Nokia N95-3 with North American 3G now available

With nary an AT&T agreement in sight, Nokia has gone out on a limb to launch the unlocked N95-3 today, bringing the all the original N95's goodness back for a second round with a few key changes. Most notably, of course, is the presence of HSDPA on the 850 and 1900MHz bands, but other modifications include a higher-capacity battery, recessed camera lens (sans protective shutter this time around), twice the RAM, and availability in black and "dark sand" (for the rear only -- the front's always silver). Grab it starting today in Nokia's flagship stores in New York and Chicago for $699.

[Totalfixation @ Sep 26th 2007 6:33PM]

what is the different with this and the one released earlier? the world phone N95 only use 1900/2100mhz band for 3g while this one supports 1700/2100mhz?

[Fernando @ Sep 26th 2007 6:41PM]

This one has 850/1900 3g bands, the north america ones.

The euro version only has 3g on the 2100 band.

[Totalfixation @ Sep 26th 2007 6:42PM]

gotcha, i thought they are utilizing all three bands, 850/1700/2100?

[Steelwurm @ Sep 26th 2007 7:09PM]

So for European phones, 3G is on 1700/2100 MHz. In the US, AT&T serves HSDPA on 850/1900 MHz and T-Mobile will be (or is) using 1700/2100 MHz, but the 2100 MHz is slightly different from the European frequency, and so not compatible.

It's a shame this one is brick and mortar only (for now).

[cromag9 @ Sep 26th 2007 9:29PM]

@Steelwurm:

check this out:
http://www.circuitcity.com/ccd/Search.do?c=1&context=&keyword=Nokia+N95&searchSection=All&go.x=15&go.y=11

I first saw this a few weeks ago.

[shivam @ Sep 26th 2007 9:44PM]

@cromag9
is the 3g or euro version

[xbit @ Sep 26th 2007 6:34PM]

Big price, but it's a great phone with some amazing apps and games available for it.

[Josh @ Sep 26th 2007 6:39PM]

I have always been interested in this phone, i like the idea of not having to hack my phone to add things.

[Zac Garrett @ Sep 26th 2007 6:51PM]

Anyone want to buy a pre-US 3G N95 so I get get one of these instead? :D

I love my current N95, I am just a little bitter about not having US 3G. But hey, I knew that when I was buying it.

[chris @ Sep 27th 2007 10:00AM]

how much?

[lyl545646 @ Sep 26th 2007 6:52PM]

for the low low price of $699... I'm totally in!

[Derry Quinn @ Sep 26th 2007 7:07PM]

I got 1 free

[Herbert Neal @ Sep 26th 2007 7:16PM]

Looks better than a iPhone. I would buy one if I needed a phone.

[Anthony @ Sep 26th 2007 7:21PM]

I'm almost tempted to get one just for the battery upgrade. Mine only lasts about 1-2 days @ most (that's w/ virtually no music or wifi).

Once the price drops a bit & we start to hear "real world" battery life I'll consider it.

N95 is the best phone @ the moment (& I've had no less than 25 in the past 1 1/2 years - I've sought professional help).

[elbow @ Sep 26th 2007 7:29PM]

25 - wtf!?!?

When they say the form factor is a "candybar," I don't think you're supposed to take that literally, Anthony...

[Anthony @ Sep 26th 2007 7:45PM]

I agree. It's not healthy, but each provided something I *thought* I was looking for.

e70 - keyboard, but candybar form
k800 - first really good camera
e62 - wifi/keyboard/form-factor
e65 - wifi w/ great standby
k800 - us supported decent phone
Motorola f3 - simplicity defined
etc.

The N95 accomplishes more than any other I've found. If shutter lag weren't so bad & the battery lasted a bit longer I'd probably discontinue my Live Engadgetmobile bookmark & call it a day, but...

[nikster @ Sep 26th 2007 9:29PM]

You should try an iPhone, you'll never go back. The N95 trumps the iPhone on features but - all the things the iPhone does are infinitely better than on any Symbian device.

There's no lag for anything. There's smooth transitions everywhere. Photos and music are a pleasure to use.

N95 has nice hardware but the software looks just ancient compared to iPhone. It's like Windows 3.1 vs. OS X.
BTW I had a few high end symbian phones before... A N73. A P990i. They are total crap compared to the iPhone. Seriously.

[Argot @ Sep 26th 2007 9:37PM]

@nikster:

Come on, the iPhone doesn't even have 3G! It feels like a phone from 2001 or something.

[ryan @ Sep 26th 2007 10:42PM]

@ nikster

I'm pretty sure the main difference between the iphone and n95 is that the iphone is top of the line software with mediocre hardware, while the n95 is top of the line hardware with average software. So it really boils down to which you prefer, and it looks like Anthony chooses his phones based mostly on hardware.

