The Sony Ericsson Aino and Nokia N8 represent a fascinating era of smartphone evolution. Both devices were highly regarded in their time, boasting impressive features for their generation. But which one holds up better today? Let's dive into a detailed comparison.
🏆 Quick Verdict
The Nokia N8 emerges as the overall winner thanks to its superior camera, brighter display, and more powerful processor. While the Aino offered a unique gaming focus, the N8's broader appeal and better hardware make it the more compelling choice for most users.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 900 / 2100 | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700 / 1900 / 2100 |
| Speed | HSPA 7.2/2 Mbps | HSPA 10.2/2 Mbps |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA | GSM / HSPA |
| | HSDPA 850 / 1900 / 2100 Aino (a) for Americas | - |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2009, May. Released 2009, October | 2010, April. Released 2010, October |
| Status | Discontinued | Discontinued |
| Body |
|---|
| Dimensions | 104 x 50 x 15.5 mm (4.09 x 1.97 x 0.61 in) | 113.5 x 59.1 x 12.9 mm, 86 cc (4.47 x 2.33 x 0.51 in) |
| SIM | Mini-SIM | Mini-SIM |
| Weight | 134 g (4.73 oz) | 135 g (4.76 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | - | Corning Gorilla Glass |
| Resolution | 240 x 432 pixels (~165 ppi density) | 360 x 640 pixels, 16:9 ratio (~210 ppi density) |
| Size | 3.0 inches, 24.6 cm2 (~47.4% screen-to-body ratio) | 3.5 inches, 33.8 cm2 (~50.3% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | TFT | AMOLED |
| | Limited touchscreen functionality | - |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | - | 680 MHz ARM 11 |
| GPU | - | Broadcom BCM2727 |
| OS | - | Symbian^3, upgradable to Nokia Belle Refresh |
| Memory |
|---|
| Call records | 30 received, dialed and missed calls | - |
| Card slot | microSDHC (dedicated slot), 8 GB included | microSDHC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 55MB | 16GB 256MB RAM |
| Phonebook | 1000 x 20 fields, Photo call | - |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | LED flash | Carl Zeiss optics, Xenon flash, ND filter |
| Single | 8.1 MP, AF | 12 MP, 1/1.83", AF |
| Video | 480p@30fps | 720p@25fps, 720p@30fps (via SW update) |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Single | - | VGA videocall camera |
| | No | - |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | No | Yes |
| 35mm jack | No | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes, with stereo speakers | Yes |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 2.1, A2DP | 3.0, A2DP |
| Positioning | GPS, A-GPS; Wayfinder Navigator | GPS, A-GPS; Ovi Maps 3.0 |
| Radio | Stereo FM radio, RDS | Stereo FM radio, RDS; FM transmitter |
| USB | 2.0 | microUSB 2.0, OTG |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g, DLNA | Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n, UPnP technology |
| Features |
|---|
| Browser | WAP 2.0/HTML (NetFront 3.5), RSS reader | WAP 2.0/xHTML, HTML, Adobe Flash Lite |
| Games | Yes, incl. motion-based + downloadable | - |
| Java | Yes, MIDP 2.0 | - |
| Messaging | SMS(threaded view), MMS, Email | - |
| Sensors | Accelerometer | Accelerometer, proximity, compass |
| | Remote play for Playstation 3
Photo editor
Organizer
Voice memo
SensMe
Predictive text input | TV-out (720p video) via HDMI with Dolby Digital Plus sound
Anodized aluminum casing |
| Battery |
|---|
| Music play | Up to 31 h | Up to 50 h |
| Stand-by | Up to 380 h (2G) / Up to 367 h (3G) | Up to 390 h (2G) / Up to 400 h (3G) |
| Talk time | Up to 13 h (2G) / Up to 4 h 30 min (3G) | Up to 12 h (2G) / Up to 5 h 50 min (3G) |
| Type | Removable Li-Po 1000 mAh battery | Non-removable Li-Ion 1200 mAh battery (BL-4D) |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Obsidian Black, Luminous White | Dark Grey, Silver White, Green, Blue, Orange, Pink, Bronze |
| Price | About 120 EUR | About 140 EUR |
| SAR | 1.00 W/kg (head) 0.95 W/kg (body) | 1.09 W/kg (head) 0.85 W/kg (body) |
| SAR EU | 0.74 W/kg (head) | 1.02 W/kg (head) |
| Tests |
|---|
| Audio quality |
Noise -81.4dB / Crosstalk -80.2dB |
Noise -89.9dB / Crosstalk -90.9dB |
| Camera |
Photo |
Photo / Video |
| Display | - |
Contrast ratio: 2.144:1 (sunlight) |
| Loudspeaker |
Voice 66dB / Noise 66dB / Ring 75dB
|
Voice 75dB / Noise 66dB / Ring 82dB |
Sony Ericsson Aino
- Compact design
- Gaming-focused features
- Retro appeal
- Lower performance
- Less impressive camera
- Limited availability
Nokia N8
- Excellent camera (12MP)
- Bright, high-contrast display
- Better performance
- Durable build quality
- Larger size
- Outdated software
- Limited app ecosystem
Display Comparison
The Nokia N8's display is a clear winner. Its 3.5-inch AMOLED screen boasts a remarkable 2.144:1 contrast ratio, making it exceptionally vibrant and readable even in direct sunlight – a significant advantage over the Aino's likely lower contrast LCD. The N8's resolution was also slightly higher, contributing to sharper visuals.
Camera Comparison
The Nokia N8's camera is its standout feature. With a 12MP sensor and Carl Zeiss optics, it delivered exceptional image quality for its time, including excellent detail and dynamic range. It also offered video recording capabilities. The Aino's camera, while capable of taking photos, simply doesn't match the N8's photographic prowess.
Performance
The Nokia N8's 680 MHz ARM 11 processor provides a noticeable performance boost compared to the Aino's likely less powerful processor (specs are limited). While neither phone is a speed demon by modern standards, the N8 handles multitasking and applications more smoothly. The Aino's focus on gaming might have optimized it for certain titles, but overall, the N8 offers better general performance.
Battery Life
The Nokia N8 generally had a larger battery capacity (around 1200 mAh) compared to the Aino (likely around 930 mAh), translating to longer battery life, especially with heavy camera usage. While both phones would require daily charging by today's standards, the N8 offered a slight edge in endurance.
Buying Guide
The Sony Ericsson Aino is a niche buy for those seeking a retro gaming experience and a compact form factor. The Nokia N8 is ideal for photography enthusiasts and users who appreciate a robust, well-rounded smartphone with a fantastic camera and excellent sunlight readability.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Which phone is better for photography?
The Nokia N8 is significantly better for photography due to its superior 12MP camera with Carl Zeiss optics and better image processing.
❓ Is the Aino good for gaming?
The Aino was marketed as a gaming phone, but its limited processing power and smaller app selection make it less appealing for modern gaming compared to other devices.
❓ Are spare parts readily available for these phones?
Finding spare parts for both phones can be challenging due to their age. Online marketplaces are your best bet, but availability is limited.
