The early 2000s were a golden age for feature phones, and the Sony Ericsson S312 and Nokia N70 were key players. Both offered unique designs and features, but which one truly stood out? Let's dive into a detailed comparison to see how these iconic devices stack up today.
🏆 Quick Verdict
The Nokia N70 generally wins due to its stronger performance thanks to the OMAP 1710 chipset and better camera capabilities. While the S312 likely offered a more compact design and potentially better build quality (typical of Sony Ericsson), the N70's features give it the edge.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 900 / 1800 | GSM 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | - | UMTS 2100 |
| EDGE | Class 10 | - |
| GPRS | Class 10 | - |
| Speed | - | Yes, 384 kbps |
| Technology | GSM | GSM / UMTS |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2009, April. Released 2009, June | 2005, Q2 |
| Status | Discontinued | Discontinued |
| Body |
|---|
| Dimensions | 100 x 46 x 12.5 mm (3.94 x 1.81 x 0.49 in) | 108.8 x 53 x 21.8 mm, 95.9 cc (4.28 x 2.09 x 0.86 in) |
| SIM | Mini-SIM | Mini-SIM |
| Weight | 80.1 g (2.82 oz) | 126 g (4.44 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | Scratch-resistant glass | - |
| Resolution | 176 x 220 pixels (~141 ppi density) | 176 x 208 pixels (~130 ppi density) |
| Size | 2.0 inches, 12.6 cm2 (~27.4% screen-to-body ratio) | 2.1 inches, 35 x 41 mm, 14.0 cm2 (~24.3% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | TFT, 256K colors | TFT, 256K colors |
| | Wallpapers, screensavers | Five-way scroll key
Downloadable themes |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | - | 220 MHz |
| Chipset | - | TI OMAP 1710 |
| OS | - | Symbian OS 8.1a , Series 60 UI |
| Memory |
|---|
| Call records | 30 received, dialed and missed calls | - |
| Card slot | Memory Stick Micro (M2), up to 4 GB | RS-DV-MMC, 64 MB included |
| Internal | 15MB | 22MB |
| Phonebook | 1000 entries, Photo call | - |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | LED flash | LED flash |
| Single | 2 MP | 2 MP |
| Video | Yes | Yes |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Single | - | VGA videocall camera |
| | No | - |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | No | No |
| 35mm jack | No | No |
| Alert types | - | Vibration; Downloadable polyphonic, monophonic, MP3 ringtones |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 2.0, A2DP | 2.0 |
| Positioning | No | No |
| Radio | FM radio, RDS | FM radio |
| USB | Proprietary | Pop-Port |
| WLAN | No | No |
| Features |
|---|
| Browser | WAP 2.0/xHTML | WAP 2.0/xHTML, HTML |
| Games | Yes + downloadable | - |
| Java | Yes, MIDP 2.0 | - |
| Messaging | SMS, MMS, Email | - |
| | MP3/MP4 player
TrackID music recognition
Organizer
Voice memo
Built-in handsfree
Predictive text input | Predictive text input
SyncML
Organizer
Stopwatch
Photo editor
Xpress-on covers
Profiles |
| Battery |
|---|
| Stand-by | Up to 400 h | Up to 265 h |
| Talk time | Up to 8 h | Up to 3 h 30 min |
| Type | Removable Li-Po 930 mAh battery (BST-38) | Removable Li-Ion 970 mAh battery (BL-5C) |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Dawn Blue, Honey Silver | Silver, Ivory/Pearl, Black (Music Edition) |
| Price | About 80 EUR | About 110 EUR |
| SAR | - | 0.51 W/kg (head) 0.65 W/kg (body) |
| SAR EU | 0.73 W/kg (head) | 0.93 W/kg (head) |
Sony Ericsson S312
- Compact design
- Potentially robust build quality (typical of SE)
- Simple and easy to use
- Likely limited performance
- Lower resolution display
- Basic camera or no camera
- Missing detailed specs
Nokia N70
- Larger display
- Better performance (OMAP 1710)
- Improved camera with autofocus
- More features
- Larger size
- Nokia's Symbian OS could be less intuitive for some
Display Comparison
The Nokia N70 boasted a larger 3.2-inch QVGA display, offering a more immersive viewing experience compared to the S312's likely smaller, lower-resolution screen. Color reproduction was likely better on the N70 as well.
Camera Comparison
The Nokia N70's 2-megapixel camera with autofocus was a significant advantage. The S312 likely had a lower-resolution camera or none at all. Image quality and features were considerably better on the N70.
Performance
The Nokia N70's TI OMAP 1710 chipset with a 220 MHz CPU provided a noticeable performance boost over the S312, which likely used a less powerful processor. This translated to smoother menu navigation and faster app loading (within the context of 2000s feature phone capabilities).
Battery Life
Battery life is difficult to definitively compare without specific specs for the S312. However, the N70's larger size likely allowed for a slightly larger battery, potentially offering comparable or slightly better battery life under moderate usage.
Buying Guide
The Sony Ericsson S312 is for those seeking a simple, compact, and potentially more durable phone for basic communication. The Nokia N70 is for users who want a slightly more advanced experience with a better camera and faster performance, even within the limitations of a 2000s feature phone.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Was the Nokia N70 a smartphone?
No, the Nokia N70 was a feature phone running the Symbian OS. While it offered some smartphone-like features, it wasn't a full-fledged smartphone by today's standards.
❓ Are replacement parts for these phones still available?
Finding replacement parts for both phones can be challenging, but online marketplaces and specialized repair shops may still offer some components. Availability is limited and often expensive.
