Nokia N-Gage QD Gaming Phone (T-Mobile)

Compatible with T-Mobile service, the Nokia N-Gage QD is a GSM phone and handheld gaming console rolled into one. The N-Gage QD features Bluetooth wireless connectivity, a hot-swap MMC-card slot for memory expansion and games, and a 36,600-pixel screen. Like all the latest Nokia phones, the N-Gage QD runs on a variant of the Symbian OS, which allows fast multitasking between game applications, phone calls, messaging and other functions. Users of the original N-Gage will be delighted to know that the N-Gage QD operates as a phone without the need for a headset; hold it to your ear and talk all you want. It's also smaller and more jeans-pocket-friendly than the original model.

The new N-Gage QD is smaller and more intelligently designed than its predecessor. Plus, inserting game cards is a snap.
Overall, we found the N-Gage QD a stunning successor to the original. Nokia has certainly listened to users and made improvements in all the right places. Barring a few quibbles, this new gaming phone is poised to make a real name for itself in the portable gaming space, something the original model was largely unable to do.

Calling and Multimedia
Gaming is the heart and soul of the N-Gage QD, but don't forget, it's also a powerful phone with the latest mobile Web, e-mail and messaging features. While we liked the ability to use it as a conventional handset, Bluetooth is built in, so going hands-free is easy with a Bluetooth-enabled headset. If you're not Bluetooth-inclined, there's also a jack for a wired headset. Like ringtones? You can get creative with polyphonic sounds that get you noticed in a crowd.

The N-Gage QD packs plenty of portable graphics firepower.
If you have GSM or GPRS data service, you can browse the wireless Web using the built-in browser. We found these features tricky to set up and the Nokia interface for these functions somewhat confusing, but once we got things going, we enjoyed downloading some game tips and tricks from n-gage.com. The unit also serves as a wireless e-mail and messaging client with support for all the latest protocols (MMS, SMS, IMAP4, POP3, SMTP, and MIME2). We especially liked the Java-based expandability of the phone; with a data connection it’s fun to download new Java-based games and new game levels. You can also download productivity apps like calendars and planners.

With this iteration of the N-Gage, Nokia decided to drop the FM radio and MP3 player functions from the device. We think these would have been nice to retain, but Nokia was intent on making the N-Gage QD more exclusively focused on gaming. Nokia has retained multiplayer gaming via Bluetooth so you can still go head-to-head with up to four players via a wireless connection.

Gaming
Okay, the meat and potatoes. The Nokia N-Gage QD didn’t disappoint when it came to gaming performance on a handheld device. The redesigned controls are far more user-friendly than those on the classic N-Gage. Gone are the days of clumsily pushing the directional pad inward to make a selection; a separate selection button is now available. The newly placed slot for games and memory expansion cards is one of the biggest improvements as users no longer have to remove the battery and cover to pop in a new game. The card slot is now easily accessible on the outside edge of the unit and is protected by a rubber cover.

Our test model came with Ashen, a three-dimensional first-person shooter set in a macabre, supernatural world. Creepy-crawly things were coming at us from all directions and we found ourselves pretty immersed in the game--quite amazing, given that the screen is a little smaller than a business card. Graphics were impressive, too, for such a small device that offers robust battery life (Nokia claims 10 hours of play time on a single charge).

We had some reservations about the number of currently available games for the N-Gage. Many are forthcoming, however, and Nokia has obviously made a serious commitment to improving the platform. The N-Gage QD is a clear and positive sign of what’s to come. --Joshua Gunn

Pros

Vastly improved design
Compact
Good portable graphics power
User-friendly controls
Robust phone features

Cons

MP3 and FM radio features dropped
Small library of available titles
Somewhat confusing user interface

What's in the Box:
The Nokia N-Gage QD unit, an AC charger, a dual mono headset, a rechargeable lithium-ion battery, a software CD-ROM, a games brochure

