The Sony Ericsson C903 and Nokia N8 represent a fascinating era in mobile technology – a time before ubiquitous touchscreens and app stores. Both phones were flagship devices in their day, boasting impressive features for their time. Let's dive into a detailed comparison to see which one holds up best today.
🏆 Quick Verdict
The Nokia N8 edges out the C903 thanks to its superior camera, brighter display, and more powerful processor. While the C903 had a sleek design, the N8’s overall feature set and performance make it the slightly better choice for those seeking a nostalgic smartphone experience.
| 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 | HSPA 10.2/2 Mbps |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA | GSM / HSPA |
| | HSDPA 850 / 1900 / 2100 - C903a | - |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2009, February. Released 2009, July | 2010, April. Released 2010, October |
| Status | Discontinued | Discontinued |
| Body |
|---|
| Dimensions | 97 x 49 x 16 mm (3.82 x 1.93 x 0.63 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 | 96 g (3.39 oz) | 135 g (4.76 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | Scratch-resistant glass | Corning Gorilla Glass |
| Resolution | 240 x 320 pixels, 4:3 ratio (~167 ppi density) | 360 x 640 pixels, 16:9 ratio (~210 ppi density) |
| Size | 2.4 inches, 17.8 cm2 (~37.5% screen-to-body ratio) | 3.5 inches, 33.8 cm2 (~50.3% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | TFT, 256K colors | AMOLED |
| 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 | Memory Stick Micro (M2), up to 16 GB | microSDHC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 105MB | 16GB 256MB RAM |
| Phonebook | 1000 x 20 fields, Photo call | - |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | LED flash | Carl Zeiss optics, Xenon flash, ND filter |
| Single | 5 MP, AF | 12 MP, 1/1.83", AF |
| Video | 320p@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 | Yes |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 2.0, A2DP | 3.0, A2DP |
| Positioning | GPS, A-GPS; Wayfinder Navigator 7 | 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 | No | Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n, UPnP technology |
| Features |
|---|
| Browser | WAP 2.0/HTML (NetFront), 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, Push Email, IM | - |
| Sensors | Accelerometer | Accelerometer, proximity, compass |
| | MP3/AAC/MP4 player
TrackID music recognition
Photo editor
YouTube application
TV-out
Organizer
Voice memo/dial
Predictive text input | TV-out (720p video) via HDMI with Dolby Digital Plus sound
Anodized aluminum casing |
| Battery |
|---|
| Music play | - | Up to 50 h |
| Stand-by | Up to 400 h (2G) / Up to 350 h (3G) | Up to 390 h (2G) / Up to 400 h (3G) |
| Talk time | Up to 10 h (2G) / Up to 4 h (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 | Lacquer Black, Techno White, Glamour Red, Metal Pink, Warm Silver | Dark Grey, Silver White, Green, Blue, Orange, Pink, Bronze |
| Price | About 110 EUR | About 140 EUR |
| SAR | - | 1.09 W/kg (head) 0.85 W/kg (body) |
| SAR EU | 0.55 W/kg (head) | 1.02 W/kg (head) |
| Tests |
|---|
| Audio quality | - |
Noise -89.9dB / Crosstalk -90.9dB |
| Camera | - |
Photo / Video |
| Display | - |
Contrast ratio: 2.144:1 (sunlight) |
| Loudspeaker | - |
Voice 75dB / Noise 66dB / Ring 82dB |
Sony Ericsson C903
- Slim and stylish design
- Compact form factor
- Good build quality
- Limited specs information
- Likely slower performance
- Inferior camera compared to N8
- Smaller display
Nokia N8
- Excellent 12MP camera
- Bright and vibrant AMOLED display
- More powerful processor
- Larger screen
- Generally better battery life
- Bulkier design
- Older operating system
- Limited app availability
Display Comparison
The Nokia N8 boasts a 3.5-inch AMOLED display with a reported contrast ratio of 2144:1, making it significantly brighter and more vibrant, especially in sunlight. The C903’s display, while decent for its time, lacks the same level of color accuracy and brightness. The N8’s larger screen also provides a more immersive viewing experience.
Camera Comparison
The Nokia N8’s 12MP camera was a standout feature, offering excellent image quality and a range of shooting modes. It also featured a powerful LED flash. The C903’s camera, while capable, was generally considered inferior in terms of image quality and low-light performance. The N8’s camera was a major selling point.
Performance
The Nokia N8’s 680 MHz ARM 11 processor offers a noticeable performance advantage over the C903’s likely slower processor (specs are unavailable). This translates to smoother multitasking and faster app loading times on the N8. While both phones run older operating systems, the N8’s hardware provides a more responsive experience.
Battery Life
While specific battery capacities are difficult to confirm, the Nokia N8 generally offered better battery life due to its larger size and potentially more efficient power management. The C903's smaller size likely meant a smaller battery, resulting in shorter usage times.
Buying Guide
The Sony Ericsson C903 is ideal for those prioritizing a slim, stylish design and a more compact form factor. The Nokia N8 is better suited for users who value a strong camera, a larger screen, and a more robust feature set, even if it means a slightly bulkier device.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Are apps available for these phones?
Both phones run older operating systems (Symbian for the N8 and proprietary for the C903), so app availability is extremely limited. Don't expect to find modern apps.
❓ Are these phones worth buying in 2024?
They offer a nostalgic experience for those interested in classic smartphones. However, their limited functionality and lack of modern features mean they are primarily collector's items or for users seeking a very basic phone.
