Nokia N8 - user opinions and reviews
- W. Al Hakeem
- mTVa
adeel, 11 Oct 2010is it better than samsung wave?and how? except hdmi Sorry for the late response.
In all the units I have used (and the ones I'm still using), it is not easy to make a fact which is better. Each unit/model has it's strengthes and weaknesses, that applies to all devices.
In response to your question about the N8 vs. Samsung Wave, to my own use which is LOTS of daily phone calls, several video calls, many sms/e-mail, average web browsing and all day bluetooth on for the wireless headset, I noticed that Samsung (Omnia II, Wave or Galaxy) manage to give a good battery life that lasted almost 2 complete days. But I also noticed in Samsung mobiles in general that the voice volume is a bit lower than Nokia's and iPhone's, that happened to me with Omnia II, Wave and Galaxy.
Wave has an excellent camera too, even better than the one in the Galaxy (due to the flash) and the video recorder is amazing. In good light, the Galaxy managed to give better images, but it looses in low lights. The device itself is very responsive and smooth to navigate and go around different options, e-mail is easy to set, web settings are loaded automatically over the air from the sim card provider so I don't really know if it's the device that managed to get the settings or is it already configured by service provider. This applies to all the units I used (Samsung, iPhone, Blackberry, Nokia...etc) so it's not a point to mention I guess. Build quality is really impressive, sure much better than the Galaxy and Omnia II; hard to tell against the N8 because again, I just had it for 2 days and it feels really well built, but the wave has been with me for more than 8 months and there is not a signle comment on it's quality. Sunlight visibility is very good (N8 almost the same as it if you increase the brightness level, but in low brightness, N8 is a little better I guess due to the slightly bigger screen but I'm not sure about that, that's just my observation). The media albums in both are nice to me, with nothing that got my attention. I take lots of photos/videos and then show them to friends and family. Both are not the same but none of them in my opinion is better.
I'm not an expert in Andriod, I can't even claim that I know it well since I only used the Galaxy (came with Android 2.1) and I know that Samsung usually changes the interface of the operating system (much like they did with WinMo in Omnia II and Symbian in Omnia HD). I could say that they did a good job in the Galaxy, be it much changes to Android to make the way they did or if that's the actual Android interface is again for someone else to tell. Now back to Wave, I noticed that Samsung in their Bada OS took an approach that benifit from both WinMo and Android, I know the real WinMo interface and the way Samsung modified it is excellent. In Bada (Wave) they continued the good work and I guess they also implemented some improvements from Android because I noticed several items that are similar in Wave and Galaxy.
I will stop here and quickly mention the things that also (and again, ALSO) makes N8 good in it's own way, it's the innovations they made like the HDMI lini with actually showing HD videos on your screen (Wave has TV connection but it does not show HD quality, only SD quality, it's a normal component connection, not HDMI). Also my personal liking is the USB on the go, this is for real a great move from Nokia as I have always suffered from transferring contents on the go, I'm not talking about sitting in a coffee shop and taking music or video from a friend, this can easily be done with the laptop. But the USB on the go is like you are always having your USB flash memory and able to access it even without needing to open the laptop. It comes handy to me when I'm attending meetings or presentations and need to exchange files with others right after the event, no time here for opening the laptop and copying what you want, what used to happen is that the files we need to exchange are sent later via e-mail, but believe me, no matter how dedicated you are, there is always a chance of fogetting to do that :-)
The FM transmitter is another nice thing, I know other models has it but now you have it in a practical device (not like the N97 which I didn't like at all or the great N900 which is not a device to carry around due to it's size and weight). N8 have a good balance of options here, and it works really nice with me. Last but not least, is the free navigation that comes with N8. I could go on and on about it for days. I have tried several GPS units (Garmin included) and the performance of Nokia's navigation (in N8 or other unit) is impressive. All the information you need to know are well designed in the screen (your speed, street's speed limit, possible detours...etc) put it on a 3.5 inch screen, it's a real charm ! and the possibility to have your