Almost two years ago Nokia redefined the word “mobile phone”.  No longer was a mobile phone just for making calls, receiving texts, and keeping in touch, it was also a new part of life.  The release of the N95 solidified Nokia’s ambitious approach to changing what a mobile phone could do.  The N95 was an elite multimedia device.  The device was dubbed ” a personal computer” featuring robust multimedia capabilities, digital camera, and internet features.  The N95 and later the N95 8GB redefined what was expected from a flagship multimedia device.  The only problem Nokia had on its hands was producing a follow-up device that could fill the high expectations of current N95 owners.  Nokia answered the calls by producing the N96.  With a large 2.8″ screen, dual-slide mechanism, 16GB of internal storage with expandability via MiscrSD slot, TV tuner, 5MP Carl Zeiss optics, Nokia had taken the best parts from the N95 and added new features in a sturdier design.  Luckily, WOMWORLD/Nokia was kind enough to send me a review unit which I will be doing in multiple parts.  The first part I will take into consideration the physical aspects of the device, enjoy!

The Nokia N96 takes many of the best design elements of the N95 and improves on them.  The  N96 features the same dual slide mechanism which made the N95 popular and is currently available in one color, polished black.  The front of the device has a beautiful 2.8″ 16 million color screen that dominates the front surface.  Above the screen is a tiny pin hole sized front mount camera for video calls (which is not available in the U.S.) and ear piece.  Directly below the screen are the most commonly used buttons on the phone such as the d-pad which is surrounded by multimedia keys (forward skip, backward skip, play, and stop) that can control music or any type of multimedia, a main multimedia key (silver) for quick access to media, two soft keys, send and end call, s60 menu key, and c (cancel).  Generally most of the buttons feel good to press with the exception of the multimedia keys and the d-pad.  While the size and the build of the d-pad is excellent the button is quite squishy and soft.  I cant quite explain it well (possibly will post a video) but there seems to also be a little bit of stickiness.  While certainly not the worst experience Ive had but it does bring some concerns considering this is one of the main buttons that will be used in navigating the device.  The multimedia keys oon the front of the device are a great idea.  I like the idea of having a second set of multimedia keys available without having to slide the device, but the buttons are tiny and wished that they were easier to distinguish without using sight.

When the numerical keypad is slid down the N96 reveals to the world that this product indeed is a mobile phone.  The surface of the digits are smooth with only a raised area around the “5″ key.  The rest of the digits are segregated into rows by a thin cut between the numbers.  Although it does not look very distinct, when felt it does its job well, I did not have any issues with blind writing and dialing with this keypad.  Kind of a nitpick but I found it odd that the keypads rows seem to get narrower as you go towards the bottom.  While I did not find it the most comfortable design it does make sense that the most commonly used keys would have larger spacing than the *,0,# keys.  When the phone is slid in the opposite direction one can reveal the dedicated multimedia keys.  These follow the same designs as the numerical pad.  These keys feel firm but do have a general creakiness.

Moving on to the top portion the N96 has a power button, 3.5mm headphone jack and dedicated lock key.  While the former two are nothing new the later is a great new introduction.  The lock key allows for users to lock and unlock their phone at any time, pretty much like a hold button found on portable media players.  This is easily one of the best new features.  On the right side of the phone lies the volume rocker, camera button, and speakers.  It is intersting to note that each of the buttons has its own firmness.  The volume rocker is especially firm which made it uncomfortable to press with my thumb while in a conversation.  This isn’t a bad thing, but coming from an E71 which has dedicated keys for up and down (the N96 has a one piece design)I felt the buttons were a tad bit too firm.  The camera button on the other hand was very soft and spongy.  I don’t find this too bad, but considering the firmness of the others buttons I feel that there is a consistency missing.

On the bottom the phone has two ports, one microusb and power port.  The left side being the most bare has a microsd slot.  The microsd slot does not have a hinged door found on the E63, but remains a standard pull out design.  Last is the back cover which is a solid piece of plastic with a lined design which has been seen on many recent Nokia releases. The latch to release the cover is located on the top by the 3.5mm headset jack and easily releases the cover.  The back also houses the now infamous Carl Zeiss lens and dual LED flash.  The N96 being a media device has an integrated stand that surrounds the camera bezel.  Overall the N96 feels sturdy, and solves a lot of the issues that were present on the N95.  The sliding mechanism is solid, rigid with no signs of having issues of wobbling in the future.  Stay tuned for part two.