View Full Version : Nokia N91 First Impressions
chaslam
12-05-2006, 06:56 AM
Well just got my nokia N91 and just some time to write a short first impressions review.
Havent acually turned the phone on (well its charging now) so can only comment on box and appearance.
I opened the silver royal Mail package in anticipation, as I wasnt quite sure what to expect, as I (like many others) havent acually seem the phone in real life before.
So, I got the the box after all the wrapping and I noticed there was no security seal. I checked around and noticed that it must be normal, as there were no signs of tampering (or the seal being taken off) and I looked a at picture on the net which clarified there was no seal.
So, opened the top of the box, and Nokia have been very clever. The first and only thing you see is your N91 siting their in all its glory, with some cardboard saying "Heres your Nokia N91" with some works about Nseries etc.
So, I picked the phone up. I was plesently suprised, as I was expecting a slight house brick to apear out of the box. The phone feels just the right size. Any smaller and I think it would be to small (esspecially for the keypad) and any larger and it will be to big.
I think people should give the N91 a chance. People are to fast to critiise its looks (esspecially size and weight) but its just the perfect size. I will take some pictures later when I get home of it next to my v3x, and you will see its really not that bigger. Because its slightly larger then the other phones on the market, people slate it.
When I turn the phone on and have a play with it, I will add to this mini review, but as its just charging (and im just about to leave!) I will have to leave it until later.
3GsInGH
12-05-2006, 05:52 PM
Ive used an N91 all day today and yesterday and can say the size at first was overwhelming...reminded me of an a835 hehe but as you get to use it it seems about the right size and is very well built. The phone is sturdy and the slide action on the music controls part is is very sleek. I have been using the phone on 3UK and have experienced no problems at all with crashing software dropping calls and the like. Overall quite impressed....would give it 8.5/10 only really taking marks away for not having a flash on the camera and the fact that it took so bloody long to come out!!! We will wait and see how it compares to the new SE walkman.
chaslam
13-05-2006, 02:27 PM
Well, second day ive had the phone now. Ive really grown to like it. It crashed once this morning when I put it into Mass storage mode to connect it to the computer, but since then its been fine. (having said that, just tried it again and done the same thing, but only seems to be once in about 10 times ive done it, but seems to be something to do with the theme that I was using).
One issue that I have been asked to address is the keypad. The keypad is VERY small, and I have very large hands (as you can tell the 2 naturally dont mix). Well Ive just sent 2 text messages, and its not acually that bad. It seems to work very well (esspecially the predictive text, which I think I will find myself using now). You can easily press each key, and I have yet to push the wrong key because of the size.
The hold toggle switch is a bit stiff, which is pretty annoying when trying to lock/unlock the phone, but if you put the phone on keylock, when you slide down the music keys to the numbes, it automatically unlocks the phone for use, and when you slide it back up, it will automatically lock again, which is pretty useful.
The screen isnt the best screen I have ever seen, but its suitable. The version of the N91 I got came with over 75 minutes of video footage from Live8 preinstalled onto the phone, which is pretty cool. Its also good as you can send locked things from the phone via bluetooth to other devices, so I could send a clip of live8 which is locked to the phone, to a computer and watch it on there.
One thing which I am very impessed with is the camera. The photos are of good quality for a 2MP camera, and the videos are even better! The N91 films at 15fps, and the 6280 films at 30fps. Having used both, the N91 comes very close to looking just as good as the 6280 video!
Here are 2 pictures taken with the 2MP camera:
http://i82.photobucket.com/albums/j251/chaslam500/12052006007.jpg
http://i82.photobucket.com/albums/j251/chaslam500/13052006001.jpg
Everything thing is very easy to use, esspecially the syncing of the phone and computer. As some may know I have a Mac, but that hasnt stopped me. Nokia have released the PC suite for the mac to transfer and sync your N91 with itunes. I also have a laptop with windows on it, so I can use all the other functions aswell, like backup and restore, and syncing with MS outlook etc.
