The Nokia N85 seems like the long-waited update of the popular N81 and given the features on board it's almost destined to become a market success. Comparing the N85 to the Nokia N95 8GB, the gap doesn't seem that big now, but you have got to remember that back in the day the N95 was the portfolio flagship, while this time that place is reserved for the long-awaited and seemingly overpriced Nokia N96. The Nokia N82 might be counted here too, but the dual slide design of the N85 tends to speak of a closer kinship to the first two N-series devices.

The Nokia N85 can even be counted as an upgrade to N95 8GB in some respects if it wasn't for the smaller display - there's the more compact size, the touch-sensitive Navi wheel, the more compact microUSB port, the supposedly better GPS chipset with 3-month worth of free navigation license and finally, there's the FM transmitter. The Nokia N85 also has a microSD card slot with a pre-bundled 8GB memory card in contrast to the fixed-size memory of the N95 8GB.

Overall, the Nokia N85 will occupy a strong upper mid-tier market position and will probably be the next Nokia best-seller - the changes it brings are not revolutionary, but they are some fresh blood to the family. Simply said, the Nokia N85 is everything the Nokia N81 8GB should have been.

We've already mentioned that the Nokia N85 is more compact than the N95 8GB. The slider mechanism feels sturdy and so is the whole construction. The bronze back panel has a glossy finish that adds to the looks of the device.

The 3.5mm audio jack and the microUSB port are place on the top of the body, while the uncomfortably placed keypad lock key seen in N81 has found a much better place on the right-hand side of the device.

The dedicated multimedia keys that get revealed when you slide the handset downwards serve the double purpose of gaming keys. Speaking of gaming, the N85 comes preloaded with 15 N-gage titles, however since there is an unlock code for only one, you'll have to choose carefully which one you will get in a full version.

At 2.6 inches, the Nokia N85 display is slightly smaller than the ones of N95 8GB and the N96, but its most novel feature is the OLED technology used. Nokia first used it on Nokia 7900 Prism and then on the Nokia Arte. The OLED display is supposed to give you lower power consumption, wider viewing angles and better contrast (black is more intense, for example).

Since we have up-close and personal experience with both the Nokia 7900 and the Nokia Arte, we can testify that the OLED displays sport some really nice color rendering. However, they are not as good in direct sunlight as all other transflective Nokia displays. It's a downside that we find inadequate and we would gladly stick to the excellent TFT displays used by Nokia up so far. Let's hope that the lower power consumption will make up for this con.

The Nokia N85 has a 5 megapixel auto focus camera with Carl Zeiss optics and an active lens cover. Video recording is also commendable - VGA resolution at 30 fps seems enough for us, although point-and-shoot cameras are already taking it to the next level with HD recording, not to mention the high-speed videos of LG Viewty and LG Secret.

That being said, the only downside we find in the camera department is the lack of a xenon flash. Instead the N85 has a dual LED flash and an auto-focus assist light.

The camera is snappy but there are no significant changes to the camera interface - GPS image geotagging is among the few novel features here.

Physical features, power and memory

Size

* Form: Two-way slider
* Dimensions: 103x50x16.0mm
* Weight: 128g
* Volume: 76 cc
* Two-way slider with spring assistance mechanism

Display and 3D

* Size: 2.6"
* Resolution: 320 x 240 pixels (QVGA)
* Up to 16.7 million colours
* Active Matrix OLED technology
* Brightness control
* Orientation sensor
* Ambient light detector

Keys and input method

* Numeric keypad
* Cover keys (S60 keys, Multimedia key, Send/end keys)
* Short slide keys (media control/zoom/gaming)
* Navi™wheel
* Dedicated media/zoom/game keys
* Dedicated camera and volume keysCover keys
* Multimedia key
* Voice commands
* Intelligent key illumination

Colors and covers

* Available in-box colours: Copper

Connectors

* Micro-USB connector with mass storage class support, High-Speed USB 2.0
* 3.5 mm AV connector

