Nokia N8 Versus the Apple iPhone 4
The Apple iPhone 4 might be a heavyweight in the smartphone arena, but when it comes to the pure specs, the Nokia N8 (unfortunately delayed to the end of October for US customers) can hit back just as hard. Here is the unofficial WirelessGround title fight between the two giants. Who will win? Read on.
First things first, iOS is better than Symbian. I know some will disagree, but let’s be honest here, Symbian is going to be phased out eventually because it’s better suited for feature phones, not smartphones. This means that the N8 is already at a disadvantage in the battle between it and the iPhone 4 but OS alone is not enough to make a decision. After all, what do you do with your cell phone? Make calls, text message, send emails, go on Facebook and take pictures? Yeah, the N8 does all of that quite well. The browser isn’t quite as
polished as Safari Mobile, but it’s still just a smartphone and not your laptop computer. The biggest blow to the N8 is that the app support like the iPhone with Apple’s iTunes App Store isn’t there yet. I love my apps, and the N8 has a ways to go. At least it’s got Angry Birds…
Now that the necessary OS debate has been cleared up. We’ve necessarily have to take a look at the cameras in each device. The iPhone 4 has an impressive 5 MP camera with HDR (high dynamic range) support that really makes those hard to capture colors contrast very well, but the N8 has a freakish 12 MP camera. This is probably the nicest camera to ever appear in a smartphone (or anything else that doesn’t just call itself a camera). It can even do 720p HD video recording like the iPhone 4. It also has a front facing camera video video calling like the iPhone 4 and the iPod touch 4. Basically, Nokia wins this round hands down.
As far as processing power and RAM go, the iPhone 4 has a bit of a lead. Its 512 MB of RAM is twice what the N8 has, and its processor is just a bit faster. It’ll still blow the iPhone 3GS out of the water though and has 3D graphics processing as well. I’m calling this with the iPhone 4 winning this round by a slight margin.
As for the standard options, Wi-Fi, GPS and Bluetooth, etc., the two smartphones have all the goodies as you would expect. The N8 has Bluetooth 3.0 and Apple has been notoriously unwilling to let the Bluetooth in its iOS devices really shine. Since the N8 also has microSD support and a mini MDMI output, which the iPhone 4 lacks, the N8 wins this round.
When it comes to screens, the iPhone 4 has a bit of an advantage in the screen resolution department since it’s got a 960 x 640 pixel screen and the N8 has a 640 x 360 pixel screen. They’re both the same size diagonally though, and the AMOLED technology in the N8 should not be discounted. Either way, you’ll still have a screen that puts the BlackBerry Torch 9800 to shame. Both have proximity sensors, ‘Gorilla’ glass and plenty of features to keep them at the top of smartphone screens. A tie maybe?
Since there is only a two gram different in weight between the two, and nearly the same tiny difference in physical size, I don’t know who is better here. The iPhone 4 is slightly thinner though. However, for those with larger hands, the iPhone 4 might just be a little too small.
Overall, both smartphones are at the top of the pile. The options between the two are very similar, but the N8 does have some nice little extras like FM radio (a transmitter even), HDMI out and USB 2.0 connectivity. Does this balance out the iPhone 4s amazing app store? Maybe, maybe not, depending on how you use your smartphone. The N8 is more expensive than the iPhone 4 (on contract), so that might tip your hand as well. The iPhone 4 also has the advantage of having a bunch of other iOS devices running the same OS to shape apps and developers with. Nokia will probably abandon Symbian OS in the future, so this might be the last big smartphone to have the aging platform.
I really don’t know who wins this smartphone battle. Both of them are extremely impressive phones. Let me know which you prefer and why!
