N99i Cell Phone – A Knockoff Nokia Model
My friend introduced me to some of his cell phone distributor-contacts in Laoag City and I was enticed to try some of their made in China products. I am willing to try/test the knockoff Nokia model (N99i) because of the following reasons.
Price. The N99i is cheap selling at Php5,000 (around US$113) or even less.
Features. The N99i has the following specifications:
- Network:GSM 900/1800/1900
- Built-in Bluetooth
- Dual SIM card, dual standby
- Comes with a spare lithium battery (optional)
- Ring tones Type: Polyphonic (64 channels), Monophonic, True Tones, MP3
- Music player: Support MP3 player with mp3,midi,wav format
- Movie player: Support 3GP/MP4 movie player with full-screen
- Camera function: Digital Camera Built-in with video recording capability
- Memory Type: Support Micro SD expansion slot – up to 2GB
- Interface: USB 2.0
- Built-in hands free operation mode
- Display: 2.6″ TFT Touch Screen QVGA display with 260k colors, 320 x 240 pixel resolution
- Vibrate: Yes
- Internet Browser (GPRS + WAP)
- Java 2.0
- Handwriting Recognition
- Messaging: Email, SMS, MMS and EMS supported for both main and sub SIM card, SMS group send, Long text SMS
- Cell phone Directory: Phone Book Memory supports 400 records
- Supports Caller Ringing / Caller Video Player
- Game Supported with built in games
- Calculator/world time/Unit Conversion/Currency Conversion/Calendar/Games
- Stand-by time: Up to 150h
- Talk time: 180min–300min
- Complete English Interface (Default)
Depending on the seller, the package may also include:
- Instruction Manual
- 1 x 256MB Micro SD Memory Card
- 1 x USB Data Cable
- Unlocked N99i Dual GSM Tri-Band Cell Phone 2 x Lithium Batteries (1800mAh)
- 2-in-1 Power Adaptor + External Battery Charger
- Earphones
- 1 x Handwriting Stylus
- Car Charger
Be warned, however, that some N99i units have been reported to experience some problems after a few months of usage. First, some told that when the battery gets drained, they were forced to go back to the seller for servicing of the unit because it won’t power up after charging. Some even said they could not connect to the internet using WAP. Others didn’t like the camera because there is no built-in flash.
However, being curious that I am, I will still get one myself. I think feature-wise, I can live with N99i’s lacking. Price-wise, I think no Nokia model of its class and features will sell at lower than 10K. I told myself, ok let me do some experiments on N99i (also known to many as “iPhone clone”) to give benefit to the doubt. Here in laoag City, many people are friendly and with my reputation as a good buyer, I think that seller will not turn down my request/demand for free service should the unit bug down within 3 months. I intend to use this cell phone in getting the 2008 Beijing Olympics Medal Count/Tally updates.
I will update this post on the N99i when I have obtained the cell phone unit from the store tomorrow.
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I’m at the edge of my seat! Can’t wait to see how the N99i stacks up to the real Nokias. If these specs are real…I won’t have to buy that 20thou E71
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rhodnie Reply:
November 14th, 2008 at 2:03 pm
do you know any sites 4 the n99i phones?
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The N99i lacks many features but I really find it great considering its price.
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[...] serves as a follow-up to my post “N99i Cell Phone – A Knockoff Nokia Model” where I discussed the most of the N99i specifications and features. Specifically, What I got [...]
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[...] ceremony, I would have captured the event using an iPhone or a high-quality cell phone, not a knockoff cell phone like N99i although N99i is made in [...]
[...] per month counts much in my rating scale. The same way with you, whether your site talks about Nokia N99i Mobile TV with Dual Sim or Global Positioning System (GPS), that actually doesn’t matter. What matters is the web [...]
Just got the N99I everything works but I did not receive a operational manual also cannot get on the internet. It talks about a GRSP but have no idea what that is. Do I buy a service for this. I just transferred my Simm card with T mobile but no GRSP internet. Also when i tried to bluetooth songs from computer to cell phone it says disk is full.
How do I delete disk and cannot find memory card.
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jessie Reply:
September 15th, 2008 at 6:28 am
Mike,
The China-made Nokia N99i v9+ Mobile TV Dual Sim phone does have a memory card installed (check with your seller, mine is only 256MB). Go to Menu >> File Manager. From there open the Memory Card and delete files you don’t need like games installers. These installation files don’t work. It’s safe to delete them. you may also delete photo, music and video files pre-installed before you purchased your N99i cell phone. These files only consume so much of the N99i’s memory (disk space)
jessies last blog post..America Lyrics | Song Lyrics
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jessie Reply:
September 15th, 2008 at 6:34 am
Mike,
about the GPRS service, you can enable it in Menu >> Settings >> Network Setup of your N99i cell phone. Check with your network how to setup the internet service because your network provider will send you the necessary access codes to access the internet like WAP settings, username and password.
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bobbie Reply:
January 8th, 2009 at 5:57 pm
Tmobile Setting
1- Main Menu click on Entertainment then click on Services
2- Click on Data Account–> click on GPRS
3- Choose any account–> click on Edit
4- 1- Account Name
TMOBILE
2- APN
wap.voicestream.com
3- User Name
leave it blank
4- password
leave it blank
5- Auth. Type
Normal
CLICK ON DONE AND SAVE IT
CLICK ON BACK TWICE IT WILL TAKE YOU BACK TO SERVICES
5-Click on WAP –> click Settings–> click Edit Profile.
6- Choose any one on list then press ok–>Edit Profile
1- Rename Profile->(name it anything or u can name it T-mobile GPRS)
2-Homepage–> http://wap.smart.com.ph
3-Data Account–>Select–>click on Gprs–> you will see the one we named earlier TMOBILE, select it and press OK
4- Connection Type
HTTP
5- Username
leave it blank
6- Password
leave it blank
CLICK DONE AND SAVE IT—>CLICK ACTIVATE PROFILE AND SAVE
SMS, MMS AND VOICEMAIL
1- Click on thee envelope icon it will take you to Messages
CLICK ON SMS
1- Message settings–> click in Profile Setting
2- Click edit on any profile name it T-mobile that will be line No. 1 in No.2 type +12063130004
MMS
1-Message Settings–>click Server Profile
2-Click on any 1–> click on Edit Profile
1- Rename profile
T-mobile MMS
2- Homepage
http://216.155.174.84/servlets/mms
3-Data Account
click on GPRS–> choose Tmobile–> press OK
4- Connection Type
HTTP
Proxy: 216.155.165.050
port: 8080
5- Username
leave it blank
6 Password
leave it blank
CLICK ON DONE –> SAVE–>ACTIVATE PROFILE
VOICEMAIL:-
Edit it–> name No.1 Viocemail
No.2 +18056377243
[Reply]
di Reply:
March 4th, 2009 at 5:10 pm
Thanks that really helped me with my n99i
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pamela Reply:
June 15th, 2009 at 3:32 am
thanks! it helped me a lot! you solved all my problems! thanks so much.. you are so genius..
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[...] I have actually answered this question but I will provide here a simple procedure in configuring Nokia N99i V9+i, Nokia N95 8GB clone and other China-made cell phones to connect to the internet by enabling WAP [...]
I just purchased this N99I. When I put my USA Tmobile (1900mhz) SIM card in, all it said ” No service”. I cannot get it to work. Please Help
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jessie Reply:
October 9th, 2008 at 9:24 am
Huy Dunh,
Your Nokia N99i is not an open line GSM phone. Ask a cell phone technician in your are to open the line to accept SIM cards whose network serves your area. Let me know the development of this. I hope this helps.
jessie’s last blog post..Updated List of Milk and Milk Products Found Positive and Negative for Melamine Content by DOH-BFAD
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hi! kindly advise po where in Laoag you bought the unit. my dad is staying in Laoag and he’s asking me to buy him a unit like that here in Manila. thanks so much in advance!
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jessie Reply:
October 10th, 2008 at 4:47 am
mikhei,
I got my Nokia N99i V9+i Toshibo Dual SIM TV Mobile from a Muslim store near Karen’s along Bonifacio street in Laoag City.
There is a Nokia N99i variant known as CECT. It’s slightly different from the Nokia N99i Toshibo model. You can ask your dad to check it out and see the units himself. The prices of the two Nokia clones are the same.
jessie’s last blog post..Updated List of Milk and Milk Products Found Positive and Negative for Melamine Content by DOH-BFAD
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mikhei Reply:
October 10th, 2008 at 1:55 pm
hello! that was a fast reply. üü
thanks for the info! will relay this to my dad.
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jessie Reply:
October 10th, 2008 at 5:07 pm
No problem. It’s my pleasure to help. Just inform me if you encounter problems with Nokia N99i. I’ll try to troubleshoot any of them in this site.
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bobbie Reply:
January 1st, 2010 at 1:35 am
@jessie, i have the phone and every time i make or receive a call my phone drops the calls after about 2mins. help
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hi please i need the code to unlock the keypad of n99i
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jessie Reply:
October 14th, 2008 at 1:50 pm
Denny,
Just press the red button on the top right of your Nokia N99i cell phone keypad then asterisk.
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Rubi Reply:
September 1st, 2009 at 3:01 am
Does this really work
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I would like to know how to put my music in this phone.
thanks
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jessie Reply:
November 23rd, 2008 at 8:57 am
You have to insert the USB cable to your computer and from there, choose to use the Nokia N99i cell phone as a mass storage device. then upload music files from your PC to your phone’s music folder.
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do you know how to display the synchronized lyrics of a certain music file in this phone..?
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i have N99i china phone.. im here in israel, the sim card which i have is orange company but in trying to called them to figure out how to connect to the internet but they dont have any settings of GPRS and MMS.heres my email add astrilxyc@rocketmail.com… pls help meeee..
