(Updated April 3, 2008!)

Looking to purchase a Nokia N95 phone on eBay? Great! There's just one little problem: the N95 comes in several versions, each with some very distinct features. In this short guide: find out which version is right for you, and learn how to spot the differences between the models. (brought to you by cang87 and phonematchup.com)

The View From the Front 

From left to right (and in order of release date): Nokia N95 Original (Sand color), Nokia N95 USA (Black), Nokia N95 8GB (Black), Nokia N95 8GB USA (Black)

The View From the Back

From left to right: Nokia N95 Original (Sand color), Nokia N95 USA (Black), Nokia N95 8GB (Black), Nokia N95 8GB USA (Black)

The Differences in the N95 Versions

The original Nokia N95 comes in two colors: Sand and Plum (only Sand is shown here). It has a 950 mAh lithium-ion battery, 64 MB RAM, and a 2.6 inch display. It uses HSDPA WCDMA 2100 for high-speed data transfers, which is NOT compatible with any high-speed 3G network in the USA. EDGE, however, will work fine.

The Nokia N95 USA version, also known as the N95 NAM and N95-3, comes in two colors: Black and Brown (Black shown above). Key differences include more memory (now 128 MB), a bigger battery (1200 mAh), and HSDPA WCDMA 850/1900, which is compatible with AT&T's 3G network. If you take a look at the back cover (below), you'll see that Nokia removed the lens cover switch mechanism to save space. This is the easiest way to identify the N95 USA.

The Nokia N95 8GB or N95-2 comes in only one color: full black. It is noticeably different from the other two N95s, due to a smaller menu keypad and larger screen (now 2.8 inches). Instead of supporting expandable microSD memory cards, the N95 8GB houses 8 gigabytes of internal flash memory. Note that even though this is the latest model, it is not compatible with USA 3G networks. (supports only WCDMA 2100)

New to the N95 set of phones is the Nokia N95 8GB USA (N95-4). Designed strictly for the USA/North American market, this N95 supports USA 3G frequencies (WCDMA 850/1900) meaning faster wireless internet access speeds if you use your USA GSM carrier's 3G/3.5G high-speed internet service. Note that the N95-4 looks identical to the N95-2 from the front - to tell the difference, check the shiny area around the camera (back cover) for the abbreviation "AF". If it's there, you're looking at a N95 8GB USA model. Otherwise, if it reads "Autofocus" then it's an N95-2. (N95 8GB international model)

All variations share the same quad-band connectivity, GPS,  5 megapixel camera (with Carl Zeiss optics and autofocus), and dual-slider mechanism with dedicated playback keys.

So Which N95 Do I Buy?

Now that you know how to spot different N95 versions, the big question is: which N95 is right for you?

If you intend to make use of AT&T's high-speed next-generation 3G network, buy one of the Nokia N95 USA versions - (8GB or regular version). These two are the ONLY N95 models out there that will work with AT&T's high-speed network (or any 3G/3.5G network in the USA).

On a tight-budget? Get the original N95: this model still has superior features to almost every smartphone out there, and the price for this model will keep dropping as the N95 USA and N95 8GB enter the market. Note: make sure you purchase an N95 that has a valid USA warranty - ask the seller if it isn't specified in the auction description. Nokia N95 models that were manufactured for other countries ARE NOT under warranty and cannot be repaired by Nokia!

Is battery life an issue? You might want to narrow down your choice to either the N95 USA, N95 8GB, or N95 8GB USA, as these three models feature larger capacity batteries (1200 mAh) than the original.

Of course, if you're willing to pay any price for the latest high-tech gadgetry, the N95 8GB is the latest version, and is the most expensive.

And that's it! Hope that this little guide helps you figure out which N95 is the best fit for you!

-cang87
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