Nokia N8 gets lots of stick in early reviews, we wonder why
- a
- akash from nepal
- u10
- 05 Oct 2010
One of the biggest
advantage of Nokia N8
over the iPhone 4 is the
price. With the price tag of
€ 370 euros before taxes
and subsidies, and
converting it to pounds
would give us £300.
Comparing to the iPhone
4 (unlocked) 16GB with a
price of £499 and £599 for
32GB. Therefore making
the Nokia N8 much
cheaper for a smartphone
with cool multimedia
features and especially
Symbian^3 os.
Design
We admit that the iPhone
4 is slimmer, but there are
consequences on this, like
on the camera
performance e.g. zooming
and sensor size. For the
color variants of Nokia N8,
the mass is already have a
wide choice for their taste
on the color. There are
currently 5 anodized
casing for N8 the dark
grey, silver white, green,
blue and orange For the
iPhone 4, there are two
the white and the black
(no pun intended) and
obviously I don’t like that
my phone is mistakenly
identified by others as an
iPhone 3GS or iPod touch.
Video Call
The limitations of Apple
facetime for the Wi-Fi
connection and iPhone to
iPhone is what Nokia
already solved and made
possible long time ago to
their devices. So in N8 you
will not be bounded by
connections and you will
get connected for the
video calls in any capable
devices.
HDMI + Dolby Surround
Another one few specs
that a 2010 smartphone
have is the HDMI
connection where you can
connect to your home
theatre. With HD TV you
will get a crisp and clear
visual treatment as well
as with your sound with
the Dolby Digital Plus.
Memory
The Nokia N8 has a 16GB
internal storage plus
giving you a chance to
add an external hot
swappable microSD card
up to 32GB.
USB On-the-Go
If 48GB of storage is not
enough for you then
consider this USB on-the-
go feature where you can
read and make slave USB
sticks from external hard
drive like on this 250GB
hdd.
Usability (Reception issue)
If you’re afraid to get a
bad reception just because
of the phone’s inability to
not allow you to have a
proper grip, well, isn’t that
obvious that this could be
one of the biggest
mistake that Cupertino
company made?
- ?
- Anonymous
- Kxh
- 05 Oct 2010
Anonymous, 05 Oct 2010Nokia's new N8 smartphone has impressive specifications and... moreOf course N8 is no iPhone killer
iPhone already killed themself
LOL
- A
- Anton
- SYK
- 05 Oct 2010
I am buying an N8.
- C
- CyprusYid
- St{
- 05 Oct 2010
No phone is perfect, and although I have yet to read any 'phone-test' on the N8, I will happily be buying it when it becomes available to us here in my country of residence. I admit to being a Nokia fan, and after two N82s I have been waiting for the N8 since first catching a sniff of its imminent arrival, back in May. With or without flaws!
- ?
- Anonymous
- uZ9
- 05 Oct 2010
Nokia's new N8 smartphone has impressive specifications and is perhaps the best smartphone the Finnish mobile phone maker has launched yet. Its powerful camera features, Symbian 3 OS, and huge storage capacity (up to 48GB via a MicroSD card slot) are certain to attract early adopters. But can it be a threat to Apple's iPhone 4?
Analysts don't think so. Though the N8 is "a clear improvement" over previous Nokia offerings, Gartner analyst Carolina Milanesi believes that the N8 won't wipe the floor with the competition.
According to independent technology analyst Per Lindberg, the N8 is "certainly a step in the right direction (as) it's much more multimedia" than previous Nokia smartphones, but "whether it will move Nokia's market share upwards is more debatable."
Ovum's Tony Cripps also thinks the N8 is far from being industry changing: "I don't think Nokia would position the N8 as a revolutionary device."
There are five reasons the N8 won't be able to beat the iPhone 4 or the latest smartphones from rivals such as Motorola, HTC, or Samsung.
1. Weak processor. Nokia claims the N8 has a "lightning-fast processor" and is capable of rendering graphics and playing videos and games "smoother and faster" than previous Nokia smartphones.
Technically, Nokia is right, because its last smartphone, the N97, ran on a 434MHz processor, while the N8 runs at 680MHz. However, to call the N8's processor "lightning-fast" is a misnomer. The iPhone 4, HTC's Evo 4G, Motorola's Droid 2, and Samsung's Galaxy S all run on a more powerful 1GHz processor. Comparing the N8 processor to these models is like comparing an Oldsmobile to a Lamborghini.
2. Low memory. For a top-end smartphone, the N8 has a low memory capacity. The device has only 256MB of SDRAM, while its high-end rivals boast twice as much. If you run too many applications at once, the N8 will quickly succumb to the pressure.
