I wish my N95 was more like the 6500!

My wife got a free upgrade this weekend, and had her 6288 replaced
with a 6500 Slide. I have to say that of all the Nokia phones I have
seen, the 6500 is right up there, when it comes to looking at things
like build quality and materials. Given the price paid for the N95, I
have to admit being a little disappointed that the same level of
quality and feel hadn't been applied to the N95. I don't know if mine
is typical, but:

(a) The silver is wearing off of the buttons, particularly the volume
and camera buttons, and the edges of the pencil/C button. This means
that there is a lot of light spillage, where there shouldn't be from
the button back-lights. I can't see this happening with the brushed
metal buttons on the 6500.

(b) The slide mechanism is creaky, and doesn't slide smoothly. It has
probably got 9 months worth of pocket lint inside! I don't know how
much better the 6500 Slide's mechanism will fare, time will tell. I do
feel some some sort of felt barrier between the sliding parts to keep
some of the rubbish out would help.

(c) The fascia of the N95 appears to be painted (of all things!!). The
corners particularly are wearing thin, and there are little chips in
the paint finish. Oh! to have a metal fascia like the 6500.

Some might say I should take care of the phone better. Well, I have
taken as much care of it as I feel should be necessary. Although I
never found the ideal belt pouch for it, I always keep the phone in my
left trouser pocket, on its own. So there are never any coins, keys or
anything that will damage it. But still the wear and damage occurs.

Oh! Well! Maybe the N98, or N99 if they ever get that far will be
built to a similar standard.