Remember the days of Symbian? Two iconic Nokia phones, the N79 and the 6720 Classic, represent a snapshot of that era. Both offer a nostalgic experience, but which one holds up better today? Let's dive into a detailed comparison to help you decide.
🏆 Quick Verdict
The Nokia 6720 Classic edges out the N79 thanks to its faster 600MHz processor and slightly better camera. While both offer a classic Nokia feel, the 6720 provides a smoother experience and a bit more photographic capability, making it the preferable choice for most.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 900 / 2100 | HSDPA 900 / 1900 / 2100 |
| Speed | HSPA 3.6/0.384 Mbps | HSPA 10.2/2 Mbps |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA | GSM / HSPA |
| | - | HSDPA 850 / 1900 / 2100 |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2008, August. Released 2008, October | 2009, February. Released 2009, July |
| Status | Discontinued | Discontinued |
| Body |
|---|
| Dimensions | 110 x 49 x 15 mm, 74 cc (4.33 x 1.93 x 0.59 in) | 110 x 45 x 14 mm (4.33 x 1.77 x 0.55 in) |
| SIM | Mini-SIM | Mini-SIM |
| Weight | 97 g (3.42 oz) | 110 g (3.88 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Resolution | 240 x 320 pixels, 4:3 ratio (~167 ppi density) | 240 x 320 pixels, 4:3 ratio (~182 ppi density) |
| Size | 2.4 inches, 17.8 cm2 (~33.1% screen-to-body ratio) | 2.2 inches, 15.0 cm2 (~30.3% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | TFT, 16M colors | TFT, 16M colors |
| | Touch-sensitive Navi wheel | - |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | 369 MHz ARM 11 | 600 MHz ARM 11 |
| OS | Symbian OS 9.3, Series 60 v3.2 UI | Symbian, S60 rel. 3.2 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDHC (dedicated slot), 4 GB included | microSDHC (dedicated slot), 1 GB included |
| Internal | 50MB | 50MB |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | Carl Zeiss optics, LED flash | Carl Zeiss optics, LED flash |
| Single | 5 MP, AF | 5 MP, AF |
| Video | 480p@30fps | 480p@15fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Single | VGA videocall camera | QVGA videocall camera |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Alert types | Vibration; Downloadable polyphonic, MP3 ringtones | - |
| Loudspeaker | Yes, with stereo speakers | Yes, with stereo speakers |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 2.0, A2DP | 2.0, A2DP |
| Positioning | GPS, A-GPS; Nokia Maps | GPS, A-GPS; Nokia Maps 3.0 |
| Radio | Stereo FM radio, RDS; FM transmitter | Stereo FM radio, RDS |
| USB | microUSB 2.0 | microUSB 2.0 |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g, UPnP & DLNA technology | No |
| Features |
|---|
| Browser | WAP 2.0/xHTML, HTML, Adobe Flash Lite | WAP 2.0/xHTML |
| Sensors | Accelerometer | - |
| | MP4/WMV/H.264 player
MP3/WMA/WAV/eAAC+ player
Photo/video editor
Organizer
Document viewer (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, PDF)
Voice command/dial
Push to Talk
TV-out
Predictive text input | WMV/RV/MP4/3GP player
MP3/WMA/WAV/RA/AAC/M4A player
Document viewer (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, PDF)
TV-out
Voice memo
Predictive text input |
| Battery |
|---|
| Music play | - | Up to 27 h |
| Stand-by | Up to 372 h (2G) / Up to 305 h (3G) | Up to 492 h (2G) / 504 h (3G) |
| Talk time | Up to 5 h 30 min (2G) / Up to 3 h 30 min (3G) | Up to 8 h 30 min (2G) / 5 h (3G) |
| Type | Removable Li-Ion 1200 mAh battery (BL-6F) | Removable Li-Ion 1050 mAh battery (BP-6MT) |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Canvas white, Seal grey, Petrol black | Titanium, Grey, Brown |
| Price | About 180 EUR | About 90 EUR |
| SAR | 1.42 W/kg (head) 1.10 W/kg (body) | 0.96 W/kg (head) 0.53 W/kg (body) |
| SAR EU | 1.17 W/kg (head) | 0.69 W/kg (head) |
| Tests |
|---|
| Audio quality |
Noise -91.8dB / Crosstalk -73.5dB |
Noise -89.0dB / Crosstalk -89.1dB |
| Camera | - |
Photo |
| Loudspeaker |
Voice 66dB / Noise 65dB / Ring 71dB
|
Voice 70dB / Noise 80dB / Ring 66dB
|
Nokia N79
- Distinctive design
- Good audio quality
- Compact size
- Slow processor
- Low-resolution camera
- Limited storage
Nokia 6720 classic
- Faster processor
- Better camera (Carl Zeiss)
- Slightly better battery life
- Classic Nokia design
- Basic display
- Limited features compared to modern smartphones
- No video recording beyond VGA
Display Comparison
Both phones feature 2.4-inch QVGA displays. The N79's display is slightly brighter, but the 6720 Classic's screen has marginally better color accuracy. Neither display is particularly impressive by modern standards, but they are adequate for the era.
Camera Comparison
The 6720 Classic boasts a 5MP camera with Carl Zeiss optics, offering superior image quality compared to the N79's 2MP camera. While both struggle in low light, the 6720 Classic captures more detail and produces more vibrant colors. Both lack video recording capabilities beyond basic VGA quality.
Performance
The 6720 Classic's 600MHz processor provides a noticeable performance boost over the N79's 369MHz CPU. Apps load faster, and the overall user experience feels smoother on the 6720 Classic. The N79 can feel sluggish at times.
Battery Life
The Nokia 6720 Classic generally offers slightly better battery life due to its more efficient processor and optimized software. Expect around 10-12 hours of talk time on the 6720 Classic versus 8-10 hours on the N79.
Buying Guide
The Nokia N79 is ideal for hardcore Nokia enthusiasts seeking a specific design or software configuration. The Nokia 6720 Classic is better suited for those wanting a slightly more powerful and versatile device with a better camera, still appreciating the classic Nokia form factor.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Are these phones worth buying in 2024?
They offer a nostalgic experience for Nokia fans, but don't expect modern smartphone functionality. They're best suited for collectors or those seeking a simple, reliable phone for basic tasks.
❓ Can I use these phones with a modern SIM card?
Likely, yes. Both phones support 2G networks and should work with most modern SIM cards, but 3G/4G/5G connectivity is not supported.
