Nokia N72 review: Controversy all around

Nokia N72 bar-shaped phone is another Nokia smartphone but differs from the latest additions on the shelves of the Nokia smartphones as it runs on Symbian 8.1 OS with 2.8 edition user interface. This transitional system has to offer features from both previous Nokia Symbian smartphones and some of the characteristics of the 3rd edition UI.

Nokia N72

Main features:

• 2 megapixel camera
• Video recording in CIF (352x288 pixel) resolution at 15fps
• FM radio
• GPRS & EDGE Class 10
• RS-DV-MMC card slot
• 128 MB memory card included

Main disadvantages:

• Big size & weight
• No dedicated camera macro mode
• Poor display
• No 3G support
• Controversial design
• Loose camera lens cover

Glossy and shiny

Nokia N72 fascinates with its truly genuine design and construction conception. This first impression, however, is not always positive; many people find the phone rather repulsive and not at all attractive. May be this is the phone that has earned the most controversial user opinions. Even our team was divided in two when it comes to the Nokia N72 design.

The black bar with silver linings shines with glamour but can be hardly considered a classy phone when looked at first sight. Basically, it shines "cheaply". One very interesting moment in its design is the camera lens' cover on its back as it reminds the cover of Sony Ericsson K800. This one is much bigger, of course, and its construction is much worse than the one in the 3.2 megapixel phone.

Nokia N72 definitely isn't a small phone. It is big and heavy, but quite ok for a smartphone. As a matter of fact, it is one of the smalles in the N-series. It feels solid and stable. The small buttons of the keypad add a delicate touch in the design that surely enriches the style factor of N72. A bad thing about the looks of the phone is that it attracts fingerprints as hell. There is hardly any part of it that can remain clear of those.

Nokia N70 held in hand

But even the "cheap" shine and the fingerprint magnet are not enough to make the phone a bad choice. Well, it took some time to get used to its weirdness but in the end it becomes a regular part of your every day equipment. You will get fond of it sooner than you expect.