Nokia N82 review: Comes with xenon

N-gage reloaded

Nokia N82 comes with three preinstalled games. Two of them are based on the new N-gage platform and even though they are demo versions, playing them is a nice experience. The included titles are the same as the ones found on Nokia N95 8GB - Fifa 2007 and Asphalt 3 Street rules. In all fairness, we faced some difficulties with the controls of FIFA 2007, which didn't seem properly chosen. In fact the only mobile phone where this game was easily handled was the Nokia N81, thanks to the two dedicated gaming keys which did a great job.

The third game to be found on Nokia N82 is Snake. First to feature on the original Nokia N95, this 3D game is surely one of the best achievements in this area. We did spend quite a number of hours playing it and we really enjoyed the experience.

Finding your way around

Like the Nokia N95 versions, the N82 has a built-in GPS receiver. Having tested all of them we are safe to conclude that their performance is virtually the same. Unluckily, the problem with the slow initial satellite lock still exists with Nokia N82. The phone needs quite some time to find you initial position, especially if you start it when you are in a moving vehicle.

The built-in A-GPS somewhat reduces the time needed for that purpose but at the cost of (in most cases) pricy data transfer.

The built-in GPS receiver works with the Nokia Maps application, which is one of the software applications to offer the most detailed maps. Furthermore, it is free and relatively easy to use. Well, at least the basic information is free, because charges apply to the voice guidance and turn-by-turn navigation. You only get a three-day trial that goes with the new version of the Nokia Maps application, so you can see if the voice navigation is worth the extra dime.

In other words, if you want to make use of the built-in receiver you;ll be better off relying on Nokia maps as not all other third-party applications can detect and work with the integrated GPS receiver.

Nokia Maps has nearly the most detailed road maps among all navigation solutions

So, leaving this aside, we have to admit that the Nokia Maps application itself is not bad at all and has very decent looks. Furthermore, its route planning algorithm can be easily customized to the user preferences. Toll roads and motorways can be avoided and so can tunnels and ferries. The route selection can be set to either fastest or shortest. The app is also usable for pedestrian navigation or you can switch the GPS receiver off to use instead of your paper map.

The overall impression of using the Nokia N82 as a GPS navigation system is positive, except for the flaws already pointed out. Still, if you don't have the highest expectations, you might find the Nokia N82 GPS perfectly adequate.

Final words

Nokia N82 is the kind of gadget to make high hopes inescapable and it is important to know whether it lives up to the responsible job of being the N73 successor. And here it is: in our view, it carries the burden lightly. N82 has all the premises to become a true bestseller, combining full smartphone functionality with the best camera on the mobile phone market. Upgrading from Nokia N73 seems the definitive choice, if not the only option.

"...N82 has all the premises to become a true bestseller, combining full smartphone functionality with the best camera on the mobile phone market. Upgrading from Nokia N73 seems the definitive choice, if not the only option..."

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As for the rest, who are considering Nokia N82, we say it's a buy you will hardly ever regret. Looking at your options first won't hurt though. The simple math tells that Nokia N82 with an 8GB microSD memory card costs about the same as Nokia N95 8GB, so the choice between the two is purely a matter of priorities. Whether you prefer larger screen or xenon flash should tilt the scales this way or the other.

As for the cameraphone lovers, the decision is as simple as that - if you want the best camera on a phone and you're willing to pay for it, Nokia N82 is the way to go.