Smart in the Real World - the Nokia N95 takes on allcomers

There is an error in your link Steve.

Spec-sheet comparisons are all very well, but how good are the Nokia N95 8GB, the Apple iPhone 3G and the HTC Diamond in real life? The AAS team has come up with a dozen things that we all like to do with our phones and Steve was then set to accomplishing all of them on all three devices. Can the sheer usability and likeability of the iPhone triumph over Nokia's N95 design and S60? Is the HTC Touch Diamond a competitor here? Find out in the full usability feature.

Read on in the full article.

I generally use my phone for... er.... making phone calls ! I had a shoot out with my iPhone wielding friend and gunned him down easy with my N82.

Another category you should have included is "Fitting the phone in your pocket alongside your wallet". 😊

As far as I know, S60 doesn't have any sort of push email support, only poll (automatically though, every X minutes). Correct me if I'm wrong. Marketers often call this setup "push email", but it isn't. It's automatic polling every X minutes.

Push email is when the client (read: phone) never asks the server if there is any new mail. Instead, the server contacts the client (pushes the mail to it), telling the client that a new mail has arrived.

Install SkyeQuiKey ot T9 Nav and you can get an alarm set or a new meeting in a lot less clicks.

S60 does support push email via Mail for Exchange and I use with our Kerio email server on my N95 8GB and it works well.

You do however require the server to support push email (Kerio, Exchnage Server etc) which is more important.

In my mind its not really than much better than poll every 15 mins as long as you have an unlimited data contract.

I have been a nokia fan for last 15 years. but i think nokia has lost this battle hands down to apple. I will switch to 3g iphone as soon as unlocked version is available.
BTW i am not a fan N95 as i find the design cluncky and too gimicky to be practical.

thanks a lot for that comparison. I am thinking right now about getting a new mobile phone (or computer really, since what I do least on it is using the phone function 😉, and for a while, as a long time Macuser, I was set on the iPhone. Then a friend of mine got it, and I really did not get a long with the touch keyboard at all. Now I finally understand why some people put so much emphasis on the 'use it with one hand' aspect. I also did not find web-browsing that much more convenient than on my e51 (except the screen size, of course).
Anyway, the game for me is now between the N95 8Gb and the upcoming N96. I hope you do a comparison on those two as well. But it probably comes down to the price of the N96, which might be a deal braker...

My N95 does support IMAP IDLE on GMail.
And there's almost no difference between IMAP IDLE and Push email.
It has to be supported by your server, though.

I have been a nokia fan for last 15 years.

Really? Since 1993? What was your first Nokia phone?

But it probably comes down to the price of the N96, which might be a deal braker...

I would wait a month or two after it launches, like most phones the price is probably going to drop very steeply after the early adopters have bought theirs.

Playback is a little jerky at times, but watchable, full-screen.

Yup - while Flash Lite 3 is much better than the full Flash 7 on Windows Mobile (see my Youtube Bible for more info if interested - http://www.allaboutsymbian.com/forum//forum/thread/72048/ ), it indeed doesn't deliver stuttering-less video.

Going via YouTube's mobile site failed miserably, with the streaming 3GP version failing to get past my Wi-Fi router. Plan C is YouTube's very own S60 client, Java-based - this installed fine but then (despite correct RealPlayer settings) it too failed to stream its video through my router's firewall.

Yup, but that isn't the problem of these clients. About 70-80% of cellular connections will work. Not that the 3GP "quality" would be worth writing home about. (See my RTSP and quality comparison-related comments in my articles, also discussed in the above Youtube Bible.)

Plan D (you can see where this is all going, can't you...) was to fire up the third party freeware Mobitubia, which managed to get Dancing Queen playing on-screen in 48 seconds from a cold start. Impressive, but - again - your average user may not know about such a useful piece of software. Score: 12 (uninspiring without going third party)

1. Mobitubia isn't strictly freeware any more - much as you can get it for donating as low as $1 (I've donated $10). Or, wait for the latest version become free.