Power

* BL-5K 1200 mAh Li-Ion battery
* Talk time (maximum):
o GSM 6.9h
o WCDMA 4.5h
o VoIP 9 h
* Standby time (maximum):
o GSM 363 h
o WCDMA 363 h
o WLAN 172 h
* Browsing time with packet data (maximum): 5 h 42 min
* Video playback time (maximum): 7 h
* Video recording time (maximum): 2 h 54 min
* Video call time (maximum): 2 h 42 min
* Music playback time (maximum): 30 h
* Gaming time (maximum): 7 h

Memory

* microSD memory card slot, hot swappable, max. 8 GB
* 74 MB internal dynamic memory
* 78 MB internal NAND flash memory





Communication and navigation

Operating frequency

* Quad-band EGSM 850/900/1800/1900
* Automatic switching between GSM bands
* Flight mode
* CSD
* HSCSD, maximum speed 43.2 kbps
* GPRS class A, multislot class 32, maximum speed 107/64.2 kbps (DL/UL)
* EDGE class B, multislot class 32, maximum speed 296/177.6 kbps (DL/UL)
* WCDMA 900/1900/2100, maximum speed PS 384/384 kbps (UL/DL)
* HSDPA, maximum speed 3.6 Mbps (DL)
* WLAN 802.11b, 802.11g
o WLAN Security: WPA2-Enterprise, WPA2-Personal, WPA-Enterprise, WPA-Personal, WEP
o WLAN Quality of Service: WMM, U-APSD
o WLAN wizard
* TCP/IP support
* Capability to serve as data modem

Local connectivity and synchronization

* Bluetooth version 2.0 with Enhanced Data Rate.
* Bluetooth profiles:
o Dial Up Networking Profile (Gateway)
o Object Push Profile (Server and Client)
o File Transfer Profile (Server)
o Hands Free Profile (Audio Gateway)
o Headset Profile (Audio Gateway)
o Basic Imaging Profile (Image Push Responder and Initiator)
o Remote SIM Access Profile (Server)
o Device Identification Profile
o Phone Book Access Profile (Server)
* Stereo Audio Streaming:
o Generic Audio/Video Distribution Profile
o Audio/Video Remote Control Profile (A/V Remote Control Target)
o Advanced Audio Distribution Profile (Audio Source)
* Add-on solutions enable integration into enterprise private branch exchange (PBX) infrastructure
* Digital Living Network Alliance certification
* UPnP support
* MTP (Mobile Transfer Protocol) support
* TV out (PAL/NTSC) with Nokia Video Connectivity Cable (CA-75U, in box inclusion may vary based on sales package configuration)
* Nokia XpressPrint
* Support for local and remote SyncML synchronization
* Speaker-independent name dialing (SIND)
* Integrated hands-free stereo speakers
* Automatic answer with headset or car kit
* Any key answer
* Call waiting, call hold, call divert
* Call timer
* Logging of dialed, received and missed calls
* Automatic redial
* Speed dialing
* Voice dialing
* Fixed dialing number support
* Virbrating alert (internal)
* Side volume keys
* Mute/unmute
* Contacts with images
* Talking ring tones
* Conference calling with up to 6 participants
* Video calling: up to 640 x 480 pixels (VGA), up to 30 fps
* Push to talk
* VoIP

Messaging

* SMS with support for concatenated SMS for long messages
* Multiple SMS deletion
* Text-to-speech message reader
* MMS version 1.2
* Message size up to 600kb
* Automatic resizing of images for MMS
* Common inbox for SMS and MMS messages
* Distribution lists for messaging
* "Windows Live support (requires download of Windows Live Messenger application)"
* Cell broadcast

E-mail

* Supported protocols: IMAP, POP3, SMTP
* Support for e-mail attachments
* Support for e-mail with filtering
* OMA e-mail notification support
* IMAP IDLE support
* Support for Nokia Intellisync Wireless Email
* Support for Nokia Mobile VPN