3. Symbian OS. Although Symbian OS is N8's strength, it is also its biggest weakness.
According to Gartner, even though Symbian OS will have controlled 40.1% of the smartphone market in 2010, it will witness a sharp drop to 30.2% by 2014. The only OS expected to gain ground over the period is Google's Android platform, whose market share will surge from 17.7% in 2010 to 29.6% in 2014. But even Research In Motion, Apple, and Microsoft are expected to lose less OS share than Nokia will.
According to CCS Insight analyst Ben Wood, Nokia's new smartphones were "critical" in the fight to grab market share, but the Symbian software, despite refinements aimed at making it easier for developers to write apps for the phones, was "not positioned to challenge the iPhone."
"Nobody doubts Nokia's credentials. It has the market share but has lost the mindshare," Wood said. "Nokia, along with all the other mobile manufacturers, has been wrongfooted by Apple and Google, and it will be a tough road to recovery."
There's nothing to set Symbian apart from its competition, and that's contributing to its sharp decline. Symbian devices are also unable to update beyond the core system software with which they shipped. Updates are an essential part of how smartphones work -- not only to offer bug fixes, but also to introduce new features and develop brand equity and loyal users. Android, BlackBerry OS, and Apple's iOS all offer upgrade paths beyond core system updates. For instance, users of the two-year-old 3G iPhone can upgrade their device from iOS 2.0 to iOS 4.1. Likewise, anyone who got a Motorola Droid last year can switch from Android 2.0 to Android 2.2. But Nokia has historically not supported a commercial upgrade path for older Symbian-based devices.
4. Internal battery. Like the iPhone, the N8's battery is sealed inside the unit. Nokia has recommended that N8 users not try replacing the battery. "It can easily be replaced at a Nokia service center," the company said in a blog post.
5. Price. The N8 will cost $549 in the United States. Meanwhile, you can get a 32GB iPhone 4 for $299 by signing a two-year contract with AT&T. Other top-end smartphones -- including the BlackBerry Torch 9800, Droid 2, Evo 4G, and Samsung Galaxy S -- are available at subsidized prices between $149 and $249 when you sign with a provider.
Not surprisingly, some observers believe that Nokia's insistence on selling its devices unsubsidized and without operator input represents an arrogance on the company's part that has become its pitfall.
Conclusion
The N8 is no iPhone killer. It may also have a hard time competing with other leading smartphones. But analysts suggest that the N8 represents a good start from a company that's always struggled in the high-margin smartphone segment and could herald the start of a good fight toward smartphone leadership.
- W
- Wheez
- nS%
- 05 Oct 2010
Finally some respecrable instance such as GSMarena admits it. All the real users have been screaming this at those sites
Those reviews completely ignored the awesome hw features such as the USB OTG, which is simply one of the biggest strenghts of the N8 comparing to its competitors. So dont do the same mistake guys, you guys are professionals :D
- R
- RJ11
- 9Lb
- 05 Oct 2010
Have been a Nokia user for almost 10 years now! never had any major problems and have been mostly satisfied with their phones..
most favorite Nokia phone i've had would have to be my 6500 Slide!!
loved it!
- N
- Not interested
- uRJ
- 05 Oct 2010
I am one of the pre booked dudes for 5800. I was expecting fantastic touch phone from NOKIA. After struggling for few years, I decided not to buy any NOKIA phones when they release. I will wait for at least 6 months to 1 year (for better price and stable software. I personally feel Nokia is far behind its competitors. The true fact is Symbian users get attracted by Android :) and other OSs (Including me).
The price reduced more than 50% in 1 year time and better touch models came with lower prices. Then N97 released, again the same story continued for my friends. How can I buy N8 now? I can say only one thing – “Sorry NOKIA. Better luck next time”. :(
- I
- Inngadget
- 98c
- 05 Oct 2010
I love you for this article. Period.
I have been surprised and have started doubting the tech blog sites like engadget(which we all know if apple's biaatch) and gizmodo etc.
I have used N8 and i definitely do not like the social integration aspect of it. And thats about it where my 'dislike' ends.
All the hater blogs have been harping about how the Ux still is behind Android/iPhone etc. C'mon guys, Ux is NOT the only thing. A smartphone is not meant only for dumb asses to play around with cool and flashy Ux effects. It has to have other capabilities too!
To have those Ux effects, other phone have to have a faster processor which obviously drains the battery too.
N8 has a seperate GPU, which rocks. I know coz i have been playing NFS day in or out on my N8 :-)
N8 is an amazing device and i have been using one for sometime now!
It has surpassed my expectations in every aspect. Yeah one can Ux can improve still but thats happening already with S^4. But i still dont have any complaints with S^3, which is very functional indeed.
Couple of points for which i love N8:-
- I have stopped using my Canon IXUS and use N8 for all day to day shots.
- The USB OTG is a feature which is years ahead of everyone. Alrite, so Nokia didnt jump up and down and proclaim this "innovation"(like Apple does for innovations like folders, facetime etc *smirk*)
- FM transmitter - an amazing and simple feature. Very useful.