maps previously downloded and installed in the device does miracles in saving you some good amount of the monthly data useage bill. I have (assumingly) an unlimited plan, but it's limited by 10GB/month, don't ask me, but this is how it is. I don't know how can it be unlimited but when you exceed 10GB you have to pay extra amount, it's just how it is. I know 10GB is A LOT, but considering that I set my e-mails to get attachments as well, in my work, I receive files of average size of 30 MB and above regularly, and that does use a huge chunck of the monthly limit (sometimes all of it). With Wave and Galaxy, I had to get Google Maps, nice, impressive but you need to be always connected to get the feeds, you can't have the map locally saved in the device and that adds to the use of the monthly data plan again, also, UAE is not yet widely covered in Google maps so that gives the upper hand here to Ovi maps as they keep updating them regularly and you end up with almost identical map to the real life case. Again, the navigation might not be that much of a big thing for someone else, but I travel a lot and even after 30 years in the country I can't say I managed my ways all very much. Dubai (the second largest city in UAE) for example is developing rapidly now even with the economical sey back and all that stuff, take my word for it, this city changes routes more than once during a single week ! It's amazing how great developments are growing really fast and many routes needs to be changed and diverted, I go there several times a week (but I don't actually live there) to check on my company's projects there and I take, most of the time the company's car not my personal one, and having my route planned ahead of time does miracles in saving me a lot of time waste to reach my destination. I'm not saying here that Ovi maps has the latest up to the hour details, but it did perform better than the other mobile navigations. I also notice that (almost) every week when I connect my phone to the Ovi software on my computer, the maps is one of things that pops up for updated version. I guess that means that they are paying attention to the changes going around here.
I know this has been a really long reply, and I'm sure I didn't cover all the points of comparison here, but I'll stop in order not to be boring :-)
I confirm again, having all that said, I can not claim that N8 or any of my other devices is better than X, Y or Z and that also goes to all my other devices. I confirm to you again that the judgement on this is related to the user solely. It's the needs that you have that tells which unit is good/best for you. In my case, I tend to equally (until now) love the newly added N8 and iPhone 4 (never really liked the previous 3GS and exchanged it for 4 immediately when I got the chance), I have the iPhone 4 now for almost 2 moths and I like it with all it's downsides as well as good sides too to the limit that it is not yet moved to my locker along with the other units that I keep as my own gallery :-). I have given the Galaxy to my brother as honestly I wasn't impressed though it has really good potential (lightning fast CPU, high RAM and very well made OS) but I don't know, the lack of flash was a let down, plus I just got the feeling that this device is made for someone else not me, I don't know how to put it exactly in words but it's just what I felt. The Wave is another issue as I still have it but not using it at the moment. It sits next to the good Blackberry units as they were real work monster with the BEST battery life I ever had (all of them 8900, 9700 lasted more than 5 continuos day, 9000 is lower at only 2 days).
I hope I was a bit useful and didn't get carried away too much ;-) and again I confirm to yourself and every other person reading this, I am not a technical person whatsoever, I am an average user who just happen to like new technology toys and fotunately (thank GOD) I am able to afford my hobby, but I like putting my money where it pays, I wasn't lucky all the time but I still keep on doing what I really like. It's just plain simple like that, not that I'm entitled to judge or that I am an expert in mobile phones at all, and for sure I'm not a person to comment judge on operating systems as this is WAY above my league. There are experts for that, GSM Arean for sure among the best I have experienced as they can simplify deep technical details into average man simple words so that someone like me can understand it :-)
Regards & respect to everyone.
- Adeel
- S1Uh
Got it for my wife ... felt really good. Build quality is very good, user interface is also good. Camera is really the best thing in it. But the only thing I don't like is the responsiveness. When I compare it with my Galaxy S, Nokia needs to cover a lot of ground. They need to improve their OS.
But anyways, it is good over all, but I would still prefer a Galaxy S. Good for ladies though.
