Sony Ericsson Aino vs Nokia N86 8MP: A Detailed Comparison

The Sony Ericsson Aino and Nokia N86 8MP were both contenders in the mid-to-late 2000s smartphone landscape, primarily known for their camera capabilities. But which one offered a better overall experience? This review dives deep into their features, performance, and design to help you decide which phone was the better choice.

Phones Images

🏆 Quick Verdict

The Nokia N86 8MP edges out the Aino thanks to its superior 8MP camera, faster processor, and slightly better overall build quality. While the Aino had a unique design, the N86's camera and performance make it the more compelling choice for most users.

PHONES
Phone Names	Sony Ericsson Aino	Nokia N86 8MP

Network
2G bands	GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900	GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900
3G bands	HSDPA 900 / 2100	HSDPA 900 / 2100
Speed	HSPA 7.2/2 Mbps	HSPA 3.6/0.384 Mbps
Technology	GSM / HSPA	GSM / HSPA
	HSDPA 850 / 1900 / 2100 Aino (a) for Americas	HSDPA 850 / 1900 / 2100 - American version

Launch
Announced	2009, May. Released 2009, October	2009, February. Released 2009, June
Status	Discontinued	Discontinued

Body
Dimensions	104 x 50 x 15.5 mm (4.09 x 1.97 x 0.61 in)	103.4 x 51.4 x 16.5 mm, 69 cc (4.07 x 2.02 x 0.65 in)
SIM	Mini-SIM	Mini-SIM
Weight	134 g (4.73 oz)	149 g (5.26 oz)
	-	Dual slide design Built-in kickstand

Display
Protection	-	Scratch-resistant glass
Resolution	240 x 432 pixels (~165 ppi density)	240 x 320 pixels, 4:3 ratio (~154 ppi density)
Size	3.0 inches, 24.6 cm2 (~47.4% screen-to-body ratio)	2.6 inches, 20.9 cm2 (~39.4% screen-to-body ratio)
Type	TFT	AMOLED, 16M colors
	Limited touchscreen functionality	-

Platform
CPU	-	434 MHz ARM 11
OS	-	Symbian 9.3, S60 rel. 3.2

Memory
Call records	30 received, dialed and missed calls	-
Card slot	microSDHC (dedicated slot), 8 GB included	microSDHC (dedicated slot)
Internal	55MB	8GB 128MB RAM
Phonebook	1000 x 20 fields, Photo call	-

Main Camera
Features	LED flash	Carl Zeiss lens, dual-LED flash
Single	8.1 MP, AF	8 MP, AF
Video	480p@30fps	480p@30fps

Selfie camera
Single	-	VGA videocall camera
	No	-

Sound
3.5mm jack	No	Yes
35mm jack	No	Yes
Loudspeaker	Yes, with stereo speakers	Yes, with stereo speakers
	-	Dedicated music/gallery keys

Comms
Bluetooth	2.1, A2DP	2.0, 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
WLAN	Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g, DLNA	Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g, 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, compass
	Remote play for Playstation 3 Photo editor Organizer Voice memo SensMe Predictive text input	WMV/RV/MP4/3GP player MP3/WMA/WAV/RA/AAC/M4A player Document viewer (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, PDF) Voice memo TV-out

Battery
Music play	Up to 31 h	Up to 25 h
Stand-by	Up to 380 h (2G) / Up to 367 h (3G)	Up to 312 h (2G) / 264 h (3G)
Talk time	Up to 13 h (2G) / Up to 4 h 30 min (3G)	Up to 6 h 18 min (2G) / 3 h 54 min (3G)
Type	Removable Li-Po 1000 mAh battery	Removable Li-Ion 1200 mAh battery (BL-5K)

Misc
Colors	Obsidian Black, Luminous White	Indigo Black, White
Price	About 120 EUR	About 180 EUR
SAR	1.00 W/kg (head) 0.95 W/kg (body)	0.83 W/kg (head) 0.88 W/kg (body)
SAR EU	0.74 W/kg (head)	0.66 W/kg (head)

Tests
Audio quality	Noise -81.4dB / Crosstalk -80.2dB	Noise -91.0dB / Crosstalk -89.1dB
Camera	Photo	Photo
Loudspeaker	Voice 66dB / Noise 66dB / Ring 75dB	Voice 67dB / Noise 64dB / Ring 75dB

Sony Ericsson Aino

Unique design
Decent multimedia playback
Compact size

Slower performance
Less impressive camera
Limited information available on specs

Nokia N86 8MP

Excellent 8MP camera with Zeiss lens
Faster processor
Better overall build quality
More readily available information

Smaller screen
Less distinctive design

Display Comparison

Both phones featured relatively small displays for their time – the Aino with a 3-inch screen and the N86 with a 2.6-inch screen. The N86's screen had a slightly higher resolution, but both offered acceptable viewing experiences for the era. Neither phone had particularly vibrant colors or wide viewing angles.

Camera Comparison

This was the main battleground. The Nokia N86 boasted an 8MP camera with a Carl Zeiss lens, delivering significantly better image quality, especially in low light. The Aino's camera, while capable, simply couldn't compete with the N86's superior optics and resolution. The N86 also offered more advanced camera features.

Performance

The Nokia N86 held a clear advantage here. Its 434 MHz ARM 11 processor provided noticeably smoother performance compared to the Aino's likely slower processor (specific Aino CPU details are scarce, but it was generally less powerful). This translated to faster app loading and a more responsive user interface on the N86.

Battery Life

Battery life was generally comparable between the two devices, offering around a day of moderate use. Both phones utilized standard batteries, and heavy camera usage would drain the battery faster.

Buying Guide

The Sony Ericsson Aino might appeal to those seeking a unique, stylish design and a decent multimedia experience. The Nokia N86 8MP is ideal for photography enthusiasts who prioritize camera quality and a more robust performance.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ Which phone has the better camera?

The Nokia N86 8MP has a significantly better camera thanks to its 8MP resolution and Carl Zeiss lens, offering superior image quality and more features.

❓ Which phone is faster?

The Nokia N86 8MP is faster due to its 434 MHz ARM 11 processor, providing a smoother and more responsive user experience.