Web browsing

* Supported markup languages: HTML, XHTML MP, WML, CSS
* Supported protocols: HTTP v.1.1, WAP
* TCP/IP support
o Nokia Web Browser with Mini Map
* Nokia Mobile Search

GPS and navigation

* Integrated and separate GPS, A-GPS, and Cell based
* Nokia Maps 2.0 application





Image and sound

Photography

* 5 megapixel camera (2584 x 1938 pixels)
* Image formats: JPEG, Exif
* CMOS sensor, Carl Zeiss optics, Tessar™ lens
* 20 x digital zoom
* Autofocus with assist light and two stage capture key
* Focal length: 5.45 mm
* Focus range: 10 cm to infinity
* Macro focus: 10-50 cm
* Dual LED flash
* Flash modes: On, off, automatic, red-eye reduction
* Flash operating range: 3 m
* White balance modes: automatic, daylight, cloudy, incandescent, fluorescent
* Center weighted auto exposure; exposure compensation: +2 ~ -2EV at 0.33 step
* Capture modes: still, sequence, self-timer, video
* Scene modes: automatic, user defined, close-up, portrait, landscape, sport, night
* Color tone modes: normal, sepia, black & white, vivid, negative
* Light sensitivity modes: high, medium, low, automatic
* Full-screen viewfinder
* Active toolbar
* Dedicated camera key
* Slide cover for protection and camera activation
* Landscape (horizontal) orientation
* Photo editor on device
* TV out (PAL/NTSC) with Nokia Video Connectivity Cable (CA-75U, included in box) or WLAN/UPnP
* Nokia XpressShare
* Nokia XpressTransfer
* Rotating gallery with Navi™ wheel support
* Slideshow from gallery with Ken Burns effect (automatic zoom and pan) and 3D sound effect stereo speakers

Video

* Main camera
o Video recording at up to 640 x 480 pixels (VGA) and up to 30fps
o Up to 8x digital video zoom
* Front camera
o Video recording at up to 352 x 288 pixels (CIF) and up to 15 fps
o Up to 2x digital video zoom
* Video recording file formats: .mp4, .3gp; codecs: H.263, H.264
* Audio recording formats: AMR, AAC stereo
* Image stabilization
* Video white balance modes: automatic, sunny, cloudy, incandescent, fluorescent
* Scene modes: automatic, night
* Colour tone modes: normal, sepia, black & white, negative, vivid
* Clip length (maximum): 1 h 30 min
* RealPlayer
* Video playback file formats: MPEG4, AVC/H.264, WMV, RV, Flash Video, H.263
* Video streaming: . MPEG4, AVC/H.264, WMV, RV, Flash Video, H.263/3GPP
* Landscape mode video playback
* Video calling: up to 640 x 480 pixels (VGA), up to 30 fps
* Video ring tones (3 built-in tones)
* TV out (PAL/NTSC) with Nokia Video Connectivity Cable (CA-75U, included in box)
* Video editor on device
* Online album/blog: photo/video uploading from gallery
* Rotating gallery with Navi™ wheel support
* Real time video sharing to another compatible mobile device
* Video sharing support (WCDMA network services)

Music and audio playback

* Nokia Nseries digital music player
o Playlists
o Equalizer
o Selection by artist, album, composers and genre
o Album graphics display
o Skins
* Music playback file formats: .mp3, .wma, .aac, eAAC, eAAC+
* Audio streaming
* UPnP music streaming
* Dedicated music keys
* Dedicated volume keys

* FM radio 87.5-108 MHz with RDS support
* FM transmitter 88.1 - 108 MHz
* 3.5 mm stereo headphone plug
* Nokia Music Player
* Nokia Music Manager
* Nokia Music Store support
* Nokia Podcasting support
* Ring tones: mp3, aac, AAC+ 64-tone polyphonic, AMR, WMA
* 3D sound effect stereo speakers
* Integrated stereo speakers
* Synchronize music with Windows Media Player
* Navi™ wheel support

