Even as the N8 gets ready to be officially unveiled in India, here we are with the final part of our epic Nokia N8 review. We have looked at what the phone looks like, what it has to offer and just how well it works. Now for the final part: how does it compare with the competition and is it worth your bucks – all Rs 26,000 of them?
Viewed in isolation, the N8 is a magnificent device. A great camera, a very decent touchscreen, support for mail and social networks, superb multi-tasking and excellent battery life for such a large touchscreen in this day and age. And if you factor in its price of about Rs 26,000, you would be hard pressed to find a phone that offers more on paper for that kind of money, considering that most high-end smartphones with excellent cameras are closer to Rs 30,000 than Rs 25,000 these days.
The problems, however, start when you start comparing the N8 with the likes of Android and the iPhone in terms of performance, where it comes off a very distant third – although it bests both in terms of camera quality and battery life. Unfortunately, those two factors are not enough to ensure success for a device in today’s highly competitive space. There are devices in the market that work faster, have bigger displays with higher resolutions, are much more adept at handling the Internet, have decent enough camera and multimedia prowess, several thousand more applications, better browsers and Internet handling ability, are better designed, and most important of all, have better and more intuitive interfaces.
Motorola Milestone XT720
A great camera (although only eight megapixels) with HD video recording, Android under the hood, a large, high-resolution touchscreen and a price tag in the vicinity of Rs 27,000 make the Motorola Milestone XT720 perhaps the most direct competitor to the Nokia N8 in the Indian market today. The N8 is pretty much in a league of its own when it comes to still photography, music and its battery life goes on and on compared to the recharge-a-day XT720, but move beyond that and things swing in favor of the Moto. It certainly has a more responsive touchscreen, is in a different league when it comes to handling social networking and anything related to the Internet, and when it comes to shooting video, easily matches the N8. Yep, it also has an HDMI port and Xenon flash and comes with a cable bundled for quality measure. The onscreen keypad is easier to use and call quality is simply staggering when compared to the N8. The N8 has the direct USB connectivity option that no other phone has, but honestly, we do not think that counts for that much.
- Pros vs N8: Display, interface, HD video, multi-tasking, social networking, Internet, apps, looks, call quality
- Cons vs N8: Still photography, battery life, music quality, USB connectivity, onboard storage
Samsung Galaxy S
There will be howls of outrage at our including a five megapixel camera device in comparison with a twelve megapixel one, but we are putting Samsung’s Galaxy S in the ring with the N8 simply because it is another smartphone that falls in the same price slot. Outraged Nokia fans will point to the better camera and multimedia in the N8, Sammy supporters will point to the brilliant Super AMOLED touchscreen which at 4.0 inches is much bigger than the N8 and has a higher resolution, fantastic form factor and an interface that blows the N8 out of the water. Let us face it, the real edge that the Galaxy S holds over the N8 is in terms of interface and display quality. The Android advantage makes it rule when it comes to apps, social networking and the Internet and that large, superb display makes videos look just dazzling on it. Yes, it loses out in still photography but does a decent enough job in churning out HD video and looks way snazzier. Mind you, the N8 batters it in call quality – the Galaxy at times simply fades out in that department and is known to have its GPS problems. Round that off with the N8’s direct USB connectivity and the battle becomes a extremely close one.
- Pros vs N8: Looks, display, apps, Internet, social networking, multi-tasking, HD video, interface
- Cons vs N8: USB connectivity, HDMI connectivity, battery life, music, still camera, Xenon flash, GPS, call quality, battery life, on board storage
Sony Ericsson Xperia X10
In terms of seniority, this is the oldest of the foursome in the ring with the N8, but there is a lot in the Xperia X10 that might sway those who are thinking of investing something in the vicinity of Rs 25,000 in a smart phone with a good camera. Yes, its shooter is only an eight-mega pixel affair, and it is more bulky than the N8, but then it packs in a bigger four inch display with a higher resolution, giving it a marked edge in viewing anything. It is running an ancient version of Android (1.6), but it is a testament to just how poor Symbian ^3 is that even the older Android OS comfortably outperforms it, thanks perhaps to the snappy 1 GHz processor lying under the hood. There are apps galore; multi-tasking is effortless and social networking works just fine even if you do not fall back on the Mediascape and Timescape applications bundled with the device. It matches the N8 in call quality and takes it out when it comes to the music (hey, this is a Sony Ericsson device). The N8 holds the edge in still and video photography and better battery life and that USB connector is unmatched. But then the X10 is expecting an Android 2.1 update any day which will add HD recording to its already formidable array of features!