1 Rugged, excellent batt life, bluetooth, and games!
I was originally looking for a tough, bluetooth capable phone with decent battery life. Surprisingly, I didn't find many out there. I was debating between the n-gage or sony t610. Ultimately I went with the n-gage, and I'm pleasantly surprised. First off, it's basically a mini-PDA. It runs symbian OS6, and you can get tons of apps for it. I sync via bluetooth to my PC. I don't need a phone camera, I already have a good digital camera. The battery for the n-gage is powerful! 1100+ mAh wow. The games are actually pretty good. I've been playing Tony Hawk and enjoying it. It's better than a GBA. The phone itself is pretty small, it fits in my pants no problem. As another reviewer said, the speakerphone is LOUD.
The only disappointment is the handset speaker. I can barely hear callers, I almost always swith the the speakerphone. That is annoying. I'm curious if it's just my phone, or are all n-gage's have really low sound. But other than that, it's an excellent device: phone/pda/game platform with blue tooth, all in one. There are now some excellent deals for it too.

2 **BUYER BEWARE** SPECIAL OFFERS AND ACTIVATION DECEIVING!
For me, purchasing this phone (actually 2 of them) on Amazon was the worst phone experience I have ever had.

First of all, you choose a cell phone plan at checkout, however the plans have nothing to do with this phone, since it is regarded as a Pay As You Go Phone, in other words rechargeable. So I received them and was puzzled as to why they would not already work. Then spent hours on the phone with AT&T getting them activated, since customer support had limited knowledge about these phones.

Second and most annoying is the Special Offers, sure they look great at first, Amazon is paying me $50 or $100 to accept this phone after rebates. However, getting the rebates is like PULLING TEETH!

I received notices from AT&T and Amazon stating that I was uneligible for the rebates, and upon calling them and explaining to them that I should be, so far I have received the small rebate from AT&T, but nothing yet from Amazon, and it has been 6 months! Everytime I call they say they are backed up and I need to wait longer and to send in my cell phone bill to "speed up the process". They owe me $400, ($200 a phone) and it doesn't appear that I may ever see this money. So a big word of CAUTION to all of you, if you can find this phone elsewhere at a decent price, I would go for it!

The phone itself is alright, however battery life is horrocious. If you play a game for a couple of minutes and then put it back into standby mode, the battery will fade to nothing that very same day, so you pretty much have to keep it plugged in all of the time.

Hope this review helps!

3 Excellent Value for a Symbian Smart Phone!
When reviewing the N-Gage QD I will review it based on the reasons I bought it. If I was reviewing it as simply a game system the review would be much lower, however, the strength of this phone is the wide variety of things you can do with it besides games.

First off, this is a very affordable Symbian Series 60 smart phone. This means you can run a wide variety of software on this phone. It comes with a great calendar and phone book built in that can sync with Outlook or your Palm OS PIM software. You can add great software like eReader and Mobipocket for ebooks, MP3 players (this phone is only mono sound though), movie players, picture albums, database software to track all your passwords, and much more. It is almost like having a small Palm Pilot organizer in your phone and is much more advanced than the standard phones.

It is very cool to be able to read a book anywhere I'm at, go on the internet with ease if you add the Opera Browser or listen to a recorded podcast with the free Helix MP3 player. It is a very good cellphone with great range and excellent battery life and oh yeah it plays N-Gage video games as well.

Even if the video game part doesn't interest you make sure you download the free 3D Snakes game from the Nokia website. That game alone combined with the smart phone features make the N-Gage a steal at the current price point. There are also a couple of great games coming out for it like Splinter Cell and X-Men Legends that are well worth buying. They give you Tony Hawk Pro Skater for free as well.

Though not the perfect gaming system, this phone is perfect for gamers and people that need the extra features of a smart phone without spending a lot of money to get it.

4 Great Phone/Game System
I just got this from T-mobile with 2 free games (current promotion). It's obviously a little unwieldy if you're used to carrying a small flip phone, but it's nothing compared to the original. So far I've played Sims (fun), Ashen (not so fun), Tony Hawk (fun), and I just ordered Pathway to Glory and FIFA 2005; I'm in love with this system.

