Nokia N8 Review
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Introduction:
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In the box, as well as the phone itself there is a charger, a miniHDMI to HDMI connector, two microUSB to USB cables (one female USB, one male USB), a set of headphones, a power charger and some literature on the phone.
Design:
The Nokia N8 feels special. With an anodised aluminium body, it delivers a really luxurious cold metal sensation when you pick it up, and a fantastic weighting behind it. It is truly a tactile pleasure to hold and fondle and would still be even if it didn't switch on.
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The Nokia N8 has an anodised aluminium body and delivers a really luxurious cold metal sensation when you pick it up | ||
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You can compare the Nokia N8 with many other phones using our Size Visualization Tool.
The only areas of the Nokia N8 not encased in anodised aluminium are its ends. Both top and toe are instead covered by slick, super-glossy plastic strips sporting the headphone jack, miniHDMI port, and power button at the top with the bottom end containing the proprietary Nokia charging port. These offer a visual and tactile contrast to the rest of the phone's body, however, like most things glossy, love fingerprints.
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The only areas of the Nokia N8 not encased in anodised aluminium are its ends | ||
The Nokia N8's front side marries glass and aluminium, with the screen, front facing camera, light sensor and menu button found on the fascia. A thin, semi-gloss 3mm strip of metal frames the glass front, inside which is the 3.5-inch AMOLED screen with a resolution of 360x640 pixels.
The screen of the Nokia N8 shines. There is little jaw-dropping about it in terms of specs, with similarly spec'd screens having been available on phones for nigh on two years (i.e. the Samsung OMNIA HD). The N8's screen nevertheless performs exceptionally well with above average pixel density, very vibrant colours and fantastic viewing angles. 3.5 inches is a decent size for the screen of the phone touted as Nokia's multimedia powerhouse. Well, of course, a bigger screen with a higher resolution would better show off the on-board 12MP camera and make web-browsing that bit more enjoyable, however, Nokia have decided to go with 'pocket-friendly' rather than 'computer in the pocket'. In turn, what you're left with what is distinctly a phone, not a PMP or a tablet wannabe, but a smart phone with a good, sharp, bright screen.
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The screen of the Nokia N8 performs exceptionally well | |
The anodised aluminium body has a novel shape, like something out of a Megaman videogame, it's got a retro look coupled with a futuristic feel. In addition to looking and feeling refined, it's also quite practical. The flat top and bottom make it easy to pick up, handle and even stand in portrait orientation. The curved edges feel complementary as they are smooth for comfortable hand holding, an ergonomic touch that makes the buttons on the right hand side a breeze to press. On the right is a volume rocker, a small, ribbed sliding button to lock / unlock the Nokia N8, and a camera button. There are no buttons on the left of the phone, however you will find the microUSB port which remains uncovered, as well as the SIM card and microSD card slots located under two flaps. These flaps close nice and flush with the N8's body and despite being plastic, have the same matted feel as the aluminium body, making for a smooth, unnoticeable addition. With no removable battery, there are also small screws visible on either side of the phone, which are neither here nor there. While we are tempted to say they add to the industrial, sturdy design of the Nokia N8, they also manage to detract from the minimal finish.
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Left and rightt sides of the Nokia N8 | ||
Another component that detracts from the minimal design, and at the same time, reiterates the aesthetic novelty factor of the Nokia N8 is its back. Flat and clean for the most part, it is almost a simple reflection of the phone's front, except for a curiously raised rectangle of functionality jutting out of the top half, housing the camera, flash and loud speaker. As with the rest of the Nokia N8, the finish is such that it feels too solid and considered to question. The raised element on the back means the phone won't sit flat, but this has been needed in order to make the larger sensor possible. One thing that is for sure though, love it or hate it, the N8's build quality is way, way up there with the best.
