The Sony Ericsson W995 and Nokia N95 8GB were titans of the feature phone era, offering multimedia powerhouses in a compact form. Both devices aimed to blend music, photography, and internet access, but which one truly delivered? Let's dive into a detailed comparison to settle the score.
🏆 Quick Verdict
The Nokia N95 8GB edges out the W995 thanks to its superior multitasking capabilities from the dual-core processor and larger storage. While the W995 boasts a slightly better music experience, the N95's overall feature set and more robust OS give it the advantage.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 900 / 2100 | HSDPA 2100 |
| Speed | HSPA 7.2/2 Mbps | HSPA |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA | GSM / HSPA |
| | HSDPA 850 / 1900 - W995a | HSDPA 850 / 1900 - American version |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2009, February. Released 2009, May | 2007, August. Released 2007, October |
| Status | Discontinued | Discontinued |
| Body |
|---|
| Dimensions | 97 x 49 x 15 mm (3.82 x 1.93 x 0.59 in) | 99 x 53 x 21 mm, 96 cc (3.90 x 2.09 x 0.83 in) |
| SIM | Mini-SIM | Mini-SIM |
| Weight | 113 g (3.99 oz) | 128 g (4.52 oz) |
| | Built-in kickstand | Dual slide design |
| Display |
|---|
| Resolution | 240 x 320 pixels, 4:3 ratio (~154 ppi density) | 240 x 320 pixels, 4:3 ratio (~143 ppi density) |
| Size | 2.6 inches, 20.9 cm2 (~44.0% screen-to-body ratio) | 2.8 inches, 24.3 cm2 (~46.3% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | TFT, 256K colors | TFT, 16M colors |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | 369 MHz ARM 11 | 332 MHz Dual ARM 11 |
| GPU | - | 3D Graphics HW Accelerator |
| OS | - | Symbian OS 9.2, S60 rel. 3.1 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Call records | 30 received, dialed and missed calls | - |
| Card slot | Memory Stick Micro (M2), up to 16 GB, 8 GB included | No |
| Internal | 118MB | 8GB 128MB RAM |
| Phonebook | 1000 x 20 fields, Photo call | - |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | LED flash | Carl Zeiss optics, LED flash |
| Single | 8.1 MP, AF | 5 MP, AF |
| Video | 320p@30fps | 480p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Single | - | QVGA videocall camera |
| | Videocall camera | - |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Alert types | - | Vibration; Downloadable polyphonic, monophonic, MP3 ringtones |
| Loudspeaker | Yes, with stereo speakers | Yes, with stereo speakers |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 2.0, A2DP | 2.0, A2DP |
| Infrared port | - | Yes |
| Positioning | GPS, A-GPS; Wayfinder navigator | GPS, A-GPS; Nokia Maps |
| Radio | Stereo FM radio, RDS | Stereo FM radio |
| USB | 2.0 | miniUSB 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), RSS reader | WAP 2.0/xHTML, HTML |
| Games | Yes, incl. motion-based + downloadable | - |
| Java | Yes, MIDP 2.0 | - |
| Messaging | SMS, MMS, Email, IM | - |
| Sensors | Accelerometer | Accelerometer |
| | MP3/AAC/MP4 player
TrackID music recognition
Photo editor
Organizer
Voice memo/dial
Walkman 4.0 player
Shake control
SensMe | WMV/RV/MP4/3GP player
MP3/WMA/WAV/RA/AAC/M4A player
TV-out
Organizer
Document viewer (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, PDF)
Predictive text input
Push to talk
Voice dial/memo |
| Battery |
|---|
| Music play | Up to 20 h | - |
| Stand-by | Up to 370 h (2G) / Up to 360 h (3G) | Up to 280 h |
| Talk time | Up to 9 h (2G) / Up to 4 h (3G) | Up to 6 h |
| Type | Removable Li-Po 930 mAh battery (BST-38) | Removable Li-Ion 1200 mAh battery (BL-6F) |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Progressive Black, Cosmic Silver, Energetic Red | Black |
| Price | About 100 EUR | About 230 EUR |
| SAR | - | 0.05 W/kg (head) 0.76 W/kg (body) |
| SAR EU | 1.18 W/kg (head) | 0.79 W/kg (head) |
| Tests |
|---|
| Audio quality |
Noise -89.1dB / Crosstalk -88.7dB |
Noise -77.1dB / Crosstalk -68.5dB |
| Loudspeaker |
Voice 66dB / Noise 66dB / Ring 75dB |
Voice 75dB / Noise 66dB / Ring 70dB |
Sony Ericsson W995
- Excellent music playback quality
- Sleek and stylish design
- Dedicated Walkman player
- Compact size
- Slower performance
- Lower resolution camera
- Limited storage compared to N95
- Less versatile OS
Nokia N95 8GB
- Dual-core processor for better performance
- Superior camera with Carl Zeiss lens
- Larger storage capacity (8GB)
- More versatile operating system (Symbian OS)
- External display
- Bulkier design
- Can be prone to software glitches
- Battery life slightly shorter than W995 under heavy use
- Symbian OS can feel dated
Display Comparison
Both phones feature relatively small displays by today's standards. The W995 has a 2.2-inch QVGA screen, while the N95 8GB has a 2.8-inch QVGA display. The N95's larger screen offers a slightly better viewing experience, especially for browsing and viewing photos, but both are adequate for their time. The N95 also has a secondary external display.
Camera Comparison
The W995 features a 2.0MP camera with a flash, while the N95 8GB boasts a 5MP camera with Carl Zeiss optics and a dual LED flash. The N95's camera produces significantly better image quality, with more detail and accurate colors. The Carl Zeiss lens is a major factor in its superior performance.
Performance
The Nokia N95 8GB's dual-core 332 MHz ARM 11 processor gives it a noticeable performance advantage over the W995's single-core 369 MHz ARM 11. The N95 handles multitasking and more demanding applications more smoothly. The W995 can feel sluggish at times, especially when navigating menus or browsing the web.
Battery Life
Battery life is a crucial factor. The W995 typically offers around 8 hours of talk time and 24 hours of standby. The N95 8GB, despite its more powerful processor, manages around 9 hours of talk time and 22 hours of standby. Both are respectable for their era, but the N95's slightly better endurance is a plus.
Buying Guide
The Sony Ericsson W995 is ideal for dedicated music lovers who prioritize audio quality and a sleek design. The Nokia N95 8GB is better suited for users wanting a more versatile device with better internet browsing and multimedia capabilities, even if it's a bit bulkier.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Which phone is better for music?
The Sony Ericsson W995 is generally considered to have slightly better audio quality due to its dedicated Walkman player and optimized audio codecs. However, the N95 8GB also offers excellent music playback.
❓ Is the Nokia N95 8GB worth buying today?
While both phones are outdated, the N95 8GB's more versatile features and better performance make it a slightly more compelling option for collectors or those interested in experiencing classic feature phones. However, be aware of potential software limitations and battery degradation.
