If what Nokia claims is true, then consumers can look forward to DVD-like video capture, and later view it on a standard television thanks to the TV-out option. The bundled Adobe Premiere Elements 2.0 software will further assist in burning your high-quality home videos onto DVDs. This is virtually a camcorder with a phone attached. Videos can be captured in MPEG4 format at 30 fps.

Like the N90, simply unfold and twist the main display and presto: you get a full-screen color viewfinder in landscape mode. It's that simple, really. The primary screen is a spanking 2.4" high-definition Active-Matrix display with a wide 160° viewing angle running at 320x240 pixel resolution and 262k colors, while the secondary is 1.1" offering 65k colors. Bluetooth 2.0 makes an appearance but is lost in all the other great features.

The Nokia N93 is based on S60 3rd Edition - the same as Nokia N91 - with 50MB internal memory and support for miniSD cards (expandable up to 2GB). This one's also a 3G phone, supporting WCDMA 2100MHz with simultaneous voice/packet data, and integrated 802.11b/g wireless LAN connectivity. What's more, with its TV-out capability, you can even browse the web, work on your office documents and even play games on the TV.

With Adobe Premiere Elements, you can play with your videos inserting various effects and transitions, and burn 'em onto DVDs or convert them to a web-suitable format for streaming. Oh and if the videos ever get boring, there's always good old radio to fall back on: the N93 also has an integrated stereo FM receiver. Or how about the digital music player?

Priced at €550, expect the Nokia N93 to hit the markets in July this year.

One of the best things about Nokia N93 is undoubtedly its camera module, which, in fact, makes the name for this handset. It’s not a coincidence that the manufacturer has used “Next Story in Video” slogan in the advertising campaign. Though one could rightfully ask how come such inexpensive and thus available for the majority of high-tech gadget lovers phone incorporates a camera showing off not only high resolution of still images, but also TV quality video recording capabilities. The answer turns out to be rather simple: the N93 features several critical solutions, boosted the phone’s both image taking and video recording capabilities Firstly, this model has a new chipset by TI embedded in, namely TI2420, so that it supports a 3D accelerator with rather average specifications. Of course it appears average only against the background of several models from NVidia’s very own GoForce series and ATI’s latest developments (stand alone 3D accelerator). But having a good team of engineers, specializing in this architecture and already familiar with TI solutions at their disposal, in conjunction with low energy consumption of the device, make these chipsets brilliant for mounting on a handset. Time for creating new applications also is not of the minor importance here. In the future this chipset is more likely to be carried by majority of newly released smartphones, so Nokia will probably put 3D accelerators above everything else on their priority list. In its turn, this means big leap for images quality and video processing capabilities.. This chipset is capable of powering even 4-5 Mpix cameras and basically one can see that on используется в Nokia 83, which carries a 5 Mpix matrix.

Another feature, successfully materialized in the handset, is implementation of serial optics. The trend for miniaturization of digital cameras over the past years, has led to achieving quite reasonable dimensions of camera modules for bulky devices as well, such as the N93. The very fact o 5 and 6 Mpix cameras domination over the market puts into question profitability of 3-4 Mpix modules production. At the same time high demand coming from mobile market can prolong life time of these technologies and cut their price even more. On the other hand all manufacturers are vitally interested in including outdated camera modules, because their price is consequentially much lower than that on specially customized for mobile solutions ones. So we’ve reached the point which implies that not always tiny measurements make all the difference, as they can increase the final price dramatically – price is what everything is about.

From theoretic preamble, we are moving on to reviewing its real capabilities and construction. The lens is located on the rim, which is common for a number of personal camcoders – some will remember similar design found on Nokia N90. When the top half is unfolded and twisted, the camera application is automatically called up. In some ways, this method refers to video cameras, but more importantly, users are already familiar with this system and thus it won’t repel.

The lens is sealed up with a firmly fastened plastic hood, so there is no way it can accidentally fall off. Should you want it, you can apply a tiny strap to the cover, so you will get rid of necessity to look for a place to put the hood on. All in all the design looks very solid and well-thought, adding to overall favorable impression.