Voice and audio recording

* Voice commands
* Voice dialing
* Voice recorder
* Audio recording formats: AMR, AAC stereo and WMP
* FR, EFR, WCDMA, and GSM AMR
* Digital stereo microphone
* Text-to-speech

Personalization: profiles, themes, ring tones

* Customizable profiles
* Ring tones: mp3, aac, AAC+ 64-tone polyphonic, AMR, WMA
* Video ring tones (3 built-in tones)
* Themes:
o wallpapers
o screensavers
o ring tones
o pre-installed themes
o changeable colour themes





Software

Software platform and user interface

* S60 3rd edition, Feature Pack 2
* Symbian OS version 9.3
* Active standby
* Voice commands
* FOTA (Firmware update Over The Air)
* Multimedia menu
* Navi™ wheel support
* Automatic UI rotation

Personal information management (PIM): contacts, clock, calendar etc.

* Dynamic memory
* Advanced contacts database: multiple number and e-mail details per contact, contacts with images
* Support for assigning images to contacts
* Support for contact groups
* Closed user group support
* Fixed Dialing Number support
* Clock: analog and digital, world clock
* Alarm clock with radio as alarm sound
* Reminders
* Calculator
* Calendar with day, week and month view, up to 1500 entries
* Converter
* Written notes
* Voice notes
* Active notes
* To-do list
* Personal Information Management, Calendar, Contacts, to do lists support
* PIM information viewable during call

Applications

* Java™ : CLDC 1.1, MIDP 2.1, PDA (JSR 75), Java APIs for Bluetooth (JSR 82), Mobile Media API 1.1 (JSR 135), Mobile 3D Graphics API for J2ME 1.1 (JSR 184), Wireless Messaging API 2.0 (JSR 205), Scalable 2D Vector Graphics API for J2ME (JSR 226), J2ME Web Services Specification (JSR 172), Security and Trust Services API for J2ME (JSR 177), Location API for J2ME (JSR 179), SIP API for J2ME (JSR 180), Advanced Multimedia Supplements (JSR 234), Nokia UI API
* Adobe Flash Lite 3.0
* "Windows Live support (requires download of Windows Live Messenger application)"
* Nokia Web Browser with Mini Map
* Quickoffice (Quickword, Quickpoint, Quicksheet)
* Adobe Reader
* Zip Manager
* Nokia Maps
* Nokia N-gage
* Nokia Photos
* Nokia Dowload!
* Nokia Mobile search
* Adding more applications:
o Use the Download! Client
o Visit www.S60.com to download free applications to your S60 device
o Visit Nokia Software Market
o Visit www.mosh.nokia.com to download free applications to your S60 device
o Download Mosh client from Download! and use it for downloading more applications

Gaming

* Included try and buy games, full licence for one of the list :
o Asphalt 3
o Hooked On: Creatures of the deep
o Worlds series of poker
o Block breaker deluxe
o Tetris
o Space impact
o System Rush
o Brain Challenge
o Mile High Pinball
o Snakes Subsonic
o Sims 2: Pets
o FIFA 08
o Midnight pool
o Reset generation
o Bounce
* N-Gage application included
* Dedicated game keys
* Portrait and landscape view gaming

Nokia N85
Nokia Battery (BL-5K)
Nokia Travel Charger (AC-10)
Nokia Video Connectivity Cable (CA-75U)
Nokia Connectivity Cable (CA-101)
Nokia Music Headset (HS-45, AD-54)
Nokia 8 GB microSD card (MU-43)
User Guide
Quick Start Guide

Gsmarena Review

will post more later

RM 1880 - 1960 (Ori)
RM 1530 - 1610 (AP)

Improvements:

