N8 hands on review

[LancelotSA]

I have to admit that just in the last few days I almost got taken in by all the negative talk about Symbian that seems to be permeating this forum recently (of course a lot of it comes from BB and Apple fans). For this reason I started worrying a little about holding out for the N8. I also have seen plenty mention of 1Ghz processors and the like and this too made me worry about the 680Mhz one on the N8.

After reading this review though it puts both those worries to rest and I am again eagerly anticipating the arrival of the N8. Here's hoping it is a suitable replacement for my excellent N82

http://www.knowyourmobile.com/nokia/nokian8/n8reviews/568394/nokia_n8_review.html

Some relevant quotes :

Typing, browsing and navigating on the Nokia N8 is superb and Nokia has really outdone itself in this department. There is no lag whatsoever, scrolling through menus and folders is smooth and typing is an absolute breeze. So much so, we’d probably say the Nokia N8 has the best touchscreen we’ve ever used, bar the iPhone, which is really saying something.

Prior to getting the N8 in, we were quite apprehensive about Symbian^3. Yes, we’d read lots of good things about it, but over the years, like many people, we’ve really fallen out of love with Symbian.

So when we booted the device up and saw what Symbian^3 looked like for the first time we were very impressed. Don’t get us wrong, it’s still very much a Symbian OS, both in terms of the way it looks and feels, it’s just received a massive overhaul and has been dragged kicking-and-screaming into the 21st Century with multiple homescreens, widgets and live tiles.

All in all though, the Nokia N8’s touchscreen keyboard is absolutely brilliant. We really can’t praise it enough – and our device was a pre-production one as well!

Nokia has also stepped up the performance on the Nokia N8 as well, bringing an ARM 11 680MHz processor and a 3D Graphics HW accelerator into the mix. Sure, everyone is banging on about 1GHz and 1.5GHz processors, but once you’ve has a go on the Nokia N8, you’ll see that it has more than enough power for even the most heavy user.

There haven't been many arguments about Nokia's dominance when it comes to camera phones but this one seems to live up to it's promises :

The Nokia N8’s camera is easily one of the best mobile cameras we’ve ever had the pleasure of using – only the most abhorrent of photography geeks will fail to be impressed by it.

 

[LancelotSA]

Some more confirmation of the 680Mhz processor being perfectly adequate!

While Nokia’s overall specifications for the N8 generally met with approval – if not, in the case the 12-megapixel camera, outright lust – the smartphone’s 680MHz processor led to some criticism that the phone might not keep up with its Android and Windows Phone rivals.

Over at Finestfones they’ve apparently had enough hands-on time with an N8 prototype to run some benchmarking tests, and the reassuring news is that, in comparison with previous Symbian handsets, it’s quite the little speed demon.

They used an app called Speedy Go! which benchmarks Symbian devices, and which allows the N8 to be tested both with its graphics accelerator turned on and turned off. Off, the prototype N8 posted a score 54-percent higher than the Samsung Omnia HD and 180-percent greater than the Nokia N97. Meanwhile the N8 maxed out the FPC Bench 3D graphics testing, ranking 60fps – the highest the app can count – in every category.

According to Finestfones, the improvement in results is because, while some current-generation Symbian devices also have graphics accelerators, the Symbian S60v5 OS isn’t actually coded to take advantage of them fully. Symbian^3, which will make its commercial debut on the N8, has no such shortcomings.

http://www.slashgear.com/nokia-n8-benchmarks-tip-180-speed-boost-over-n97-2386624/

 

[Rocket-Boy]

adequate is for people that dont have a fast proc

 

[Ou grote]

Looks nice.
Didn't know phones had HDMI ports.

 

[LancelotSA]

adequate is for people that dont have a fast proc

Feel free to read through the articles.

I felt the need to use the word adequate as even when it comes to PCs you can never have the fastest. there is always something faster out there but whether it is affordable is another story. It maxed out the graphics render tests at 60fps, that fits the description of more than adequate to me (and I am fully aware that this is as a result of the presence of a graphics processor).

Reading those articles made me realise that people make the same mistakes with processor speeds as they do with megapixels on cameras. They assume a faster processor must mean faster/better performance. I almost got pulled into that trap myself! In reality the operating system in use can mean this 680Mhz processor with Symbian three performs far faster than an iPhone with it's 1Ghz processor...

 

[LancelotSA]

Looks nice.
Didn't know phones had HDMI ports.