The right rise features camera shortcut key. The trigger button, marked with a red point, is originates from usual digital cameras, as well as a ring rounding the key, which performs zooming. The navigation key with OK button placed inside is located a bit lower – it’s used for changing camera modes and browsing through the menus, not in camera application. A special key activates the flash, though since it’s only LED it can’t pretend to be a full-fledged one, like those found on standard digital cameras. For instance, on Sony Ericsson K800i the flash module has much more in common with digital cameras – yet Nokia is planning on using pulse flash modules in the upcoming handsets.

So it’s obvious that the camera itself originates from the range of low-end digital cameras, and therefore should overcome them quality-wise. Nonetheless, let us familiarize you with a short spec list:

• Carl Zeiss Optics: Vario-Tessar glass lens
  
• Matrix, 4.5х5.5 мм, CMOS, 3.2 megapixel (2048x1536)
  
• Shutter speed: Mechanical shutter: 1/2400~1/3 s
  
• Macro focus distance 30 cm (macro @ Wide) 10 cm (macro @ Middle to Tele)
  
• Focus range 10 cm ~ infinity
  
• Focal length 4.5 mm (Wide) /12.4 mm (Tele) 34.25 - 94.1 mm(35mm equiv.)
  
• Still image file format: JPEG/EXIF
  
• Auto focus
  
• White balance: automatic, sunny, cloudy, incandescent, fluorescent
  
• Exposure compensation: +1 ~ -1EV at 0.5 step
  
• Scene: automatic, user, close-up, landscape, night, night portray
  
• Color tone: normal, sepia, black & white, negative
  
• Zoom (optical/digital) 3x / up to 20x

Impressive? I believe that this is maximum what mobile phones will be capable of today and in nearest future, there won’t be any more settings. Before moving on to sample photos, I’d like to tell you that viewfinder is displaying picture correctly, as is, without any artifacts or any disturbances caused by rapid movements. Buttons located on left side are used for accessing additional shooting settings.

  (+) maximize, 2048x1536, JPEG

  (+) maximize, 2048x1536, JPEG

  (+) maximize, 2048x1536, JPEG

  (+) maximize, 2048x1536, JPEG

  (+) maximize, 2048x1536, JPEG

  (+) maximize, 2048x1536, JPEG

Macro mode. Macro mode works good, and shots quality is good too. Focusing is fine even at small details.

Handset is capable of recording video in several quality modes, maximal one assumes 30 fps @ 640x480 (VGA) resolution. You can downgrade frame rate to 15 or decrease resolution. Format in which video is recorded – mpeg4, simultaneous sound recording is supported too (two channels, AAC, 48khz). There are two mics on case, each has index (R or L, which stands for Right and Left). By default video is saved on memory card; however you can use internal memory too, but it’s enough only for one minute and some seconds. Maximal length is 60 minutes. During shooting you can use optical or digital zoom (x8 in this mode). Optical stabilizer is used during shooting, this allows preventing small shaking of handset. I got the impression that this feature works fine, you do not feel shaking feeling that you might get when you shoot the video for quite a while. You can disable sound in case you do not need it.

There’s also White Balance settings, as well as various color effects, just like in camera. Scene selection is limited by two: Auto and Night Mode.

Here are samples of video clips recorded with Nokia N93 in maximal resolution, they are really good for a mobile device and can be considered as best there are on today’s market. There won’t be any competitive device in this section for 3-4 months to say the least. This is why Nokia N93 will be extremely interesting product for those who are looking for such solution and use video recording.

Nokia N93 Cell Phone Features and Specifications:
Operating Frequency

• Dual mode WCDMA/GSM and triband GSM coverage on up to five continents (EDGE/GSM 900/1800/1900 + WCDMA 2100 MHz networks)
  
• Automatic switching between bands and modes

Dimensions

• Volume: 133 cc
  
• Weight: 180 g
  
• Length: 118. 2 mm
  
• Width: 55.5 mm
  
• Thickness: 28.2 mm

Memory Functions

• Up to 50 MB internal dynamic memory for messages, ringing tones, images, video clips, calendar notes, to-do list and applications
  
• Expandable memory: 128 MB miniSD card
  
• Memory card slot supporting up to 2 GB miniSD memory cards

Power Management

• Battery: Lithium Polymer battery BP-6M 1100mAh
  
• Talk time: up to 3.7hrs (WCDMA)/up to 5.1hrs (GSM)
  
• Stand-by time: up to 10days (WCDMA)/up to 10days (GSM)

Form and Function

• Twist and Shoot form factor with 4 modes: Imaging mode for capture, View mode for reliving memories, Fold open mode for talking and Fold closed mode for carrying.
  
