer". Appliance Retailer. 4 October 2006.
  3. ^ "Nokia N95 detailed information". Phone Arena. Archived from the original on 14 October 2008. Retrieved 1 January 2010.
  4. ^ "Nokia Europe - Nokia N95 - Support". Europe.nokia.com. Retrieved 1 January 2010.
  5. ^ https://www.pcmag.com/slideshow/story/286115/the-best-selling-nokia-phones-ever/6 Archived 4 March 2016 at the Wayback Machine The best selling Nokia phones ever - 15 million
  6. ^ http://gigaom.com/2007/04/07/nokia-n95-review/ Archived 13 April 2021 at the Wayback Machine Nokia N95 review
  7. ^ "Nokia's N95 smartphone goes legit". Engadget. 26 September 2006.
  8. ^ "Browse Nokia phones". nokia.com. 22 March 2007. Archived from the original on 27 March 2007.
  9. ^ "Nokia N95, N95 8 GB and N82: The evolution of the multimedia computer". 30 November 2007.
  10. ^ "Nokia N95 US now available". phonearena.com. 27 September 2007.[permanent dead link‍]
  11. ^ "mobile articles on Engadget". Engadget. Archived from the original on 29 May 2009. Retrieved 8 October 2007.
  12. ^ a b "Nokia Summer 2007 (Phone Scoop)". Archived from the original on 26 September 2007. Retrieved 6 September 2007.
  13. ^ a b "wirelessinfo.com". wirelessinfo.com. Archived from the original on 12 October 2007.
  14. ^ a b Malik, Om (29 August 2007). "Hands-On Review: Nokia N95 US 3G Version". gigaom.com. Archived from the original on 23 November 2010. Retrieved 6 September 2007.
  15. ^ a b Buchanan, Matt (10 August 2007). "More US 3G N95 Details: Bigger, Badder, Blacker". Archived from the original on 25 May 2009. Retrieved 10 September 2017.
  16. ^ "Welcome mobilitytoday.com - BlueHost.com". mobilitytoday.com. Archived from the original on 21 May 2008. Retrieved 4 June 2008.
  17. ^ "mywire.com - Informationen zum Thema mywire". mywire.com. Archived from the original on 3 March 2016. Retrieved 4 June 2008.
  18. ^ Troaca, Florin (15 January 2008). "CES 2008: Nokia N95 Red Limited Edition". softpedia.
  19. ^ "Apple iPhone vs Nokia N95". CNET. 11 July 2008. Retrieved 29 March 2022.
  20. ^ "Nokia N95 detailed information". Nokia USA. Retrieved 2 March 2010.
  21. ^ "FWLabs: Nokia N95". FayerWayer (in Spanish). 12 November 2007. Retrieved 24 September 2023.
  22. ^ "This domain is no more in use". betalabs.nokia.com. Archived from the original on 9 April 2009. Retrieved 23 April 2009.
  23. ^ Mark Guim (31 October 2007). "Nokia N95 Accelerometer". Archived from the original on 19 December 2021 – via YouTube.
  24. ^ "Graham's Weblog". Graham's Weblog.
  25. ^ Fehrenbacher, Katie (26 September 2006). "Nokia Bets Big on N95". gigaom.com. Archived from the original on 9 October 2021. Retrieved 29 October 2018.
  26. ^ "Nokia unveils successor to the N95". 11 February 2008.
  27. ^ "Famous Nokia N95 Passes 10 Million Mark!!!!". 20 April 2008. Archived from the original on 20 April 2008.
  28. ^ "Why N95 8GB is still the best mobile phone in the world?". 16 July 2008.
  29. ^ "Sony Ericsson K850 mobile phone". Pocket-lint. 30 August 2007.
  30. ^ https://www.engadget.com/2007/11/06/nokia-n95-8-gb-gets-reviewed-declared-best-smartphone-ever/ Nokia N95 8 GB gets reviewed, declared best smartphone ever
  31. ^ https://www.pcmag.com/slideshow/story/307321/the-10-best-symbian-phones-ever/1 Archived 6 December 2016 at the Wayback Machine The 10 Best Symbian phones ever
  32. ^ "Nokia N95 review: Nokia's crown jewel". GSMArena.com. 1 May 2007. Retrieved 21 December 2023.
  33. ^ "Nokia N82 is finally out". GSMArena.com. 14 November 2007. Retrieved 27 February 2024.
  34. ^ Ziegler, Chris (28 March 2008). "Nokia N96 gets in-depth review months ahead of release". Engadget. Retrieved 27 February 2024.
  35. ^ "Film shot with cell phone camera premiered". The Hindu. 6 June 2010. Retrieved 7 June 2010.
  36. ^ "Nokia N95 Device Details". Archived from the original on 10 May 2013. Retrieved 7 June 2013.
  37. ^ "OMAP™ 2 Processors - OMAP2420". focus.ti.com. Archived from the original on 2 November 2011. Retrieved 4 July 2007.
  38. ^ "Nokia Europe - Nokia N95 - Support". Europe.nokia.com. Archived from the original on 10 February 2009. Retrieved 1 January 2010.
  39. ^ "Risk Management & Compliance News, Analysis, Discussion, & Community - Dark Reading". Dark Reading. Archived from the original on 29 March 2008. Retrieved 16 October 2007.
  40. ^ "10 Reasons why the Nokia N95 'classic' is better than the N95 8GB". All About Symbian. 9 November 2007.
  41. ^ "Nokia N95 Classic kontra N95 8GB - Táblagép magazin". Kütyü.hu.
  42. ^ "The N95 classic hits v20 firmware". 26 November 2007.
  43. ^ "Nokia Europe – Nokia Music Headset HS-45, AD-54". Archived from the original on 24 October 2007. Retrieved 14 November 2007.
  44. ^ "Nokia Europe – Nokia Audio Controller AD-43 – Product support – Get support and software". Archived from the original on 15 October 2007. Retrieved 14 November 2007.
  45. ^ a b "Official N-Gage page mentioning the chinese variants of the N95". Archived from the original on 22 June 2008.
  46. ^ Device Details – Nokia N95 Archived 19 October 2007 at the Wayback Machine
  47. ^ Device Details – Nokia N95 8GB Archived 17 January 2008 at the Wayback Machine
  48. ^ Device Details – Nokia N95-3 NAM Archived 19 October 2007 at the Wayback Machine
  49. ^ "Nokia N95 reboot would have arrived w/ slide-out speakers, kickstand [Video]". 9to5Google. 11 October 2020.
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