Looking into buying an N95, need help!

[XSNRGE]

Hey guys,

I've recently had the urge to upgrade my current hunk of junk (Moto W385) and step up into Nokia stardom ;)

I was searching through the local Craigslist and found two N95s. One was a regular silver N95, while the other was an 8GB.

I'll start off with the silver N95...

Silver N95
- OEM model, the seller said that not everything works because it has the OEM firmware and not retail firmware.
- Is it upgradable to current firmware and will I be able to use all its features?
- It has a lens cover for the 5MP camera. I read on Wiki that the N95s with the lens cover don't work in North and Latin America, is this true? How do I know which version is this? I'm in Canada by the way.
- How do I tell if its fake? I've got a feeling it isn't, but you never know... Even if it was real, what happens if it won't work in my network?
- Price is $300

N95 8GB
- The guy selling this sounds like he's ordered them in bulk...
Here's the guy's reply to my email:

if you are interested here is the pricelist :

1 Unit - 350 CAD
2 Units = 600 CAD ( + 1 x Nokia n80 GIFT )
3 Units = 750 CAD
4 Units = 850 CAD ( 1 x Nokia n95 GIFT )
5 Units = 1100 CAD ( 2 x Nokia n95 8 GB GiFT )
6 Units = 1250 CAD
7 Units 0 = 1400 CAD ( 3 x Nokia n95 GIFT )

The price includes shipping and all fees are paid. All phones are
original NOT FAKE. Location is [removed for security].

We make shipment through UPS/DHL/FedEx Shipping company and we use
the 48hrs Home delivery services with immediate information as follow,
1. Shipping company way bill receipt
2. The official company invoice and receipt
3. Tracking number of the package #.

- I'm only interested in one, and as you can see, the 8GB is selling for $350. I have a suspicion that it may be fake, but I don't really know how to tell if it is. I mean, $350 is a steal for an 8GB, but I don't want to be scammed... But really, I DO want an 8GB overall...
- How do I know if these are fake? How can I tell?

Lastly, on a note outside of the silver and 8GB models, I wanted to ask something else.

What is the N95-1 and N95-3 models? Are there more? How do I tell the differences between both and which one would work in my networks?

Thanks in advance for your replies.

[jeckthehell]

If you dont want to be scammed, it'd help reading here:
http://www.n95users.com/forum/marketplace/

Originally Posted by XSNRGE

What is the N95-1 and N95-3 models? Are there more? How do I tell the differences between both and which one would work in my networks?

N95-1 is the standard model available worldwide.

N95-2 is the black N95 8GB.

N95-3 is the US version of the standard model and it had a better battery, more memory than the N95-1, 3G capability for North America and no camera lens cover.

[XSNRGE]

Thanks for the reply!

I'm reading threads in the Marketplace now.

As for the different variations... I assume that the $300 is an N95-1, and not compatible with Canadian networks, correct?

Here's the link to it: OEM Nokia N95 w SD card BNIB

Looking at the pictures, the packaging and contents looks a lot like the one posted here: Warning! ... Buyer Beware! ... Examples of fake phones

Only difference is that one is a fake 8GB model, the other is silver.

[jeckthehell]

I'm not feeling good about the seller, why not get a brand new instead its way cheaper now...that is if the price is within your budget.Dont forget to get the 8gb one lol

[XSNRGE]

Well I'm currently in high school, so money is somewhat short... Its always been my dream to have an N95, and this gives me a pretty close opportunity...

The woman selling the N95-1 isn't too far from me, so I've emailed her to see if we can arrange half way.

My #1 priority, other than fakes, is that it may not be compatible with my network. I don't know too much about telecommunications, so I'm in a tight position. Whether to buy a phone that I somewhat wanted (prefer the N95-2, but the seller looks more suspicious, and isn't conveniently located anywhere in 100kms from me), but to find out that it doesn't work on any networks around here...