• Dedicated keys for camera control
  
• Support of applications in both portrait and landscape orientations

Displays

• Active matrix 2.4" QVGA color display with wide 160° viewing angle: 320 x 240 pixels, up to 262,144 colors
  
• Automatic brightness control for main display
  
• 1.1" second display: 128 x 36 , up to 65,536 colours

User Interface

• User Interface: S60 3rd Edition
  
• 5-way scroll key, selection keys, menu key, edit and clear keys, call and end keys
  
• Multimedia key for quick access to your favorite content
  
• Additional selection keys for landscape mode
  
• Side 5-way scroll key, camera mode key and flash key
  
• Dedicated keys for capture and zoom
  
• Active standby screen

Call Management

• Contacts: advanced contacts database with support for multiple phone and e-mail details per entry, also supports thumbnail pictures and groups
  
• Speed dialing
  
• Logs: keeps lists of your dialed, received, and missed calls
  
• Automatic redial
  
• Automatic answer (works with compatible headset or car kit only)
  
• Supports fixed dialing number, which allows calls only to redefined numbers
  
• Conference call
  
• Push to talk (PoC)

Voice Features

• Speaker independent name dialing (SIND)
  
• Voice commands
  
• Voice recorder
  
• Talking ringtone
  
• Integrated hands-free speaker

Messaging

• Text messaging: supports concatenated SMS, picture messaging, SMS distribution list
  
• Multimedia messaging: combine image, video, text, and audio clip and send as MMS to a compatible phone or PC; use MMS to tell your story with a multi-slide presentation
  
• Automatic resizing of your megapixel images to fit MMS (max. 300 KB attachment size depending on the network)
  
• Predictive text input: support for all major languages in Europe and Asia-Pacific

Data Transfer

• WCDMA 2100 with simultaneous voice and packet data (PS max speed UL/DL= 384/384kbps, CS max speed 64kbps)
  
• Dual Transfer Mode (DTM) support for simultaneous voice and packet data connection in GSM/EDGE networks. Simple class A, multi slot class 11, max speed DL/UL: 177.6/118.4 kbits/s
  
• EGPRS class B, multi slot class 32, max speed DL/UL= 296 / 177.6 kbits/s

Connectivity

• Integrated wireless LAN (802.11 b/g) and UPnP (Universal Plug and Play)
  
• Integrated Bluetooth wireless technology v.2.0
  
• USB 2.0 via Pop-Port™ interface and mass storage class support to support drag and drop functionality
  
• TV out support (PAL/NTSC)
  
• Nokia PC Suite connectivity with USB, Infrared and Bluetooth wireless technology
  
• Local synchronization of contacts and calendar to a compatible PC using compatible connection
  
• Remote over-the-air synchronization
  
• Send and receive images, video clips, graphics, and business cards via Bluetooth wireless technology

Java Applications

• Java MIDP 2.0, CLDC 1.1 (Connected Limited Device Configuration (J2ME))
  
• Over-the-air download of Java-based applications and games

Other Applications

• Personal Information Management (PIM)
  
• Advanced S60 PIM features including calendar, contacts, to-do list, and PIM printing
  
• Settings Wizard for easy configuration of e-mail, push to talk and video sharing.
  
• Data transfer application for transfer of PIM information from other compatible Nokia devices.

Digital Services

• Java and Symbian applica Conclusion
  

  It’s not hard to see that Nokia N93 camera quality is a lot better than one installed in Nokia N80, and by some aspects better than in Sony Ericsson K790i. More details, brighter photos, sharpness. All this became possible with help of standard camera module, instead of mobile one. Camera in Nokia N93 overcomes any existing camera installed in mobile phone to date.

  
  

  We can’t really say that Nokia N93 is a mobile device, since it’s quite big after all. It can try being competitive with small digital cameras, but here it loses battle in terms of price and size. You should remember that this is a hybrid device and give some discount on that. Let me remind you that main idea told in first part of our review. This device is targeted for people who are in need of such features, this is not a mass product. This product is used by Nokia to test out new technologies and solutions. Used components allow creating similar phones with smaller case size which is proven by Nokia N73, Nokia N83. Raise of devices with increasing camera possibilities raises challenge for inexpensive small digital cameras, competition gets tougher and things are getting more and more interesting.