Loaded with multimedia options, the Nokia N81 offers gamers and techies a lot of versatility in a slider phone. The first thing one notices about the N81 is its stylish yet somewhat boxy design. The phone isn't as compact as many devices on the market, yet it is surprisingly small given its numerous applications. Loaded onto the phone are a 2-megapixel camera, a music player, and Nokia's N-Gage gaming platform.

The 2-megapixel camera offers reasonably good performance. Objects in the photos come out distinct and crisp, despite the colors being a bit washed out. This is especially apparently, oddly enough, due to the impressive 2-2/5-inch LCD. When in its regular mode, just the menu options really show off the screen's ability to display an impressive 16.7 million colors. And when you're playing games, the images are also eye-popping. So when you're presented with the faded result of the camera's snapshot, the reaction is definitely one of letdown. Nonetheless, some of the other camera features ameliorate overall performance, such as the 20x digital zoom. Such ability is quite rare on a mobile phone and it allows you to take photos that would normally be useless. For instance, snapshots at sporting events can now offer details of the participants that had formerly been unavailable due to the location of lousy seats. There are also quite a few settings on the camera that allow you to adjust white balance, color tone, and exposure settings. You also have the choice of three image qualities. Meanwhile, if you want to take video at events, you'll be happy with the 15-frames-per-second camcorder. Oddly, the color accuracy for the video seems better than that for the static shots.

Alongside the camera options, the N81 also offers a fairly impressive music player. Depending on the model that you buy, the N81 either offers 8GB of flash memory or a microSD port that can store up to 4GB of data. Both come in very handy when storing songs, especially if you tend to snap a lot of pictures before sending or storing them elsewhere. In relation to the music capabilities, one of the best things about this phone is its stereo speakers. Sound is exceptionally clean and rich, something rarely found on a mobile phone. Of course, if you'd rather use headphones, there is a 3.5mm jack on the top of the device. The music interface is quite user-friendly, allowing you to sort your library by song title, genre, album, and composer. You can also create playlists on the fly, making it a great option for travelers and joggers who like to set a particular mood for a short period of time. Those who like their music a little more unpredictable will get a lot of use out of the FM radio. To use this, you'll need to plug in a wired headset since it acts as the antenna. For those seeking tangle-free environments (who are less concerned with radio), stereo Bluetooth is supported.

The N81 has good multimedia options, but what makes it stand out from others is its gaming abilities. At the same time, this is where the phone's shortcomings are most apparent. Given that the phone is designed with multimedia enthusiasts in mind, the controls are definitely a disappointment. Keys are cramped and the buttons themselves don't have the best sensitivity. This is especially annoying when you're playing games, as the last thing you want to worry about when you're wasting idle time is the ability of your device to register your intentions. The N-Gage platform is specific to Nokia and it offers a range of fun games that operate on a level much more advanced than the usual Tetris and Poker options.

One downside of the N81 is that the performance of the phone seems to reflect how many features are packed into the device. More specifically, it seems as if the N81 has a bit too much on board. When running a few applications simultaneously, response time definitely lagged, and a few glitches would pop up, especially when using the music player. Once in a while it was necessary to power the phone down and start from scratch.

As for the phone abilities, the N81 uses quad-band GSM networks and call quality is reasonably good on both ends of a conversation. The microphone does a good job with eliminating ambient noise and wind conditions, while the incoming sound is rich and clear. Unfortunately, if you're someone who likes to use their phone to surf the Internet, the N81 does not have access to 3G networks, so you're left with the sluggish EDGE network. Fortunately, however, the phone can also access Wi-Fi hubs, so if you're near an open router you can get swift speeds. Business users will also appreciate the Symbian OS platform, which allows you to organize your days and also lets you view and edit Office documents after you download the necessary software.

The device itself has some heft to it, weighing in at 4.9 ounces. But due to the multimedia options, this sturdiness conveys a sense of reliability and versatility. Battery life is quite good with talk time averaging around five hours before recharging is required. Other features include: voice-activated dialing, photo ID, speakerphone, distinctive ringers, voice memo recorder, Nokia maps, and a telephone book that is limited only by the amount of space remaining in the phone's memory. Overall, the N81 has some interesting multimedia and gaming options and performs reasonably well.

Pros: Excellent LCD, good music player, good camcorder, Wi-Fi
Cons: Cramped keys, no 3G network support, disappointing camera

Warranty
1 year