- Anonymous
- vGyC
[deleted post]sorry to say, but you should try out yourself then only say what you are talking. I dont want to do arguements among N8 and iphone which mobile is better, nokia and apple are great companies but still anybody can do mistake or can lack at any place and can have extra edge that's what called competition. It is in our benefit, please stop taking side of any company talk fair and factly. Personally i like iphone graphics and speed. Still will not like waste that much money just for brand name and no features. Same case with blackberry.
You think about it before purchasing iphone what you want? or what you are getting? if think it is fashinable or showing off thing having iphone then you should. But if you are looking at feature side i think at that price .....
It is so strange that iphone users never saw any other brand phone i think, at one community one iphone user was arguing that the video call (apple named it facetime) is first time launched on mobile phones (in iphone4). But fact is since many years other companies launhced mobile with front camera through network support you can video call but the iphone added (its new technology for them) it to use on wifi ONLY, not on network (strange). There are many apps (more in beta) for video calls through wifi for other OS. So how come its new.
I think apple should add following things, and iphone users should ask for b/c they are paying too much extra -
1. video calling through network (i seeing it in nokia since n70)
2. full functional bluetooth file transfer feature
3. FM receiver
4. FM transmitter
5. Flash support
6. True multitasking for all apps (dont believe check out reviews)
7. make it independent of itune
8. microSD card support
9. File transfer over USB (its new in mobile as launched in nokia first time on N8)
if they will add atleast above mentioned features i think iphone will become best phone untill then it is a showing off toy for me.
- Anonymous
- Y2Ec
Anonymous, 12 Oct 2010The 12 mpx camera on the N8 sticks out too much and should have been 8 mpx so it was flush wit... moreToo late for your negative remarks my friend. We all now have the N8 and you know well that what you are saying are all false. We love what we have and none, absolutely none of what you said even are remotely close to the truth. Go fly a kite.
- Anonymous
- Y9P@
The 12 mpx camera on the N8 sticks out too much and should have been 8 mpx so it was flush with the body. The aluminum part of the casing is only on the middle of the phone and the end caps are plastic. The main button on the front is all the way on the left and is not centered like every other Nokia model for no apparent reason causing a lefty/righty bias. The microphone is all the way on the far right and not centered, again causing a lefty/righty bias. The battery is designed to be non-user servicable. The outdated CPU slows to a crawl during multitasking and frequently locks up. This phone needs to go back to the drawing board immediately. Nokia dropped the ball on this one.
- mk
- Y}xv
[deleted post]must have games 4 s^3: angry birds, bounce evolution,
bounce battle, nfs shift, ea's tetris 3d, sims3 3d, real golf 3d,asphalt5 3d, prince of persia hd, ferrari gt evolution hd, rally master pro 3d, galaxy on fire 3d, ea's snowboard super extreme3, war chess 3d, assasine s creed3 hd (coming soon), quake3(with bluetooth keyboard n mouse)............
- Rajesh K M
- vLyx
Anonymous, 12 Oct 2010rajesh k m, what functions do you use most???? and currently which mobile you are having?Mostly i will be listening to musics all the time and at the same time Social networking, surfing. I hardly take pics but i do occasionally..
- mamta
- utmS
i like to play chess on orkut using their application CHESSLEAGUE 2.0. Can any user tell me that its broswer supports this feature or not, plzzzzzzzzz, Thanx in advance
- Ivynash
- sST9
Anonymous, 12 Oct 2010I'm using N73 dude.. Only thing i'm hesitating to buy N8 is i'm afraid it might hang a bit as ... moreI am using N91 (4GB) for more than 4 years now and it is running smoothly even now, not once I have given it for repair. I have already pre-booked (Bangalore) and will be getting it in another 2-3 days.
- Anonymous
- vLyx
Anonymous, 12 Oct 2010rajesh k m, what functions do you use most???? and currently which mobile you are having?I'm using N73 dude.. Only thing i'm hesitating to buy N8 is i'm afraid it might hang a bit as all the N series does.. :( I'm satisfied with the features of N8 but at the sametime I9000 is also equally good apart from the camera..
- mk
- Y}xv
Anonymous, 12 Oct 2010guys, yesterday i check out N8 Demo peice at NPD, its awesome. In hand it feel so good, its gr... moreman! Your post is almost like a n8 s preview. It s awsum. It s even better than GsmA's . Great.