Tags: comparison, apple iphone 4, nokia n8
The iphone 4 is the best smartphone, plain and simple, and I’ve had the HTC Evo, the HTC HD2, Nexus One, iphone 3G, the G1, myTouch 3G.. Etc. But lets b honest guys, symbian is like WM6.5 (dead) and yes, iOS is better. Maybe you nokia owners love the n8 because it reminds u about high school days and the snake game lol, but those times are gone. My friend who’s got it is always asking me for my i4 or my Evo. Android and iOS are on top, and it wont change. Not even windows 7 or RIM’s 6. The Ovi store? U gotta be kidin’ me… The n8 does have some advantages over the iphone like hdmi support and a better camera but is far from being better than apple’s device. If u guys think that marketing is whats behind android and iOS, u are wrong. The Evo, Samsung Epic, Droid X, the mytouch 4G, the Incredible, Desire HD and the upcoming Nexus S are all above the N8, hands down. I really would like to see what you nokia fans see, but having used the n8 for several weeks I just can say the only real competition right now for the iphone is the myTouch 4G and the Nexus S. Now please rate down my comment nokia snake fans lol
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The iphone 4 is the best smartphone, plain and simple, and I’ve had the HTC Evo, the HTC HD2, Nexus One, iphone 3G, the G1, myTouch 3G.. Etc. But lets b honest guys, symbian is like WM6.5 (dead) and yes, iOS is better. Maybe you nokia owners love the n8 because it reminds u about high school days and the snake game lol, but those times are gone. My friend who’s got it is always asking me for my i4 or my Evo. Android and iOS are on top, and it wont change. Not even windows 7 or RIM’s 6. The Ovi store? U gotta be kidin’ me… The n8 does have some advantages over the iphone like hdmi support and a better camera but is far from being better than apple’s device. If u guys think that marketing is whats behind android and iOS, u are wrong. The Evo, Samsung Epic, Droid X, the mytouch 4G, the Incredible, Desire HD and the upcoming Nexus S are all above the N8, hands down. I really would like to see what you nokia fans see, but having used the n8 for several weeks I just can say the only real competition right now for the iphone is the myTouch 4G and the Nexus S. Now please rate down my comment nokia snake fans lol
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If you use the phone for browsing and therefore a lot of text reading there is only one device; the Iphone4. Why? Because the crispness of the text is like reading on print. It is WAY SUPERIOR to Nokia’s Amoled or Samsung’s Superamoled, no matter Samsung’s bs about superamoled. I insist if you apreciate text quality you have no option; it has to be creepy Steve Jobs product. Yes, Jobs is a jerk but the Iphone4 screen is the new bench mark. Hell! Many bright successful people are jerks as persons, some are even crazy but…
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Love the fanboys in here. I’m not an Apple fan, but you have to do some serious mental gymnastics to say that Symbian is better than iOS. Symbian^3 is a hybridized crutch until Nokia makes the transition to a more modern OS. No offense if you’re an old school Symbian user who thinks it’s great, but it’s not great in comparison to modern smartphone OSs. It’s not easy or intuitive for new users, which is why Nokia is moving on after the N8/E7. They’ll still support it, but you won’t see a next gen Symbian update.
The only reason I would the N8 is if it had some hardware feature that I really need. Aside from that, what’s the point? I’m looking forward to see what Meego can do, but Symbian = dead end.
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N8 is far superior with Ovi store support for the applications, 12MP camera with Xenon flash, HD video recording which one can play directly from the device connecting via HDMI port on the device. you do not need a HDMI player in between.
USB on the go makes N8 one more step superior to i-phone. Now coming to the OS part, N8 has Symbian^3 which is 10 times better than the Symbian that we have seen so far. It is iphone that needs to catch up now
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Nice one… Jeswin Simon. Symbian still owns the lion share of the Mobile OS market. Don’t get me wrong… I own an iPhone but I really don’t understand what d fuss is about. If it were another phone that had all d flaws and drawbacks that the iPhone has… It woulda been killed and lambasted with terrible reviews and criticism.
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Absolutely the best and the most honest rewiev that I’ve read so far.
I have tried to do decision between those two and unbelievable camera forced me to order N8.
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What are you trying to say ?? iOS runs on more devices than Symbian ??.. I think either you are illitrate or an Apple poster boy. Ever heard of Nokia C7 or E7 or any of the symbian ^3 devices by other manufacturers. Nice try Apple fan boy.
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I disagree with the OS part. Symbian doesnt have an App store I agree that. I dont know how you judge the iOS to be a better smartphone OS than symbian as I havent seen anything good in iOS expect the overdone transition effects and stylish icons. Or maybe it is the best OS for people like you who rate smartphones in terms of support for Angry Birds.
For the rest of the people, who wants your smartphone OS to be simple and efficient rather than look sexy, Symbian is the best you can get.
And when you say “Symbian is phasing out” please note that it is still the number one. Kindly keep your article realistic. Please dont post your dreams and wishes.
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price n8
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Personally… I think the iPhone is very over-hyped. It has way too many disadvantages than advantages but when people compare it with other phones they focus on the strong sides of the iPhone alone… Ignoring it’s very many disadvantages.Everyone keeps talking bout how huge apple app store is but never mention that 3/4 of these apps are useless. The 2nd facing camera on d iPhone4 is as good as useless aswell… As u can’t video call except ur on wifi and to another iPhone4. Practically Useless bluetooth as it can’t communicate wiv anyother phone or device,no mass storage mode,You can’t even replace a worn out battery urself. No real multitasking, iPhone4 doesn’t play a variety of Video and audio formats and every single thing must be synced from iTunes.And u can’t even sync on more than one computer at d same time. While Nokia and other phones are moving in on microusb ports, apples selfishly sticks to it’s jack.these r just a few things out of so many issues people fail to mention about iPhones when comparing them to other phones and it’s very wrong and very biased.