I also use iSync on my Powerbook to transfer my iCal information, and it works without a problem. Battery life is AWESOME (goes almost 2 days on one charge, even playing games and using the speakerphone), and the speakerphone is LOUD. Its greatest drawback is the size (about the size of a Blackberry), but I've gotten used to it. Also, I wish it had better sound quality (stereo) like the old N-Gage and more T-mobile users had it, so I could play them via Bluetooth.

Bottom line: if you like games, want Bluetooth, and need speakerphone - this phone is your dream come true.

5 Great Phone, For all purposes, You have to see it like that.
Ok I see alot of mixed emotions in here. The QD is is great Phone/Game System. You have the best of all worlds, PDA, Cell, Game System, for a decent price, I bought mine used from Gamestop for $60, and I used my Chip from AT&T I had to get the phone unlocked because it was with Cingular, but it only cost me 8 measely dollars. It's very portable, slip right into my pocket or on your belt. The games are so easy to carry in your wallet or wherever. Compare to PSP, OR SP, or DS, You basically need a special carry case for those. They just don't slip into your pocket and be on the go that easy. PSP, DS are also great, but when you are on the bus commuting to work, or in a line waiting at the Motor Vehicle office, The N-Gage is easier to pass the time, than lugging around your PSP, with alot of Games, QD is More convienant. Must Buy!!!! And I am 35 :)

6 The Best Darn Game System EVER!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
What a game System!Don`t save money on PSP or a Nintendo DS.This Is EVEN A CELL PHONE!!!!!!!!!!!!!Go to Gamestop and buy it Used.You Save 150 Bucks.(meaning it only costs 50$)It`s a recorder too.You can play People on Multiplayer 30 feet away.Much better than the orginal N-Gage.Truly the BEST GAME SYSTEM!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! P.S.Did I tell you about an On-line Option!!!!

7 (...)
a cell phone gaming system. i laugh i laugh. the games seem okay but they tend to skip and other stuff.

just buy cellphone game cards or download the games

8 The Best Handheld But In Its Own Ways
The N-Gage QD in my opinion is indeed the best handheld in the gaming market in the world to date. The N-Gage QD may not have the graphic capability of the powerfull Playstation Portable or the Nintendo DS but it has multimedia that makes it the best. When I say multimedia I don't just mean being capable of watching DVD's or listening to music through an MP3 like your PSP but a cell phone,N-Gage Arena(which is the ability to play with other N-Gage owners across the world through wi-fi, by just paying $5 a month through your cell phone provider),internet capable,video and music recoder,a personal PDA,and an alarm clock! But before you buy this Handheld system just beware of what your in for. Fisrt your going to need to buy your N-Gage QD for $200 which is a very good price by the way and then you'll have to register your N-Gage QD through N-Gage.com in order to create a cell phone account. After this great task you'll have to give your credit card # and select your cell phone plan. Following this you'll be sent your SIM card to insert into your N-Gage which will activate your cell phone and N-Gage Arena. If you plan to get the rebates up to $200 you'll have to select a cell phone plan up to $25-$40 and keep your plan for 2 years. I highly suggest doing this because with this cash back you can buy accesories or N-Gage games through N-Gage.com I have owned a N-Gage since X-Mass 2004 and i'm very happy with it. I would also like to add that the N-Gage titles are top notch such as Path Way to Glory or the up coming Splinter Cell: Chaos Theory. If you have any problems or questions regarding the N-Gage QD please e-mail me at circirman@aol.com

9 Best Value and Most Portable
I own a DS, a PSP, and both N-Gages and the QD is easily the most portable and versatile. Yes, the PSP is uber powerful but so were the Nomad and TG Express and like both of those it's just a little too big and the battery power is not enough (usually just under 4 hours when single player). The DS offers a better experience for portability (6-7 hours battery) but again is too large and its two screens and touch screen don't do anything great for gaming. With a QD you are getting a fully functional cell, PDA, and a gaming machine of quality similar to a Sega Saturn except that it's connected like an XBOX. With mine I carry hours of movies, chat/e-mail/browser/emu/mp3 softs, my wanted games photo collection, and mountains of games including Journey II, Legacy, Atlantis Redux, Pocket Kingdom, Asphalt Urban GT, Sims Bustin Out, King Of Fighters Extreme, Elder Scrolls Travels Shadowkey, Ashen, Doom, etc. Even with all of that it weighs less and the battery last longer (9-15 hours).

