Nokia N78 unboxing photos and a peak at the new Nokia ringtone

I picked up a Nokia N78 today from Nokia’s Tampere office to review thinking it would be final hardware with final shipping firmware preloaded, ~~unfortunately it doesn’t have the final shipping firmware which is why I’m going to hold back on publishing my comprehensive thoughts on this device~~. The hardware however is final and I will throw a few brief comments about it out there for those who are curious.

Before I get there however, let me introduce the Nokia N78. Announced on February 11 2008 in Barcelona at the Mobile World Congress the Nokia N78 is a 350 EUR device, before subsidies and taxes, that has a 3.2 megapixel Carl Zeiss camera, WiFi, HSDPA, 3.5 mm headphone jack and runs the latest version of S60, 3rd Edition Feature Pack 2. It ships with the BL-6F battery which has a capacity of 1200 mAh. It weighs 102 grams and is 15.1 mm thick, 113 mm tall and 49 mm wide. It’s the first Nokia device to ship with a FM transmitter built in, meaning you can output the audio to a manually specified frequency that nearby FM radios can pick up. Oh and it also has GPS and Bluetooth with A2DP support.

Here is the box:

It says Nseries on one side:

And the model number on the other:

Back of the box has the specs and marketing messages in more languages than you’ll probably ever hear in a lifetime:

The top of the box says nothing and the bottom has the serial number along with the model number:

Now for the hott stuff, open this baby up:

And again from another angle for those unboxing fetishists out there:

What does it say in the corner? Here is a close up, notice the English (UK), not English (USA):

Pulling the flap open this is what we see, don’t worry about the lack of battery, whoever played with this device before me put it in the N78 and simply forgot to take it out:

Now remove the plastic:

So what exactly is in the box? A CD, which I can’t tell you what it actually contains since the laptop I’m on has no optical drive, Lenovo ThinkPad X61 Tablet:

Getting started manual:

Full blown manual:

UK charger:

Full size USB male to microUSB male cable:

Remote:

Close up of the buttons on the remote for those who actually use these things:

A pair of headphone that no, I will not tell you how they sound like since the reason I buy devices with a 3.5 mm jack is to use aftermarket cans that don’t suck:

Enough foreplay, here is the phone, I mean Multimedia Computer:

The keypad:

The top of the device which from left to right has a 3.5 mm jack and a power button:

The right side of the phone which from top to bottom has a speaker, volume up, volume down and camera shutter button:

The bottom of the N78 has a microphone and a hole to attach a lanyard on the left side:

The left side of the N78 has a speaker on the bottom, which threw me off at first since on the right side it is on the top, then a 2 mm charging port, microSD memory card slot and finally microUSB port:

The back of the device, all white:

Closeup of the camera module, unprotected lens:

The back of the phone with the cover taken off and the battery inside:

The back with the cover off in greater detail:

Battery out:

Label closeup:

Enough with this, time to turn the phone on!

How small is the keypad? Here is a 50 EUR cent piece on top:

Now time for general thoughts on the device which I’ve been playing with for less than 5 hours and have to return in about 4:

The keypad looks small, but it is totally manageable, I got used to it in less than 5 minutes.

Feature Pack 2 is snappy snappy snappy and the transitions are pretty, but not for me. I turned them off after less than 5 minutes, 4.5 of those minutes was spent finding the check box to tick (Menu -> Tools -> Settings -> General -> Personalization -> Themes -> General -> Options -> Theme effects -> Off).

The naviwheel is turned on by default and it scrolls through every list I’ve encountered thus far, but most annoyingly it also scrolls through the 3×4 grid of icons in the application menu and it doesn’t scroll through Handy Taskman, one of the first applications I install on all my S60 devices. I turned the naviwheel off after about 10 minutes. The dpad is solid, but it doesn’t click, hard to explain, best phrase I can use is “just right.”

The sound quality out of this thing is amazing, better than my N82.

The file transfer speeds are up, way up, I pulled over the Trainspotting Soundtrack, 2 CD’s, 160 MB, at over 2 MB per second. It still isn’t as fast as an iPod, but it’s a heck of a lot better than before.

The camera is fantastic, it can autofocus remarkably fast, enough to make me with my N82 downright jealous. I’m not going to post image samples due to the firmware situation, my apartment is too messy to take a picture of anything and I haven’t shaved in around 4 days therefore I look like a terrorist.

