It seems like VGA-times have gone for good for it's high time for 2 Mp cameraphones. Besides Nokia N90 has a whole pack of zests and innovations which won't become common in the nearest future. The handset is an illustration of a fact that Nokia never stops in adopting new form factors.

The main know how of the handset is a rotating camera block in addition to an upper display part revolving on its axis. So we have a kind of braintwister. So what do we need all that rotating for? Firstly all this was invented to make shooting handier. Secondly Nokia N90 is a cell phone of the third generation where supporting mobile TV is a usual thing. As there is no additional camera the user is supposed to turn the lens on oneself like this:

As to the dimensions, well this is one of the minuses of the handset for they make 112x51x24mm. The weight is even more monstrous: 173 gram. Though some claim it is worth it. At first sight Nokia N90 is made after Nokia 6260 a smartphone with an upper part revolving on its axis. However N90 has a rotating camera block not mentioning functional differences which leave no place for 6260. But let's turn back to the case. Both the camera block and the upper part are restricted in their rotation: The display rotates only counter-clockwise (in the opened state) and can not be reversed like it was with Nokia 6260.Compare:

The camera block includes lens, switch and polyphonic loudspeaker. The module has fixation after every 90° and the radius of the whole turn makes 315° (180°+90°+45°). Shooting is convenient at any angle adjusting the camera block and the upper part the way you like it. In the closed state camera module is fitting a usual cellphone appearance. On turning the block resembles tank turret: where you turn it there it shoots.

The body is made of soft plastic that is rather practical though fingerprints are left at the mirror trim of the external display. Because o its dimensions the phone is not convenient to carry in the pockets. The best way out is a belt holster. And not to scare those present with the monstrous size of the handset every time you want to call you'd better acquire a Bluetooth handset.

The battery cover has a small backlash besides it is very hard to remove due to a lame fastening system. The good point is you can change SIM card without turning the phone off. By the way the handset can be used even without SIM card in a free flight mode when all but cell functions are available.

The ergonomics of the phone is mediocre: the handset can hardly be opened with one hand for the upper part is too heavy. This is also the reason for all clamshell smartphones.

Keypad

The main keypad

It may sound strange but there are some advantages in the big dimensions of the phone. For instance the manufacturers did not have to contrive different ways of arranging keys by squeezing and compressing them. The keys of N90 are rather large scale made of hard plastic and pleasant to touch.

To see the letters and numbers one does not need a magnifying glass: they are quite clearly seen by the naked eye. Five mode navigation key (4 directions and OK) and soft keys provide quick navigation through menu. Due to the dimensions and the weight of the phone it is much handier to type SMS using 2 hands. The backlight is of milk-white.

There are two keys situated over the main display responsible for navigation while photo/video shooting and while the upper part is rotated.

On the right side there is a camera button with autofocus and 5 mode joystick for quick navigation through photoapplications.

The main display is TFT with the resolution of 352x416 supporting 262K colors. The changes made compared to its predecessors can be called a considerable upgrade. The matrix and the color rendering are excellent. The image does not fade in the sun and is clearly seen at different angles.

The additional display is TFT with the resolution of 128x128 supporting 65K colors. The external display has several functions: for instance it can be view finder when the phone is closed or show SMS. The display does not fade in the sun which is a plus for N90. In the standby mode a screensaver in form of a clock appears.

The main zest of Nokia N90 phone is for sure its camera. Without exaggeration we may claim that for now Nokia N90 remains one of the best cameraphones. Why? Because there is autofocus, macroshooting and advanced optics from the well known brand Carl Ziess.

The shooting process is simple: you open the phone, you rotate display sideways (on that the camera activates automatically), adjust it the way you like, press the activation button slightly for autofocus and then press it to the end. The flash is activated automatically if necessary. The picture is saved to either integrated or flash memory. The navigation in camera menu is done with the help of 5 mode side joystick and two softkeys situated over the main display. The coice of presets and quality may be chosen on both displays. The shooting modes are auto, macro, night, sport, portrait, landscape and manual. There are also other settings. The flash is the brightest of the integrated flashes we've seen. Let's look at the pictures taken by a professional photographer:

Video is recorded to MPEG4 with resolution of 353x288. The quality of picture and sound is rather impressive.