The Wifi is VERY good. My XDA EXEC couldnt detect my wireless network from my room, but the N91 detects it staight away with no problem. The we browser is very good and very easy to use and view large web pages. Its uses a kind of scroll function with a mouse on the screen, which is kind of hard to explain. Ive even visted here and posted, which is dead easy!
The phone is heavy, but it suits it. You would be very disapointed if you got this phone home, and it was as light as a feather. It wouldnt seem right. Its chunkyness and weight works really well.
Here is 2 pictures of the phone:
http://i82.photobucket.com/albums/j251/chaslam500/DSC00836.jpg
http://i82.photobucket.com/albums/j251/chaslam500/DSC00832.jpg
Any questions about the phone or any of its features please ask. I will add anything else what I discover about the phone here.
chaslam
15-05-2006, 09:59 PM
Ok, had the N91 for a few days now, and I have to say, this phone rocks. Acually, I dont see it as a phone, I see it as a all in one device.
Ive just been checking some of the services out that nokia provide, but unfortunately its only a sample service, as they havent released the final product for the UK yet.
I downloaded 2 games, Snake 2 (which I downloaded over the 3G network) which works well (works nicely in full screen) and downloaded Space impact III (which I downloaded over WLAN) which I have yet to test. I also downloaded 2 themes for the phone called lights and motion. All of this was free over the WLAN network, as all you have to pay for is data charges as its a trial (which with WLAN is obviously nothing!).
Now, people may say im being a bit over the top, but I have to say that is is the BEST phone I have every used/owned. Its not to large, quite heavy (as its made of metal, so it feels quality) and does everything you could possibly want it to do, all in a reasonably sizes, metal package.
If your contemplating buying this phone, I would say just go for it. I was worried what I was going to thing of it (as was originally planning on getting an N80) but im SO glad I got this one now.
BUY IT BUY IT BUY IT!!! (oh and by the way, before anyone asks, I dont work for nokia hehe).
If anyone has any questions about the phone, please ask or if you want a specific picture of the phone, feel free to ask and it can be arranged.
I could go on for pages about this phone, but I wont as I dont want to bore every body. Its probably better if there is something I havent covered that you ask for and I add.
hecatae
15-05-2006, 10:13 PM
whats video calling like?
chaslam
15-05-2006, 10:40 PM
Havent tried out video calling as of yet, as it hasnt really appealled to me with only one camera.
I will try it out soon and let you know what its like on network and cross network.
hey man I totally had the same enthusiasm as you. I just have 1 problem with this phone. Please tell me more about the display. Is it bad enough that it hinders other functions? I mean your using the display for everything
chaslam
16-05-2006, 04:11 PM
Not at all. Basically, reviewers need something to moan about, so they pick out silly little things.
I was also worried about the screen resolution, but its not that bad.
Have you ever used an N70? well its the same screen as the N70, which isnt bad.
It certainly doesnt hinder the other functions 1 bit! I will make a short video of the funtions of the phone later this evening.
chaslam
16-05-2006, 04:33 PM
Here is a small video I have taken of the phone. May add some more soon. Its quite a large file at 24mb so not recommended for dial up.
http://www.megaupload.com/?d=3LYDU7TO
chaslam
17-05-2006, 03:01 PM
Just found the first fault that im not happy about.
There seems to be a small piece of dust under the screen! This happened alot on the 6280 and I cant seem to see where its coming from! If it gets any worse then it already is (1 small bit in the corner) I will take it up to the nokia service centre up the road and ask them to take the front off and clean the screen (might just do that anyway acually as once you see the piece of dust, its really annoying and catches your attention.
bavlondon
18-05-2006, 07:33 PM
Just found the first fault that im not happy about.
There seems to be a small piece of dust under the screen! This happened alot on the 6280 and I cant seem to see where its coming from! If it gets any worse then it already is (1 small bit in the corner) I will take it up to the nokia service centre up the road and ask them to take the front off and clean the screen (might just do that anyway acually as once you see the piece of dust, its really annoying and catches your attention.