Phones don't, this one does

 

[Sl8er]

I've been following all the reviews coming out on youtube about this phone.... I really think that they've come to the party now -Nokia. My cousin is a die-hard Android fan, my buddy is a die-hard iPhone fan...I used to be a Nokia fan and gave in to the iPhone some time ago. Although Nokia totally lost the plot, I always had a soft spot for them -secretly hoping that they would come out and do something spectacular. I really hope that this is -and if it isn't that this is, at least, the beginning.

Anyways, I'm hoping to replace my iPhone 3Gs with the N8. I'm a "media-type-person" and this is PERFECT. The only thing that's a little worrying here is the price tag. I see CA Cell wants R15k for it! CRAZY! (Checked if you purchase it in the UK it works out to around R5k-R6k excl. postage and packaging.)
My gf's dad is a captain of a dredgers and spends a lot of time around the world (UAE, Singapore, Hong Kong, Europe)...maybe I'll ask him to check out some prices...and if the price is right, I'll get him to get me one.

Well...can't wait for this thing to arrive so I can check it out. Thus far it looks promising.

 

[JK8]

I wonder why they went with Symbian though.
What happened to the flagship Meego?

Still don't trust it. Will it be another N95?
Doubt it.

 

[Daniedj]

The n8 will be the last n-model phone to use Symbian. All the future n-model phones will use MeeGo.

 

[Mike Hoxbig]

After having had a Xenon flash on my N82 for the past 2 years, I just can't bring myself to go back to an LED one. Was beginning to get a bit concerned, but thankfully Nokia will be bringing this out in time for my upgrade

 

[undesign]

Self-congratulatory trolling aside, it does look like a very good phone.

 

[LancelotSA]

Anyways, I'm hoping to replace my iPhone 3Gs with the N8. I'm a "media-type-person" and this is PERFECT. The only thing that's a little worrying here is the price tag. I see CA Cell wants R15k for it! CRAZY! (Checked if you purchase it in the UK it works out to around R5k-R6k excl. postage and packaging.)

That is mad, I have seen prices mentioned of between R5000 and R6000 for this when it comes out.

After having had a Xenon flash on my N82 for the past 2 years, I just can't bring myself to go back to an LED one. Was beginning to get a bit concerned, but thankfully Nokia will be bringing this out in time for my upgrade

I am in exactly the same boat as you when it comes to not being able to move to LED after the xenon flash. I use it more often than people assume (not just in low light but also when a person is standing with the sun behind them).

 

[Sl8er]

Now it's R13k! Still too crazy for me!

http://www.cacell.co.za/Nokia-N8

Anyways...be that as it may...I came across another cool feature on this phone. The FM transmitter. I guess there are probably other phones out with it already, but I still think it's pretty cool. No need for that pesky car lighter-transmitter-thingie anymore!

 

[mister]

I see CA Cell wants R15k for it! CRAZY! (Checked if you purchase it in the UK it works out to around R5k-R6k excl. postage and packaging.)

STAY AWAY from CA Cell (www.cacell.co.za), I purchased a Nokia N82 from them, and you could see the box had been opened, and had greasy oil marks all over it. Looked like somebody took it apart while eating fish and chips with their fingers. Stuff was missing from the box, and ca cell promised to send them to me, after weeks and weeks of fighting with them. They eventually sent the wrong stuff, and ignored any more of my emails.

 

[Sl8er]

Yeah I know about their reputation -CA Cell. A friend of mine bought a Nokia 5800 through them. After 3 months the screen packed up and, man, did he have a hard time getting another phone from them! I think they also didn't include his 8GB micro sd card or something...so yeah, I'll definitely steer clear of them. I just found it interesting to see that they're trying to sell the N8 for R15k -now R13k. They must be frickin' INSANE!

 

[buffalobill]

The review may be good, but after a year and a bit of dealing with my frustrations over the Nokia 5800 and the Symbian 60 V5 operating system, I changed to an an Android 2.2 phone this last weekend. What a pleasure. Nokia's got a major problem in that they're haemorraghing smartphone customers and those who also want to upgrade from their dumb phones. Nokia's N8 phones will also be overpriced.

 

[LancelotSA]

The review may be good, but after a year and a bit of dealing with my frustrations over the Nokia 5800 and the Symbian 60 V5 operating system, I changed to an an Android 2.2 phone this last weekend. What a pleasure. Nokia's got a major problem in that they're haemorraghing smartphone customers and those who also want to upgrade from their dumb phones. Nokia's N8 phones will also be overpriced.

