N78, Big Disappointment Or Your Next Handset?
The N78 has been made available in some countries during the past days, and quite a few bloggers have had their hands on it, unboxing it, taking poses of it, putting it through its paces. I for one, was interested in what’s beneath that black plastic, ie Feature Pack 2, and what new functionality it will bring to the S60 front. But I know many of you are looking at this handset as a potential replacement for your current one, so here is a quick recap of N78 pictures, videos and reviews.
First, Rafe at AAS has put up a huge gallery of N78 photos and asked whether you have any particular aspects that you’d like him to cover in his review. Zach from Symbian in Motion has also got his hands on one, and delivers a video walkthrough of the handset. Zach seems rather unimpressed with the new features and the lack of IMAP support in email, except the speed and the transitions which he likes.
On the review end of things, is Jeb Brilliant with a short overview of the N78, agreeing with Zach in that he hates the NaviWheel, but likes the UI and the speed. For more details, you can also check the detailed review that Bog at Mobile Arsenal has published.
After going through these posts, I am rather disappointed with the N78 and FP2. I am almost sure that unlike everyone, I will like the NaviWheel, but the fact that the vertical icons in the vertical standby theme can’t be customized is a big letdown. I was hoping that FP2 would bring some of the standby screen customization that I’ve been rooting for ever since I tried Windows Mobile, but apparently, I will still have to wait. Anyway, I will reserve my final judgment until I have one of these in my hands and can try it for real.
What do you think? Did you buy an N78 or are you interested in it, and if so, why? Is it the form factor, the build quality, and/or the features? Or do you want a taste of FP2 before the N96 hits the market? Will the N78 be your main phone, and in this case, what handset are you sporting currently?
I have been wondering whether N73 owners would plunge on the N78 because of its sleeker look, GPS and FP2, 3.5mm plug, or whether they will move to something on the higher end of things, like an N82 or an N95, especially since the N78 sports the same camera as the N73, and lacks the xenon or the multimedia and gaming keys.
I have read many reviews of N78 because I’m interested in the software features. I think the hardware is nothing new/exceptional, but FP2 would be quite interesting to try out. As an ESeries user I’m still with an old E50, pre-FP1 device slower-than-I-can-bear, and I refuse to change for another pre-FP1 device.
Plus there is one trend that I suspect will really really bother me since I tried out an E51: the fingerprints attracting surfaces Nokia is currently using on every phone. If I have to describe what makes a device feels solid, fingerprint magnet surfaces would definitely not be in that list.
Come on Nokia, wake up: unlike gold or diamonds, shining plastic (or metal) is NOT IMPRESSIVE !! It’s more of an annoyance on devices you touch all day long since you’ll have to clean them ALL DAY LONG.
I’m (was) in the market for a new handset to replace my old E61. I strongly considered the N78 and was really interested in it. However the current price is over $450 and the US 3G model is hard to find. For a little more ($475), I was able to get a US 3G N95, which is a higher spec phone. Thanks to my friends at Ho Fo for opening my eyes to that fact. If I would get a second phone it probably would be a N78 (unless the N82 comes out with US 3G). Bottom line, the N78 is way too expensive even at $450.
I am interested in the N78. But more for friends than myself. The FP2 updates don’t seem all that great at this point, and my needs for a mobile go slighty beyond the offering. That being said, I think its perfect for both Nokia and most normobs and should sell very well on and off the carrier deck.
Merlin, I definitely agree with you, shiny plastic is eye-candy ONLY when it’s totally clean, when it’s not, it’s so fugly.
John, I think u made the right decision, I went for an N95 when I was looking for just an N81. Now I am living in accelerometer-gps-camera heaven, although the slider is annoying the hell out of me. With an N82 on its way, I am sure to be back in heaven soon
I had an n73 but when my contract finished, about one month ago, I bought an n82. I think that Nokia made a mistake in thinking that n73 users would be happy with a 3.2 megapixel camera for another year(s). Nokia should remember that when the n73 was launched it was one of the best cameraphones which had come out soon after the 3.2 megapixel n93. Now, with the n78, it should have the the same camera from the equivalent n9…, the 5 megapixel n95 camera. This is because n73 users want to have one of the best cameras on the market this will not be the same 3.2 megapixel unit that they were happy about over a year ago.
The n78 is another tempting S60 device. The huge battery is a big plus. Nokia should have given us a 5 megapixel camera or at least a Xenon flash on the N78. FP2 is only eye candy for me.
me, I am looking forward to it in Australia. My wife wants one
So finally she will have a decent phone. I have the n95 8gb, but she doesn’t need all that it has and has spent the last month looking around and this is the phone she has settled on.
Not sure how much I will get to play with it mind you
it’s an awesome handset - but to do anything with it you have to buy licenses and licenses and some more licenses… and then another license.. just when you though you got all the licenses yep, there’s another one you have to buy…. a good device but supported by a bunch of capitalists; the navig-crap is the only bad thing about it a really lame stab at the ipod and of course the tons of licenses you have to pay for - other than that it’s all good