* Characters in memory card not-present prompt note are not localized
* Headset - volume-adjustment is not working properly
* Video disturb happened once another event happened during play fone TV on full screen
* Bluetooth name cannot be defined in camera application
* “Video Call” is shown in Options when highlighting a contact in Space UI
* Not always detect the wall charger - not charging
* 2G cannot connect to GPRS in some cities in China
* Non-stop music player “Library Update”
* FMTX: The audio is routed to DUT speaker after receiving a message when the FM transmitter is transmitting audio
* Predefined contacts does not support Chinese characters
* APN setting for Vodafone Mobile connect “Prompt Password” is set to “Yes”
* Audio - Downlink Quality
* Some of the S60 key presses are not registered by the device
* Network level icon is not shown during VT call
* ITU is not responding when MO is done where slide is closed and opened when call is established
* Long press of media keys previous/next not working correctly for local videos
* DTMF tones sent from prepaid line to *700 (or *500) are not received by NW
* OFR_opo-up at boot about positioning
* Orange enterprises APN is used by default in the Email Wizard
* Podcast - messed up characters
* GSM/WCDMA - OTC - NW lost after handover with local data connection
* General instability improved
* Battery KPI - Battery standby measurement is too high
* CSD - data transmission breaks on HSCSD calls
* [DRM Free] [ID_MUP_FreeFTMD_102] MP4AACM4A file cannot be played by the device (34047)
* Some KPI - results out of range
* FTP: Speed of download too low
* [TPRO] Wap Live Browsing - Access time to homepage is too long (34970)
* 3G network lost forever after cell reselection from 3G > 2G with an active PDP context
* VARIANT - operator RSK (live! icon) appears too small and distorted in landscape mode (VCP)

vint 29/12/08 AP 1630 lovin it
[ITrocks] [1/2/09] [AP] [RM1680] [Awesome NSERIES PHONE!!!!]
[ihawk98] [1 Nov 08] [Ori] [RM2400] [Awesome phone! ]
[jackyoboy] [01/02/09] [Ori] [1600] [ImLuvinIt]
[Alexdino] [25-Nov-2008] [AP] [1575] [ ]
[craxors] [dont remember] [AP] [1690] [ ]
[unitron] [Dec'08] [AP] [RM1680] [ ]
[MyKy44][17th Jan 09][AP][1560][Loving this phone ]
[non@me][1 feb 2009][AP][1600][WAH WAH WAH NICE AND PRO PHONE...IM LOVING IT...THE LCD RLLY NICE...FUNCTION PRO...EVERYTHING GOOD~~!!!!!!]
[jin1119][19/11/2008][AP][Rm1665][Telstra 2 years warranty]
[edkiasu] [3rd January 2008] [Ori] [RM1550] [Cool of course]
[myren25] [20 Dec 2008] [Ori] [RM1930] [Cool phone but lousy speaker]
(manlives) (08-02-09) (ap) (1,600) (marvelous)
[xiang88][09/02/2009]-[Ori]-[RMXXXX]
[ex24dec02] [21/12/2008] [AP] [1700] [Quite satisfied, some problem faced but getting better n better]
[ashin83] [20/1/09] [Ori] [RM1600] [Nice phone with many functions]
[kevin88][25/12/08][Ori][RM2000][Nice phone]
[sakpn2000][25/12/08][CSL][RM1300, 2nd hand fr bro yupio][Still learning to fully utilize its function]
[hitmon] [25/10/08] [AP] [RM1950] [Just got back my hp from repair cause of ribbon problem..It's back to normal now..But im really satisfied with my cool N85 until now]
[leoboa6] [Nov 2008] [AP] [RM1700] [1year lcd warranty and 2 years phone warranty]
[jcckok] [19 Feb 2009] [AP] [RM1438] [18month warranty]
[vkashin][27 Feb 2009][CSL][RM1550][My first N-Series!]
[kae7] [FEB 2009] [NEW ORI] [RM 1435] [its incredible.. WOW]
[w_w] [09/03/09] [ORI] [RM1765] [My 1st N-Series and It Rocks]
[touya] [14 Mar 09] [Ori] [RM1800] [excellent phone ^0^]
[whomizzz][24March2009][ORI][2 yrs contract][My first N Series !! ]
[m3dusae] [03 Apr 09] [Ori] [1799] [For extended 2yrs warranty for this piece of art... worth every penny]