Nokia N86
Available Colours
3 PhonesLike most devices in this category, it has a stand that pops out so you can use it as a stand-alone screen so you can just prop it up on your desk if you want to watch a video or listen to some music
Best Value for Money Plan
| Price Plan | £35 Internet Texter | 84.9% |
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| Texts | Unlimited | |
| Minutes | 750 anytime/any network | |
| Internet | Unlimited | |
| Handset Cost | FREE | |
| Monthly Cost | £35 | |
| Contract | 18 months |
Our Nokia N86 Review
Before Apple jumped in with the iPhone and the Canadian line, BlackBerry, jumped in with their products, there weren't many cell phone slash personal device companies as progressive and as popular as Nokia.
The Finnish company that gave us some of the first mobile phones is still in the game, but they have a little more competition than they did, say, ten years ago. So, using the Nokia N86 8MP as an example, we're here to see if they've still got what it takes.
On first glance, the N86 actually looks and feels a lot like a BlackBerry, with its sleek black casing, crystal clear 2.6 inch screen and slide out number pad, but the first sign that there's something special about the unit is the stand.
Like most devices in this category, it has a stand that pops out so you can use it as a stand-alone screen so you can just prop it up on your desk if you want to watch a video or listen to some music, but what's really neat about this one is that you can actually configure the unit so that, when the stand pops open, it will automatically launch your music or video player.
Okay, not the most revolutionary idea that's ever been integrated into a phone, but a nice touch, nonetheless. It's convenient, and fun.
While it certainly won't be much of an issue to many consumers, we'll admit to being a bit disappointed at the number pad. Texting with a number pad, for many, just doesn't feel intuitive or natural, and an actual QWERTY keypad would've been appreciated.
Let's be honest, the reason you're interested in an 8 MegaPixel phone is to see how the camera works. Well, to put it one way, you could say that the N86 is going to be remembered as one of the first camera phones to blur the line between camera and phone. Some of the features implemented in the phone are pretty groundbreaking, and putting them all together in a single phone is simply unprecedented. We'll just list the specs...
- Multiple aperture settings
- Mechanical shutter
- Auto focus
- Dual LED Flash
- Wide angle Carl Zeiss lens (28mm)
All of this adds up to a camera phone that not only makes some fierce competition in the camera phone industry, it also rivals many of the consumer grade digital cameras available right now.
Beyond the above, the Nokia N86 is a pretty handy little phone. 3.5G of space, full web browser, email, phone, voicemail and texting functions, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, everything you'd want from a phone, but it's really the camera function that gives it a leg up on the competition. In this regard, you could definitely praise Nokia's plan of attack with this unit: Find a perfect niche, and deliver on that front better than anyone else can.
Mix and Match Plans
A price plan which gives you flexibility, Mix and Match doesn't tie you a set number of texts and set number of minutes each month. With Mix & Match, you receive a monthly allowance, which you are free to use for texts, minutes or any combination of the two. This is ideal if you find your minutes and text usage fluctuates month by month causing you to exceed either your monthly text or minutes allowance. Mix & Match has been made simple, since 1 minute = 1 text, so you never need to choose between the two.
Texter Plans
Prefer to text than call? Then Texter Plans are for you! With Unlimited Texts, it's hard to go wrong with Three's Texter Plans (although your thumbs might hurt!). What’s more you get free instant messaging on all Texter plans.
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£15 Texter |
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£20 Texter |
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£25 Texter Offer (VT500 PLUS with Unlimited Texts) |
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£35 Texter Offer (VT750 with Unlimited Texts) |
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Internet Texter Plans
Just like Texter Plans, your thumbs may hurt with the Unlimited Texts, but with Internet Texter Plans, there's more! There's also unlimited internet use and unlimited calls to other 3 mobiles, plus an allowance of anytime, any network minutes.
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£35 Internet Texter |
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Pay As You Go
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PAYG |
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| Nokia N86 | |||
General | |||
| Form Factor | Slider | ||
| Dimensions | 103.4 x 51.4 x 16.5 (mm) | ||
| Talk Time | 234 mins | ||
| Standby Time | 275 hours | ||
| Weight | 149 g | ||
Photo and Video | |||
| Camera | 8.00 megapixels | ||
Connectivity | |||
| 3G | Yes | ||
| Bluetooth | Yes | ||
| Yes | |||
| HSDPA | Yes | ||
| Web Browser | Yes | ||
| Wi-Fi | Yes | ||
Music and Radio | |||
| FM Radio | Yes | ||
| MP3 Player | Yes | ||
| MP3 Ringtones | Yes | ||
Nokia N86 Full Specification
General
| Form Factor | Slider |
|---|---|
| Dimensions | 103.4 x 51.4 x 16.5 (mm) |
| Talk Time | 234 mins |
| Standby Time | 275 hours |
| Weight | 149 g |
Photo and Video
| Camera | 8.00 megapixels |
|---|---|
| Camera Option | Yes |
Connectivity
| 3G | Yes |
|---|---|
| Bluetooth | Yes |
| Yes | |
| HSDPA | Yes |
| Web Browser | Yes |
| Wi-Fi | Yes |
Music and Radio
| FM Radio | Yes |
|---|---|
| MP3 Player | Yes |
| MP3 Ringtones | Yes |
User Comments
Perry I. submitted on 5 September 2009the N86's camera is great in the dark… took a couple of photos while out clubbing.. Very pleased for the quality, a must for those in need to great night photos
Morganra submitted on 16 June 2009So many features to wrap myself around during free times and lunch breaks.
Please note all submissions are subject to manual review prior to appearing on this website.
Images of the Nokia N86
