Review: The Nokia N75 multimedia phone

It's the high time to take a close look at the Nokia N75, which is the latest design model under the Nokia N series that has been released on the Cingular network. Although its not as impressive as it big brother, the Nokia N95 multimedia phone but it does pack many of the features we found in N95. Referred to as 'multimedia computer' by Nokia, the phone is not that much impressive and I don't think it has lived up to the hype it created before its launch. The multimedia phone was hotly anticipated as it's the very first Symbian flip-styled smartphone to hit US shores. Here are my two cents on the stormily awaited Nokia N95.

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The Nokia N75 manages to pack a good stuff of features in its smart and modish clamshell make. The series 60 Symbian phone boasts Cingular's UMTS 850/1900 to deliver stunning 3G speeds, and it comes with a number of N-series multimedia goodies such as a 2-megapixel camera and a 352 x 288 pixel video camera. Other salient features of the multimedia phone include:

2.4-inch 320 x 240 display with 16 million colors

Integrated flash LED and files in JPEG/EXIF format for superb photos

MP3 player with dedicated music keys, FM tuner and stereo speakers

Support for MP3, M4A, AAC, eAAC & WMA

Support for XM Radio Mobile ($8.99 per month) and MobiRadio ($8.99 per month)

Mini TV screen for watching and downloading video clips

MPEG-4 video capture and playback

40MB of internal memory with microSD card slot of up to 2GB

Storage of up to 1500 tracks on 2GB micro SD slot

Capability to capture about 500 minutes of video

Synchronization of your contacts, calendar, tasks, and other PIM data.

Nokia Web Browser with Mini Map

3G data speeds, EDGE, GSM support

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The Nokia N75 is just 20.2mm thick so we can take it as a slim phone. Anyhow, the weight of 4.35 ounces (123.5g) is a little above average but rubberized feel of the phone is good. In terms of dimensions, The N75 (95mm x 52mm x 20.2mm) is slightly smaller than the N70 (95,9mm x 53mm x 21.8mm) and RAZR (98 x 53 x 14 mm). I am just impressed with its external screen, which can be employed to be used as a music player screen using the dedicated buttons. On the back of the clamshell, you will find the removable battery and a 2-megapixel camera with flash. Flip open the phone and you can see a large 2.4-inch color display, a keypad, and D-pad buttons. Overall, the looks are not so bad and despite being bit bulky, the handset feels good and handy in the hand.

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To be very honest, the N75 is not that impressive as I expected it to be. Yet, it boasts some unique features that will definitely make the geeks droll. The primary selling point for the phone will be its 3G data speeds although this phone supports the slower UMTS technology as compared to AT&T's higher-speed HSDPA network. Let's see what else has Nokia N75 to offer for the customers.

Excellent bright screen and the rubberized feel of the device

Superb reception quality

Nokia' built-in browser lets you view unformatted full-size pages

Respectable sound quality, thanks to internal stereo speakers

Real live TV on your cell phone

Compatible with global GSM frequencies, good for overseas travelers

Pay-per-month music service (even N95 doesn't have this feature)

Outstanding music playback

Despite the fact that the new multimedia phone rocks an array of impressive features, there are some downsides that will make the customers think twice before going for one.

First and foremost, it lacks HSDPA

Slightly bulky

Lacks a 3.5mm jack (Nokia N76 has one despite being slimmer)

No support for stereo Bluetooth

Poor battery life (Need to charge it every night)

Bothersome Pop-Port positioning

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If I am asked to rate the Nokia N75 multimedia phone, I would definitely bless it with 6.5 out of 10. If you are a music nerd, the N75 is highly recommended as it comes loaded with dedicated music keys, an integrated FM tuner, 3D stereo speakers, and a music player. At $200, I don't think that I would recommend this phone (poor battery life and lack of HSDPA) to the multimedia users on the move.

Engadget: Unlike some of the phones we test, the Nokia N75 elicits... well, very little response whatsoever from passers-by. After all, it's certainly not going to win any awards for its stunning beauty or its size.

Gizmodo: Overall, good job Cingular for not messing up a good thing. I highly recommend this phone.

CNet: Its poor talk time battery life and other restrictions leave us disappointed in the smart phone.

Laptopmag: he overall package is too bulky, and some key features are lacking given the high ($199) price.

Image Credit

Thanks: YouTube