N99i Cell Phone – A Knockoff Nokia Model

Date Published: August 18, 2008


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. :-)

Searches for this Article: n99i specifications, video player setting for nokia n99i, how to repair nokia n99 china phone cant red memory card, types of celphone batteries China made N99i, open line cell phone nokia, nokia n99i power cord wiring, nokia n99i pin code unlock, nokia n99i cellphone, n99i tv baterie, n99i phone lock codes

Comments

68 Comments/Reviews on “N99i Cell Phone – A Knockoff Nokia Model”

  1. PhilppinesNewsVote.com on August 18th, 2008 9:49 pm

    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

  2. jessie on August 21st, 2008 5:17 am

    The N99i lacks many features but I really find it great considering its price.

  3. N99i V9+ - a Knockoff Cell Phone With Some Great Features | Technology Talks on August 21st, 2008 10:26 am

    [...] 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 [...]

  4. N99i V9+ Toshibo Model: Full Specifications, Themes and Games | Technology Talks on August 21st, 2008 2:11 pm

    [...] N99i V9+ full specifications have been discussed in my post “N99i Cell Phone – a Knockoff Nokia Model” and I have tested some of its features in my article “N99i V9+ – a Knockoff Cell Phone [...]

  5. The 2008 Beijing Olympics Closing Ceremony Was Truly a Hit | Technology Talks on August 25th, 2008 4:25 am

    [...] 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 [...]

  6. Purchased Another Cheap Web Hosting Plan for Business | What Have You on September 5th, 2008 11:56 am

    [...] 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 [...]

  7. Mike Weston on September 14th, 2008 6:41 pm

    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.

  8. jessie on September 15th, 2008 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

  9. jessie on September 15th, 2008 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.

  10. How to Configure Nokia N99i V9+i, Nokia N95 8Gb Clone and Other China Cell Phones to Connect to the Internet | Technology Talks on October 7th, 2008 11:49 am

    [...] 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 [...]

  11. Huy Dinh on October 9th, 2008 4:13 am

    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

  12. jessie on October 9th, 2008 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

  13. mikhei on October 9th, 2008 9:27 pm

    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!

  14. jessie on October 10th, 2008 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

  15. mikhei on October 10th, 2008 1:55 pm

    hello! that was a fast reply. üü
    thanks for the info! will relay this to my dad.

  16. jessie on October 10th, 2008 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.

  17. denny on October 14th, 2008 10:27 am

    hi please i need the code to unlock the keypad of n99i

  18. jessie on October 14th, 2008 1:50 pm

    Denny,

    Just press the red button on the top right of your Nokia N99i cell phone keypad then asterisk.

    jessie’s last blog post..Prevent Water Leaks in Your Homes to Safeguard Your Life and Property

  19. rhodnie on November 14th, 2008 2:03 pm

    do you know any sites 4 the n99i phones?

  20. Yolaine on November 21st, 2008 9:45 am

    I would like to know how to put my music in this phone.

    thanks

  21. jessie on November 23rd, 2008 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.

  22. bobbie on January 8th, 2009 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

  23. tina on January 11th, 2009 9:52 am

    do you know how to display the synchronized lyrics of a certain music file in this phone..?

  24. jacky on January 13th, 2009 11:05 am

    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..

  25. MC on January 17th, 2009 8:58 pm

    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.

  26. cristine on January 19th, 2009 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

  27. jessie on January 20th, 2009 5:52 pm
  28. jessie on January 21st, 2009 12:36 am
  29. jessie on January 21st, 2009 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).

  30. Qui on January 26th, 2009 5:06 am

    Guys,

    Does N99i have 3G in it??

  31. jessie on January 26th, 2009 7:33 pm

    Qui,

    Sorry, but the Nokia N99i phone is not a 3G mobile phone.

  32. Jorge H on March 1st, 2009 3:11 am

    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!

  33. di on March 4th, 2009 5:10 pm

    Thanks that really helped me with my n99i

  34. bobbie on March 6th, 2009 1:48 am

    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!!!!!!

  35. jessie on March 6th, 2009 12:57 pm

    Bobbie,

    i think your N99i battery is failing. this is common when batteries fail.