[Danny @ Sep 26th 2007 7:38PM]

I got a question, is phone the same as the N95 8GB thats suppose to be coming out? There is a page on GSMArena where they have an ALL black 8 GB N95 with all of the features it stated here. 3G, no camera lens and longer battery life. But the difference is this doesn't have the 8 GB internal memory.

[Anthony @ Sep 26th 2007 7:54PM]

The 8gb phone *DOESN'T* have the US 3G band. It's basically the same as the original but w/ built in memory.

I have a 4gb card & will upgrade to 8 when it's available (I'll bypass 6 even though it's out now since I know 8's on the way).

If 3G isn't of interest but storage is: go w/ the 8.

[Adrian Williams @ Sep 26th 2007 7:55PM]

I found this on their site
http://www.nokiausa.com/A4546019
Memory Functions

* Up to 160 MB* internal dynamic memory for messages, ringing tones, images, video clips, calendar notes, to-do list and applications
* Memory card slot supporting up to 2 GB microSD memory cards


* Changes to product details are possible without prior notice. Application offering may vary. Dynamic memory means that the available memory is shared between dynamic memory functions. When any of these functions is used, there is less available memory for other functions which are also dependent on dynamic memory.

[PDexter @ Sep 27th 2007 2:49AM]

NO N95 8GB has bigger SCREEN, 8GB(no slot for memory card) and all BLACK.
http://www.nseries.com/index.html#l=products,n95_8gb,gallery

N95 8GB has 2.8 inch screen

[lassi @ Sep 27th 2007 5:37AM]

there's also one _very_ important upgrade on this usa 3g freqs n95 and the n95-8gb compared to the original n95.

RAM. ~81 MB Free Executable RAM Memory.

original n95 has about 17 free after boot. the web browser is webkit derived... 17mb isn't enough, about 40-50 would be enough that one wouldn't probably notice even if you were a power user.

[Montusama @ Sep 26th 2007 8:10PM]

The Black N95 has 8GB of flash and a larger screen plus in a oh so sexy black finish.....
Well if I ever get 700 dollars and want to go with a provider I guess i'll get one

[kamm @ Sep 26th 2007 8:34PM]

"Anthony @ Sep 26th 2007 7:45PM

I agree. It's not healthy, but each provided something I *thought* I was looking for.

e70 - keyboard, but candybar form
k800 - first really good camera
e62 - wifi/keyboard/form-factor
e65 - wifi w/ great standby
k800 - us supported decent phone
Motorola f3 - simplicity defined
etc.

The N95 accomplishes more than any other I've found. If shutter lag weren't so bad & the battery lasted a bit longer I'd probably discontinue my Live Engadgetmobile bookmark & call it a day, but..."

Ummm not to burst your bubble but K800/K810 camera's PQ is FAR BETTER THAN N95's - and it's not only my personal experience but Mobileburn's as well.

Besides watch out for the upcoming W960 - it is everything iPhone was hyped to be but came very short of: 8GB Walkman, 320x240 videophone, Bluetooth 2.0, WiFi, quadband 3G (UMTS only IIRC), WiFi, touchscreen w/ handwrite recognition, 3.2MP camera roughly on-pair with N95 (well, not a Cybershot phone), TrackID music recognition, Symbian/UIQ3 - I'm using a prototype for weeks now abnd battery life is amazing, with BT and 2-3 hours continuous daily music playback (over BT headset) and medium (lot of TrackID, RSS and some Opera) internet use (though very little over WiFi) I get ~2-3 DAYS battery life which I consider EXCELLENT, unlike N95's less than a day.

[nikster @ Sep 26th 2007 9:38PM]

Well... I guess you haven't used an iPhone. It's not the list of features - or admittedly lack thereof - it's they way you use it that makes this better than any other phone out there by a far margin.

BTW I am not in the U.S. & unlocked mine myself. Annoying as I'd rather buy it for whatever the full price is, but ultimately there is no going back.

I also hope SE improved UIQ A LOT because I had that on a P990i and it was utter shit. Worse than any Nokia I had. It basically didn't work.

[kamm @ Sep 26th 2007 8:35PM]

"Anthony @ Sep 26th 2007 7:54PM

If 3G isn't of interest but storage is: go w/ the 8."

If 3G isn't in your interest but storage is GO WITH W960 when it arrives (most likely Oct).

[Anthony @ Sep 27th 2007 12:29AM]

W960's a great looking phone. No 850mhz makes it of no interest to me & many others.

SE - Make a phone for the yanks. Please.

[Rusty @ Sep 26th 2007 8:55PM]

I just hope that this is the start of something. Letting the manufacturers release the friggin phones UNLOCKED, then you figure out who you want as a carrier, instead of being "forced" to use whatever phone your carrier has.
Most of the people out there using wireless have no idea that they do not have to use the phone on a carriers network that they sell. You can buy (provided the phone works with a carriers network) a phone, pop in a SIM (GSM) from that carrier and you are off to the races.
I prefer unlocked phones anyway, no crippling and no accidently hitting a button which takes you to a store or some other BS where you get charged.