10 The best phone I've ever had
I've installed some emulators. I can play thousand of games right now. Since I have a Palm Zire 72, I am not going to install any additional application for my n-gage because it is no keyboard on my n-gage and I am worring about virus.
If there is a keyboard on it, I will absolutely sell my palm.

Cons:
Mono sound
Handset speaker is not clear
Dual band Only

11 Ngage Mp3 player
Some people say this phone plays music and some say that the mp3 player was dropped ... can someone please end my agony by telling whether it plays music or not. If yes, please tell me how?
Thanks

12 Cutie more like a PDA
I have no complaints over this cell phone. There is no comparison to the Nintendo DS, its a cell phone first and then a game machine. It is a diverse little device,it can play music, videos, type spreadsheets, load jpegs, bmps, gifs, play games, and, oh yeah, call people.

I mainly use it for its 'to do list' feature, calendar scheduler, check email, and as a cell phone. Comparing it to other cell phones, I do believe it is one of the best for the price. A better cell phone than this one is the Nokia 6630 but the sound is not as great and its a lot more expensive.

I do suggest getting a 1GB MMC, if you are interested in using software to use this cell like a PDA.

13 Nokia N-Gage QD Could Be Better
I bought this because I wanted a phone that could has good graphics to play games. I bought this from T-Mobile and after a while I thought this was a complete waste of money. The place where you put the games doesn't play them. The battery now only lasts for 45 minutes. The game graphics aren't actually as good as I thought. The QD isn't that good for those reasons but the one thing I wish they didn't take out was the mp3 Player! Here are the technical specs of the N-Gage QD.

Specs:
Carrier T-Mobile

Band / mode GSM 900/1800/1900 (Tri-Band)

Multi-use / PDA phone Yes

Talk time Up to 300 min

Standby time Up to 264 h

Analog roaming capable No

Bluetooth enabled Yes

International compatibility Yes

Display Languages English

Included accessories ACP-12 Compact Wall Charger, Dual Mono Headset, Lithium Ion battery, PC Suite CD-ROM
Phone
Vibrating Alert Yes

Voice Dialing Yes

Downloadable ring tones Yes
Display
Display Resolution 176 x 208 pixels

Display Indicators Text message waiting, Voice message waiting
Power
Battery installed 1 Lithium ion
Messaging / Data Services
GPRS (General Packet Radio Service) Yes

Messaging / Data Features Text messages
Physical Characteristics
Style Candy bar

Body Color Silver

Weight 4.8 oz

Width 5.3 in

Depth 0.8 in

Height 2.7 in

Antenna Internal
Warranty
Service & support type 1 year warranty

It could have been better.

[...]

14 Don't Listen To The Negative Feedback
Whatever people say about this phone is wrong. People have told me that you shouldn't buy it cause the graphics suck... what do you expect from a phone? , for a cell phone the graphics are great. There is so much to do with the phone its ridiculous... definitely the best 200 bucks i ever spent.

15 Sweet Phone
This is a great phone, the graphics are top notch. There are some things to note, if you also get a bluetooth dongle then you can use your PCs internet connection to surf the web without being charged by your phone provider. Another thing, be cautious regarding the amount of memory you use on the phones 4 Mb provided, if you fill it then the phone will lock up and be useless until fixed by a Nokia service center. To keep from doing that, buy an extra MMC memory card, and get the bluetooth dongle for your PC. After that, check out the games. Why buy a game system and a phone when for half the cost you can get both together. I am so happy with this phone.

16 Best Phone on the Market
If you like games and you have a cell phone, then the QD is the perfect thing. I have had mine for about a week now, and I admit that I am completely addicted to it. The games out now are decent, but the ones that are coming out very soon are some of the best titles and exclusive games.