- HDMI rocks. Watch HD movies, play NFS with display on TV etc etc
- Ovi store has nice games like NFS, Angry birds etc. Yes its still not the best or largest but it will get there soon.
- PRICE !!
Seems like a conspiracy dissing the N8 so vehemently :-)Which can mean only one thing - N8 is great and others are scared of it capturing the market in a big way.
- R
- RJ11
- 9Lb
- 05 Oct 2010
955 comments and counting well 956 including this..
record i think is around 1030??
will surely be topped by this news by tom..
Nokia N8 clearly a VERY HOT PHONE!!
can't deny it..
- X
- X6
- tV0
- 05 Oct 2010
i like nokia because of one thing: they make durable phones that actually feel like a phone when you hold and use them.
Although im using a not so powerful Nokia X6 user, i find it to be just enough to handle my basic usage and light entertainment purposes, sure it cant play cool games like the iphone does, but if i want to play games i'd opt for another PSP in my pocket. if im given a chance to own a N8, y not? it has the newer smoother Symbian 3^, more powerful camera and more gaming capabilities... its a pity how people always expect Nokia phones to do things that other phones can do.
- ?
- Anonymous
- pqB
- 05 Oct 2010
iPhone is deffitley the best!
Here are 100 reasons that make it better than the n8: http://theiphonefever.blogspot.com/p/idont-list.html
- A
- Abhi24
- kUW
- 05 Oct 2010
I always was a SE java-phones fanboy. Got my first n only smartphone in n95-2. Symbian is great. But after using my 2g ipod touch, n its gaming capabities, i do believe its sheer nonsense to camp with one side. All os have something or the other good on offer. Sticking to jus one in the name of loyalty or ego/emotion, means i am missing out on the newness or difference that others have on offer. Its jus about mobile/pda, and not wiving, that u need to b hell-bent on loyalty or monogamy.
- ?
- Anonymous
- 0df
- 05 Oct 2010
Abhi24, 05 Oct 2010Why r all argueing? Every1 has his own taste. For 1, iphone... moreNope, that doesn't work. We must fight about phone firmware and insult nations because of it. ;)
- A
- Abhi24
- kUW
- 05 Oct 2010
Why r all argueing? Every1 has his own taste. For 1, iphone is the best, for another n8. That doesn't make one fool or the other one wisest person till date. I personally believe in talking a bite at all cakes on offer. Got n95, 2g ipod, n now looking ahead to buying milestone2. 3 OS, 3 times the fun!!!
- ?
- Anonymous
- 0df
- 05 Oct 2010
http://www.htlounge.net/art/13555/nokia-n8-postponed-for-october-due-to-software-glitches.html
Yes, much better quality than iPhone.
5800 released October 2008? Wow, those posts are from Dec 2009. Imagine that.
http://discussions.mea.nokia.com/t5/Hardware-Codes-and-Operator/Nokia-5800-xm-31-0-101-firmware-Bugs/m-p/563473
Look at all the satisfied Nokia 5800 users
http://forum.dailymobile.se/index.php?topic=16296.0
Of course, poor sales, crappy firmware, and lack of good support could all just be a coincidence. These problems could all be experienced by a few people.. Oh wait, you mean like Antennagate.
Stop the hypocrisy.
- ?
- Anonymous
- S6p
- 05 Oct 2010
Anonymous, 05 Oct 2010it is not hware it is software that matters nowWhere will your software be without hardware to run it on?
- ?
- Anonymous
- S6p
- 05 Oct 2010
Anonymous, 05 Oct 2010what nonsense. Nokia is a big company and can't turn in a f... moreDude. Nokia releases firmware updates for most of their phones once in 2-3 months. You must be on crack to state things like you do. Check on your information before you go on your little rants. It's ok though, we are used to Americans being blind and oblivious to the world around them. One day that huge ego will get a puncture though.
- a
- akash from nepal
- u10
- 05 Oct 2010
Nokia N8 Available on
Amazon.com (USA)
20 minutes ago, N8 wasn’t
on Amazon. Eagle eyed
Kevin Siebens (thanks for
the tip to tips@
mynokiablog.com) noticed
that now the Nokia N8
Black, Silver and Green are
available.
Interestingly it’s shipping
estimate is “1-2 months”
and priced at $549 -
around 340GBP
Amazon UK also has the N8
at the standard preorder
price of 420GBP. This is of
course SIM free (approx
20% more expensive than
standard pay and go price)
- a
- akash from nepal
- u10
- 05 Oct 2010
You all lol! Still fighting for €400 nokia n8 and €700 iphone 4,i am ready here to purchase €225 at virginmobile showroom for nokia x6 8gb because it release today(5mp with carl zeiss optics,tv out,free navigation)typing from nokia cheapest 3g 2mbps speed 3mp camera nokia 7230(slide)