NOKIA N78

A Slim, So-So Smartphone

Nokia's diverse line of multimedia-focused smartphones is the midrange N78, a stylish, minimal phone with hidden talents. It forgoes all the extra controls but includes Assisted GPS (A-GPS) for fsater position locating, image geotagging, and a robust music player. It's also 3G and Wi-Fi capable.


At 4.5 by 1.9 by 0.6 inches (HWD) and 3.9 ounches the N78 features a slick, glossy-black face and a chocolate-brown back. The display is a standard-issue 2.4-inch, QVGA 240-by-320-pixel LCD, oriented vertically. There's also an ambient light sensor on board to adjust screen brightness. The keypad lights up whenever the phone is activated, but typing is difficult. There's no touch screen, QWERTY keypad, or SureType-style setup, but the N78 does include the navi wheel, a square version of an iPod's click wheel.

In testing, N78 turnet out to be solid voice phone, with calls sounding clear in both directions. Its speakerphone sounded well balanced but was loud enough only for indoor use. The N78 is an unlocked GSM phone that works with either AT&T or T-Mobile SIm cards; it's also the first U.S. model to include the Symbian Series 60 3rd Edition Feature Pack 2. The N78 is great for playing music, but its 3.2-megapixel camera was a bit disappointing. Overall, this phone is a decent option. But at this price, you should also look at the $500 N82 with its far-better camera.-Jamie Lendino

PC Magazine November 2008