2. CorePlayer is far better at playing back some (not all!) videos than Mobitubia. THere're some videos that are VERY jerky when played back in the latter. Its, as of version 1.2.5, only downside is the restricted number of hits, which isn't an issue with Mobitubia.

Apple iPhone 3G: Next. There's no support at all for shooting video from the iPhone's camera. This is a showstopper for some, I'm sure. Sorry.... Score: 0

...

But what's fascinating is that this margin of 28 would be wiped out if the iPhone had had a decent camera that shot video clips.

There're third-party apps for the Apple to take videos.

It's (the Diamond) a powerful Windows Mobile 6.1 business handheld shackled by a clumsy, slow and inelegant add-on UI

I don't think it's a business phone. Most (if not all) WM business phones have a thumbboard.

The Diamond is targeted at the same folks as iPhones and "toy", "elegant" phones. That is, an Average Joe knowing almost nothing about phones will most likely buy a Diamond (if he/she goes for WinMo, that is) and NOT some other WIndows Mobile device.

OK, as comparisons go that was pretty fair. However, since I am one of the lucky few that actually owns a iphone 3G and a Nokia N95 8GB, I have a couple of notes here.

(I actually have a Samsung Blackjack and a HTC Kaiser too, but they are just about retired for me. I hate the stylus need on the Kaiser, and the Samsung just isn't as nice as the N95 or iphone)

First, on the Maps / GPS evaluation, you had a ipod Touch. I know that, as you said at the beginning of the review, the software is the same. However, the hardware is not. The iphone 3G DOES have built in GPS, and it picks up signals FAST. In a side by side comparison here in Los Angeles, the iphone picked up my exact position and was ready to start tracking my walking a full 60 seconds before the N95 was. And it is very accurate as well. Even though there is no pedestrian mode, it followed me down every street with surprising accuracy.

Next, I tested out the downloading of high res images off the internet that you described. I chose a full 5MP image that I have posted on my personal web page. It saved fine to the photo library, and opened up no problem on screen. Let me rotate it, zoom in and out, etc. I did not experience any of the glitches you mention at all. Not sure if that's a ipod touch issue or not.

Although all 3 Apple devices run the 2.0 software, there are different builds for each device. For example, the iphone 3G runs build # 5A345. My old iphone that was updated to 2.0 software runs build # 5A347. I don't have a ipod touch, so I'm not sure which build it runs. So that picture issue doesn't seem to hold true on the iphone 3G at least.

Also, I agree about your Safari comments, but you have to take some of that with a grain of salt. The whole point of Safari is to take you to the REAL internet pages, not a mobile version. So of course, there will be some sites that are easier to navigate with a stripped down mobile version, but do you want that for every site?

I would prefer the full desktop web pages all the time. That's why some sites do develop web apps when deemed necessary, or they deveop a full native app as you showed. In my experience, the iphone web apps and full native apps are optimized far beyond what a typical mobile web site does anyway, and are faster to use.

So I prefer having the full desktop websites by default, and the option to use native or web apps for the few things that I do often that need detailed navigation through a site. (Like book flights, etc)

With those three things accounted for, the Nokia N95 is still ahead by a little though. It is a great device, and I love it.

For me there are two determining factors in your review that would dictate which device would be best for a user. ..

One is video. If you need it, obviously you want the N95. Period. I don't shoot video at all on my N95, so this is not a consideration at all for me. Since this one category was a difference of 19 points alone in your review, if a user doesn't care about video, the two devices score virtually the exact same number. (coupled with the above points I made on GPS, Safari, and photos)

Second is the keyboard. I type a ton of emails on my phone while I travel, and the lack of a keyboard on the N95 means it stays in my bag more often, and I reach for the iphone to do my emails. This is the big one for me.

If you only read emails on your phone, or only type short responses, then this is not a consideration and the N95 is your baby. But if like me you type a lot, you probably require a qwerty, and lugging around a bluetooth keyboard is an option for some, but I don't like having extra stuff when I travel. I like to travel lite.

