Nokia N95 previewed at The Inquirer

The Inquirer:

Various phone resellers have placed a March 20th release date on the phone, and with only weeks away until we get a final-build unit, we’re giving you a sneak preview of what to expect by the end of this month.

The main feature of the phone that really sets it apart from bog-standard mobiles is the built-in GPS. This is a significant boon, and coupled with Nokia (NYSE: NOK)’s free mapping software, this should be a key-selling point of this new unit.

Unfortunately the GPS doesn’t work in our prototype model as they’re still ironing some bugs out – but we’ll endeavour to bring you the full low-down when we receive a final review unit in a few weeks time.
What can we conclude about this phone in its current state? Despite its prototype form, a few bugs, and the lack of working GPS in this unit, its easy to realise that this phone is going to be a huge hit.

Though there are smartphones on the market that do similar things, nothing comes in a small, mobile-phone like, compact package such as the N95, with all of the features the Nokia has.

For instance the similar sized HTC P3300 (aka O2 (NYSE: TEF) Xda Orbit etc) has GPS included, but a 2 megapixel camera and no 3G support, let alone HSDPA.

The much bulkier HTC P4350 has a keyboard and 3G support, but a 1.3 megapixel camera and no GPS built-in.

The Apple (NSDQ: AAPL) iPhone has no 3G support, nor does it have GPS included. It contains a 2 megapixel camera.

Suffice to say, this light, feature-rich phone is going to be ubiquitous by the end of the year.

A full review of a fully working and finished Nokia N95 will hopefully appear later this month. and a review of the new Nokia E65 will appear later this week.

Since when does theinq review cell phones? They must really like Nokia over there.