Remember the days of Nokia dominance? The Lumia 800 and N8 were flagship devices, each boasting unique strengths. Today, we're revisiting these classics to see how they stack up against each other, offering a nostalgic look at mobile technology.
🏆 Quick Verdict
The Nokia Lumia 800 edges out the N8 thanks to its significantly faster processor and smoother overall performance. While the N8's camera was initially lauded, the Lumia 800's Snapdragon chip provides a more responsive and modern experience, despite both being dated now.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100 - RM-819 | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700 / 1900 / 2100 |
| Speed | HSPA 14.4/5.76 Mbps | HSPA 10.2/2 Mbps |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA | GSM / HSPA |
| | HSDPA 850 / 1900 / 2100 - for Canada | - |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2011, October. Released 2011, November | 2010, April. Released 2010, October |
| Status | Discontinued | Discontinued |
| Body |
|---|
| Dimensions | 116.5 x 61.2 x 12.1 mm, 76.1 cc (4.59 x 2.41 x 0.48 in) | 113.5 x 59.1 x 12.9 mm, 86 cc (4.47 x 2.33 x 0.51 in) |
| SIM | Micro-SIM | Mini-SIM |
| Weight | 142 g (5.01 oz) | 135 g (4.76 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | Corning Gorilla Glass | Corning Gorilla Glass |
| Resolution | 480 x 800 pixels, 5:3 ratio (~252 ppi density) | 360 x 640 pixels, 16:9 ratio (~210 ppi density) |
| Size | 3.7 inches, 39.0 cm2 (~54.7% screen-to-body ratio) | 3.5 inches, 33.8 cm2 (~50.3% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | AMOLED | AMOLED |
| | Nokia ClearBlack display
| - |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | 1.4 GHz Scorpion | 680 MHz ARM 11 |
| Chipset | Qualcomm MSM8255 Snapdragon S2 | - |
| GPU | Adreno 205 | Broadcom BCM2727 |
| OS | Microsoft Windows Phone 7.5 Mango, upgradable to 7.8 | Symbian^3, upgradable to Nokia Belle Refresh |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | No | microSDHC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 16GB 512MB RAM | 16GB 256MB RAM |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | Carl Zeiss optics, dual-LED flash | Carl Zeiss optics, Xenon flash, ND filter |
| Single | 8 MP, AF | 12 MP, 1/1.83", AF |
| Video | 720p@30fps | 720p@25fps, 720p@30fps (via SW update) |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Single | - | VGA videocall camera |
| | No | - |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 2.1, A2DP, EDR | 3.0, A2DP |
| Positioning | GPS, A-GPS | GPS, A-GPS; Ovi Maps 3.0 |
| Radio | Stereo FM radio, RDS | Stereo FM radio, RDS; FM transmitter |
| USB | microUSB 2.0 | microUSB 2.0, OTG |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n | Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n, UPnP technology |
| Features |
|---|
| Browser | - | WAP 2.0/xHTML, HTML, Adobe Flash Lite |
| Sensors | Accelerometer, proximity, compass | Accelerometer, proximity, compass |
| | MP3/WAV/eAAC+/WMA player
MP4/H.264/WMV player
Document viewer/editor
Video/photo editor | TV-out (720p video) via HDMI with Dolby Digital Plus sound
Anodized aluminum casing |
| Battery |
|---|
| Music play | Up to 55 h | Up to 50 h |
| Stand-by | Up to 265 h (2G) / Up to 335 h (3G) | Up to 390 h (2G) / Up to 400 h (3G) |
| Talk time | Up to 13 h (2G) / Up to 9 h 30 min (3G) | Up to 12 h (2G) / Up to 5 h 50 min (3G) |
| Type | Non-removable Li-Ion 1450 mAh battery (BV-5JW) | Non-removable Li-Ion 1200 mAh battery (BL-4D) |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Black, Cyan, Magenta, White | Dark Grey, Silver White, Green, Blue, Orange, Pink, Bronze |
| Price | About 140 EUR | About 140 EUR |
| SAR | 1.27 W/kg (head) 1.08 W/kg (body) | 1.09 W/kg (head) 0.85 W/kg (body) |
| SAR EU | 0.94 W/kg (head) | 1.02 W/kg (head) |
| Tests |
|---|
| Audio quality |
Noise -87.3dB / Crosstalk -87.8dB |
Noise -89.9dB / Crosstalk -90.9dB |
| Battery life |
Endurance rating 35h
| - |
| Camera |
Photo / Video |
Photo / Video |
| Display |
Contrast ratio: Infinite (nominal) |
Contrast ratio: 2.144:1 (sunlight) |
| Loudspeaker |
Voice 60dB / Noise 59dB / Ring 61dB
|
Voice 75dB / Noise 66dB / Ring 82dB |
| OUR TESTS |
|---|
| Audio quality | Noise -87.3dB / Crosstalk -87.8dB | Noise -89.9dB / Crosstalk -90.9dB |
| Battery (old) | Endurance rating 35h | - |
| Camera | Photo / Video | Photo / Video |
| Display | Contrast ratio: Infinite (nominal) | Contrast ratio: 2.144:1 (sunlight) |
| Loudspeaker | Voice 60dB / Noise 59dB / Ring 61dB | Voice 75dB / Noise 66dB / Ring 82dB |
Nokia Lumia 800
- Faster Processor
- More Responsive UI
- Slightly Better Battery Efficiency
- Compact Design
- Camera Not as Good as N8
- Display Contrast Less Impressive
- Limited App Ecosystem Now
Nokia N8
- Excellent Camera (for its time)
- Good Sunlight Readability
- Robust Build Quality
- AMOLED Display
- Slower Processor
- Sluggish Performance
- Outdated Software
- Larger Size
Display Comparison
The Nokia N8 boasts a respectable 2.144:1 contrast ratio, particularly impressive for its time and sunlight readability. The Lumia 800's 'infinite' contrast ratio is likely a marketing term, and its display, while clear, doesn't match the N8's outdoor visibility. The N8's AMOLED screen also offered richer colors.
Camera Comparison
The Nokia N8 was renowned for its 12MP camera with Carl Zeiss optics and Xenon flash, offering excellent image quality for its era. The Lumia 800's camera, while capable, doesn't quite reach the N8's photographic prowess, especially in low light. The N8 also offered more manual controls.
Performance
Here, the Lumia 800 shines. Its 1.4 GHz Qualcomm Snapdragon S2 processor is considerably faster than the N8's 680 MHz ARM 11. This translates to snappier app loading, smoother multitasking, and a generally more responsive user experience. The N8 can feel sluggish by today's standards.
Battery Life
Both phones offer a similar endurance rating of 35 hours, suggesting comparable battery life in typical usage. However, the Lumia 800's more efficient Snapdragon chipset might provide a slight edge in real-world scenarios.
Buying Guide
The Nokia Lumia 800 is for those seeking a slightly more modern (though still vintage) experience with better performance. The Nokia N8 is ideal for photography enthusiasts who appreciate its dedicated camera features and robust build, accepting the slower performance as a trade-off.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Which phone is better for photography?
The Nokia N8 is generally considered better for photography due to its superior camera hardware and image quality, especially in low light conditions.
❓ Is the Lumia 800 worth buying today?
The Lumia 800 offers a more modern experience than the N8, but both are dated. It's worth buying only for nostalgia or as a project phone, understanding its limitations.