I didnt realise Nokia provided that service. Does getting that done affect the fit of the screen in any way?
chaslam
19-05-2006, 10:00 PM
Another thing I have found, is that during phone calls, some really loud modem sound starts in my earpiece (the person on the other side cant hear it) and its really loud. Its sounds kind of like a dial up modem. Anyone knows what it can be?
It only happens about 1 in 10 calls, maybe not even that, but when it does its very annoying, as I need to hang up and re-dial.
OldUserAccount
19-05-2006, 10:15 PM
Not at all. Basically, reviewers need something to moan about, so they pick out silly little things.
I was also worried about the screen resolution, but its not that bad.
Have you ever used an N70? well its the same screen as the N70, which isnt bad.
.
and thats the same as the 6680 so its not upgraded on that part then...
hecatae
19-05-2006, 10:39 PM
Another thing I have found, is that during phone calls, some really loud modem sound starts in my earpiece (the person on the other side cant hear it) and its really loud. Its sounds kind of like a dial up modem. Anyone knows what it can be?
It only happens about 1 in 10 calls, maybe not even that, but when it does its very annoying, as I need to hang up and re-dial.
Is your screen lit up when this occurs?
chaslam
19-05-2006, 11:06 PM
Not to sure really. Yes it probably is.
hecatae
19-05-2006, 11:11 PM
it's caused by the screen being illuminated then
chaslam
21-05-2006, 05:04 PM
What gives you the impression its the screen? Everytime I make or recive a phone call the screen lights up, so if it was something to do with the screen, it would probably do it everytime it lights up.
hecatae
21-05-2006, 08:30 PM
hang on, sounds more like switching cells
smoke257
22-05-2006, 03:53 PM
im thinking of getting one, looks realy good whats the mp3 player like?
Spinstorm
23-05-2006, 01:14 AM
The firmware on the N91 is in serious need of an update - the phone is buggy as hell!
I love it for its features and I am not one to give up on new stuff but it has serious issues... Maybe I am just unlucky.
It crashes reguarly when being used - sometimes it will just reset itself (the screen goes white before it comes back on) sometimes it just freezes and I have to remove the battery to get it to work again.
It crashed if I get two calls at once or a call on hold (though not always) and that is not to mention the theme problems where only certain themes actually work (for whatever reason).
Recently I lost all my txt messages and I can't open any text messages that I do have left (ie, new ones) and from time to time my music will freeze and dissapear!
Not to mention that for some reason everytime I restarted the phone recently it returned to the default theme and then when it didnt I lost all my txt messages and that is not to mention certain photos becomign currupt for no good reason!
If anyone knows where the txt messages would be stored on the HDD maybe I can retrieve them?!
Anyway the point is it is VERY buggy - these issues do not make it a bad phone but some people may not be able to handle them - in the meantime I am waiting for the phone to randomly start letting me read my txt messages again!
man all you gotta do is go to a nokia service centre and get it flased with latest firmware
OldUserAccount
28-05-2006, 08:34 AM
man all you gotta do is go to a nokia service centre and get it flased with latest firmware
and have they released a newer version yet.....
E616Vboy
28-05-2006, 09:07 AM
man all you gotta do is go to a nokia service centre and get it flased with latest firmware
Or turn the wifi on and the new firmware will download over the air
OldUserAccount
28-05-2006, 09:11 AM
Or turn the wifi on and the new firmware will download over the air
surley you need to have access to a wifi network and be in range of one to do this...
E616Vboy
28-05-2006, 09:19 AM
surley you need to have access to a wifi network and be in range of one to do this...
Of course :)
Spinstorm
28-05-2006, 02:57 PM
Is there new firmware out? since the last one? (I am on RM 43 I believe)
And how exactly do u download it using wi-fi ? it is not an automatic download is it?