[Mark @ Sep 26th 2007 9:58PM]

True but you lose the discounts and this phone needs one. If I go to AT&T or TMobile with an N95 they're still going to make me sign a contract, right?

[Mark @ Sep 26th 2007 9:59PM]

How does the browser compare to the iphone's? I can't find a demo video of it anywhere. I'd get the iphone if it was 3G...

[dimsum05 @ Sep 27th 2007 12:10AM]

Yes, the browser on most S60 v3.1 devices run the same core code that the Safari Browser run on. It can handle most site with proper rendering, rollovers and most javascript.

[Scott @ Sep 27th 2007 9:57AM]

How is USING the browser on that tiny screen? Please don't say scrollbars... This is where the iPhone really shines. The browser is as nice as using a desktop, no kidding. I want a phone with N95 hardware, but Apple UI, multitouch browser, and battery life.

[Jah @ Sep 27th 2007 3:30AM]

Don't forget the N95-3 as built-in GPS and AGPS to speed-up acquisition.

Once you've used high speed data over 3g or 3.5g you really will not wont to go back to EDGE or GPRS. Finally, remember the N95 also comes with free s/w for Push email.

[Shahryar @ Sep 27th 2007 12:53PM]

What's the final word on the GPS for this phone? Is it easily usable without any navigation subscription or antyhing? I'm looking for a new phone for my Tmobile to replace my Nokia 6170. I'm thinking iPhone and hack it to use w/ Tmobile, but I'm not dying for an iPhone. I'm still happy with my 6170 but I know I should really upgrade. It's easy to text on and stuff and use for regular phone purposes. I have a Sprint PCC-6700 for my PDA needs (hoping to upgrade that to a Mogul soon) because I'm not planning on leaving Sprint for my secondary phone purposes (I'm rocking a $15 a month employee plan that I still have from my Circuit City days so it's a good price to pay for a secondary phone).

[wendy @ Oct 2nd 2007 9:20AM]

I'm posting this because you all seem very knowledgeable and maybe can help me. My brother and I each bought N95s in Europe this past summer (July/Aug, 2007). I bought mine in Switzerland and he bought his about 5 days later in Austria. We both live in the US. We both have AT&T (Cingular). My phone works fine, but his has a serious problem: while on a call, it makes a severe screeching noise, fairly frequently. My brother does not hear the noise, only the person on the other end. The noise is very loud and painful to the ears. It doesn't matter if he has initiated the call or not, and it doesn't matter if the person on the other end is on a cell or a land line. The screeching noise happens in all scenarios. Could this problem possibly have anything to do with US vs. European versions? I don't think so since my N95 works great. (I live in New York and he lives in Florida.) Please reply if anyone has any ideas!

[Ken Trough @ Nov 7th 2007 6:16PM]

There was a lot of talk about some units malfunctioning. You need a firmware upgrade. Most sites talked about sending the units back for service to get this upgrade as opposed to it being a user installable deal. Hope this helps.

[Jeff Dunn @ Oct 7th 2007 11:49PM]

Does anyone know if and when this phone can be used with T Mobile? And is this phone the N95-3 8GB?

[John Obu @ Oct 24th 2007 4:15AM]

I tried to purchase the N95-3 from Nokia-USA. I gave my credit card info with my home address as shipping info, but they also wanted my social security number!! That sounded strange to me for a $700 purchase. So I declined. Has this happened to any one?

[Ed @ Nov 10th 2007 9:48PM]

But will it blend?

[justin87 @ Nov 13th 2007 3:17PM]

Does this phone require service to utilize the gps navigation? or can it be used as everything but a phone (pda, mp3, gps, wi-fi device) without a sim card present. I am goin to europe for 4 months and want to be able to use it for email, gps, etc, but not have to incur a contract or be required to buy pre-paid minutes on the european networks.
thanks.

[NewCell @ Dec 2nd 2007 10:44PM]

I have just ordered the latest N95 8gb North America compliant version...I must admit it took several numerous calls to Nokia to convince me it really exists and it is confirmed...
It is much faster than the U.S. version due to the 8gb hard-drive slide is more stable, I'm told from Nokia rep's...
I will have it Wednesday the 5th. This is my Christmas present so I maybe detained on final review...n/c :)

[mark costello @ Dec 8th 2007 10:23AM]

Does the N95 8G Black North America Version also have 3G (WCDMA 850/1900?)

[New Cell @ Dec 12th 2007 7:48AM]

Yes, It's fully compatible in both regions for high speed data. Very impressive smart-phone...

[birdiefinder @ Dec 21st 2007 9:34AM]

Hey New Cell, where did you get your N95 8GB North American version. All the ones I've shopped for are only European compliant. Please let me know. Tia.