Remember the days of Nokia dominating the mobile landscape? The N79 and E52 were both popular choices, offering distinct features and appealing to different users. Let's dive into a detailed comparison to see which phone holds up best today.
🏆 Quick Verdict
The Nokia E52 emerges as the clear winner thanks to its significantly faster 600 MHz processor, offering a smoother user experience. While the N79 had a stylish design, the E52's improved performance and similar features make it the more practical choice for modern use.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 900 / 2100 | HSDPA 900 / 2100 |
| Speed | HSPA 3.6/0.384 Mbps | HSPA 10.2/2 Mbps |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA | GSM / HSPA |
| | - | HSDPA 850 / 2100 - US version |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2008, August. Released 2008, October | 2009, May. 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) | 116 x 49 x 9.9 mm, 54 cc (4.57 x 1.93 x 0.39 in) |
| SIM | Mini-SIM | Mini-SIM |
| Weight | 97 g (3.42 oz) | 98 g (3.46 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Resolution | 240 x 320 pixels, 4:3 ratio (~167 ppi density) | 240 x 320 pixels, 4:3 ratio (~167 ppi density) |
| Size | 2.4 inches, 17.8 cm2 (~33.1% screen-to-body ratio) | 2.4 inches, 17.8 cm2 (~31.4% 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 | 60MB |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | Carl Zeiss optics, LED flash | LED flash |
| Single | 5 MP, AF | 3.2 MP |
| 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 |
| 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 | Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g, UPnP & DLNA technology |
| Features |
|---|
| Browser | WAP 2.0/xHTML, HTML, Adobe Flash Lite | WAP 2.0/xHTML, HTML, Adobe Flash Lite |
| Sensors | Accelerometer | Accelerometer, compass |
| | 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 editor (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, PDF) incl. MS Office 2007 support via free update
Organizer
Photo editor
Voice memo
Predictive text input |
| Battery |
|---|
| Music play | - | Up to 40 h |
| Stand-by | Up to 372 h (2G) / Up to 305 h (3G) | Up to 672 h (2G) / Up to 432 h (3G) |
| Talk time | Up to 5 h 30 min (2G) / Up to 3 h 30 min (3G) | Up to 8 h (2G) / Up to 6 h (3G) |
| Type | Removable Li-Ion 1200 mAh battery (BL-6F) | Removable Li-Po 1500 mAh battery (BP-4L) |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Canvas white, Seal grey, Petrol black | Metal Grey Aluminium, Golden Aluminium, Graphite Grey, Black |
| Price | About 180 EUR | About 110 EUR |
| SAR | 1.42 W/kg (head) 1.10 W/kg (body) | 1.04 W/kg (head) 0.70 W/kg (body) |
| SAR EU | 1.17 W/kg (head) | 1.20 W/kg (head) |
| Tests |
|---|
| Audio quality |
Noise -91.8dB / Crosstalk -73.5dB |
Noise -85.3dB / Crosstalk -85.4dB |
| Camera | - |
Photo |
| Loudspeaker |
Voice 66dB / Noise 65dB / Ring 71dB
|
Voice 66dB / Noise 64dB / Ring 75dB
|
Nokia N79
- Stylish design
- Compact size
- FM Radio
- Slow performance
- Poor camera
- Limited app support
Nokia E52
- Faster processor
- Improved battery life
- Reliable messaging
- QWERTY keyboard
- Less visually striking design
- Basic camera
- Limited storage
Display Comparison
Both phones feature 2.4-inch QVGA displays. While the resolution is similar, the E52's slightly improved color reproduction and viewing angles give it a marginal edge. The N79's design might be preferred by some for its more rounded edges.
Camera Comparison
Both phones feature basic VGA cameras. Image quality is comparable and generally poor by modern standards. Don't expect high-resolution photos from either device; they're primarily for quick snapshots.
Performance
The E52's 600 MHz CPU is a substantial upgrade over the N79's 369 MHz processor. This translates to noticeably faster app loading, smoother multitasking, and a more responsive overall experience. The N79 can feel sluggish by today's standards.
Battery Life
The E52 generally offers slightly better battery life due to its more efficient processor and optimized software. Expect around 8-10 hours of talk time on the E52 versus 6-8 hours on the N79.
Buying Guide
The Nokia N79 is best suited for collectors or those seeking a nostalgic experience with a focus on aesthetics. The Nokia E52 is ideal for users needing a reliable, functional phone with better performance for basic tasks and messaging.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Which phone is better for messaging?
The Nokia E52's QWERTY keyboard makes it significantly better for messaging than the N79's traditional keypad.
❓ Are these phones still worth buying?
For collectors or those seeking a nostalgic experience, yes. However, for practical daily use, modern smartphones offer a vastly superior experience.