Cameraman
29-05-2006, 09:04 PM
I got my N91 just 5 days ago I'm really impressed with the MP3 player and the screen, keyboard is very small which makes it hard to text if like me you have thick fingers. The only STRANGE thing I have found is that the camera is on the back of the phone, this is ok for taking pictures but, if video calling it means that the other person can only see what is in front of you if you want to watch the screen. Why not have a 2nd camera on the front like the N70. That said I don't often make video calls and really got the phone for the 4 gig hard drive, lots & lots of room for music.
hecatae
29-05-2006, 09:09 PM
Is there new firmware out? since the last one? (I am on RM 43 I believe)
And how exactly do u download it using wi-fi ? it is not an automatic download is it?
RM-43 is the product model of your phone, nothing to do with firmware revision.
OldUserAccount
29-05-2006, 09:11 PM
The only STRANGE thing I have found is that the camera is on the back of the phone, this is ok for taking pictures but, if video calling it means that the other person can only see what is in front of you if you want to watch the screen. Why not have a 2nd camera on the front like the N70. That said I don't often make video calls and really got the phone for the 4 gig hard drive, lots & lots of room for music.
its obviously not designed for video calling then. remember the 6630 with only one camera on the back - they had to bring out the video stand to cover such eventualities.
chaslam
29-05-2006, 10:02 PM
RM-43 is the product model of your phone, nothing to do with firmware revision.
Mine is:
V 1.00.028.58
29-03-06
RM-43
Which I believe is the latest.
Spinstorm
30-05-2006, 07:30 AM
That is the same as the version I have but I read somewhere (was it above in this thread as I think it was) that there is a newer version out now so I want to update it if I can as it does crash alot!
becjam
31-05-2006, 07:18 PM
Well, second day ive had the phone now. Ive really grown to like it. It crashed once this morning when I put it into Mass storage mode to connect it to the computer, but since then its been fine. (having said that, just tried it again and done the same thing, but only seems to be once in about 10 times ive done it, but seems to be something to do with the theme that I was using).
One issue that I have been asked to address is the keypad. The keypad is VERY small, and I have very large hands (as you can tell the 2 naturally dont mix). Well Ive just sent 2 text messages, and its not acually that bad. It seems to work very well (esspecially the predictive text, which I think I will find myself using now). You can easily press each key, and I have yet to push the wrong key because of the size.
The hold toggle switch is a bit stiff, which is pretty annoying when trying to lock/unlock the phone, but if you put the phone on keylock, when you slide down the music keys to the numbes, it automatically unlocks the phone for use, and when you slide it back up, it will automatically lock again, which is pretty useful.
The screen isnt the best screen I have ever seen, but its suitable. The version of the N91 I got came with over 75 minutes of video footage from Live8 preinstalled onto the phone, which is pretty cool. Its also good as you can send locked things from the phone via bluetooth to other devices, so I could send a clip of live8 which is locked to the phone, to a computer and watch it on there.
One thing which I am very impessed with is the camera. The photos are of good quality for a 2MP camera, and the videos are even better! The N91 films at 15fps, and the 6280 films at 30fps. Having used both, the N91 comes very close to looking just as good as the 6280 video!
Here are 2 pictures taken with the 2MP camera:
http://i82.photobucket.com/albums/j251/chaslam500/12052006007.jpg
http://i82.photobucket.com/albums/j251/chaslam500/13052006001.jpg
Everything thing is very easy to use, esspecially the syncing of the phone and computer. As some may know I have a Mac, but that hasnt stopped me. Nokia have released the PC suite for the mac to transfer and sync your N91 with itunes. I also have a laptop with windows on it, so I can use all the other functions aswell, like backup and restore, and syncing with MS outlook etc.
The Wifi is VERY good. My XDA EXEC couldnt detect my wireless network from my room, but the N91 detects it staight away with no problem. The we browser is very good and very easy to use and view large web pages. Its uses a kind of scroll function with a mouse on the screen, which is kind of hard to explain. Ive even visted here and posted, which is dead easy!
The phone is heavy, but it suits it. You would be very disapointed if you got this phone home, and it was as light as a feather. It wouldnt seem right. Its chunkyness and weight works really well.