This is the best gaming handheld for it's size and functionality. With the PSP and DS coming out, it will not be the best overall soon, but it still will be the only one with REAL multiplayer support worldwide while the others lack mobility (ironic isn't it) for multiplayer. It also boasts the first MMO for a handheld called Pocket Kingdoms.

With it's operating system, the huge list of programs you can run on it, it's exponentially rising list of games available, and it's compactness make this THE solution for a gamer in need of a cell phone.

17 just perfect
i bought and i don't regret. it is the best cell phone that i have ever bought. you can leave the house without your PSP or Gameboy, but you can't leave the house without your N-gage QD.

if you buy it, also try get these programs:

1. UltraMP3 (it plays MP3s and Amiga MOD music format)
2. Opera Web browser + mobile accelerator (it is faaaaassstttt!!!!)
3. Fortress SMS (encryption pogram)
4. Simworks Anti-virus
5. Theft Alert (amazing....you can lock your n-gage if it gets stolen by sending a text message.)
6. sCrypto
7. Handy Safe
8. if you love chess, buy Chessgenius(it is terrific and hard to beat.)

just go to my-symbian.com and have fun...

also....Pathway to Glory,Requiem of Hell,Pocket Kingdom,FIFA 2005 + more and more......

i don't know what else to say.

- 2501

18 I have one, it's great!
Don't listen for advice from anyone that has never used one. It is by far the best phone I have ever had! Great reception, great signal strength, it's just plain great. Check out www.my-symbian.com and you can find TONS of sweet apps for this series 60 phone ranging from games, to a lie detector, to a guitar tuner. And transfering files is a snap with wireless bluetooth. Combine all these great phone features with some of the NGE games that out there and you have a killer device!

19 n-gage qd a futuristic mobile game and pda device
why dindt they think of this long time ago
i have one and im so glued to it that i cant leave it for a sec
trust me everyone thinks it is bad because they had the original
this one nokia has listened for the first time and done something right and i dont blame them but now they are making new stuff and games i think a lot of people will buy this phone when they see its features and how its better than n-gage orginial

20 n-gage qd?this system sucks !!!!!!!!
in a short description. this cannot compete at all with the psp or the nintendo ds,it might be good for a cell phone but it would be cheaper if u boght a NDS or PSP and got a phone.

21 Smart Phone + PDA + Portable Game Console !!!
I just got my N-Gage QD and I love it already.

It's small and powerful smart phone phone based on Symbian and Series 60 interface - check out www.symbian.com and www.series60.com - so it's more like a small computer and there's a huge library of software available, even gameboy emulators.

As a portable game console, the best feature is the on-line multiplayer, it connects to the internet and uses the N-Gage Arena - arena.n-gage.com as a portal for gamers all over the world: post your scores, beat your friends, earn a reputation.... games to look out: Pocket Kindom, Pathway to Glory, the One, Requiem of Hell, X-Men Legends...

As a PDA it's good enough: the contacts (and their pictures) got copied and synchronized from my Power Mac using iSync and also all the appointments got into the calendar. I love seeing the picture of my wife when she's calling me...

I still carry my ipod mini and my canon sd10 camera, but with the N-Gage QD I have a phone + pda and really cool on-line games !

22 Best phone I've ever had
The first thing you have to know about the N-Gage is that it's communication platform that plays some descent games. Don't go trying to compare this to a PSP, or a Nintendo DS, they aren't the same. With that in mind, I love this thing. It has all the great features I need in a phone (Bluetooth, PDA, Speakerphone), it syncronzes great with my Mac (via bluetooth), it has one hell of a good battery, and it's phone sized (not a brick). On top of that, it's got some good games (like I said, it can't compete with a PSP, but it's good enough), and I have some some pretty cool apps to load onto it (Agile Messenger is AWESOME). In short, it's the best $100 I've ever spent on a phone!

