Nokia N78 – Final Thoughts

I have been lucky enough to have used the Nokia N78 as my primary handset for a month now (previously my main handset was a N95-1) and it’s time for me to conclude my review of the handset.

Regular readers of the site will probably have seen my previous coverage, if not check out my Nokia N78 – unboxing, Pictures and Quick Tour Video, Nokia N78 Sample Pictures, Nokia N78 – New Home Screen & Menu Views, my rant about the tiny keypad, and the Access Point Prioritisation feature found in S60 3rd SP2.

Here are some of the things that may or may not help you in your choice to get a Nokia N78:

Camera – The 3.2 megapixel camera takes some pretty good pictures, although it isn’t a match for the likes of the 5 megapixel goodness of the N95 or N82, it has some fast image processing times though.

Build – I like the look of the Nokia N78, the black front with a metal surround, it’s certainly one of the more stylish Nseries handsets available.

One area that the handset quality does show is the battery cover.  It really does feel very flimsy and rattles and creaks badly.  This is an area that I believe Nokia are aware of and are addressing.

Keypad – I’ve already made my feelings clear on the N78 keypad – I really don’t like it and for me this is a big showstopper.

Speaker Layout – I always find it amusing that when a new handset is released – the location of the speakers move around.  The Nokia N95 has them at the top left & right of the handset,  The Nokia N82 has both speakers on the right, ideal for when putting the handset into landscape mode.  The Nokia N78 has opted for alternate corners of the handset.  Although on first look it seems quite odd – it actually works really well, as it means that no matter what orientation you have the handset, you get good stereo sound.

Transmitter – One of the major selling points of the N78 is the built-in audio transmitter allowing you to broadcast your music collection to a nearby radio (i.e. in your car).  I found this extremely easy to set-up and use with sound quality very good.  One nice touch is when your music has stopped, there is a subtle audible tone that reminds you that you still have the transmitter on. Nice.

Software -The N78 comes with the latest version of S60 3rd Edition, which as I have mentioned in previous post contains some cool new features such as Native Access Point Prioritisation.

Another area of improvement is Background Syncing – When you sync your calendars and contacts on existing Nokia Nseries handsets – you have a pop-up message to say that the device is syncing and you are unable to perform any other tasks.  Now when syncing there is a small icon at the top of the display that informs you that you are syncing, which then allows you to carry on using your mobile as normal.  Simple, but great improvement.

Final Verdict

Apart from the dreadful keypad – I really can’t make up my mind about the N78.  It was billed as the N73 replacement, which was the ultimate Nseries cameraphone at the time, but if that is the case then what about the N82 which is far better equipped with it’s 5 mega pixel camera?

To me the N78 and N82 are very identical in build and size – the only thing different are the internals.  In a day when handsets are subsidised (and usually free) by network operators, I can’t help wondering why anybodoy who was after a candy bar phone would want the N78 over the higher specced N82.  I know which one I’d want.

What do you think?

Related posts:

1. Nokia N79 & N85 Launched
2. MWC: Nokia N78
3. Nokia N78 – Native Access Point Prioritisation
4. Nokia N78 – Unboxing, Pictures & Quick Tour Video
5. Nokia N82