There is a new menu in FP2 called “events” where you can set custom sounds for things such as warning tones, charging your phone, low battery, battery full, etc. Best of all you can type out phrases your phone will say during these “events.” I have the N78 set to say “Give it all she’s got!” when I start charging it, cute for today, but I can see myself getting tired of such a feature.

The barcode reader is not installed, which makes me sad because I use 2D barcodes quite often.

The Bluetooth menu lets you block devices, which is fantastic since there is this one store I keep on walking past that attempts to send me stuff via Bluetooth. Being able to block them is awesome!

The “switch” application, the one that takes your settings, contacts, texts, notes, etc, from your old S60 phone and transfers them to your new device, says my N82 is incompatible.

Now the new Nokia ringtone, I’m not sure I digg it, but here it is for those who want to hear it:

All of the pictures you see above were taken by my Nokia N82 and you can view them in full resolution here.

Update 1: I just found out that the firmware on my device is indeed final, something I find a bit troubling since there are a few bugs that I would call major. Plan on talking to the engineer who let me borrow this device to sort things out later today.

Update 2: Whoever wants the new Nokia ringtone can grab it here.

Update 3: Bug squashed like an insect, apparently my memory card was not formatted properly therefore the device was acting a bit funky. Format the memory card and Bob’s your uncle the device works superbly again!

About The Author

Stefan Constantinescu

Stefan Constantinescu (@WhatTheBit on Twitter) has loved technology since as far back as he can remember. It started with computers, but in the past few years his passion has turned to mobile devices. As a mobile phone enthusiast who lives and breathes devices that connect to the internet, he knows he is not alone with this radical fascination of all things wireless. He is strongly opinionated and enjoys a good debate so leave comments in his posts and he’ll get back to you! Stefan began blogging as a hobby in the fall of 2006 and joined IntoMobile in the summer of 2007. Later he got a job at Nokia in March 2008, but as of June 2009 he has rejoined the IntoMobile team. He is currently based out of Helsinki, Finland.

MaTiCeK

The N78 seems like a really nice phone and the price is fantastic. I am acctually thinking of getting rid of my N95-1 for this phone (battery life!).
Fernando

That’s a weird ringtone, hard to believe it is for real!

Btw, can we get a UI video of the camera focusing?
Andrew

I’m due for an upgrade but I think I’m gonna wait and see what the new UK pricing options are for the iPhone on June 9th or whatever. I like Nokia but those crappy screen resolutions bug me and even with my two year old N93 this still seems like I’d just be getting a faster version of the same phone with a few new hardware features. Even Touch looks like it’s going the same old way so far.
Jukka

Barcode reader should be there in Download! but seems not yet.
Bart

As a user of N82 how do you feel with this phone. Does it feels less bulkier and thinner? Could the phone be made to stand on its spine for taking self timed photos? The keypad better than N82? Picture quality in dark?
Viipottaja

This new version of the Nokia Tune.. Too fancy for my taste.. makes me think of some slimy flamenco guitarist in Sevilla or something..

NICE NICE phone though. I hope the rumors of it coming to AT&T are real.
Rick

I was planning on buying the N78. But now it takes sooooooooo long I will wait to see if it can live up to the iPhone 2.

2nd the 350 Euro seemed reasonable, but now the N82 is even cheaper (pre tax)
Topy

Seems nice. Probally going to buy, but dont have any hurry with it so i’ll wait a bit so the starting grazy prices go down.
Manu

Could you tell me when this phone is coming out?
Thanks a lot and the photos are great.
Viipottaja

Rick, keep in mind that iPhone 2 is much more expensive (I doubt its price will be anywhere close to that of N78 when both are on contract).
Topy

Phone prices nowadays seem to drop fast and technology change rapidly
Raidium

Ain’t that the truth! I swear, by the year 2010, we will have phones with projection keyboards and device recognition proxitimy (lets you know which friends are nearby), and order menus for nearby vending machines which allow you to order what you want and pay for it electronically for later pickup. lol. All in a phone for $149.99 with a 2yr agreement.
Zak

Ill probably get this for my gf

Its kinda like the N82′s sister
Stefan Constantinescu

@Fernando: I don’t have a proper camcorder to do that, sorry.

@Jukka: I can’t find it anywhere

@Bart: It’s lighter and thinner, but not by much to be honest. Phone does not stand by itself on one side.

@Viipottaja: I don’t like it either =P

@Manu: Nokia says Q2 and I can’t say more than that.