23 N-gage QD?
The n-gage qd is a real sorry excuse of a portable gaming device. With the new portable systems coming out(ds and psp) this really can't take a stand. The short game list and its little screen(most important things in portable systems) are the worstof its kind, the gba sp can even beat this in a contest. and at 199 (ds 125-199) (psp 275-350) it is pretty steep for a piece of crap. The graphics are alright but that alone can't make it sell. I say skip this and wait a couple of months for ds or psp. They are much better quality systems, with larger game libraries.

24 QD - My experience with disaster
I really looked forward to buying a QD until I actually got one. When I first got it I opened it up and it seemed too small for even a dwarf to hold. I turn it on and it takes 7-10 seconds to load. After I mess around with it a bit I try connecting to the arena and it won't connect, at all, even tho I have unlimited t-zones. I honestly and truely think this thing is trash and would pick a psp or ds over this anyday. I will also soon be returning it for my money back...

25 I will probably get a QD.
In the "Cons" section of the amazon review, it says that MP3 is dropped. Yeah, but it's possible to download a MP3-player from the web and play MP3's in mono.

There are many reasons that I want a N-gage. I was thinking about the older version, but QD is smaller and looks nicer. I'm of course going to play N-gage games on it. Some of the titles that are out now, are very good. Some of the coming titles will probably be great.

Antother reason is that I like to emulate old consoles and computers. Some of the emulators for N-gage: C64, NES, Gameboy, Megadrive/Genesis. I have a Nokia 3650 now, but it doesn't have enough RAM to run the biggest Megadrive and GBC ROMS. With a N-gage that problem is solved.

26 One Amaseing Handheld
After buying this i never regret it, at first i didn't think much of it but i needed a new cell phone and thought this would be the best option as of the games currently out and future releases.

After recieveing my phone i open up the box and though "wow, this is going to be some good device" and un-supriseingly i was right!

The design is awesome, the games are GREAT and the online features just totally rock. This is the first and only Online handheld with features like score posting, shadow raceing and my favorite would have to be Tiger Woods PGA Tour as you can play opponents. Another game called Pocket Kingdom which i have pre-ordered is the first online RPG for a Handheld, it has real time battels and you get to build up your own kingdom, collect items and other kool stuff.

This is a MUST buy for all Handheld gamers, this is one of the best portable devices i have ever owned and will own. I wont be changeing phones for a LONG time sice i've bought the amaseing device.

27 Don't forget the online games!
I can't believe the Amazon.com reviewer left out the QD's biggest feature: online games!

The QD is the only portable to have a direct internet connection so you can play N-gage games online. Not even the Nintendo DS or PlayStation Portable can connect to the internet directly, they have to be near special hotspots, whereas the QD can go online almost anywhere. I played online in the middle of a forest!

The N-Gage QD uses a service called N-Gage Arena, which is a bit like Xbox Live and has message boards, playing tips, downloads, galleries, league tables and of course online games. You can access the Arena either through your QD or on your PC. Nokia bought the online infrastructure from Sega who originally developed it for the Dreamcast.

There are lots of kinds of online games on the N-Gage QD:

-massively multiplayer! The first ever portable massively multiplayer game is going to be "Pocket Kingdom: Own The World" developed for Nokia by Sega. Thousands of people go against each other to build the biggest kingdom in one huge world. The game also features message boards, chat rooms etc.

-group multiplayer, where small groups get together online. The best example of this is the forthcoming Pathway To Glory (Gamespot called it "a potential killer app").

-shadow racing, where you compete against others on leagues to be the fastest through a special downloadable level or track (you get to compete against recordings, a bit like ghost races on Mario Kart only with real people). Each month the fastest three players get trophies which get displayed on the Arena, the track changes and the scores are reset. Tomb Raider is a good example of this and is out now.

-one-on-one, where two people get matched up on the Arena and play against each other online. Tiger Woods PGA 2004 is the first game to offer this and is also out now. This is a bit limited as the current speed of mobile internet connections is about the same as a dial-up modem on a PC, so it's only used on turn-based games. (If they bring out a 3G N-Gage then we'll probably see real time play too.)

Anyhow, just thought I should let you know about this big feature which the Amazon reviewer overlooked. Online is the reason I bought an N-Gage!