- Anonymous
- vGyC
Rajesh K M, 12 Oct 2010There you go !! Confusing my mind again.. :(rajesh k m, what functions do you use most???? and currently which mobile you are having?
- mk
- Y}xv
hayato, 12 Oct 2010Opera mini has always been my default browser. It's very user friendly and fast in rendering p... morewhat mobile r u using ?
If u want even more faster browser then u should try ucbrowser (symbian), with awesum download manager... Lastly, i hate downloading files using o mini.
- Anonymous
- vGyC
Anonymous, 12 Oct 2010In india, is N8 coming with OVI unlimited music offer?yes it is coming with OVI music unlimited
- Anonymous
- vGyC
[deleted post]guys, yesterday i check out N8 Demo peice at NPD, its awesome. In hand it feel so good, its great... i cant explain feelings... i tried it around for more than 45 min approx 1 hr. most aspects of it, camera, games, videos, msging, browser, sound etc etc or yeah USB feature too...
look & feel is great, yeah as symbian look is same as on last smartphones so who already own one like me they will not be surprised by the feel of OS. But the speed is very very good. Means really, whatever youtube videos or any expert said, i cant understand why; but i didnt find a single time slow down or processing wait. it was quick response. And it was loaded with quite enough apps for demo. But may be after loading too many performance will vary.
I played two games, NFS, angry birds lite. all worked well. graphics was very good, speed and response was also quick.
Camera output quality is good in auto, but if you just try some setting for particular place as this is the matter with every camera & digicam, then quality and clarity is great. also while shooting use autofocus feature, it will sharp it if the object is so near.
watching videos is great experience, the sharpness and quality is damn good. If your movie files quality is high, everybody gonna love watching. it also support divx, i played divx file my self after transferring from my PEN drive.
browser opened all webpages nicely, i used NPD wifi while trying it. But as it is mobile browser & if a site have mobile version website then it will open first. But still i will prefer opera or unless i need to open some flash supported websites. I am will also try BOLT browser on N8, if it will support.
sound output is loud and ok from single speaker, but sound output from headphone rocks!! who love music they should try it out.
usb feature is amazing, in mobile its first mobile having this feature, as already told i transferred my divx (ext-.avi, size-869 mb) file through pen drive. it worked properly.
one more info which i got. in N8 you cant pull out battery urself, but why we want to b/c two things mainly - first if phone will hang or something, second if want to make your no. out of reach. so first of all hanging chances are very less, but in any case if want to just cut the power of phone then you need to press power button for 7 secs (just like we do in laptop/pc).
Overall its great, size if good for pocket also, anybody who have interest they should try it themselves once at Nokia Shops. Dont try it from other shops b/c they will try to convert you to take other brands because of commission is high in other brands. After trying at NPD, you can purchase form anywhere.
- Anonymous
- t7wp
Why we are sure this phone n8 will sell very well
great looks
thin unibody
great powerful os
great complete features
great price
great materil used
connected to hdtv, other nokia phones, hard drive,
best ever camera
best free useful apps from nokia
receive firmware update periodically from nokia
affordable to many veryone in the world
dont need computer to do small tasks
available now or next week in the whole world
great display
great battery life
make ipohne users feel that thaey have been ripped off by apple
- W. A Hakeem
- mT%A
Ali RAza, 11 Oct 2010Hi
In Dubai all the N8 phones are Made by nokia...manufacture in china....
Is there any d... moreHi,
I got my N8 from Axiom (Abu Dhabi) 2 days ago and it says made in Finland, I have a friend here in the office who got his N8 from Emirates Computers and it says Made in China. I think not all of the units in UAE are from the same source.
As far as I have noticed, there is no difference between the ones made in Finland, China or by Nokia (I think the ones made by Nokia are coming from somewhere in Europe other than Finland).
- Rajesh K M
- vLyx
Anonymous, 12 Oct 2010Galaxy S definately.There you go !! Confusing my mind again.. :(
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