- Pros vs the N8: Display, interface, multi-tasking, social networking, Internet, apps, music quality
- Cons vs N8: USB connectivity, HDMI connectivity, battery life, music, still camera, Xenon flash, HD video, battery life, on board storage
iPhone 4
We had to mention this one simply because every high profile touchscreen device is going to end up being compared with it. Yes, it costs much more than the N8 (Rs 40,000 in the grey market when we last heard), but for many it remains the benchmark for touchscreen devices. And while the N8 flattens it in terms of megapixel count in the camera, battery life and multi-tasking, the iPhone 4 stands uncommonly tall indeed when it comes to ease of use. That interface is as quick and as dazzling as ever and works with nary a hitch. The camera is only five megapixels but turns out decent enough stills and in terms of HD video, goes toe to toe with the N8 and thanks to its on the device editing options, actually outslugs it. Bring on the apps and games and the N8 suddenly starts looking very human indeed. And of course, it looks absolutely dazzling with that glass-metal combo, slim frame and the highest resolution display we have seen on any smartphone, making everything from browsing the Internet to reading books on it an absolute pleasure. No, we do not think it is fair to compare it with the N8 as it is in a much higher price segment, but if you do, the N8 will lose out in terms of performance.
- Pros vs the N8: Looks, display, apps, social networking, Internet, HD video, interface, music quality
- Cons vs the N8: USB connectivity, HDMI connectivity, battery life, still camera, Xenon flash, multi-tasking.
Our conclusion:
A close look at all these comparisons will throw up one key factor – the MAJOR advantages that the N8 holds over the competition are mainly hardware ones: battery life, camera quality and USB connectivity being the three principal ones. It matches none of the competitors when it comes to actual performance, most notably getting battered on the Internet and social networking spaces, both critical for a high end phone these days. In fact, even tech spec fans will not be too impressed with the relatively slow processor under the N8?s hood (it does not show in the performance, though) and the relatively low resolution display. Top that off with looks that are more above average than stunning and you see why we are less than overwhelmed.
The Nokia N8 is a triumph for Nokia and its followers. It will sell very well indeed simply because it has impressive specs for a relatively reasonable price. But it is unlikely to win over Android and iPhone users, who still can do far more with their devices.
And for Nokia, that is not particularly pleasant news.
Our recommendation: If you are looking for a versatile device with excellent Internet performance, a superb display and a exceptionally sturdy camera in the Rs 25,000-Rs 27,000 range, go for either the Motorola XT720 (if the camera is of paramount importance) or the Samsung Galaxy S (if display quality matters more). If you are looking for a good, solid phone that takes particularly clear pictures and video and lasts for more than a day with a single battery charge, than the N8 is your device.
Previous: N8 Review: Features & Performance , Look and Feel
it is not wise to compare nokia n8 with other devices based on the price… based on the feautres listed above is not adequate and amatured…
N8.. amazing multimedia capacity when compared to others (moto samsung iphone)… aassuming clarity of sound is quite common with everyone the ease of browsing thro them and adding the songs, format of files supported.. N8 edges out…
video playback from website other than “mobile only website”:..
i have tried on the all the four above and as a matter of fact, when you try to visit adobe photoexpress site, except nokia none of the mobiles rendered the page as it is.
life time navigation, “free” and “nokia owns the largest and most famous map company navq” which is pre-installed.. so on travelling u save buck on data being trnasfered…
FM transmitter: “none in the world except nokia”
USB on the go… boys nokia n8 is computer now…
you can get ur nokia screen on ur LCD TV.
bluetooth version 3.0 … i hope still laptop computers comes with 2.* … this is important feature as u can connect any bluettoht device (mouse keyboard etc) with ur phone and work remotely..
assume, i take nokia n8 to my client location hook it up with their LCD screen, control the phone through keyboar and mouse and do a presneation directly from nokia… can you try this any of the other phone in world?
I agree with above comment and to add to that:-
1 Firstly, nokia priority when delivers a phone, is that it should excel in the basic requirement of a phone and that is calling, sms, display and good battery backup. While the reviewer priority is UI,applications and other stuff.
2 On comparing to other phones why, he is giving more weightage to other stuff such as UI, applications.
3 On comparing, one should also know that n8 runs on OVI maps which is better than google maps as it can work in offline mode or require very less data from internet.
4 USB on the go, is really a very cool feature and he just say it ‘it doesn’t count dat much’. And why also bluetooth3.0 is not mentioned while comparing.
5 On comparing to iphone4 , one should know that iphone have fixed storage space while n8 u can easily expand to 48 gb. Apart from that it’s easy to transfer music on n8 but iphone, you requires itunes(so one has to keep itunes whether he likes it or not). It’s easy to transfer data using bluetooth. Good photo and video editing software on mobile itself. Panora shot application is free from Ovi store. Flash support on N8.
