Nokia N96

Nokia N96

Manufacturer	Nokia
Predecessor	Nokia N95/N95 8GB
Compatible networks	Quad band GSM / GPRS / EDGE: GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 Dual band UMTS / HSDPA: UMTS 900 / 2100 or UMTS 850 / 1900
Form factor	Dual-Sliders
Dimensions	103 x 55 x 18 mm
Weight	125 g
Operating system	Symbian OS v9.3, S60 3rd Edition, Feature Pack 2 Edition
CPU	Dual ARM 9 CPU (264 MHZ) with video accelerator.
Memory	16 GB internal
Removable storage	MicroSD 16GB Max (32GB Max MicroSDHC available in 2009)
Battery	BL-5F (950 mAh) (1200mah avilable now 2009)
Rear camera	New 5 megapixels fixed, dual LED,Auto focus, flash/video light (back),20x zooom
Front camera	VGA video call (front)
Display	2.8 in TFT QVGA (320x240 px)
Connectivity	WLAN 802.11b/g, Micro-USB (USB 2.0), DVB-H class C, Bluetooth 2.0 (we#Advanced Audio Distribution Profile (A2DP)
Data inputs	Keypad,D-pad, Muti-Media keys, Navi wheel

Nokia N96 is the newest Nokia smartphone in the Nseries range of products. It is the official successor to Nokia N95.

The handset was publicly announced at Mobile World Congress in Barcelona 2008, and started selling in September 2008. Europe, Middle East and Asia-Pacific are the first locations to provide the handset for consumers. The American and Chinese versions are expected shortly thereafter. October 1st is set as the U.K. release date for the N96, although London has a separate date of September 24th when the device will go on sale exclusively at Nokia's flagship stores on Regent Street and at Terminal 5 (Heathrow airport).

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Features

The Nokia N96 features the following:

• Quad band GSM / GPRS / EDGE: GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900
• Dual band UMTS / HSDPA: UMTS 900 / 2100 N96-1 (RM-247, Global), UMTS 850 / 1900 N96-3 (RM-247, Global), no UMTS N96 (RM-297, PR China)
• HSDPA and Wi-Fi access (RM-297 variant (PR China only) does not have WCDMA, WLAN and DVB-H).
• DVB-H Mobile TV (network-dependent feature).
• A-GPS Navigation using Nokia Maps, map data fetched using 3G or downloaded over the Internet and transferred to the phone over USB.
• Access to Ovi
• Instant upload to Flickr, Vox, Yahoo! and Google.
• Full xHTML, HTML, RSS reader browser.
• Symbian OS v9.3 S60 3.2 Edition, user interface.
• 16 GB of internal flash memory.
• max memory = [MicroSD 32GB (released 2009) ,16GB internal]= 48GB .
• 2-way slide, as in Nokia N95.
• 5-megapixel camera, Carl Zeiss TESSAR optics.
• Sensor for Auto-rotate.
• VGA camera in front of the phone, for video calling and self-portrait use.
• Double LED flash for the camera.
• Pre-bundled with WaveSecure in India. variant
• Plays music files, and lets you download easily via Nokia Web.
• Allows high-quality video calling using 3G
• A built-in accelerometer when tilted as on the Nokia N82.
• The new design :
  • Landscape-oriented design (landscape oriented speakers, connectors and buttons located optimally for landscape use)
  • Flip-out kickstand
  • Media keys available in all modes (even when slide is closed, for background control of music)
  • Media keys on short side can transform into gaming keys
  • Lock switch (enables quick lock / unlock of keypad)
• 128mb SDRAM (synchronous dynamic random access memory)
  • Available memory for the user is 90mb after operating the system.
• Can play various type of Music files like --> (MP3/AAC/eACC/AAC+/eAAC+/WMA/WAV/Mid/RM(real)/RAM(real)/AMR/m3u(playlist))
• Can play various type of Video files like --> (RM(real video)/H.263/H.264/3GPP/HQ-3GPP(30fps)/Mp4/WMV/FLV(Flash player))

