The Nokia N73 and N85 represent a golden era of feature phones, packed with impressive capabilities for their time. Both offered multimedia prowess and a distinct Nokia design, but which one truly delivered a superior experience? Let's dive into a detailed comparison to settle the debate.
🏆 Quick Verdict
The Nokia N85 edges out the N73 thanks to its slightly faster processor, larger screen, and improved multimedia features. However, the N73 remains a compelling choice for its robust build quality and excellent camera, offering a fantastic value proposition even today.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 900 / 1900 / 2100 | UMTS 2100 |
| EDGE | No | - |
| GPRS | Class 10 | - |
| Speed | HSPA 3.6/0.384 Mbps | Yes, 384 kbps |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA | GSM / UMTS |
| | HSDPA 850 / 1900 / 2100 - American version | - |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2008, August. Released 2008, October | 2006, April. Released 2006, August |
| Status | Discontinued | Discontinued |
| Body |
|---|
| Dimensions | 103 x 50 x 16 mm, 76 cc (4.06 x 1.97 x 0.63 in) | 110 x 49 x 19 mm (4.33 x 1.93 x 0.75 in) |
| Keyboard | QWERTY | - |
| SIM | Mini-SIM | Mini-SIM |
| Weight | 128 g (4.52 oz) | 116 g (4.09 oz) |
| | Dual slide design | - |
| Display |
|---|
| Resolution | 240 x 320 pixels, 4:3 ratio (~154 ppi density) | 240 x 320 pixels, 4:3 ratio (~167 ppi density) |
| Size | 2.6 inches, 20.9 cm2 (~40.6% screen-to-body ratio) | 2.4 inches, 36 x 48 mm, 17.8 cm2 (~33.1% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | AMOLED, 16M colors | TFT, 256K colors |
| | Touch-sensitive Navi wheel | Downloadable themes |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | 369 MHz ARM 11 | 220 MHz Dual ARM 9 |
| OS | Symbian OS 9.3, S60 rel. 3.2 | Symbian OS 9.1, S60 3rd edition |
| Memory |
|---|
| Call records | Yes | - |
| Card slot | microSDHC (dedicated slot), 8 GB included | miniSD |
| Internal | 74MB | 42MB 64MB RAM |
| Phonebook | 500 entries, Photocall | - |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | Carl Zeiss optics, LED flash | Carl Zeiss optics, LED flash |
| Single | 5 MP, AF | 3.15 MP, AF |
| Video | 480p@30fps | CIF |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Single | CIF videocall camera | VGA videocall camera |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | No |
| 35mm jack | Yes | No |
| Alert types | Vibration; Downloadable polyphonic, monophonic, MP3 ringtones | Vibration; Downloadable polyphonic, MP3 ringtones |
| Loudspeaker | Yes, with stereo speakers | Yes, with stereo speakers |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 2.0, A2DP | 2.0, A2DP (latest firmware) |
| Infrared port | - | Yes |
| Positioning | GPS, A-GPS; Nokia Maps 2.0 | No |
| Radio | Stereo FM radio, RDS; FM transmitter | Stereo FM radio |
| USB | microUSB 2.0 | Pop-Port 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, HTML |
| Games | Downloadable | - |
| Java | No | - |
| Messaging | SMS, MMS | - |
| Sensors | Accelerometer | - |
| | MP4/WMV/H.264 player
MP3/WAV/eAAC+/WMA player
Organizer
Document viewer (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, PDF)
Voice dial/memo
Push to talk
TV-out
Predictive text input | Push to talk
Video download
WMV/RV/MP4/3GP player
MP3/WMA/WAV/RA/AAC/M4A player
Predictive text input
Voice command/dial
Organizer
Printing
Document viewer (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, PDF)
Photo/video editor |
| Battery |
|---|
| Stand-by | Up to 363 h (2G) / Up to 363 h (3G) | Up to 350 h (2G) / 370 h (3G) |
| Talk time | Up to 6 h 50 min (2G) / Up to 4 h 30 min (3G) | Up to 6 h (2G) / 3 h 46 min (3G) |
| Type | Removable Li-Ion 1200 mAh battery (BL-5K) | Removable Li-Ion 1100 mAh battery (BP-6M ) |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Copper, Black | Silver Grey/Deep Plum, Frost White/Metallic Red, Black (Music Edition) |
| Price | About 250 EUR | About 100 EUR |
| SAR | 1.03 W/kg (head) 0.79 W/kg (body) | 1.22 W/kg (head) 0.69 W/kg (body) |
| SAR EU | 0.81 W/kg (head) | 1.13 W/kg (head) |
| Tests |
|---|
| Audio quality |
Noise -94.4dB / Crosstalk -88.1dB | - |
| Loudspeaker |
Voice 67dB / Noise 65dB / Ring 71dB
| - |
| OUR TESTS |
|---|
| Audio quality | Noise -94.4dB / Crosstalk -88.1dB | - |
| Loudspeaker | Voice 67dB / Noise 65dB / Ring 71dB | - |
Nokia N85
- Larger Display
- Faster Processor
- Slightly Better Multimedia
- Stylish Design
- Shorter Battery Life
- Camera Not Significantly Better Than N73
- Can Feel Slightly Less Durable
Nokia N73
- Excellent Camera (Carl Zeiss)
- Durable Build Quality
- Good Battery Life
- Classic Nokia Feel
- Smaller Display
- Slower Processor
- Less Modern Features
- Can Feel Dated
Display Comparison
The N85 boasts a 2.6-inch QVGA display, slightly larger than the N73's 2.4-inch screen. While both offer decent clarity, the N85's larger size provides a more immersive viewing experience for photos and videos.
Camera Comparison
The N73 is renowned for its 3.2MP camera with Carl Zeiss optics, delivering exceptional image quality for its time. The N85 features a 5MP camera, but image quality isn't significantly better, and the N73's lens often produces more pleasing results. Both offer video recording capabilities.
Performance
The N85's 369 MHz ARM 11 processor provides a noticeable performance boost over the N73's 220 MHz Dual ARM 9. Apps load faster, and the overall user experience feels smoother on the N85. However, both phones are limited by their software and memory.
Battery Life
The N73 generally offers slightly better battery life due to its less demanding processor and smaller screen. Expect around 280 hours of standby time compared to the N85's 220 hours. Actual usage will vary.
Buying Guide
The Nokia N85 is ideal for those seeking a slightly more modern feature phone experience with a larger display and enhanced multimedia capabilities. The Nokia N73 is perfect for users prioritizing a durable device with a renowned camera and a classic Nokia feel, especially on a budget.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Which phone is better for photography?
The Nokia N73 is generally considered superior for photography due to its Carl Zeiss lens and excellent image quality, despite the N85 having a higher megapixel count.
❓ Is the N85 worth the extra cost over the N73?
If you prioritize a larger screen and slightly faster performance, the N85 is worth the premium. However, for most users, the N73 offers excellent value and a comparable experience.