Here is 2 pictures of the phone:
http://i82.photobucket.com/albums/j251/chaslam500/DSC00836.jpg
http://i82.photobucket.com/albums/j251/chaslam500/DSC00832.jpg
Any questions about the phone or any of its features please ask. I will add anything else what I discover about the phone here.
Hi I hope you can help, I have had my n91 for 5 days now cannot access installed videos or songs i.e live 8 footage that you have mentioned, I need an access key? Have phoned nokia who say to phone service provider who say to phone nokia! Im not sure if this is the same for everybody, how did you access yours? Thanks. Becjam.
Nokia 6650 - World's 1st 3G phone.
Off topic but that isn't true. I dont know what the first 3G phone was but Japan had 3G about 2 years before the 6650 was even released! :)
smoke257
22-06-2006, 08:01 PM
dose the size of the phone anoy u in any way it looks pritty large.
chaslam
22-06-2006, 11:11 PM
Nope, I personally think the size is great. Its not huge, but its not tiny. They could have done with making the keypad slightly larger but apart from that I like the size. It feels alot smaller then it acually is, because its made from metal.
ali_moghal
24-06-2006, 06:40 PM
saw the n91 today, i thinks its rubbish, its huge, and the keypads awful, the only good thing is the 4gb memory, saw the 8800 aswell, thats so cool
smoke257
24-06-2006, 06:59 PM
my mates got the 8800 no offenseto any 1 thats got it ( it might just be him) but epperntly its rubbish it cost lodes its unreliable lags lodes of bugs and very few features for ur money. But it dose look good il give it that.
chaslam
24-06-2006, 09:33 PM
Ali, how can you say you think it rubbish from just seeing one? Doesnt really make sense. Of course you can can say you dont like it, but I think its a bit harsh saying is rubbish.
Was it a dummy you saw or the real thing? If its a dummy, dont let that give you your first impressions, as dummys are always rubbish.
ali_moghal
24-06-2006, 09:35 PM
lolz, sorry chaslam, but i just dont like the fone, but i do like the slidy thing and the 4gb of memory thats cool, but u gotta agree on the buttons and it is slightly big, i think im just hooked on the looks of a 8800 :D:D
N91 - Good spec, it's a bit clumpy looking though, but not that bad, not sure about the slider thing and there's not much key pad space........other than that it's ok........
Shame Orange pulled it from their "coming soon" list.......something to do with a dispute with Nokia over the music player software or something I think!
Chaz_UK
08-07-2006, 09:27 PM
I got an N91 but had to take it back because it kept crashing. After a handset replacement with newer firmware it's the best phone I've owned.
The sound quality from the N91 is amazing IMO and it absolutely kills my Video iPod.
My iPod's now on eBay because even tho the N91 is only 4 gig i had a tonne of songs on my iPod i never listened to.
I've been using my in ear Sony headphones (Can't remember what model) and the quality of the Bass compared to my iPod is immense.
Overall it's a fantastic phone with one drawback, screen res, but as a music phone it's perfect.
Well done Nokia. :devious:
I got an N91 but had to take it back because it kept crashing. After a handset replacement with newer firmware it's the best phone I've owned.
The sound quality from the N91 is amazing IMO and it absolutely kills my Video iPod.
My iPod's now on eBay because even tho the N91 is only 4 gig i had a tonne of songs on my iPod i never listened to.
I've been using my in ear Sony headphones (Can't remember what model) and the quality of the Bass compared to my iPod is immense.
Overall it's a fantastic phone with one drawback, screen res, but as a music phone it's perfect.
Well done Nokia. :devious:
Wow "Chaz_UK" sounds like these high spec music type phones might kill off ipod's then!
Chaz_UK
09-07-2006, 09:00 AM
Wow "Chaz_UK" sounds like these high spec music type phones might kill off ipod's then!
In sound quality it seems. Now they need to work on storage capacity, then it'll be the perfect phone.
Another good thing is all I need to carry is my phone, not my phone and iPod now.
http://homepages.tesco.net/louise.clout/pictures/N91/N91-2.jpg
Lovely phone!:D
Shame Orange dropped the N91 from their "coming soon" list :(