Overpriced really? What are you basin this on? If you had made that statement about an iPhone then I would concur. From all indications the N8 will be priced around R5500. Where you honestly hoping for cheaper?

The N8 will be available from SA operators in early October — in silver from Vodacom and dark grey from MTN and Cell C. A green version will go on sale in November and an orange version (our favourite) some time in 2011.

The device will cost R5 500 without a contract — well priced against rival devices.

You sound a bit like those that emigrate, they spend months trying to convince themselves that they made the right choice, you appear to be doing the same with your choice to move way from Nokia.

 

[buffalobill]

Overpriced really? What are you basin this on? If you had made that statement about an iPhone then I would concur. From all indications the N8 will be priced around R5500. Where you honestly hoping for cheaper?

I'm happy to be put right. How do you know what the pricing is going to be?

You sound a bit like those that emigrate, they spend months trying to convince themselves that they made the right choice, you appear to be doing the same with your choice to move way from Nokia.

My, you are testy. For your info, changing brands is NOTHING like moving countries. And no, I don't have any regrets.

 

[Rands]

interesting view on Nokia from their World Fair :
http://www.mg.co.za/article/2010-09-16-whither-nokia

edit : I do not agree with the article. There will always be a place for Nokia phones in the market. Maybe not as leaders but everything has to change.

Personally, I love Nokia phones. After straying from the path I went to SE (Satio, C902) to Samsung(S8300), im back with Nokia (E72) & I personally cannot wait for the N8 to launch here....just hope the local operators dont rape us with the prices.

 

[LancelotSA]

I have posted some interesting stuff about Symbian^3, Meego and QT on the E7 thread. Things are not as bleak as some are making out....

Further to this I just read some stuff on a blog from someone who has their hands on a unit and is due to do a full review :

The test unit has arrived. I was asked not to post any content until the next week as some minor tweaks may still take place, but during that time I'll be working on the (p)review.

If you have any questions, please post them in this thread and I will address them in the preview.

Well, what I can say for now is that overall quality, look&feel, build precision, materials, etc. are simply OUTSTANDING and in this regard the N8 is surely the best Nokia smartphone ever made. The all plastic N900 does not even come close in terms of build quality. It was cold outside when the courier delivered the package and when I was taking the N8 from the box when I touched it for the first time that cold metal casing was really a nice feeling. The screen is also just.... lovely and works just like what you'd expect from a capacitive multitouch display.

I must say I am also extremely (positively) surprised when it comes to performance. The device boots in less than 30 seconds (including the Nokia Hands animation) and everything works exceptionally fast. I am not exaggerating here, it is really a ROCKET.

For several days I've been also testing the Vivaz and Vivaz pro, which both have the fastest processor ever used in a Symbian phone (Cortex-A8 720 MHz), i.e. faster and more advanced than N8's ARM1176 @ 680 MHz, but compared to the N8 they feel like snails.

I've also ran some benchmarks (e.g. GLBenchmark 1.1) and while Vivaz's get results considerably better (often even twice) than e.g. the Samsung Omnia i8910 HD, the N8 in turn outperforms the Vivaz/Vivaz Pro twins in graphic performance almost TWICE. It looks that even though its processor is slower, the GPU (hardware accelerator) of the N8 is considerably faster. Vivaz has PowerVR SGX530 GPU while the N8 has Broadcom VideoCore III.

If it's that much faster than SGX530, then I wouldn't be surprised if it was offering performance similar to the SGX535 like in the iPhone 4.

As much as I am not a huge fan of S60, I must say that N8's Symbian^3 is a really huge step forward in terms of user experience. Even though everything looks almost the same, it's all the small tweaks and improvements that make it a wholly different story. Even just getting rid of that annoying and inconsistent double-tap on some items makes it much more pleasant to use, and along with the overall great performance it really works as it should have been from the beginning.

Oh, and they FINALLY changed the landscape mode to ALWAYS show the virtual buttons at the BOTTOM of the screen and not on the right side (on S60 5th Edition phones it works this way only on the home screen while on all other screens the buttons are on the right, eating some 20% of screen area) so now the landscape mode offers considerably more usable screen area, i.e. full width, with only a small button bar at the bottom. Again, just as it should have been from the beginning.

The camera (both video and stills) are indeed of exceptional quality and there are also some really nice small things about it like e.g. tiny internal "cover" over the lens that opens and closes automatically as you launch or close the camera app.