Nokia N950 InDepth Review Specs Pricing & More

Introduction to Nokia N950

The Nokia N950 was announced in June 2011 as a development platform that was made available exclusively to developers. Its release marked a unique point in Nokia's history, as the device ran the MeeGo 1.2 Harmattan OS, a platform that showcased the potential direction for Nokia's operating system before the company embraced Windows Phone. Despite its limited release, the N950 gathered attention due to its distinct design and technological capabilities.

Design and Build

The Nokia N950 was crafted with a sliding QWERTY keyboard, which was a significant feature for Nokia devices during that era. Its robust design was in line with Nokia’s tradition of creating durable mobile phones. The phone's dimensions and weight were not officially detailed, but it featured a mini-SIM slot and was made available solely in black.

Display

The N950 featured a 4.0-inch LCD display with a resolution of 480 x 854 pixels, which offered a decent viewing experience for its time. The aspect ratio of 16:9 and a pixel density of around 245 ppi provided clear visuals for the interface designed for MeeGo OS. The use of LCD technology was common in phones of that era, balancing cost with display clarity.

Platform and Performance

Powering the Nokia N950 was the TI OMAP 3630 chipset, featuring a 1.0 GHz Cortex-A8 CPU and PowerVR SGX530 GPU. While these specifications may seem outdated today, they were competitive among smartphones during its time of release. One GB of RAM supported multitasking capabilities, providing developers with a stable environment to test and develop applications for the MeeGo OS.

Operating System

The MeeGo 1.2 Harmattan OS was a significant selling point of the N950. MeeGo was a Linux-based operating system co-developed by Nokia and Intel. Although it aimed to compete with more established platforms like Android and iOS, the OS offered an appealing user experience thanks to its fluid interface and advanced gesture-based navigation.

Camera Capabilities

The N950 was equipped with a 12 MP main camera, providing autofocus and dual-LED flash. This camera setup allowed for respectable photo quality, which was relatively high for smartphones released during that period. Additionally, a front-facing camera supported basic selfie features and video calls, representing an attempt by Nokia to cater to the emerging trend of front camera usage.

Storage and Memory

Internally, the Nokia N950 offered 8.5 GB of user-available storage with no option for external memory expansion, as it lacked a card slot. For developers who received the device for testing MeeGo applications, the storage configuration was adequate. The 1 GB RAM provided sufficient support to run applications smoothly under the MeeGo platform.

Connectivity Options

The device supported GSM and HSPA networks, with HSPA speeds reaching up to 14.4/5.76 Mbps. Connectivity options included Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n, Bluetooth 2.1 with A2DP and EDR, and microUSB 2.0. Although the N950 did not feature a built-in radio, it provided GPS and A-GPS capabilities, utilizing Ovi Maps for navigation.

Battery and Power Management

The N950 was powered by a removable Li-Ion 1320 mAh battery, supporting user replacement, which was a common trait in mobile phones of that time. Although battery life might not compare favorably to modern smartphones, the device was adequate for typical daily usage, particularly considering its use as a developer-focused device rather than a commercial product.

Additional Features

Further enhancing the user experience, the Nokia N950 included standard smartphone sensors such as an accelerometer, proximity sensor, and a compass. It supported 3.5 mm audio jack inputs, aligning with widespread consumer preferences for accessible audio output capabilities during its release period.

Conclusion

The Nokia N950 remains a notable piece of Nokia's history, especially for its inclusion of the MeeGo operating system. It was ultimately a developer's device, meaning it did not reach mainstream consumers. Despite its discontinuation, the N950 is remembered for its contribution to the evolution of smartphone hardware and software by bridging Symbian’s legacy and the new paths that Nokia explored during the early 2010s. Its distinct features, robust design, and developer-focused capabilities have made it a subject of interest for tech enthusiasts and collectors.