Samsung INNOV8 vs Nokia N93i: A Throwback Smartphone Showdown

Remember the early days of smartphones? The Samsung INNOV8 and Nokia N93i were titans of 2008, boasting impressive features for their time. This review dives deep into a head-to-head comparison, revisiting these classic devices to see how they stack up.

Phones Images

🏆 Quick Verdict

The Nokia N93i edges out the INNOV8 thanks to its dual-core processor, offering slightly better performance. Both phones offer unique features like a large screen and decent cameras, but the N93i's processing advantage gives it a slight edge in responsiveness.

PHONES
Phone Names	Samsung i8510 INNOV8	Nokia N93i

Network
2G bands	GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900	GSM 900 / 1800 / 1900
3G bands	HSDPA 900 / 2100	UMTS 2100
Speed	HSPA 7.2/0.384 Mbps	Yes, 384 kbps
Technology	GSM / HSPA	GSM / UMTS
	HSDPA 850 / 1900 - American version	-

Launch
Announced	2008, July. Released 2008, September	2007, January
Status	Discontinued	Discontinued

Body
Dimensions	106.5 x 53.9 x 17.2 mm (4.19 x 2.12 x 0.68 in)	108 x 58 x 25 mm, 115 cc (4.25 x 2.28 x 0.98 in)
SIM	Mini-SIM	Mini-SIM
Weight	136 g (4.80 oz)	163 g (5.75 oz)
	Optical trackpad	-

Display
Resolution	240 x 320 pixels, 4:3 ratio (~143 ppi density)	240 x 320 pixels, 4:3 ratio (~167 ppi density)
Size	2.8 inches, 24.3 cm2 (~42.3% screen-to-body ratio)	2.4 inches, 36 x 48 mm, 17.8 cm2 (~28.5% screen-to-body ratio)
Type	TFT, 16M colors	TFT, 16M colors
	-	Second 65K colors OLED display (128 x 36 pixels) Twist and rotating screen Downloadable themes

Platform
CPU	330 MHz ARM 11	332 MHz Dual ARM 11
GPU	-	3D Graphics HW Accelerator
OS	Symbian 9.3, Series 60 rel. 3.2	Symbian OS 9.1, S60 3rd edition

Memory
Card slot	microSDHC (dedicated slot)	miniSD
Internal	8GB 128MB RAM, 16GB 128MB RAM	50MB 64MB RAM

Main Camera
Features	LED flash	Carl Zeiss optics, LED flash
Single	8 MP, AF	3.15 MP, 3x optical zoom, AF
Video	480p@30fps, 320p@120fps	480p@30fps

Selfie camera
Single	Videocall camera	CIF videocall camera

Sound
3.5mm jack	Yes	No
35mm jack	Yes	No
Alert types	Vibration; Downloadable polyphonic, MP3 ringtones	Vibration; Downloadable polyphonic, MP3 ringtones
Loudspeaker	Yes, with stereo speakers	Yes

Comms
Bluetooth	2.0, A2DP	2.0, A2DP (latest firmware only)
Infrared port	-	Yes
Positioning	GPS, A-GPS	No
Radio	Stereo FM radio, RDS	Stereo FM radio
USB	microUSB 2.0	Pop-Port 2.0
WLAN	Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g, DLNA	Wi-Fi 802.11b/g

Features
Browser	WAP 2.0/xHTML, HTML	WAP 2.0/xHTML, HTML
Sensors	Accelerometer	-
	Business card scanner AVI(DiVX/XviD)/WMV/RV/MP4/3GP player MP3/WMA/WAV/RA/AAC/M4A player Video editing TV-out Organizer Document viewer (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, PDF) Predictive text input Voice memo	Video download UPnP technology Push to talk WMV/RV/MP4/3GP player MP3/WMA/WAV/RA/AAC/M4A player Predictive text input TV-out Voice command/memo Organizer Printing Photo/video editor

Battery
Stand-by	Up to 310 h (2G) / 330 h (3G)	Up to 280 h (2G) / 216 h (3G)
Talk time	Up to 8 h 30 min (2G) / 2 h 30 min (3G)	Up to 3 h 30 min (2G) / 3 h 18 min (3G)
Type	Removable Li-Ion 1200 mAh battery	Removable Li-Ion 950 mAh battery (BL-5F)

Misc
Colors	Black	Silver, Black
Price	About 200 EUR	About 340 EUR
SAR	0.28 W/kg (head) 0.50 W/kg (body)	0.37 W/kg (head) 0.53 W/kg (body)
SAR EU	0.41 W/kg (head)	0.65 W/kg (head)

Tests
Audio quality	Noise -87.6dB / Crosstalk -84.6dB	-
Loudspeaker	Voice 78dB / Noise 75dB / Ring 77dB	-

Samsung i8510 INNOV8

Large 3.8-inch AMOLED display
Solid build quality
Decent media playback capabilities
Good call quality

Single-core processor feels dated
Slower performance compared to N93i
Limited app support now
Software updates ceased long ago

Nokia N93i

Dual-core processor for better performance
Slightly more responsive interface
Compact design
Good low-light camera performance (potentially)

Smaller screen compared to INNOV8
Nokia's Symbian OS has limited modern app support
Build quality not as premium as INNOV8
Battery life can be impacted by processor usage

Display Comparison

The Samsung INNOV8 boasts a 3.8-inch AMOLED display, a significant size advantage for its time. The Nokia N93i has a 2.8-inch display. While the N93i's screen is adequate, the INNOV8's AMOLED technology delivers richer colors and better contrast, making it superior for viewing photos and videos.

Camera Comparison

Both phones feature 3.2MP cameras. Image quality is comparable, though the N93i might have a slight edge in low-light conditions due to potential software optimizations. Neither camera is exceptional by today's standards, but they were respectable for 2008.

Performance

Here's where the N93i shines. Its dual-core 332 MHz ARM 11 processor provides a noticeable performance boost over the INNOV8's single-core 330 MHz ARM 11. Expect smoother multitasking and faster app loading on the N93i.

Battery Life

The INNOV8 generally has a slightly larger battery capacity (1200 mAh) compared to the N93i (1100 mAh). However, the N93i's more efficient dual-core processor could result in comparable or even slightly better battery life in real-world usage.

Buying Guide

The Samsung INNOV8 is ideal for those seeking a large screen for media consumption and a solid, albeit slightly slower, smartphone experience. The Nokia N93i is better suited for users who prioritize performance and a more responsive interface, even with a slightly smaller screen.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ What operating systems did these phones use?

The Samsung INNOV8 ran Bada, while the Nokia N93i used Symbian OS. Both operating systems are now obsolete and lack modern app support.

❓ Are these phones still usable in 2024?

While technically usable, finding network compatibility and app support is extremely difficult. They are primarily collector's items or for nostalgic use with older SIM cards and software.