Major differences between N95 and N96

Positive

• Dual CPU ARM9 264MHz for N96 (N95 have Dual ARM11 332Mhz based CPU BUT ARM9 based processor is faster than an ARM11 based processor at same speed)
• 2.8 inch display with 16.7 (16.777.261) million colours (same as N95 8GB, versus 2.6" display for original N95)
• Camera flash with Powerful Double LED flash. (single LED in the N95)
• New audio DSP for improved audio quality and longer playback time.
• Longer music playback time (14 hrs) and video playback time (6 hrs)
• Windows Media WMV9 video codec is added.
• Hardware acceleration for video codecs for H.264 and WMV (as well as MPEG4 as before)
• Mobile TV DVB-H 1.0 receiver is built into N96
• S60 3rd Edition is upgraded from Feature Pack 1 to Feature Pack 2
• Symbian OS is upgraded from version 9.2 to 9.3 (9.3 more smart and reiability)
• The Java ME engine is upgraded from MIDP 2.0 to MIDP 2.1
• User data is preserved when upgrading firmware (This feature is also present on the N95-2 as v21 installs UDP base files)
• Open C,C++
• New Quick office application open all types of (Microsoft Office) files.
• Visual Radio v2.0
• New version of Nokia Video Centre (show&Edit Videos)
• New release of Nokia Experience Software
• (geotagging) of pictures, using the integrated GPS
• Micro 2.0 HS-USB (Write 3 Mpbs /Read 4.1 Mpbs) (N95/N95 8G use regular USB)
• MicroSD memory card slot (as in original N95, while N95 8GB has no card slot)
• RSS 2.1 Reader
• Downloadable maps (google maps,Nokia maps,Route 66,etc)
• Home Media Solution (sync with DLNA / UPnP devices over WLAN)
• The FM radio is upgraded with RDS
• N96 is a dual-band HSDPA (900 and 2100 MHz) (while N95 was a single band (2100))
• No need to open the slide for optimal GPS reception.
• Thinner and lighter than N95 8GB.
• N-Gage free games coupon (varies by country) [Just 1 game free].
• Nokia N96 has VGA video call camera (N95/N95 8G has CIF)
• Digital zoom is 20x (N95/N95 8G has 10x)
• Video Light - Allows illumination when recording video in the dark (the N95 doesn't have Video Light)
• Back up feature - Allows the user to back up the phones settings on to a Micro SD memory card. This includes contacts, massages and media. This allows for easy restoration (the N95 doesn't have this)
• Video Stabilization
• Upgraded Bluetooth Stereo Audio
• Stronger and super qualitative sound and 3D speakers (N95 8gp normal speakers)
• FOTA Firmware over the Air
• OMA E-mail Notification v1.0
• OMA Device Management v1.2
• WEP 2.0 support
• The Internet browser has improved usability and compatibility
• VoIP 2.1 support for WLAN and Cellular. However there are many sites (see External Links at the bottom) over the web claiming that VoIP client is removed from N96 (ie. VoIP client which can be used directly by end-user, not VoIP API which can be used by software developers in their applications). N95, which has built-in VoIP client, can be used for internet calling without installing any additional software. Of course third party VoIP applications can still be used on both phones (N95 and N96), but they are not always so reliable as the built-in one.
• Dual Transfer Mode (MSC 11)
• Support SPP Bluetooth Profiles

Negative

• Same battery as original N95 (950 mAh), but the N96 reportedly has a much better battery life using the same battery (Nokia N95 8GB has 1200 mAh)
• No Hardware 3D graphics accelerator for N96
• The lens in the N96 is 2.8/5.2 (N95 has 2.8/5.6)
• N95 classic has lens cover and much more qualitative shutter (N95 8G/N96 don't have this feature)
• manually select MMS messaging mode. If you write a long text message it will automatically select MMS mode which could stop the recipient from receiving the message if they do not have MMS set up on their handset.
• OpenGL ES 1.1 Plugin
• The pencil button that allows you to mark/unmark items and highlight text is not included. This action can still be done however, by pressing and holding down the # key'.

External links

• Original Press Release, Americas Press Release
• N96 specifications from Nokia Europe