I use both devices because both are a pleasure to use. Clearly the best two mobile devices on the market today. But for day to day uses, I find myself reaching for the iphone more often than anything else. We'll see if that changes when the S60 touch interface comes out, and we see how the keyboard data entry works. If it's even close to the iphone, that will probably become the new device for me.

seems fair enough to me.

something you have written about but one cant really score is how much one likes a device. I have a e90, n95, n82 and now the iphone 3g. I like the iphone the most by far even though the other phones do more.

A small thing that nokia have really slipped up but isnt mentioned much is the deskstand. I always like them and having a deskstand for the iphone is great. why dont nokia do them? Does anyone else like them?

Hello Steve; I don't want to come off too harsh concerning your article. I think its quite a timely and appropriate evaluation. However, my issue is with your scoring system, rather than the outcome or even the process.

You use a system based on a 20 point system. However, you don't really mention how those 20 points are weighted. If you will, it allows you to just throw points out there for whatever reason and then we the readers have to guess at whether 16 points for the #1 item is the same as 16 points in #9. Is it possible that you can explain the methodology behind the 20 point scoring system. For me personally, it would add considerable value to this evaluation from the scoring perspective, and then (possibly_ provide a chart for you/AAS to evalute devices on a similar scale in later compairsons.

If that's not possible, as that's not exactly a simple request; may I make the recommendation that your scoring system be simplified to a simple 1-2-3 kind of format. The item that wins gets a 3, the item that is worst gets a 1. A simplified scoring system, with some measureable metrics (for example, in #1 you mention time to complete, keypress amounts, and efficient user interfaces as measured items; the first two are consistent based on the fact that it is just you testing them, and the last one is opinon; this makes your scoring system hold value in the eyes of those who might not be as fast, but see the interface as more efficient).

In the paragraph you mention "other relevant factors" which may very well be the case that there are other factors, but without a breakdown of how those effect your 20 point scoring system, it (again) becomes very subjective to the tester (not the user).

Again, please do not take this as being a harsh critism; I think this is probably one of the better types of comparative reviews that I've read from you. However, the validity of the review is marred because of your imbalances in the scoring. In such a high profile review, I'm not sure that AAS should have to answer to any biases because of testing methodology inconsistancies.

A small thing that nokia have really slipped up but isnt mentioned much is the deskstand. I always like them and having a deskstand for the iphone is great. why dont nokia do them?

They did do stands a few years ago, one of them let you make videophone calls on 3G models that didn't have a front camera, another had built-in stereo speakers so you could use the phone as a hi-fi. Presumably they didn't sell very well because there haven't been any new official stands since then, though there might be some third party stands on ebay etc.

However, if you just want something to prop the phone up, there is a built-in stand around the camera lens on the N96, and the Nokia internet tablets come with much bigger built-in stands along their full length.

I think the aspect you missed is how fast does each device render a full web page?

It has to be said the n95 browser renders full pages very slowly, it's painful. You really need Opera Mini as well. It works good on mobile sites, though.

It has to be said the n95 browser renders full pages very slowly, it's painful. You really need Opera Mini as well. It works good on mobile sites, though

Have you tried it on wi-fi or 3.5g? It's pretty nippy with those kinds of connections, especially on the latest firmware.

The Opera Mini thing is another debate altogether of course, should phones render pages at all? There are good arguments on both sides...

why are you even including an s60 phone in the comparison?
For one thing, the contacts section sucks. So does calendar. As does messaging. Dont tell me I am abnormal for wanting to do all these things.Also got to pay $$ for all the stuff other people take for granted. Someone has already mentioned skyequikey (simiilar functionality available in latest SEs at no extra cost). Same goes for sms/call managers, a list of recently text'd contacts(WOW). Etc etc
Real people buy s40 or uiq phones.
It is not about cost either.
If you have ever used a p1i or a z8 or a 6270(as you have, steve), you'll know.
- a former e90 user.
P.s. I havent been a nokia user for 15 years, but I have been one for seven years. JUST GIVE ME A PHONE. I have an n800 for all the other stuff.

Here here, with smartphones becoming mini computers, lets see a return of deskstands.

Nice test Steve.

One point though - using the phone to make phone calls is very important and I would be interested to see how the devices compare on that too.