6 Why so much fuzz for processor. Ok 1 ghz processor is really cool, but don’t forget the fact that N8 has a very good 3d hardware accelator (like a GPU), so it really helps in playing games. So what benefit it gives to N8 to other, they used a descent processor 680 mhz , which is for other tasks but for video and graphics related work H/W accl comes in to the picture and that way they get a very good backup despite the fact that others mobile uses “bigger battery” than N8.
7 About OS, despite all UI and other things one should not forget that symbian is still best in multi tasking and it’s better coupled with H/W as it’s written in C++ while Android is written in Java (that again justify 680 mhz choice).
8 About apps, ok right now many of think that android and app store are way ahead of ovi store, I agree. But guyz, things are going to change because what nokia guyz did this time is they make symbian^3 os using Qt framework, the advantage of using Qt is that applications can be made faster and easier and can be converted to one platform to other easier. As you can see that 9 games from ea and gameloft comes just after few days og the launch. And apart from that nokia is promoting the developers to make apps and games for S^3 by rewarding cash and other things.Believe me just wait for 3 months and You will see so many applications and 3d games for N8.
So, bottom line is the review made by reviewer is biased (no offence). Yah N8 is not a perfect mobile phone and so do others. every mobile have flaws but we don’t buy mobile because it has flaws but we buy it because what it delivers. Every mobile has it’s high and low points and i am mentioning few of them. So buy N8 if you are multimedia lovers, want to have good back up, solid build (gorilla glass & scratch proof paint) and good GPS system with “free navigation”. And can wait some time for applications to arrive. Can give some time to get adjust to new symbian and make proper shortcuts on home widget so you can use it fastly and install opera if you are not satisfy with default one(by the way updated one will arrive at the end of this month).
good 1 bro..m really hoping ur “waiting for better software” comes true
er… did you forget that the iphone 4 has a major design flaw that causes it to lose signal completely when held in a certain way… I mean, if a phone cant even perform its basic functions right.. what good is it? pls compare instead to iphone 3gs,
And batttery life of samsung galaxy s, htc desire is really terrible due to the power hungry processor and android OS.
I must agree after reading these comments i will be getting the Nokia n8. Must say there is a lot of review sites out there only talking about the N8’s “flaws”. which is mostly to do with “Look”, interface, apps etc. Dont really care about these sorts of things, in the end you want a smart phone.
“usb on the go” not much? wow big statement.
as for the processor, well from what i have heard the N8’s performance is up there with the 1Ghz boys and i would choose a more then adequate performance with good battery life any day.
dont think this review convinced me the N8 comes third here.
They claim here that all these other phones supposedly have better HD video quality than N8. That is simply false and you can see that if you do some research. I don’t know if they got a defect phone or what, but N8 gives stunning HD video and blows all those other phones out of the water when you compare.
Hi, please do not list HD video of XT720 as a plus. It sounds great on paper but believe me, the quality of the video is so low it is ridiculous. Do yourself a favor and see some of the samples on youtube before you jump and recommend XT720.
Staggered by your negative review of the N8 – as others have commented you have (presumably deliberately) NOT included many of the things it does that other phones do not – nor have you had the good grace to give a nod to Nokia heritage, which has had front facing camera, cut and paste, ability to organise app icons into folders etc etc long before Apple “innovated” by copying them into iPhone 4 (yes, several generations into their “innovative” technology!)
Sadly like many others you are over obsessed with glossy presentation and do not pay attention to practicalities. How long have you USED the device for – a day or two???? Any review ought to start with a clear statement about that because it is not until you live with a device for a few weeks that you both appreciate its merits and understand its flaws.
For example, for me a major flaw of all iPhone models AND most Nokia ones I have tried, is very poor handling of timezones in calendar entries, similarly very poor handling of repeating entries. Those happen to matter to me because I travel a lot and deal with people all over the planet. They are about REAL use of the thing as a tool- not a piece of pocket candy to impress friends.
Similarly for me the absence of any sense of “folders” for files (may seem old fashioned to you and Apple, but that’s not the point, I’m the user/customer) on the iPhone is a pain.
Someone up here mentioned that we havent mentioned how long the N8 was used, Mr Spock has mentioned that “Well, it has been a couple of days since we have had the Nokia N8 and” right in the first para of the part I of this review. At best I can call you folks BLIND Fanboys who havent bothered to read the entire review.
We would keep on testing the N8 and come back with all our findings. This includes Video samples.
With the limited interaction I have had with the N8, I can tell you that its a Pain to not have a full QWERTY for typing (in portrait more). More of my personal findings as soon as I have a proper hands-on / review.
Yah i agree there should be an option for qwerty keyboard in protrait mode but that’s not a big deal as “swype” will be coming in few days than you can use qwerty keyboard in portrait mode also and as of now for browsing if you are using “opera” than you can get qwerty keyboard in portrait mode and infact for potrait mode you can use “slide it demo” version, which can be downloaded easily from ovi store.