  36. bobbie on March 7th, 2009 12:00 am

    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.

  37. jessie on March 7th, 2009 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

  38. bobbie on March 7th, 2009 4:51 pm

    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.

  39. pao on March 10th, 2009 8:28 pm

    pls help for some information to where i can download free anti-virus software for n99i china phone…thankzzzz..

  40. jessie on March 10th, 2009 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

  41. jessie on March 11th, 2009 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

  42. pamela on June 15th, 2009 3:32 am

    thanks! it helped me a lot! you solved all my problems! thanks so much.. you are so genius..

  43. CHRIS on June 21st, 2009 2:43 pm

    THERE IS NO APPLICATION,

  44. CHRIS on June 21st, 2009 2:44 pm

    HOW TO INSTALL APPLICATION ,eg. java?

  45. Jha on July 3rd, 2009 10:48 am

    how can I activate the internet with N99i phone?

  46. ISH on July 16th, 2009 2:57 am

    my problem about n99i is that there is already sim card but it keeps on asking insert sim.. please help.. thanks

  47. Abe on July 27th, 2009 4:27 pm

    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

  48. Drew on July 30th, 2009 1:38 pm

    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?

  49. jeff on August 26th, 2009 8:38 pm

    How do you tell if a Nokia is a knockoff?

  50. Rubi on September 1st, 2009 2:46 am

    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

  51. Rubi on September 1st, 2009 3:01 am

    Does this really work

  52. alex on September 3rd, 2009 5:02 pm

    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?

  53. fran on September 9th, 2009 6:01 am

    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.

  54. leo john on September 10th, 2009 10:52 pm

    i want to change new themes for n99i china phone. can i get downloads themes for my cell?

  55. leo john on September 10th, 2009 10:55 pm

    can you pls teach me how to configure my wap? i read how to configure but can’t still get connected. my cell n99i

  56. tracey on October 29th, 2009 12:30 am

    how do you change the sms alert? I want to change it to a song but don’t how

  57. chad on December 13th, 2009 7:15 pm

    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

  58. bobbie on January 1st, 2010 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

  59. Zack on February 2nd, 2010 1:16 am

    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

  60. tash on February 21st, 2010 10:20 pm

    music wont transfer to the cellphone can you please help me

  61. vorn on May 30th, 2010 2:47 am

    is there just the installed theme on the n99i china phones? if not how do you change

  62. betty on June 2nd, 2010 4:55 am

    sana ok n kc tgal ko n gs2 open gprs ko

  63. zeza on August 27th, 2010 11:22 pm

    hey can anyone please help me. i have a N99i china brand tv phone and i dont know how to get my internet goin or the tv.

    please help me.thankx.

    email me on zeza_ali@hotmail.com

  64. john on September 15th, 2010 1:11 pm

    hi im from tacloban… im confused with N99i is there any updates for sure in how to connect to the wap? PM me anyone if you could already know how to connect to the WAP…

    thnks….

  65. john on September 15th, 2010 1:13 pm

    @zeza,

    tv is just easy for me… ^_^

  66. john on September 15th, 2010 1:14 pm

    @chad,

    its just the batteries…replace it..

  67. Mark Osie Cargile on February 18th, 2011 2:15 am

    Sorry to be of a problem to you. I need the Data Software download for a China Phone Nokia N99i. If you have a download or if you know of a download for this particular brand of Nokia China Phone, please send it to me.

    Thank you!

    Best Regards,
    Mark Osie Cargile

  68. Alan Haywood on November 29th, 2011 1:51 pm

    i have had this Nokia clone for 4 years and it has performed brilliantly…a bit old now, but it’s all I need. Sadly the battery’s have packed up. Does anyone know where I can get a replacement or give me a model no. Thanks…desperate

Leave a Reply / Review of “N99i Cell Phone – A Knockoff Nokia Model”

Admin's Notice to Readers: Please note that we do not allow comments that contain profanity, harsh personal attacks against the writer/s, contact numbers (cell phone, landline) or any form of advertisements. We will definitely remove them. Keep your comments courteous and intelligent even if they do not agree with some contents/claims we publish in this site. Thank you!




* Copy this password:

* Type or paste password here: