A new addition to Nokia's popular N-Series range, the N82 introduces a Xenon flash alongside its 5-megapixel Carl Zeiss camera. The HSDPA-capable N82 has a similar feature set to the flagship N95 8GB featuring Wi-Fi, a built-in GPS receiver, a standard 3.5mm headphone jack and TV-out functionality.
The main difference between the N95 8GB and the N82 is form factor. The N82 is a standard candy-bar handset, which may appeal to consumers who'd rather not own a slider. The disadvantage is a slightly smaller display, though unless you're using the handset to watch plenty of video it shouldn't make a dramatic difference. The plastic build feels well constructed, but the lightweight finish does tend to make this handset feel less expensive than it should. The chrome front is a nice touch though, even if it does attract fingerprints.
The design of the N82 is certainly different, but it won't appeal to all. The control layout is perplexing. Aside from the tiny keypad buttons, the dedicated multimedia key wedged between the right selection button and the clear key could have been avoided. The answer and end calls keys are also unnecessarily close to the edge of the unit. A convenient addition is the side-mounted gallery button – pressing it once opens the last image or video taken, while pressing it again opens the full gallery.
The N82 includes a built-in GPS receiver along with the latest version of Nokia Maps. Unfortunately, like the N95 8GB, using voice assisted navigation is an extra cost. Previewing your current location, locating nearby points of interest and browsing maps remain free services. The user experience of the GPS function on the N82 is similar to other Nokia handsets. It can be quite a steep learning curve, as there is no touch screen and you'll need to use the navigation pad and selection buttons. Annoyingly, Nokia has once again failed to include a window mount in the sales package.
The N82 features the same 5-megapixel camera with Carl Zeiss optics seen on the N95 8GB, but it adds a Xenon flash. Its performance in low light conditions is excellent and although it still won't adequately replace a stand-alone digital camera, its impressive colour reproduction and minimal noise levels make it one of the best camera phones on the market. It also captures decent, if not outstanding, video clips.
For multimedia, the N82 has music and video players as well as an FM radio. The included 3.5mm headphone jack on the top of the handset means you can use any pair of regular headphones, and sound quality is notable. The external speaker is passable, but not outstanding – sound can become distorted at higher volume levels. Pressing the dedicated multimedia key opens a graphic interface showcasing many of the phone's functions including the gallery, contacts, Internet, maps, games, videos and music. An included composite TV-out cable means you can connect the N82 to a television or projector, though the resolution is quite poor on larger displays.
The N82 runs the Symbian OS (version 9.2) operating system and we found general browsing speeds quite fast – there was no noticeable lag when running multiple applications. Connectivity is featured heavily thanks to the integrated Wi-Fi (802.11b/g), Bluetooth 2.0 with A2DP and a micro-USB port for synchronisation with a PC. Being a smart phone, the Quickoffice application is also included, allowing users to read but not edit Microsoft Word, Excel and PowerPoint documents and PDF files. The N82 also provides access to a preview application of Nokia's N-Gage gaming service.
The N82 includes 100MB of internal memory, in addition to a microSD card slot, located on the left side of the handset. A 2GB microSD card is included in the sales package.