@Zak: You’re an awesome boyfriend!
Mauikek

Great Review…Thanks!!!
Nick

This user experience is really painful “(Menu -> Tools -> Settings -> General -> Personalization -> Themes -> General -> Options -> Theme effects -> Off).”

iPhone killer – not

The ringtone is inhuman, has a human guitar but no human would ever play that, sounds like they’re obsessive compulsive musician, don’t want to hear that everytime i get a call.

Makes me weep for the mobile industry.
Zak

I miss the old ringtones!

I think it was called continental on my oooold moto phone. It just seems impossible to get a professional ringtone these days.
Raidium

Oh I know right? It seems that every Artist out there has turned their hit singles into an 8 bit audio file. Those seem to be the only ringtones you hear out there. I miss the old style rings. The ones that the ancient “landlines” had.
Viipottaja

Nick, how do you turn of all the annoying eye candy in the iPhone?
JonnyBruha

…You smash it on the ground.
Nick

@Viipottaja remove the LCD.

iPhone UI has many fewer steps between main screen and all the configurations. Larger screen, random-access touch hardware, more research $$$ spent on UI design.

With the Nokia keystroke flow notice the word “General” listed twice. First, “General” is a poor choice. Second “General” twice signals a problem — people won’t remember “Ah to change the setting, it is under GENERAL I remember!” No, they will remember something like “Power” or “Screen” or “Vibration” or “Graphics”.
ammar

is it possible to get the N78′s default theme for N95 8gb?
newtype2011

So it still has some bugs…

…that is extremely troubling. When is Nokia going to get it right damn it -
Dmitriy Lazarev

Ring is so-so, nothing special. I never liked default ringtones but I have to admit that Sirocco’s are the best!
Stefan Constantinescu

Third update: Bug was killed, due to improperly formatted memory card, the device itself was fine all along!
Jukka

@streetstylz: I understand you get paid to advertise that thing, but please first check it’s actually compatible with the device will you?
devolute

People don’t seem to like the ring tone. You can use your own mp3s, right?

Can’t wait until I can actually buy this to replace my broken-ish K800i.
wadah1111

Hey did you notice that on the first picture?
it is N78-1
which means there will be 2, I guess.
May be they will make N78 8GB or even 16GB
PlayerKill

Woah, so many nice software updates!!!!! I want the N82 to have such updates too!!!

Also, it seems like I predicted right. The N78 seems to be more focused about music and the sound quality is great. I think N96 would be the same. That’s why there are not much improvements in other hardware departments from N73 and N95.
ALE

@wadah1111: I wonder the same thing. Will Nokia release a second version of this phone? I would love a black 8GB version..
Jukka

Finnish chain verkkokauppa.com has it now on stock.
Whobee

Why are the speakers in such “awkward” locations?

Here’s the most logical explanation I can think of:

no matter what the screen orientation – landscape or portrait – you get a STEREO L-R sound

Not so awkward after all, is it?
sapceinvader

@Whobee: I read somewhere that the speakers were asymmetrical for maximal stereo widening (not sure I believe it though). As for your suggestion about maintaining stereo in landscape and portrait – it seems intuitive, but given the phone is rotated counter-clockwise for landscape mode (I believe), it would reverse the stereo with this configuration.
donjahn

hey iwanna knw tat is the voice of N78 louder than N73 or the same or low
Edwin

Hi Stefan,
Its great to read all your postings. Have 2 enquiries to N78 which hope to clarify.
U wrote: “There is a new menu in FP2 called “events” where you can set custom sounds for things such as warning tones, charging your phone, low battery, battery full, etc. Best of all you can type out phrases your phone will say during these “events.” I tried locating this in an N78 which I have here but can’t seem to find it. Smile. And I’m just wondering if this phone has a built-in sip client like N82? I tried finding it but couldn’t locate it too. Call nokia and some say there is 1 but some say there isn’t.
ugyen

great phone to acquaint with! but i am skeptical about whether the maps will work in all the countries around the world????!!! will it work without connecting to the 3g network( mobile internet)?

what’s the resolution of the carl lens in the dark? does the fl;ash good enough to come up wit clear pics in the dark???

all in all … the cell phone’s a sleek and a sexy hybrid!!
neon

great review..

i hope that this will be accompanied by a video..

BTW..

the Nokia ringtone sounded like the IPhone the by orba squara..