BARCELONA, Spain - Nokia has unveiled its first 8 megapixel-capable camera-phone during Day 2 of the Mobile World Congress. The Nokia N86 features the usual N-series applications and components, as well as the dual-slider design from the N85.

The Nokia N86 contains a 2.6" AMOLED display with QVGA resolution (240x320 pixels), which gives it a very bright screen; 8GB internal memory with possibility of expanding it with  a microSD memory card; Bluetooth; HSDPA; DLNA-certified Wi-Fi; A-GPS; a 3.5mm jack; FM transmitter; and a kickstand.

The highlight of the phone is obviously the eight megapixel camera with autofocus, Carl Zeiss optics, and dual LED flash. The camera is capable to record video in VGA resolution (640x480 pixels) at 30 frames per second.

The phone runs on Symbian OS9.3 with S60 v3.2 software platform. It will retail from the second quarter of this year for 375€ (excluding subsidies and taxes), in black and white colours. Colour refreshes can be introduced if the device sells well.

People demand mobile cameras that take excellent pictures in all light conditions," said Juha-Pekka Sipponen, Director, Nokia Nseries. "That's why the aperture of the Nokia N86 8MP is comparable to that of a high-quality, stand-alone digital camera. Whether it's running with the bulls in Pamplona or capturing the panoramic beauty of a sunrise over Sydney, the Nokia N86 8MP will take brilliantly clear, wide-angle images that are instantly geotagged to be uploaded onto sites like Ovi Share or Flickr."

"When it comes to taking the best digital photos, it's the quality of the lens and the sensor that count, not just the quantity of pixels. The Nokia N86 8MP is the first mobile device with variable aperture, adding to the Carl Zeiss Tessar lens for excellent results. It has never been easier to capture special moments in such a great quality," said Helmut Heier of Carl Zeiss.

PhoneReport had a chance of examining the device, and photograph it both its colours, as it is visible in the images. The colour matter is quite subjective, although one should note that the black vesion is glossy, and attains numerous fingerprints.

The N86 has rigid buttons, even though they seem to blend in with the phone's shape. The numerical keypad doesn't look like it pertains to the shape, but it certainly fits the design. In terms of build quality, the phone is one of the best in the N-series portfolio.

On the black version, the green keypad light fits interestingly with the phone's colour, the same with the white version, where the blue not only fits the phone, but also matches Nokia's colours.

Just like on the Nokia 5800, the N86 also has a lock switch, adding to the optional sliding mechanism lock switch.

The front of the device has an ambience light sensor, speaker, camera for video calls, display, two soft keys, green and red buttons, d-pad, menu button, and 'clear' key. This is considered a clean and clutter-free look, and the user has a lot of space to rest his or her fingers.

The right side of the phone has the two speakers, the camera shutter, and a volume rocker. Although the speakers are tiny in size, they produce a great output. These are located on either end of this side, making sure that the stereo effect propagates effectively.

The microUSB port, 3,5mm port, and 'on/off/profile' key are located at the top of the N86. They are accessible, just like they were on the N82, for example.

Nothing at all is located at the bottom of the phone, besides the microphone; at the back of the N86, the camera, flash, and kickstand are present. Just like on the N85, the module is compact, and does not occupy a lot of space. The use of a Xenon flash would occupy more space, and probably make the N86 thicker.

The device does not have a navi-wheel, or gesture pad, unlike its rivals. It does however bring a kickstand similar to that of the Nokia N96, for one to enjoy videos, and more.

The user interface has been upgraded in regards to transitions. These are now faster, and slicker, similar to those of recent touchscreen phones.

This phone, and the others announced, sporting S60 software, will bring pre-installed Ovi chat and Ovi contacts, for easy sync between phone and the Ovi cloud service. The phones will also bring pre-installed the Nokia Ovi Store, with applications, themes, and games. The Nokia Maps application will come in final version 3, although it is currently in beta for whoever wishes to download it for free.

All in all, the Nokia N86 was responsive even though it is just a prototype. The hardware was pleasant, and if continues or improves itself, it will be a recommendable phone.

This way the Nokia N86 proves that it pays it price, 399£. You can buy the Nokia N86 from ebay, from the Nokia Store or from Amazon.

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