[jeckthehell]

Originally Posted by XSNRGE

The woman selling the N95-1 isn't too far from me, so I've emailed her to see if we can arrange half way.

I bet she's also in Canada? I dont see any reason why it wont work for you.
Keep in mind that the phone can be locked to a single service provider though, ask her if the phone is openline, then you can use any sim card with the phone.

[sowande1.0]

Originally Posted by XSNRGE

Well I'm currently in high school, so money is somewhat short... Its always been my dream to have an N95, and this gives me a pretty close opportunity...

It was entirely worth waiting an extra bit of time and spending a little bit more money to buy mine from a large retailer so I could be sure to buy something that was protected and that would last.

[XSNRGE]

Originally Posted by sowande1.0

It was entirely worth waiting an extra bit of time and spending a little bit more money to buy mine from a large retailer so I could be sure to buy something that was protected and that would last.

sowande1.0, I know your reply is probably the best one in this thread (really, its a moral and lesson-learning one), but I'm a stupid boy... Its just something I'm having a hard time trying to work with... Theres some things that just work me up to an extent that I just have no control over myself anymore... This is one of 'em

Originally Posted by jeckthehell

I bet she's also in Canada? I dont see any reason why it wont work for you.
Keep in mind that the phone can be locked to a single service provider though, ask her if the phone is openline, then you can use any sim card with the phone.

Yep, she's in Canada. I just got another reply from her a minute ago with some pics. I'll resize them, as she took them from her other N95 (coincidence?) I resized them, hopefully you can see enough details to give me a good word as to whether or not its genuine... I also replied back to her asking whether or not it works on our networks here. That'll be my final drop-down decision maker ;)

EDIT: Its compatible with our networks. She put her Rogers (one of our two 3G couriers here), and it works as well. Now, on the matter of being genuine...

Here's the pics:


Is it real? Because the Nokia N95 logo on the top left of the phone look rather large...

[hoolio]

That looks like a fake to me. There are a couple of things that look different to me.
1. there is a lens cover as you rightly state
2. it is CE marked yet the bin with the cross through it is missing, all electronic equipment must have this mark on it when CE marked
3. the green patch next to where the sim card live has no 'diagnostic' port pads
4. the Nokia N95 writing on the front looks way too big.

Save your money from this one me thinks!

EDIT: 5. the flash LED also looks smaller than mine (the photos displayed on my laptop are almost displayed real size)

[XSNRGE]

Thanks for the input hoolio!

I just got this message from the seller:

dont know if its 'authentic' it was sold to me as an OEM... so least to my knowledge thats all i know... not sure if that helps..

the functions.. well.. one would want a n95 because its a smart phone.. all in one kinda thing... internet via wifi/wlan.. gps... camera.. video... mp3 player... mpeg player... but this model is missing (from what i've checked) wifi/wlan, gps... didnt get as far as checking the camera/video functions and the mp3/mpeg functions.. i was quite upset when i looked at the main menu and saw that those items were missing... so right away i contacted the seller i bought it from.. blah blah blah... so ....

all i know about the diff btwn OEM and retail is what was responded to me by the seller which i posted in the posting... exerpt from the seller I bought it from "... Basically, if you buy an item as OEM, (which is always cheaper) it means you'll get some OEM software is a cutdown version of its retail counterpart. An OEM product will differ from its retail version in price, the extent of the warranty, parts, instructions, and sometimes even functionality..."

hope that helps... asking questions is better than what i did.. OEM to me meant original equipment manufacturer... thanks again !!

There it goes... Found it out myself a few minutes later!

Quick question though... (I know, I'm a persistent jack@ss)

Even though this one is fake, would this still be one of those higher-end fakes where the camera is indeed an authentic 5MP one?

And can the firmware be re-written with real Nokia stuff over it?

Because you know... 5MP camera + media player doesn't sound too bad to me (sorry, I know, its a fake, but I got her to step it down to $250, and thats less than any phone around in my area, and can do so much more)