Unveiling Nokia N93 Specs Pricing Pros & Cons

Overview

The Nokia N93 was a groundbreaking device at the time of its release in April 2006. It signified a leap forward in mobile technology with its advanced features, primarily in multimedia capabilities. The device was particularly noted for its unique design and ability to function both as a traditional mobile phone and a high-quality digital camera. Sporting a 3.15 MP camera with Carl Zeiss optics and 3x optical zoom, it was considered a robust option for mobile photography enthusiasts.

Design and Build

The Nokia N93's design was notable for its rotating clamshell form factor, allowing the screen to flip and twist in various orientations. This made it very versatile, particularly for video recording and photography. The dimensions were 118 x 55.5 x 28.2 mm, and the device weighed 180 grams, which was substantial by any measure. Its bulk, however, was justified by its capabilities, especially the quality of video and photo capture. The device used a Mini-SIM card and was available in black and silver color options, giving it a sleek, professional appearance.

Display

The N93 featured a 2.4-inch TFT display with 256K colors, providing clarity and richness necessary for viewing images and videos. The resolution stood at 240 x 320 pixels, translating to approximately 167 ppi density, offering a reasonable viewing experience for that era. The screen-to-body ratio was modest at 27.2%, highlighting the emphasis on the camera and multimedia functionalities over screen size.

Camera

The camera system was undoubtedly the highlight of the Nokia N93. It included a 3.15 MP main camera with autofocus and Carl Zeiss optics, well-known for their quality. The device also featured a 3x optical zoom and an LED flash for low-light conditions. Video recording capabilities included resolutions up to 480p at 30fps, which was impressive in 2006. Additionally, a front-facing CIF camera allowed for video calls, a forward-thinking feature for its time.

Platform and Performance

Running on the Symbian OS 9.1 with S60 3rd edition interface, the N93 was powered by a 332 MHz Dual ARM 11 CPU. It also included a 3D Graphics HW Accelerator, emphasizing its multimedia prowess. The device handled most tasks well, although modern smartphone users might find it sluggish by current standards. This device was primarily built for multimedia consumption and creation rather than high-speed processing tasks.

Memory and Storage

The N93 had 50MB of internal storage complemented by 64MB of RAM. For expansion, a miniSD card slot was available, and the device came bundled with a 128 MB card. Though modest by today's standards, this memory configuration was adequate for the period, facilitating storage of numerous images, videos, and music files.

Battery Life

The Nokia N93 was powered by a removable Li-Po 1100 mAh battery (BP-6M), providing respectable stand-by and talk times. It lasted up to 240 hours on stand-by and offered up to 5 hours of talk time on 2G networks, with a reduced 3 hours and 42 minutes on 3G networks. The removable battery allowed users to swap it out when needed, a convenience less common with today's designs.

Connectivity

For connectivity, the N93 supported GSM/UMTS technology, featuring connectivity bands such as GSM 900/1800/1900 for 2G and UMTS 2100 for 3G. It had a stereo FM radio and WLAN with Wi-Fi 802.11b/g for browsing. While it lacked GPS, the inclusion of Bluetooth 2.0 and an infrared port offered adequate options for file transfers and communication with other devices. The device also supported USB 2.0 connectivity, which was standard at the time.

Sound

The device offered a reasonably well-rounded audio experience with a built-in loudspeaker and support for various alert types including vibration and downloadable polyphonic or MP3 ringtones. Whilst it didn't feature a 3.5mm audio jack, users could rely on Bluetooth or the proprietary AV connector for audio output.

Miscellaneous Features

With a price tag of approximately 440 EUR at launch, the Nokia N93 was positioned as a premium device. It was engineered with SAR ratings of 0.69 W/kg for the head and 1.23 W/kg for the body, reflecting typical standards and regulations of the time. Its robust build and camera capabilities made it a desirable choice for tech enthusiasts and professionals seeking versatile multimedia options.

Conclusion

The Nokia N93 represented a significant step forward in mobile phone technology, particularly in multimedia functionalities. Although its physical size and weight were considerable, its innovative design, powerful camera system, and multimedia capabilities set it apart from contemporaries. Despite being discontinued, the legacy of the N93 is evident in later smartphone developments that emphasize portable photography and versatile media usage.