Nokia N86 Unlocked Phone with 8 MP camera Review

02 Oct

Author: admin // Category: NOKIA

2 Different Review

Review 1

The Nokia N86 is like a rare, good sequel to a great summer movie. Loaded with enough technical features to give almost any smartphone user a migrain, this new addition to the N-series comes with, among other typical smartphone features, a large 8MP camera sensor, an FM transmitter, a high capacity battery (1200mah) and a beefy, 128mb RAM.

Nokia has been cramping more and more features into their smartphones ever since the introduction of the N95 two years ago. Physically, the N86 does not appear to be any more compact than the N95. But aside from the additional gimicks mentioned earlier, the N86 also has an additional internal 8GB flash memory and a digital compass to work with its MAPS application. To calibrate the compass, you will have to rotate the phone in two different axes when the MAPS application is active. The N86 has the same double-sliding form factor as the N95, but the front surface of the N86, unlike the N95, is all glass. The control buttons on the top will take a while for anyone to get used to, as other than the C (cancel) button, there is no indication as to what they do.

The N86 also uses AMOLED for its display, as compared to older N-series models, making the system more power efficient and allows users to stay unplugged for a longer time. Unfortunately, AMOLED displays can’t stay on all the time like LCD displays. Therefore, you will have to rely on the “breathing” menu button LED to tell you if there is a missed call or an SMS.

Also, for the first time (for an N-series), the USB 2.0 connector for the N86 lets you charge the phone while you’re transferring music / images / videos in or out of the phone.

Perhaps the best thing about the N86 is its sheer speed compared to earlier N-series models. Personally i don’t see the point of having a phone that can do everything, but can’t even keep up with a 70-dollar phone when it comes to doing text messaging or taking pictures. The N86, coupled with the 128MB RAM, allows it to be more responsive than earlier N-series models, so it doesn’t feel like a convoluted, heavy mass in your pocket. Other N-series models, like the N96 or the N95, are just trying too hard to do too many things at the same time without the RAM to handle all the tasks.

As I’m typing this review, I have loaded over 4000 tracks into my N86, thanks to the microSD expansion slot that accepts 16Gb cards. How I wish the phone could accept more. Thanks to the increased speed, the N86 does not slow down even when it is loaded with so many music files. My N82 and N96 refused load the tracks when i go to the user menu to select my ringtone when i loaded 4000 songs into them, but the N86 was more than happy to display all 4000 tracks plus all the midi and aac tunes preloaded in the device for me to choose as the phone’s ring tone.

The 8 MP camera won the TIPA award for best imaging phone in 2009, and it is quite obvious why. Striking a balance between file size and picture quality, the N86 produces exceptionally clean pictures during the day, and the built-in flash, although LED only, performs better than most N-series models with LED flash. Lagging is quite minimal for such a feature packed phone, and the video recording quality is on par with every high-end N-series out there.

The FM transmitter works with the music player to broadcast music to any nearby FM radio. As such, you no longer have to worry about not being able to share you music with people that don’t use bluetooth enabled car stereos or stereos that don’t come with line inputs. You can now play your music through any car stereos or stereos that receives FM broadcast from 87.5Mhz to 108Mhz.

Unfortunately for the N86, the new-agey chassis and GUI design will take a bit of getting used to. It is a bit loud (especially the white version), and looks funny if you take it out of your pocket during a business lunch. Also, the presence of the USB charging ability means Nokia is not obliged to give you a proper charging port, which will force some of you to go out and buy a new car charger or spare charger as the N86 does not have a standard or mini Nokia charge port. The battery can only be charged through the USB connector, like the Nokia 8600 Luna. It is however nevertheless a speedy and powerful multimedia device and a great upgrade over many of the N-series models.

Review 2

I am not an expert, just a regular guy who buys a new phone every year because I like toys.

This phone has all of the important features I need on a phone. I have had other Nokia phones and this combines all of the great features and adds some that were not present. For example:

1. 3.5mm Headphone jack. No more need for an adaptor for a 2.5mm.
2. Bigger screen. I guess 2.6 is not comparable to other phones like the iPhone’s 3.5, but this does not have a touchscreen interface. I can still text without looking using the keypad.
3. The AMOLED display is rediculously clear and vibrant. My wife is using my Nokia E51 and the difference is stunning.
4. 8 gb of storage plus microSD. This is more memory than I could fill up right now.
5. This phone is also much faster than my E51. it takes less than 1/2 second to access any application once selected.
6. Scratch resistant screen.
7. The phone is well built, feels solid, a little heavy, but strong.
8. The battery life is exceptional. I have used the camera for three days taking pictures, video, listening to music while I run etc. and still have 2 bars left.
9. The speakerphone is LOUD. I can have my windows down on the BQE commuting to work and still here the callers over the traffic noise.
10. Font sizes are adjustable and can be made noticably larger. I hate phones with tiny fonts.

I can go on and on.

My only concern is the camera. The video capability is great but I have been experimenting with the image quality and I don’t think it is as good as Nokia will have you believe. The 8MP camera takes 8MP pictures, but they come out dark indoors even at close range with the flash. Outdoors they are as good as you would expect from an 8MP camera , and hopefully they will release the firmware update enabling face detection that has been rumored.

Also, the notification light for missed calls, messages, and emails is kind of weak. My E51 would scream with vibrancy lighting up my bedroom at night, where the N86 is more of a whisper.

I would reccomend this phone for many reasons.

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