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70 Comments
1. Donnie (unregistered) posted on 20 Oct 2010, 01:55 0 0
"The on-board GPS works well finding the Nokia N8’s position even when indoors. Coupling this with Ovi Maps Nokia maps makes for a very versatile phone that could double up as a GPS replacement provided you had a good data plan." Ehm did you just happen to completely miss the most compelling feature of Ovi Maps ? You can preload entire countries to your phone after which you can navigate (including searching and voice-directions) completely off-line, not a single byte of data transfer required. Perfect in Europe where you'd otherwise end up roaming after a few 100 kms, and one of the major selling points over any other solution (remember it includes voice directions and search, not just map display, - offline)
4. Stoli89 posted on 07 Oct 2010, 11:52 0 0
Fully Agree, OVI maps is a great value and a wonderful and cost effective tool that does not require a network to operate. That said, if you happen to have an unlimited data plan...the N8 can also use Google Maps. I disagree with the reviewers opinion about Symbian^3 and more specifically that last portion of the OS stack called the User Interface. The changes under the hood are immense (over 250 in total vs S^1). The fact that S^3 is fully compatible with Qt means all current AND future apps developed for both Meego and Symbian^4 (^5..) will remain compatible. The fonts, themes, icons are familiar to Symbian users...which I find convenient. For those of us who want a change...the nice thing about Symbian is you can easily do this with 1000's of choices available...many of them for free. With its hi-end graphics chip, multi-touch/single-tap selection, and smooth capacitance interface...I find this phone's UI to be quite good and certainly up to date. A more detailed list of these changes is located here:http://www.allaboutsymbian.com
/features/item/12104_Symbian3_ Lastly, the reviewer is comparing this phone to flagships at higher price points, even though this N8 is not marketed nor priced as Nokia's flagship model (we'll have to wait for the N9). Considering the quality and performance of this device...it's a steal IMO.devices_are_imminent-.php
2. Nokia 4ever (unregistered) posted on 07 Oct 2010, 11:44 0 0
Yay, Nokia is never a let down like RIM, I so love this phone!!! I don't care if the built-in browser is not smooth enough, it still has opera mini or if its UI is "dated", is still functional, Nokia doesn't care about making a mobile OS that is graphically beautiful but resource-hungry, this is an example that even with little specs the new OS runs smoothly compared to different OS's who needs more specs and do almost the same things (OS6). Os's user and Nokia haters, even though your beloved android and IOS phones are "better than any other mobile OS", Nokia's still a great company and may not be perfect (no one is), but they keep improving their product. Long life NOKIA !!!
22. B (unregistered) posted on 07 Oct 2010, 20:07 0 0
Hey, thanks for the feedback. Having reviewed the N8, we really, really liked it. In fact, we loved it and genuinely want Nokia's handsets to do well, they're a fantastic company that make fantastic hardware. The changes to Symbian are evident with everything running smoothly, but that's just not enough as the interface is visually underwhelming. The hardware of the N8 is perhaps the best we've seen on a smartphone but as smooth as Symbian^3 is, it's not as inviting as other OSs. For example, despite having a shiny new N8, subjects given the choice preferred to play with a much lower specced android phone, simply because it offers more versatility in a more visually stimulating package. As mentioned, we can whole-heartedly recommend the N8, it's very good and well worthy of that 8.5, and on multimedia alone is a 10. Nevertheless, as with iPhone and Android, it has its issues. It just so happens that the N8s issues cropped up a lot more often. Regards, B_Phone Arena Reviewer.
3. yann_ (unregistered) posted on 07 Oct 2010, 11:45 1 1
Phonearena did it again - proof their loyalty to boss Steve. No words for unique functions that are completely missing on iOS or Android phones. Example - USB on the go, HDMI out with Dolby digital... Losers. What to expect from lamers that gave to iPhone 4 rating of 9.5 - the phone with call/antena problems?
