Nokia N96 preview

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http://reviews.cnet.co.uk/mobiles/0,39030107,49296392,00.htm

Previewed 10 April 2008

Previewed by Andrew Lim

Set to launch around August this year, the Nokia N96 is one of this year's most eagerly awaited mobile phones. Packed with the kind of features that would make MacGyver giddy, this handset will appeal to anyone with an addiction to bleeding-edge technology -- or those who just like showing off to their mates.

Upsides
With 16GB of on-board memory and the option to expand via microSD, the Nokia N96 won't let you down when it comes to storage space. Whether it's music, high-res photos, apps or games, the N96 will allow you to carry a massive chunk of your digital media with you at all times.

But the N96 isn't just a giant USB stick, it's also a multimedia beast. There's a large screen with a kick stand on the back so you can rest it on a table and watch videos. It supports DVB-H, which at some point in the future means you'll be able to watch TV on it too. It's compatible with the N-Gage platform too, which means you can download high-quality games and play them with the N96's media buttons like a handheld console.

On the top of the N96 there's a 3.5mm headphone jack, so you can plug your cans straight in without an adaptor

There's an MP3 player and a sensibly placed 3.5mm headphone jack, so you don't need to mess around with adaptors or use the rubbish headphones that come in the box. If your music library starts to bore you, you can always listen to the FM radio or download a podcast.

Downloading data and browsing the Web is made possible through HSDPA (3.5G) and Wi-Fi, which means high-speed Web access almost everywhere you go. If you get lost while you're absent-mindedly browsing away, you can use the built-in GPS in combination with mapping software to find out where you are and get directions.

On the back of the N96 there's a 5-megapixel camera with auto-focus and dual-LED flash

But what's the point of travelling if you don't take pictures along the way? The N96's camera boasts a 5-megapixel resolution and auto-focus, and the dual-LED flash provides high-quality images whether it's light or dark. You can also use the camera to shoot videos and then upload them to YouTube.

Downsides
In order to fit in all the exciting features, the N96 is chunkier than most phones out there. Yes, you get a convergence king, but you also have to lug it around -- and while some people don't mind sacrificing pocket space, others will find this brick a little too large for their liking.

Similar to the N95, the N96 is a dual slider with a keypad on one side and multimedia keys on the other

Another disadvantage of having so many features is that battery life takes a hit. After you've listened to music on the way into work, used the GPS to find a meeting in town and browsed the Web over HSDPA to see what's new on CNET.co.uk, you might find that the N96 needs a recharge before you expected it.

Outlook
There's no doubt that Nokia is taking the idea of convergence to its limits and the N96 is a top-notch addition to a series of phones that are set to change how we think about mobiles. But all this progress comes at a cost -- first in size and then in battery life.

So while we think this is shaping up as a real peach of a phone, we warn you that if you use all the features intensely throughout the day, you may find that you can't make a phone call on the way home. If that doesn't bother you, the N96 should definitely light your fire.

Edited by Jason Jenkins
Additional editing by Nick Hide