Nokia N90 Unveiling Features Prices and Pros & Cons

Overview of the Nokia N90

The Nokia N90, announced in the second quarter of 2005, was part of Nokia's Nseries line of smartphones, which was known for its emphasis on multimedia capabilities. Targeted towards photography enthusiasts and tech-savvy consumers, the N90 stood out with its cutting-edge features for the time, particularly its camera technology and rotating display.

Design and Build

The Nokia N90 boasted a unique clamshell design with a dual-hinge mechanism that allowed the screen to rotate 90 degrees, transforming the device for optimal camera usage. This was a standout feature, especially for a device released in 2005. The N90 had dimensions of 112 x 51 x 24 mm and weighed 173 grams, making it slightly bulky but manageable given its features.

The device's build quality was robust, featuring a Mini-SIM slot and a focus on functionality. Despite its somewhat substantial weight, the innovative design choices made it an attractive proposition for users wanting more than just a standard mobile phone.

Display

Featuring a 2.1-inch TFT display with a resolution of 352 x 416 pixels, the Nokia N90's screen was capable of displaying 256K colors, offering vibrant and clear visuals. The screen-to-body ratio was about 24.6%, which was typical for phones of that era. This display provided an adequate platform for viewing images and text, though not as expansive as modern smartphones.

Camera Capabilities

One of the most lauded aspects of the Nokia N90 was its photography capabilities. It was equipped with a 2 MP rear camera with autofocus and Carl Zeiss optics, which was significant at the time and highlighted Nokia's commitment to enhancing mobile photography. The inclusion of an LED flash further augmented its performance in low-light conditions. Video recording was also supported, making it a versatile option for multimedia use.

Performance and Operating System

The Nokia N90 was powered by a TI OMAP 1710 chipset with a 220 MHz ARM926EJ-S CPU. It ran on Symbian OS 8.1a with the Series 60 user interface, providing a reasonably smooth user experience for the applications and connectivity features available during its release period. While the processor seems modest by today's standards, it was quite capable of handling typical smartphone tasks of its time.

Memory and Storage

Internally, the N90 had 31MB of storage, which could be expanded via a RS-DV-MMC card slot, with a 64MB card included in the package. This expandable storage option was a crucial feature for users looking to store more photos, music, and applications.

Connectivity

The phone supported both GSM and UMTS technology, enhancing its network capability. Though it lacked Wi-Fi and NFC, it featured Bluetooth 1.2 for wireless file transfer, and a Pop-Port USB connection for wired data transfers. The absence of a traditional 3.5mm headphone jack was notable, but the device supported downloadable polyphonic ringtones, which was a standard feature at the time.

Battery Life

The Nokia N90 was equipped with a removable Li-Ion 760 mAh battery (BL-5B), offering a standby time of up to 290 hours and a talk time of approximately 3 hours. While these figures might not compare to today's batteries, they were competitive at the time and sufficient for casual daily use.

User Experience and Legacy

The N90 was priced at about 250 EUR, positioning it as a premium handset within Nokia's range during its time. Despite its eventual discontinuation, the Nokia N90 left a legacy as a pioneer in cameraphone technology, influencing future smartphone designs and Nokia's subsequent models.

Its innovative rotating display and advanced camera system set the N90 apart in a rapidly evolving mobile phone market, ensuring its place in mobile technology history as a device that pushed the boundaries of what was achievable in mobile phone photography. The N90 remains a significant milestone in Nokia's storied history, reflecting both the brand's ambition and its commitment to innovation.