The Sony Ericsson Satio (Idou) and Nokia N8 were flagship smartphones from their respective eras, both boasting impressive features and aiming to redefine the mobile experience. These phones represented the pinnacle of mobile technology at the time, particularly in the camera department. Let's dive into a detailed comparison to see which one truly reigns supreme.
🏆 Quick Verdict
The Nokia N8 edges out the Satio thanks to its superior video recording capabilities, slightly better overall performance, and exceptional sunlight readability. While the Satio had a unique design and a broader feature set, the N8's strengths 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 7.2/3.6 Mbps | HSPA 10.2/2 Mbps |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA | GSM / HSPA |
| | HSDPA 850 / 1900 / 2100 - Satio(a) for the Americas | - |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2009, February. Released 2009, October | 2010, April. Released 2010, October |
| Status | Discontinued | Discontinued |
| Body |
|---|
| Dimensions | 112 x 55 x 13 mm (4.41 x 2.17 x 0.51 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 | 126 g (4.44 oz) | 135 g (4.76 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | - | Corning Gorilla Glass |
| Resolution | 360 x 640 pixels, 16:9 ratio (~210 ppi density) | 360 x 640 pixels, 16:9 ratio (~210 ppi density) |
| Size | 3.5 inches, 33.8 cm2 (~54.8% screen-to-body ratio) | 3.5 inches, 33.8 cm2 (~50.3% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | TFT resistive touchscreen, 16M colors | AMOLED |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | 600 MHz Cortex-A8 | 680 MHz ARM 11 |
| GPU | PowerVR SGX | Broadcom BCM2727 |
| OS | Symbian 9.4, Series 60 rel. 5 | Symbian^3, upgradable to Nokia Belle Refresh |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDHC (dedicated slot), 8 GB included | microSDHC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 128MB; 256MB RAM | 16GB 256MB RAM |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | xenon flash, video LED flash | Carl Zeiss optics, Xenon flash, ND filter |
| Single | 12 MP, AF | 12 MP, 1/1.83", AF |
| Video | w480p@30fps (via SW update) | 720p@25fps, 720p@30fps (via SW update) |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Single | VGA videocall camera | VGA videocall camera |
| 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 | GPS, A-GPS; Ovi Maps 3.0 |
| Radio | Stereo FM radio | 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, RSS reader | WAP 2.0/xHTML, HTML, Adobe Flash Lite |
| Sensors | Accelerometer, proximity | Accelerometer, proximity, compass |
| | Gesture control
MP4/H.264/WMV player
MP3/WAV/WMA/eAAC+ player
TV-out
Office document viewer
Organizer
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 360 h (2G) / Up to 340 h (3G) | Up to 390 h (2G) / Up to 400 h (3G) |
| Talk time | Up to 11 h (2G) / Up to 4 h 50 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 | Black, Silver, Bordeaux | Dark Grey, Silver White, Green, Blue, Orange, Pink, Bronze |
| Price | About 180 EUR | About 140 EUR |
| SAR | - | 1.09 W/kg (head) 0.85 W/kg (body) |
| SAR EU | 1.58 W/kg (head) | 1.02 W/kg (head) |
| Tests |
|---|
| Audio quality |
Noise -87.0dB / Crosstalk -84.3dB |
Noise -89.9dB / Crosstalk -90.9dB |
| Camera |
Photo |
Photo / Video |
| Display | - |
Contrast ratio: 2.144:1 (sunlight) |
| Loudspeaker |
Voice 71dB / Noise 66dB / Ring 78dB |
Voice 75dB / Noise 66dB / Ring 82dB |
Sony Ericsson Satio (Idou)
- Unique and stylish design
- Large feature set (including FM transmitter)
- High-resolution camera (12.1MP)
- Inconsistent camera image quality
- Slower performance compared to N8
- Android experience not fully optimized
- Shorter battery life
Nokia N8
- Excellent camera with Carl Zeiss lens
- Superior image quality, especially in low light
- 1080p video recording
- Better battery life
- Bright and sunlight-readable display
- Symbian^3 OS felt dated
- Design less distinctive than Satio
- Performance slightly slower than modern smartphones
Display Comparison
Both phones feature displays with a remarkable 2.144:1 contrast ratio in sunlight, a significant achievement for the time. However, the N8's display generally offered slightly better color accuracy and viewing angles. The Satio's screen was smaller, contributing to a more compact form factor, but the N8's larger size allowed for more content on screen.
Camera Comparison
This is where the battle truly heats up. The Satio boasted a 12.1-megapixel camera, a significant number at the time, but image quality was often inconsistent. The N8's 12-megapixel camera, paired with a Carl Zeiss lens, consistently delivered superior image quality, particularly in low light. The N8 also offered full 1080p video recording, a feature the Satio lacked.
Performance
The Nokia N8's 680 MHz ARM 11 processor provided a slight edge in performance over the Satio's 600 MHz Cortex-A8. While both phones could handle everyday tasks, the N8 felt a bit snappier, especially when multitasking. The N8's Symbian^3 OS was also generally more optimized than the Satio's Android experience.
Battery Life
The Nokia N8 generally offered better battery life than the Satio. The N8's larger battery capacity and more efficient processor contributed to longer usage times between charges. The Satio's battery life was adequate, but it could drain quickly with heavy camera use or multimedia consumption.
Buying Guide
The Sony Ericsson Satio (Idou) is for those who appreciate a unique design and a wide array of features, even if some are niche. The Nokia N8 is ideal for photography enthusiasts and users who prioritize a vibrant display and reliable performance.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Which phone had the better operating system?
While both ran older operating systems, the Nokia N8's Symbian^3 was generally considered more stable and optimized than the Satio's Android experience.
❓ Was the Satio's 12.1MP camera truly better than the N8's?
No. While the Satio had a higher megapixel count, the N8's camera consistently produced better image quality thanks to its superior lens and image processing.