In standby mode there is a list of five adjustable icons and active notes. We have seen something similar with Symbian rival Windows Mobile for Smartphone edition. As to the rest it the Symbian we've got used to. The hints as to all functions and applications are not forgotten either. As to the messages the work with SMS MMS and e-mail client causes no problems. The files acquired by Bluetooth are stored in the folder received and can be moved to the location you need. The phonebook allows different operations with entries including sending the selected information by e-mail or Bluetooth. The entertainments are represented by games, MP3 player (supporting MP3 and AAC) and media player (supporting 3gp and mpeg4). Unfortunately there is no radio tuner. The music player is quite simple: it finds all MP3 and AAC files in both integrated and flash memory and then allows to create playlists. The video recorded with camera can be watched with the help of RealPlayer. As usual the 2 key switches it to the fullscreen mode. As to applications they allow to use Internet and mobile version of ICQ, check e-mail, read news or pda-versions of forums without any difficulties.

Sound

As it was mentioned above the polyphonic loudspeaker is integrated to the camera block. It is rather loud, distinct even in the crowded place however vibration is not that good, which is understandable with the given dimensions. The speech is reproduced well and without any distortions.

Li-Ion 760mA/h BL-5b battery is claimed to work up to 12 days. In fact provided you use it intensively the battery can be drained in a day. If you use it only for talking it will stand for 2 days.

On the left side there is a standard Pop-port serving for headset connection or USB cable and a new smaller jack for charging.

The interface slot is protected with a special cover (easy to lose). There is no IrDa in such a powerful device which is a minus. On the right side there is RS-MMC card slot also protected with a cover.

The integrated memory capacity is rather low for today but fortunately there is an expansion memory slot. By the way Nokia N90 supports RS-MMC of double voltage (1.8 and 3.0) therefore theoretically the memory stick may be up to 1Gb though in practice Nokia manufactures only up to 256Mb sticks for Nokia N90 and as for the other manufacturers the compatibility is not guaranteed. The sales package includes only 64Mb flash card which is of course insufficient.

Connectivity

As it was mentioned before the handset has Bluetooth 2.0 and USB interfaces. Unfortunately IrDA is missing. Bluetooth supports all the profiles needed. The speed of data transfer we fixed was 55Kbit/s which is good. The 2.o Bluetooth provides a more stable and quick connection.

• great camera
• excellent ergonomics
• perfect display
• sufficient volume loudspeaker

• too large dimensions
• no IrDA and radio

The phone is interesting and unusual. It seems like it was a try to create a multimedia device of a new generation though there are some drawbacks. Along with great smartphone functionality (especially with taking pictures and filming video) there are small shortcomings like a fly in the ointment. So this is the handset for those chosen ones who like everything fresh, technologic and ready to close eyes on the drawbacks inherent to everything conceptually new.

The main know how of the handset is a rotating camera block in addition to an upper display part revolving on its axis. So we have a kind of braintwister. So what do we need all that rotating for? Firstly all this was invented to make shooting handier. Secondly Nokia N90 is a cell phone of the third generation where supporting mobile TV is a usual thing. As there is no additional camera the user is supposed to turn the lens on oneself like this:

As to the dimensions, well this is one of the minuses of the handset for they make 112x51x24mm. The weight is even more monstrous: 173 gram. Though some claim it is worth it. At first sight Nokia N90 is made after Nokia 6260 a smartphone with an upper part revolving on its axis. However N90 has a rotating camera block not mentioning functional differences which leave no place for 6260. But let's turn back to the case. Both the camera block and the upper part are restricted in their rotation: The display rotates only counter-clockwise (in the opened state) and can not be reversed like it was with Nokia 6260.Compare:

The camera block includes lens, switch and polyphonic loudspeaker. The module has fixation after every 90° and the radius of the whole turn makes 315° (180°+90°+45°). Shooting is convenient at any angle adjusting the camera block and the upper part the way you like it. In the closed state camera module is fitting a usual cellphone appearance. On turning the block resembles tank turret: where you turn it there it shoots.

The body is made of soft plastic that is rather practical though fingerprints are left at the mirror trim of the external display. Because o its dimensions the phone is not convenient to carry in the pockets. The best way out is a belt holster. And not to scare those present with the monstrous size of the handset every time you want to call you'd better acquire a Bluetooth handset.

The battery cover has a small backlash besides it is very hard to remove due to a lame fastening system. The good point is you can change SIM card without turning the phone off. By the way the handset can be used even without SIM card in a free flight mode when all but cell functions are available.

The ergonomics of the phone is mediocre: the handset can hardly be opened with one hand for the upper part is too heavy. This is also the reason for all clamshell smartphones.

Keypad

The main keypad

It may sound strange but there are some advantages in the big dimensions of the phone. For instance the manufacturers did not have to contrive different ways of arranging keys by squeezing and compressing them. The keys of N90 are rather large scale made of hard plastic and pleasant to touch.