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cristine Reply:
January 19th, 2009 at 10:51 am
low,,,,me 2 have a problem about opening or activating my gprs n99i tv mobile china phone,,,plz help me 2 if you know already how to activate plz…send me a message how in my fs account..kctin08_hubBy@yahoo.com..plzzz
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jessie Reply:
January 20th, 2009 at 5:52 pm
Kindly read this article – http://www.kokeytechnology.com/gadgets/cell-phonesmobile-phones/how-to-configure-email-accounts-of-nokia-n99i-and-nokia-n95-8gb-clone-china-made-cell-phones/
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jessie Reply:
January 21st, 2009 at 12:36 am
Also this article – http://www.kokeytechnology.com/gadgets/cell-phonesmobile-phones/how-to-configure-nokia-n99i-v9i-nokia-n95-8gb-clone-and-other-china-cell-phones-to-connect-to-the-internet/
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I have lost my adapter and cable. I need a new one where in us can I find the cable for n99i? If you don’t know please tell me what is this cable called. It’s not regular b mini with 5 pins. I try to find b mini (6 pins) but there is no cable like that. If there is any distrubutor in US please mail me at yeneremsiz@gmail.com.
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jessie Reply:
January 21st, 2009 at 12:38 am
MC,
The N99i adapter cable is a non-standard cable. You may try looking for a replacement for your N99i adapter and cable from your local cell phone stores (where you got your Nokia N99i).
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Guys,
Does N99i have 3G in it??
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jessie Reply:
January 26th, 2009 at 7:33 pm
Qui,
Sorry, but the Nokia N99i phone is not a 3G mobile phone.
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I have the N99i and it used to send text messages, (SMS), but I think i messed with the settings and now it won’t send any. It receives messages but doesn’t send any. HELP!
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I have a n99i and when i am talking on the phone all of a sudden the phone will either turn off or it goes on hold . I dont know what to do to solve this promblem. Maybe i have a setting wrong or something. HLP!!!!!!
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jessie Reply:
March 6th, 2009 at 12:57 pm
Bobbie,
i think your N99i battery is failing. this is common when batteries fail.
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I guess i didnt explain what happens well enough. i just loss the call my phone dont shut off power wise. Its like it goes on hold or i loss the call i am on and i still have power and signal.
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jessie Reply:
March 7th, 2009 at 4:12 pm
bobbie,
your Nokia N99i has an antenna defect. have it checked at the store where you purchased it. i have checked this with my technician friend. that’s what he said.
jessie’s last blog post..Add More Storage to Your PC by Using an External Hard Drive
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Thank you . the only problem is that i ordered the phone off of line and i will have to send it back have it worked on.
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jessie Reply:
March 10th, 2009 at 8:42 pm
bobbie,
oh, that’s too bad my friend. in that case, i think you better get another Nokia N99i from your local store/s. but maybe a visit to a cell phone technician in your location can still help you with your problem.
jessie’s last blog post..Incidence of Pneumonia in the Philippines During Cold Months
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pls help for some information to where i can download free anti-virus software for n99i china phone…thankzzzz..
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jessie Reply:
March 11th, 2009 at 12:01 am
I have been looking for a free antivirus software for Nokia N99i China-made clone myself but no luck.
jessie’s last blog post..Stanley 20-Piece Socket Set Review, Price and Specs
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THERE IS NO APPLICATION,
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HOW TO INSTALL APPLICATION ,eg. java?
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how can I activate the internet with N99i phone?
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my problem about n99i is that there is already sim card but it keeps on asking insert sim.. please help.. thanks
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Hey Guys. I just got this as a gift from my uncle in Lebanon because he knows I love phones. I put my sim card in it and try to register to TMOBILE USA network but it doesnt seem to find any networks. Any ideas on how to fix this. I believe it is already unlocked because it didnt prompt me WRONG SIM like locked phones normally do.
I tried to go thru the preferred network list and I didnt see anything that said TMOBILE USA.
Any help would be great
Thanks so much
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I’ve been trying to transfer a file from my N99i to another phone but I just can’t seem to….can someone please tell me how to?
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How do you tell if a Nokia is a knockoff?
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Hiiiiii I need the phone lock code becuse my uncle send me this phone without it or is there any way to get in without putting the phone lock.. plzzzzzzz tell me
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hi i just bought an n99i tv mobile phone.i love it cuz of wat it can do i guess u to should try it but there’s one problem with my n99i, everytime i plug d usb cable to a computer after few seconds it will beep and on the phone screen will make warning bad contact charger.it will work well with some computers but not all.can everyone tell me wats the problem i’m facing or wat can i do?
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got this china phone n99i v9+i from a ffriend. it has pasword protect. he can’t remember the pasword either. any suggestion is greatly appreciated. i don’t think the phone is locked it always ask for the pasword…. california, usa.
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i want to change new themes for n99i china phone. can i get downloads themes for my cell?
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can you pls teach me how to configure my wap? i read how to configure but can’t still get connected. my cell n99i
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how do you change the sms alert? I want to change it to a song but don’t how
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so my n99i stopped working after three months of usage both batteries wont take a charge is there any way i cud get the phone to work again
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hello
i got a gift from my friend N99i and i did every thing but its not going on line and it look like there is something wrong with my tv connection plzz anyone know anything about this phone plzz help me.my email add. m_zshaikh@hotmail.com
Zack
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music wont transfer to the cellphone can you please help me
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