The phone was unveiled in September 2006 and was released at the end of March 2007. Nokia heavily promoted this phone using the tagline "It's what computers have become", along with similar lines such as "It's what cameras have become". They also used the slogan "There's a thing in my pocket" in both television adverts and on the phone's Nseries website.
On March 22, 2007 Nokia announced that the N95 had started shipping in key European, Asian and Middle Eastern markets.[1]
On April 7, 2007, the N95 went on sale in the United States through Nokia's Flagship stores in New York and Chicago and through Nokia's nseries.com website. No US carriers were expected to offer this phone.
On August 29, 2007, two updated versions of the N95 were announced at a press event in London; first, the N95-3, specifically created for the North American market (thus being called N95 NAM, standing for "North American Model") with support for AT&T Mobility's 850/1900 MHz W-CDMA (3G/UMTS, 3.5G/HSDPA) bands instead of the original European/Asian 2100 MHz frequency; second, the N95 8GB, an updated version for the European/Asian markets with 8GB of onboard flash memory, slightly larger screen (up from 2.6 inches to 2.8 inches), and a black faceplate instead of the original silver. Both the new versions have additional changes, such as the removal of the sliding lens cover for the camera, improved battery life, and doubling of runtime memory (RAM) from 64 to 128 MB. [2] [3] [4] [5] The U.S. version started retailing without carrier branding or discounts in Nokia's flagship stores in New York and Chicago on September 26, 2007[6] [7]; however it is unclear whether this phone will eventually be carried by AT&T Mobility. Also, there is no word yet on a version for the T-Mobile U.S. 1700/2100 MHz W-CDMA bands.
Later, on January 7, 2008, Nokia announced the N95-4, which is the inevitable 8Gb version of the N95-3. The phone got its FCC approval in January 30 and launched March 18.[8][9].
Nokia N95 handsets supplied by Orange and Vodafone in the UK have the VoIP facility disabled from the phone by installing their own firmware and not using the Nokia generic software. Vodafone's reason for removing the facility was that it "does not believe it's a mature technology"[10]. O2, T-Mobile & 3 allow VoIP to be used on their handsets, however data charges may apply when using the service.
In May 2008, Rogers Wireless, Canada's National GSM carrier, launched the N95-4 becoming the first North American carrier to launch the N95.