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Well, to start with…Nokia N8 is less esxpensive than the Iphone 4. I have two things I want to do well with my phone: I want to take pictures and shoot video and I travel a lot, so maps and navigation are extremely important to me. I also use my phone as a business phone, so I just simply has to trust on my phone functioning properly. So, the choice is quite clear for me…Nokia N8.
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A very good unbiased review, unlike several US centric reviews, which flaunt iPhone and android, no matter what. Appreciate your review.
I would go with N8, mainly for its camera quality, HDMI support. Yes there are thousands of apps for iPhone not available for N8, but the question is do we use these apps everyday, are they very critical? I dont think so and ovi is growing very well.
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Being able to display on an HDTV & plug in a USB stick is exactly the kind of features that made Nokia what they are today (though i’m still disappointed there is no inferred).
The iPhones funky Interface and over a million apps (many completely useless) & proprietary ports has IMHO nothing on a well structured, logical & practical, open source OS, inside hardware hosting an abundance of useful plugs & expandable memory etc. etc.
That said i’m quite the techie & will actually use most the features in my phone so more the merrier.
After using a S60 6600 since 2003 (till just last week) & N95 & E71 along the way, i have played with the HTC Desire, Nexus One, Galaxy S & iPhone, impressive? Yes, getting my money? Doubtful.
I think i’m sold on the N8
Hope i can get one before new years.. (my camera died)
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i like ur comparison, not biasing on android or iphone.. great!! both phones are great, actually. but im more on camera-type, so i’ll be looking for N8..
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Gosh!! do you have any idea where you are getting all these rumors from, who said “Symbian” is aging platform and will be abandoned, I guess its no wonder because you guys live in you own parallel world like Jobs. As other pointed out, iOS may be friendly and sexy looking, but technology wise N8 trumphs Iphone4 hands down any day, well you dont even need N8, even E7 can beat it to dirt.
From next time note that Symbian is the most stable, reliable and field proven platform on mobile phone market (yes including smartphone). I am not saying its the best, but anyone (who lives in real world) will agree on that. Your review clearly left out many important and very useful feature on a daily basis that N8 comes with which are not present in iphone4 which makes anyone think that you are just an another apple marketing guy.
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Anonymous Reply:
October 1st, 2010 at 5:38 pm
“but technology wise N8 trumphs Iphone4 hands down any day”
Did you not read the article?
The N8 has a better camera, aside from that the Iphone has a higher resolution screen, a faster processor and more RAM
At best the two phone are close, but to say the N8 is hands down better. What planet are you living on?
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“The N8 is more expensive than the iPhone 4″
I take it your from the US and your comparing unlocked n8 vs iphone 4 on a contract?
These two phones are also the only ones I know which supports pentaband 3G
They are different however, the N8 works on TMobile (1700MHz) while the Iphone4 works on DoCoMo(800MHz, japan).
I have a suspision the N8 will come subdized by AT&T or TMobile by early 2011. Can read more about that here:
gigaom.com/2010/09/23/10-million-reasons-the-nokia-n8-is-destined-for-att/
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n8 is cheaper then iPhone 4 not more expensive
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Hi,
I liked your article. I can tell you tried your best to be as subjective as possible and I appreciate that. However there are quite a few misleading and inaccurate statements that you mentioned.
First of all, the iphone is not cheaper than the n8. you are comparing the on-contract price of the iphone (about $200) with the sim-free unlocked n8 (about $540). Truth is, the iphone sim-free is about $700-$800 which is significantly more expensive than the n8. obviously if a carrier offered the n8 on contract, then its price would be much less than the iphone. I dont live in America and I am considering buying a new phone so to me the iphone is too expensive and the n8 seems much more appealing price-wise.
Second of all, the Symbian platform used on the n8 is not the same platform used on previous models. It has not even been released yet so you can hardly describe it as ‘aging’. Nokia has already announced 3 more phones to be released using the same operating system (symbian^3) as the n8 so no, it is not the last of its kind. Nokia has no plans to abandon symbian in the future and the truth is, symbian is the best selling smartphone platform in the world. So on a global scale, symbian is more appealing to developers than iOS.
Dont get me wrong, I love the iphone! i just hate to see misleading information being tossed around the internet. In a nutshell, the iphone has a better and more user-friendly OS but as a machine, the n8 trumps the iphone any day. Also this phone has not yet been released so it is unfair to comment on its usability without actually testing a final product. But chances are that the symbian^3 platform won’t be much of a jump from s60v5.
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Have you ever visited Nokia’s OVI app store? I’m sure there are gazillion more apps on the apple store, but not gazzillions more USEFUL apps.
As for music, Nokia’s music store & software is as good, or perhaps better than itunes, if only because it is less restrictive and can actually sync with more devices.
The iphone’s biggest advantage is Marketing. Apple has proven itself to be primarily a marketing company and secondarily a technology company (kinda like NIKE is in the shoe category). They have good products that are super-marketed. Nokia, on the other hand, has little marketing in the US….
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