The Nokia N95 8GB is a little bit more than just the existing N95 with a paint job and memory upgrade – this version of the N95 has a larger screen and enhanced GPS, plus N-Gage gaming. It is quick and very user friendly, and is really packed full of exciting features. The 5MP camera really does the job, and produces better quality photographs than my 7MP digital camera.
The microSD slot has been replaced by a fixed 8GB internal flash drive. The 8GB internal memory is really useful, you now have no need for a digital camera or an MP3 player as the N95 8Gb has replaced them. This appears as drive E on the phone. The original has microSD slots for expandable memory.
Increased System RAM, the N95 8Gb now has 128mb RAM – double the original which is 64mb RAM. It also uses ‘demand paging’ using the hard drive as extra memory so you will never run out of RAM no matter how many programs you run.
Improved GPS, the N95 8GB uses Nokia’s Assisted GPS technology, which sends the handset location hints over the network to compensate for weak satellite signals resulting in faster and improved GPS positioning.
Longer Battery Life, thanks to the new BL-6F battery the battery life of the phone is increased by 25-50%. A major improvement on one of the main weaknesses of the original N95. To accommodate the new larger BL-6F battery the phone is now an extra millimetre thicker than the original N95, making it also heavier by 8 grams compare to the 120 grams of the original.
Again, to accommodate the new larger BL-6F battery, the shutter has been replaced with a simple recessed lens. You now have to hold the shoot button to activate the camera.
The screen has better protection with a hard top layer that’s flush with the front of the phone. The original N95 had a soft touch screen which had a slight recess allowing dust and dirt to gather easily. The N95 8GB has a larger 2.8” screen compared to the original 2.6” with a clearer and brighter display.
The larger screen has meant that the D-pad and main buttons have been moved down and made smaller. The Multimedia controls are now raised and dimpled making them easier to find by touch alone.
Their are also some interface and software changes made on the new N95 8GB. The standby screen shows 7 quick launch icons as oppose to 6 on the original N95. The N95 8GB also has a new icon for Nokia’s upcoming N-Gage gaming platform and comes with 2 demo games – FIFA 07 and Asphalt 3.
The N95 8GB features a search option shortcut on the standby screen utilizing Nokia’s new Mobile Search utility and the annoying multimedia menu from the original N95 has been replaced with a more useful rotating menu.
Even with that changes, the new Nokia N95 8GB still keep several features that its predecessor has like the Carl Zeiss optics 5 megapixel camera, TV out, Stereo FM radio, Organizer, 3G video calling, WAP 2.0, Symbian OS S60, video dial/memo and so on.