Nokia Finally Brings a Xenon Flash!
After the whole N95 fiasco, I was left feeling a few things. First of all, big papa of N Series phones disappointed me. Second, I hate phones with joints or sliders. So much. And last, how aggravating it is to lose great shots to poor low-light camera phone technology…… So much so, that I’ve taken to using a Sony Ericsson K800i as my current handset of choice… that’s right kids… over the N73. But don’t freak… even though I’ve been favoring Nokia in the most recent past, I’ve always toggled between handsets made by both the mobile imaging leaders.
But Finally. Nokia done brung it.
Trailing Sony Ericsson by A YEAR AND A HALF, Nokia has finally started implementing a real Xenon flash into their camera phones. Or in one, anyhow…. the N Eightee-two (if you understand why it’s spelled this way on my blog, I consider you as mobile-tech-savvy / nerdy as I am).
So what’s the deal? For the most part, it’s N95 technology in a made-over N73-like housing. From these leaked photos, it’s pretty fashion-conscious (to the N93i-level, anyhow), and doesn’t look entirely unlike I, Robot. Let’s hope it like humans.
But Check it: 5MP camera with Carl Zeiss lens, Xenon flash, and auto-focus… and (yes!) VGA, 30 fps video recording just like the N95/93/93i. It’s quad-band GSM and 2100 HSDPA, BT 2.0 with A2DP, WiFi, GPS, TV-out, FM Radio, and a MicroSD slot. And let me share this again… Xenon flash. Hopefully this means photos turn out as well as the dated-but-fabulous Sony Ericsson K800i you can get for chump change with a Rogers contract here in Canada, and for free pretty much everywhere outside the US.
One loved N95 feature not yet confirmed in this new model… does it have the 3.5mm headphone jack? Considering this was leaked alongside the Music-centric N Eightee-One (a slick makeover to N91), it could very well be that Nokia is leaving the new imaging powerhouse to be, primarily, an imaging powerhouse. If so, it would be a bummer. Time will tell.
So I’ll say it again. *ahem* Sony Ericsson… where the HELL is Sophia?!
(Sophia is the codename for the unannounced 5mp Sony Ericsson Cybershot phone.)
….
(And yes, phones have codenames. Much like superheroes or top secret missions.)
….
(Don’t look at me like that.)
It is a gorgeous piece of equipment. I hope they install the fastest processor they can. My biggest complaint about advances in features is that the OS can’t keep up. Can’t wait for your review…since I know you’ll be the first one to get it.
nice. This is about the first nokia I have like in years! - still, I prefer my camera phones to have some sort of protectable lens cover!
great specs. great looks. but alas, no 3G for North America???
[sighs]
c’est la vie. maybe not for me…
The sleekness should match perfectly with Wii, a white iPod and a white MacBook. Too campy? :p
damn, and I thought I would have my N73 for an entire year. :)
It looks like a great phone, but I thought I had read it wouldn’t be available until quarter 4 of this year.
That’s a long time to wait.
P.S. I returned that Helio Ocean phone. I’ll tell you why if you’re interested.
Wowie.
Do you find that the slider (lens cover) on the Sony K800i gets in the way sometimes… I’m worried I’m going to rip the thing off.