6. jpropin posted on 07 Oct 2010, 12:36 1 0
8.5 isn't bad from a U.S Website that like all the other U.S Based Websites sucks the teet of Apple & Google. I was expecting no higher than 6.5. So I'm quite surprised. Just wait and see what the tools at CNET give it.....LOL
5. rafael.roque posted on 07 Oct 2010, 12:16 0 1
I can't wait to get mine; regardless of any review... Simply put; I don't like Google's intrusive OS, RIM's mundane OS, Apple's my way OS. If you want control of your smartphone; then Symbian gives you that. Point and case, if I want the Sense experience found on HTC's Android smartphones on my Symbian phone, then I simply install SPB Mobile Shell and now I have 1-10 home screens with customizable widgets and shortcuts... If you can't handle Symbian, then you might as well stick to feature phones.
10. jpropin posted on 07 Oct 2010, 13:05 0 0
It is expensive, but for an unlocked phone with as many features and capabilities that it has, it's pretty much on par with other unlocked devices. What really pushes the N8 over the top IMO is that it's compatable with both AT&T & T-Mo's U.S 3G Signal. If your a T-Mo subscriber like me the money you save from not having to have the mandatory data plan with a subsidized smart phone basically pays for this phone and more in the two years you'd be under contract. I can get unlimited Web for $10 a month or just use WiFi and pay nothing. The C6-01 & C7 which both have alot of the same features as the N8 will hopefully be coming out not long from now and hopefully will offer a less expensive alternative to the N8
48. cristianer posted on 15 Oct 2010, 00:37 0 0
Yeah. Anyway I'm waiting the milestone 2, I hope it will be cheaper.
9. Emix (unregistered) posted on 07 Oct 2010, 13:04 0 0
Thank you phonearena for fair and detailed review! I expected 9 or 9.5 but 8.5 is good! This is my next phone!
11. yeah (unregistered) posted on 07 Oct 2010, 14:00 0 2
wow it is right. they gave 9.5 rating for iphone that does not perform like a phone let alone a smartphone. jeez such a bias website. shame on phonearena
12. why I bought an N8 (unregistered) posted on 07 Oct 2010, 14:47 2 0
I just bought an unlicked N8. I decided to go for the N8 after using an HTC Magic (rooted) for 1.5 years. Android is a nice platform, but hey, it gets slower and slower after a few months. Unacceptable. IPhone is not for me - do not like Apple's manias. So, back to old Nokia and yes, I am happy. It is a phone, has to allow me to call, freely, without forcing me to depend on a charger. I have a fast internet connection. GPS. I only would like to see a better Mail for Exchange, with the compelling Google sync. Other than that, bye bye, Android/HTC/Samsung and company...
13. thatdude1 posted on 07 Oct 2010, 15:00 0 0
Great handset! I do not agree with everything the reviewer said, but 8.5 is much better than I anticipated from phone arena. Definitely my next Nokia handset as that is all I use lately. Should have given it at least a 9.0.
14. GIO posted on 07 Oct 2010, 15:42 3 0
This phone shouldn't get higher than 8/10 in business staff, but it should get 10/10 in in multimedia, so they should have given it 9/10 at least...
15. RVM (unregistered) posted on 07 Oct 2010, 16:50 0 0
Nice review, thx phonearena. Im Nokia fan, but i have to admit Symbian^3 still need some more eye candy, hopefuly S^4 will fix it. I am definitively gonna buy N8, that phone is just amazing (for my needs) !
16. Wreckone (unregistered) posted on 07 Oct 2010, 17:18 0 0
Yeah I cannot wait for my N8, I'm currently using a 580O! The N8 is like a dream come true for Nokia lovers! I live in the US and the reviews are mostly skewed here favoring IOS phone and Droid OS. I like being different and have enjoyed both my E71 and 580,0 but I really am exited about getting my N8. The hardware alone cannot be matched (as a package!) and a upcoming firmware updates will replace browser and Symbian 4 is just around the corner too...
17. 530gemini posted on 07 Oct 2010, 17:18 1 0
Well, at least the N8 seems to have dramatically improved. Although still not good enough to compete with the likes of the iphone4 and galaxy s. I see the N8 as a great mid range smartphone.