To see the letters and numbers one does not need a magnifying glass: they are quite clearly seen by the naked eye. Five mode navigation key (4 directions and OK) and soft keys provide quick navigation through menu. Due to the dimensions and the weight of the phone it is much handier to type SMS using 2 hands. The backlight is of milk-white.

There are two keys situated over the main display responsible for navigation while photo/video shooting and while the upper part is rotated.

On the right side there is a camera button with autofocus and 5 mode joystick for quick navigation through photoapplications.

The main display is TFT with the resolution of 352x416 supporting 262K colors. The changes made compared to its predecessors can be called a considerable upgrade. The matrix and the color rendering are excellent. The image does not fade in the sun and is clearly seen at different angles.

The additional display is TFT with the resolution of 128x128 supporting 65K colors. The external display has several functions: for instance it can be view finder when the phone is closed or show SMS. The display does not fade in the sun which is a plus for N90. In the standby mode a screensaver in form of a clock appears.

The main zest of Nokia N90 phone is for sure its camera. Without exaggeration we may claim that for now Nokia N90 remains one of the best cameraphones. Why? Because there is autofocus, macroshooting and advanced optics from the well known brand Carl Ziess.

The shooting process is simple: you open the phone, you rotate display sideways (on that the camera activates automatically), adjust it the way you like, press the activation button slightly for autofocus and then press it to the end. The flash is activated automatically if necessary. The picture is saved to either integrated or flash memory. The navigation in camera menu is done with the help of 5 mode side joystick and two softkeys situated over the main display. The coice of presets and quality may be chosen on both displays. The shooting modes are auto, macro, night, sport, portrait, landscape and manual. There are also other settings. The flash is the brightest of the integrated flashes we've seen. Let's look at the pictures taken by a professional photographer:

Video is recorded to MPEG4 with resolution of 353x288. The quality of picture and sound is rather impressive.

In standby mode there is a list of five adjustable icons and active notes. We have seen something similar with Symbian rival Windows Mobile for Smartphone edition. As to the rest it the Symbian we've got used to. The hints as to all functions and applications are not forgotten either. As to the messages the work with SMS MMS and e-mail client causes no problems. The files acquired by Bluetooth are stored in the folder received and can be moved to the location you need. The phonebook allows different operations with entries including sending the selected information by e-mail or Bluetooth. The entertainments are represented by games, MP3 player (supporting MP3 and AAC) and media player (supporting 3gp and mpeg4). Unfortunately there is no radio tuner. The music player is quite simple: it finds all MP3 and AAC files in both integrated and flash memory and then allows to create playlists. The video recorded with camera can be watched with the help of RealPlayer. As usual the 2 key switches it to the fullscreen mode. As to applications they allow to use Internet and mobile version of ICQ, check e-mail, read news or pda-versions of forums without any difficulties.

Sound

As it was mentioned above the polyphonic loudspeaker is integrated to the camera block. It is rather loud, distinct even in the crowded place however vibration is not that good, which is understandable with the given dimensions. The speech is reproduced well and without any distortions.

Li-Ion 760mA/h BL-5b battery is claimed to work up to 12 days. In fact provided you use it intensively the battery can be drained in a day. If you use it only for talking it will stand for 2 days.

On the left side there is a standard Pop-port serving for headset connection or USB cable and a new smaller jack for charging.

The interface slot is protected with a special cover (easy to lose). There is no IrDa in such a powerful device which is a minus. On the right side there is RS-MMC card slot also protected with a cover.

The integrated memory capacity is rather low for today but fortunately there is an expansion memory slot. By the way Nokia N90 supports RS-MMC of double voltage (1.8 and 3.0) therefore theoretically the memory stick may be up to 1Gb though in practice Nokia manufactures only up to 256Mb sticks for Nokia N90 and as for the other manufacturers the compatibility is not guaranteed. The sales package includes only 64Mb flash card which is of course insufficient.

Connectivity

As it was mentioned before the handset has Bluetooth 2.0 and USB interfaces. Unfortunately IrDA is missing. Bluetooth supports all the profiles needed. The speed of data transfer we fixed was 55Kbit/s which is good. The 2.o Bluetooth provides a more stable and quick connection.

• great camera
• excellent ergonomics
• perfect display
• sufficient volume loudspeaker

• too large dimensions
• no IrDA and radio

The phone is interesting and unusual. It seems like it was a try to create a multimedia device of a new generation though there are some drawbacks. Along with great smartphone functionality (especially with taking pictures and filming video) there are small shortcomings like a fly in the ointment. So this is the handset for those chosen ones who like everything fresh, technologic and ready to close eyes on the drawbacks inherent to everything conceptually new.