Nokia N82 mobile phone review Can this better the N95?
Described as “the latest multimedia computer optimized for photography, navigation and internet connectivity” the Nokia N82 is a candy bar handset that comes in a plastic and metal finish. Dimensions are 112 x 50.2 x 17.3mm while it weighs 114g slightly lighter than the N95. Tech specs include A-GPS, a 5-megapixel camera, Xenon flash, Carl Zeiss optics and internet connectivity alongside HSDPA and Bluetooth connectivity. The design, which is large and fat is also confusing to use with too many menu shortcut buttons cluttering the keypad. Do you really need two dedicated menu buttons for example? In fact there are 12 shortcut keys beyond the 12 numeric keys, all of which are fiddly and, like Sony Ericsson’s W880, prickly to use.
If that wasn’t enough buttons for you, then there are a further four buttons on the top side for the camera function and that’s not including the on/off switch or the lens cover slider for the camera. Compared to the iPhone’s four buttons, the tally of 29 is impressive. Get past the buttons and the, in our mind, ugly design, and you’ve got the Symbian S60 software interface as found on most of the Nokia N series handsets. With two menu buttons you have two ways of looking at the applications in addition to the home page and you can either opt for a rotating page system (which works like Apple’s Coverflow interface) or for the more traditional amongst us via icons in a grid formation.
Applications of note here are the A-GPS and preinstalled Nokia Maps that allow you to find your way around and users can buy additional features, such as city guides and longer subscription to the navigation. The A-GPS works extremely well in locking on to a GPS signal when you are indoors and compared to the first N95, finding where you are is a lot quicker. Additionally maps have now been stored on the device from the start meaning you don’t have to download as you go, again speeding up finding directions and you can get voice guidance so you don’t have to look at the small screen to know where to turn next however this is an optional paid for extra.
