I had my heart set on the N95 8GB for a few months now but after reading some reviews on the quality of the camera on the N82, I've fallen in love with it (see spec sheet). Plus the cheaper ticket price of $498 vs $668 for the N95 8GB is just icing on the cake.

Okay, so here's why it rules:

1. Better camera

Better image quality, especially night shots because of the xenon flash, thanks to numerous test shots viewed online. Faster shutter speed than the N95. An actual protective shutter cover for the Carl Zeiss lens. Yes, it is 5MP too.

2. Faster in general in loading anything

The Nokia e61i I use now lags. I have enough time to roll my eyes and eat a sandwich while it loads each window. Now this is based on other blogger reviews. I'll tell you what I think when I get mine. :D

3. Lighter, thinner, and slimmer

Need I say more? After months of stretching my fingers to type a message I actually look forward to typing a normal sms again. And the N95 8GB is mucho thicker than the N82. Plus it looks silver and sleek like an Amidala spaceship. I'll definitely not miss it in my bag.

4. Removable MicroSD card

8GB really isn't going to last very long. I spotted a $40 4GB card in my brother's desk today and it looked ignored. In 6 months, an 8GB card is going to cost just that. Plus, since I tend to use phones for 2-3 years (right), in 3 years, 32GB will be the new standard. This is one thing I think Nokia decided to change with the N82. That's a good move.

Heck, it has even got its own fansite. What's not to like? Oh, except the black version which gleams tauntingly at me (but is unavailable right now here). Never mind. I'll buy the casing when it comes out. Save my original casing should I ever trade it in. Dang. Not that I would.

For reviews by people who have actually touched it, see:

The Nokia Blog on the N82's Look and Feel
The Nokia Blog's N82 Photo Comparison with the N95 and N95 8GB
The Nokia Blog's Review of the N82's 5MP camera
IntoMobile's Review of the Nokia N82, N95, and N95 8GB

Technorati: Nokia N82, Nokia e61i, Nokia N95, Nokia N95 8GB, why Nokia N82 beats N95 8GB hands down