As many said, I too feel the review was not in details esp. of N8.
N8 is offering much more. You cannot say a device is slow because it has lesser CPU clock. It has many things additional hw like dedicated 3D accelerator… May be only immediate draw back … you might notice might be UI which is seems an upgraded version of the existing S60… But it quite different… I think it’s good, one may like it when you use it… has seen very attractive apps and features like the Music player, Audio/Video editor [it is different believe me try out the demos]… 12MP [720p HD video rec.]. USB connectivity [I connect my USB stick. HDMI connectivity with which I can connect to my 42″ screen. Dolby digital sound o/p.. FM transmitter [It is handy when I travel in my car]… Screen size not too small… [but when I need I connect to my TV itself].. Good battery… Yes Symbian… it is much much better multi-tasking OS [compared to other two Android/iPhone OS, not in terms of UI, but other features]..
I don’t know a single phone with which compared above or which is announced in near future has all the feature supporting as that of N8…
Comparison is not well done!!! There is a lot of gap…
I really wish reviews would do PROPER research before they start doing a stat-comparison attempt, when they don’t know the truth behind the stats they’re comparing!
1) If you do some simple research, you’ll find out that Symbian 3 natively has a limited resolution, which the N8 uses the maximum. So yes, the N8 will have a lower resolution than most of the competitors, but this resolution issue will be corrected in the release of Symbian 4, which allows for much higher resolution. Plus, to be frank, when it comes to a 3″ or 4″ screen it’s really not that much of an issue as everyone seems to want it to be.
2) Having mentioned Symbian 4, it’s worth making you understand something very basic and fundamental – Symbian 3 is an evolution of Symbian 5th edition. Symbian 4 is a complete new build, bottom up, so won’t have the annoyances and limitations that you’re noticing with the N8. Taking Symbian 3 in context, it’s been a FANTASTIC upgrade to the previous Symbian version…but that’s all it is and was intended to be – an upgrade. It’s the next Symbian release that you should be gearing up to level your criticisms as compared to Android and iOS.
3) Again, with the retarded comments about processor speed. Android and iOS need a much heavier processor as they are pretty inefficient operating systems which run in virtual environments, rather than directly interacting with the hardware. This has always been Symbian’s strength compared to the new kids on the block – it makes far less demands on the hardware so therefore can make use of lower powered, and less energy hungry processors.
Fair enough the N8 might only have a 680MHz processor…but try running Android or iOS on a similar specced chip and you’ll see WHY Symbian doesn’t need to be a size queen with it’s processor speed, unlike Android and iOS.
N8: Adobe Flash supported
iPhone 4: no Flash
How can the iPhone 4 top the N8 in internet then? Are you out of your mind?
If only having Adobe Flash support could save inefficient mobile browsers…
Do iphone 4 have multitasking ?
this is funny when u say smart phone it should be a phone first, which no other than nokia is best at, quality of signal, sound, sms etc is basic to a phone. Second as far as application are concered i have hardly observed people use anything more than games, themes, wallpapers n songs, which there is no dreath for nokia. when u say multi use device again camera, gsp, music player are the things which makes it a true multiuse device which nokia dosent lack in. so what is all the hype about android n apple? it is more of gimmickery than any practility. For me Nokia wins hands down.
pretty happy with my new n8. touch screen is really nice, looks a little different than my old unlocked gsm phones but that’s ok. pretty happy with it. processor is faster and it’s great for my business in every way. not as much fun as my old unlocked iphones but i can’t complain. wifi and gps are great for getting around and helping me meet my deadlines. cant complain. also pretty great games in there I guess, for when i’m on the road. my wife loves hers for the facebook and camera and recorder to get all our little kids precious moments. texting and emailing can be a little difficult sometimes i’m used to having a keyboard i can push. but we got our blackberry unlock codes and htc unlocking for free so that’s nice! got our last couple nokia n8’s at unlockthatphone.com 2 thumbs way up
Actually the possibility to plug in a usb flash memory stick on the N8 seems very overlooked on such a good video device, it would be great to offload video footage without having to get to a computer all the time, specialy if travelling and shooting a lot of material.
the dude who keeps on defending this review is an “iPhone Android”… peace men but you really sound so BIAS! so STFU! please post as impartial comment, post facts, don’t overlook the features! we need information, not a comparison to the mainstream devices, because obviously N8 will surely look like an old symbian phone from nokia. i was an iphone and htc wildfire owner FYI… and they both fail on battery life. i dont give a crap on flashy features, UI crap! IMHO, iphones are for kids and android phones are for…uhmm… who cares, theyre just getting along with the hype. i’ll bet 50% of android phones users dont even know what an Android OS is!
N8 is very good phone,i have this one,camera quality is awesome.