The N96 is Nokia's current top-of-the-line model in their N-series line-up. Soon to be outdone by the upcoming N97, the N96 still presents a very capable multimedia device with a 2.8-inch QVGA screen, 16GB of internal memory, a 5-megapixel camera with an auto-focus lens, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth 2.0 + EDR, and a plethora of multimedia features. Running the Symbian S60 operating system, it also offers multi-tasking capability and great extensibility with thousands of 3rd-party applications available. In the U.S., the N96 is not sold through any carriers, but can be obtained unlocked directly from Nokia for $639.

The N96 is a 2-way slider, and when closed, the screen and its control buttons are what greet you. Slide the screen up and the number pad will be revealed below. Slide the screen down, and you'll see 4 multimedia control buttons at the top to control video playback. There's even a neat little kickstand that pops out from the bezel around the camera lens on the back. While the N96 is relatively compact, it also has a very plasticky feel, which is disappointing in such an expensive device.

Dialing goes quickly on the N96, requiring you only to slide out the keypad and begin entering a phone number. The user interface will be very familiar to those who have used an S60 device in the past, but may take a little getting used to for those have not. Getting around is fairly quick though we encountered some lag with the automatic screen rotation when opening and closing the slider.

As an organizer, the N96 can handle almost everything, though it's still meant as more of a multimedia device than one targeted at business users. Unless you absolutely need to have more than one calendar and the ability to send and receive calendar invitations, the N96 will be able to manage your personal information. Software included in the box will allow you to set up syncing with your PC easily, though Mac users will need to take a trip to Nokia's site to find an iSync plug-in to accomplish this.

The N96's email capability is robust, with the ability to handle multiple accounts at once, though you'll have to take some extra steps, including getting additional software from Nokia's software, to get push email through a Microsoft Exchange Server. The N96's messaging application won't display HTML messages, but attachments are another story with included software to view Microsoft Office and PDF documents.

SMS and MMS messages are all handled in the Messaging application also and work well. It's easy to create either, and adding media to an SMS to make it an MMS is a snap. It does not have a threaded view for SMS/MMS conversations, so it will take a little bit of navigating to go to previous messages if you've forgotten the last part of a conversation.

When it comes to multimedia, the N96 is fully stocked with multiple controls and a media browser to get you to the videos, music, or photos you want to see quickly. It even boasts TV reception, though this will only work in Europe and a few other areas due to the standard used. The music player has features we like, including the ability to create and edit playlists right on the N96. As we've seen on previous Nokia devices, the podcast abilities are outstanding, allowing you to subscribe to and automatically download new podcasts on a schedule you set.

The N96 sold in the U.S. is a quad-band GSM device with 3G connectivity on the 850 and 1900 MHz bands, making it compatible with only AT&T's network in terms of high-speed data. Wi-Fi and Bluetooth 2.0 + EDR on board offer additional connectivity options, including the ability to use stereo Bluetooth headphones and tether it to your computer to get an internet connection.

Performance (read the full lab performance results at Wirelessinfo.com)

In terms of audio quality, the N96 has some issues with the sounds it receives at frequencies above 1,000 Hz, resulting in choppy sound and artificially fluctuating volumes. The sound it sends is comparatively better, and the person on the other end of the line shouldn't have any problems hearing you loud and clear. The last area we test is side tone, which is the amount of your own voice piped back to you meant to help you judge how loudly you're speaking. Here, the N96 pipes back less of your voice than the ideal, which may cause you to speak more loudly than you need to based on this inadequate audio cue.

With a 5-megapixel camera and an auto-focus lens, the N96 posted top-notch results in our still image and video resolution tests, as well as above-average results in our noise and color tests. The camera function is easy to use, though the dedicated shutter button is harder to press than we'd like.

Battery life can make or break a cell phone, and the N96 didn't last as long as Nokia claims in our call time tests, lasting  just 2 hours and 55 minutes, a time that's well below the average. It performed far better in the music playback tests, lasting 15 hours and 57 minutes. Its web browsing battery life was also very good, lasting 6 hours and 22 minutes in our tests.

Comparisons (read more in-depth comparisons at Wirelessinfo.com)

At $639, the N96 is a pricey piece of kit compared to other comparable devices sold with carrier subsidies to lower their prices, though this lower up-front price does tie you into a 2-year contract nearly every time. The iPhone 3G, offered by AT&T at $299 for the 16GB model, is a prime example. Though it lacks a physical keypad, the iPhone 3G matches the N96's functionality almost across the board, except when it comes to imaging where it performs poorly. The Motorola ZINE, currently free with a 2-year contract from T-Mobile, outperforms the N96 in still image resolution, but doesn't offer the total package to match the N96's smartphone capabilities and extensibility. The HTC Touch Diamond, $199 with a 2-year contract from Sprint, has 4GB of internal memory and runs the powerful Windows Mobile operating system. It has a very good camera that doesn't quite match the N96's, but it offers a very comparable package overall and is a worthy alternative.

Overall, the N96 is a very strong device that comes with a full complement of accessories, an excellent camera, all the connectivity options you could want, and a well-established operating system with a high level of extensibility. The only snag is its price, which will cause it to be appealing to those who want to avoid 2-year commitments at all costs and/or those who want an unlocked device to allow the most freedom to use a SIM card from any provider around the world. If you fit into this group, the N96 is a great choice. Otherwise, there are less expensive smartphones available from every carrier in the U.S. that can match the N96's capabilities.