is a smartphone released by Nokia in 2005. It was part of the N series and was one of the first smartphones to run on the Symbian OS 8.1a with Series 60 UI. At the time of its release, it was considered to be a high-end device, offering advanced features like a rotating screen and a 2MP camera with Carl Zeiss optics. Let's take a closer look at the specifications and features of this iconic device.
Release and Network
The N90 was announced in the second quarter of 2005 and was available for purchase soon after. It supported both 2G and 3G networks, making it compatible with GSM and UMTS technologies. It could operate on GSM 900/1800/1900 bands and UMTS 2100 band, providing reliable connectivity and decent internet speeds of up to 384 kbps.
Design and Display
Weighing 173g and with a thickness of 24mm, the N90 was a bit heavy and bulky compared to other phones of its time. It had a rectangular shape with curved edges and a flip-style design. The most notable feature of its design was its 90-degree rotating screen, which made it unique and provided users with a comfortable viewing angle.
The phone had a primary TFT display of 2.1 inches with a resolution of 352 x 416 pixels and 256K colors. It also had a smaller external TFT display of 128 x 128 pixels and 65K colors for displaying notifications and basic information. The 5-way navigation key and side joystick made it easy to navigate through the phone's interface.
Platform and Memory
The N90 ran on the Symbian OS 8.1a with Series 60 UI, which was a popular operating system for smartphones at the time. It was powered by a TI OMAP 1710 chipset and had a 220 MHz ARM926EJ-S processor, providing decent performance for everyday tasks.
The phone had 31MB of internal storage, which was considered to be quite a lot back then. Additionally, it came with a 64MB RS-DV-MMC card, giving users even more storage space for their files and media.
Camera and Sound
The N90 had a 2MP single camera with autofocus and LED flash. It also had Carl Zeiss optics, which was a premium feature for smartphones at that time. The camera could capture decent quality images and videos, making it a great device for photography enthusiasts.
One downside of the N90 was the absence of a loudspeaker, which meant no music playback or loud ringtones. However, it did support downloadable polyphonic, monophonic, and MP3 ringtones, making it possible for users to personalize their phones.
Additional Features
The N90 did not have advanced features like Wi-Fi or GPS, but it did have some unique features like push-to-talk and video download. It also had an MP3/AAC/MP4 player, predictive text input, voice command/memo, and organizer, making it a versatile device for both work and play.
Battery and Price
The N90's battery was a removable Li-Ion 760 mAh battery (BL-5B), which provided up to 290 hours of standby time and up to 3 hours of talk time. While its battery life was not exceptional, it was comparable to other smartphones of its time.
The N90 was priced at around 250 EUR at the time of its release, which may seem high now, but it was considered to be a premium device with cutting-edge features.
Conclusion
Overall, the Nokia N90 was a solid device that offered advanced features and a unique design. It may not have been the most groundbreaking smartphone of its time, but it paved the way for more innovative devices in the future. Its popularity and influence can still be felt today, making it a significant part of Nokia's history.
Nokia N90 Full Specifications
Network
Technology
GSM / UMTS
2G bands
GSM 900 / 1800 / 1900
3G bands
UMTS 2100
Speed
Yes, 384 kbps
Launch
Announced
2005, Q2
Status
Discontinued
Body
Dimensions
112 x 51 x 24 mm (4.41 x 2.01 x 0.94 in)
Weight
173 g (6.10 oz)
SIM
Mini-SIM
Display
Type
TFT, 256K colors
Size
2.1 inches, 35 x 41 mm, 14.0 cm2 (~24.6% screen-to-body ratio)
Resolution
352 x 416 pixels (~259 ppi density)
Other
Second external TFT, 65K colors display (128 x 128 pixels)
90 deg rotating screen
5-way navigation key
Side joystick