Really wish that you had compared syncing Calendar / Contacts via both USB and Bluetooth. So far I haven't found a single iPhone 3G review which mentions if it finally supports sync via Bluetooth. Even an ancient, long-gone Nokia of mine could sync everything over Bluetooth no problem.

Other "fun categories" for comparison would be Voice Dialing, Ringer Profiles, Tethering, Voice Memos, Java support. The iPhone inexplicably continues to do a total face-plant in several of these categories.

For RSS reading you use Google reader...

And since this is a S60 based website, you will (believe me!) always make nokia win.

I do have the nokia 6120 classic, but right know the iPhone 3G is way better than the N95. Why?
Because people wants hassle free stuff, with the nokia you need to learn the good 'ol way.
but with the iPhone, even my granma can use it.

Your metrics aren't fair, since nokia (and winMo) aren't the easy to use as you keep guys saying.

iPhone wins hands down.

I own both the iPhone 3G and the N95 8GB. And I enjoy using both on different occasions.

Steve, one very real 'real world' gauge ought to be the sheer pleasure of using the device, regardless of what you may be doing... the way one interfaces with this device that resides somewhere on their person almost all waking hours of the day, and how they experience hitches and slowdowns on the device.

iPhone: 19
N95: 12
HTC: 8

A fair assessment?

why are you even including an s60 phone in the comparison?
For one thing, the contacts section sucks. So does calendar. As does messaging. Dont tell me I am abnormal for wanting to do all these things.Also got to pay $$ for all the stuff other people take for granted. Someone has already mentioned skyequikey (simiilar functionality available in latest SEs at no extra cost). Same goes for sms/call managers, a list of recently text'd contacts(WOW). Etc etc
Real people buy s40 or uiq phones.
It is not about cost either.
If you have ever used a p1i or a z8 or a 6270(as you have, steve), you'll know.
- a former e90 user.
P.s. I havent been a nokia user for 15 years, but I have been one for seven years. JUST GIVE ME A PHONE. I have an n800 for all the other stuff.

I totally agree with you!!!!!!

Hi Steve,

You missed out on the push mail point. You don't even need to go to GMAIL Apps on your mobile on Nokia N95. You can download Seven on your mobile and it works like the Blackberry Push mail service with support for attachments.

I use it on my Nokia N82 and have got my Work mail, gmail, hotmail (surprise, surprise! not even supported by Blackberry), and yahoo accounts configured on Seven. It gets pushed into my inbox automatically without a second't delay. You can compose a mail from any of your accounts and add attachments.

I suggest you guys do a review of Seven's push mail technology.

You will feel I am bit biased but no, it is absolutely fantabulous....

notmicro wrote:
Other "fun categories" for comparison would be Voice Dialing, Ringer Profiles, Tethering, Voice Memos, Java support. The iPhone inexplicably continues to do a total face-plant in several of these categories.

Yup, iPhone is still lacking a MIDlet Manager - in which particularly the N95 is very strong (support for far more JSR's; higher speed etc), much stronger than the Diamond. Now that Apple / Sun announced forthcoming support for Java, the situation may change, however.

BTW, as far as tethering is concerned, you all may be interested in my latest Bible: http://www.allaboutsymbian.com/forum//forum/thread/74018/ . It compares Windows Mobile and Symbian VERY thoroughly, also elaborating on the third-party products like WHS and Joiku.

fbloise wrote:For RSS reading you use Google reader...

And since this is a S60 based website, you will (believe me!) always make nokia win.

I do have the nokia 6120 classic, but right know the iPhone 3G is way better than the N95. Why?
Because people wants hassle free stuff, with the nokia you need to learn the good 'ol way.
but with the iPhone, even my granma can use it.

Your metrics aren't fair, since nokia (and winMo) aren't the easy to use as you keep guys saying.

iPhone wins hands down.

You're right the iPhone is way easier to use than either of the two competing systems. However, the latter are far more featureful at most areas and, in cases, have better hardware (for example the N95's excellent camera compared to the mediocre one in the iPhone and the acceptable - but in no way excellent - one in the Diamond).