Nokia N8 review

Glenn · Nov 03, 2010, 19:22:56

QuoteThe N8 is Nokia's first handset to use the revamped Symbian^3, and is a beautifully designed, high specification touchscreen phone.

http://www.reghardware.com/2010/11/02/review_smartphone_nokia_n8/

Simon · Nov 03, 2010, 19:27:20

The deal breaker for me is the lack of a QWERTY keyboard.

Gary · Nov 03, 2010, 19:46:36

Tried one out, so clunky, symbian ^3 is still so much like S60 handsets of old, and there are so many things you cannot do as well, its still like a N96 or N97 but with a better camera and more memory, the browser is still bad but they say it will get the updates of symbian ^4 handsets but tbh that OS is looking so tired now, it has the best signal hold of all the smartphones in the shop, Nokia do build great phones in that respect.

Simon · Nov 03, 2010, 20:09:56

Yes, as a phone, it's probably excellent. As a smartphone, it's not quite there.

Simon · Nov 08, 2010, 21:55:39

Although it's no longer the brand de jour, you have to give Nokia credit; its smartphones are always jam-packed with goodies, and its new flagship device is no different.

The Nokia N8 comes with a 12-megapixel camera, complete with Xenon flash, image stabilisation and 720p video mode. It includes 16GB of storage as standard, and there's an HDMI output so you can play your home movies instantly on an HDTV. It boasts Nokia's free turn-by-turn satnav software, there's an FM tuner and transmitter, plus it's preloaded with a whole raft of apps, from BBC iPlayer to a handful of games (including a limited version of the incredibly addictive Angry Birds).

Read more: http://www.pcpro.co.uk/reviews/smartphones/362533/nokia-n8

Lance · Nov 08, 2010, 22:54:20

I think I had one of these in my hands at the weekend, or at least another 12mp nokia. Phone seemed like any other nokia, decent build but lacking 'wow'.

Simon · Nov 08, 2010, 22:57:35

Seems that's the general feeling, Lance.

Lance · Nov 08, 2010, 23:01:57

I can renew my contract in a couple of weeks so I thought I would take a quick look. Now certain im going to upgrade to the iPhone 4, although I might take it as a second phone on my vodafone contract (nicky's phone) rather than stay on o2.

Simon · Nov 08, 2010, 23:05:14

One thing I thought wrongly about the N8, is that there's no QWERTY keyboard. Well, apparently, there is, but only in landscape mode.

Simon · Nov 08, 2010, 23:08:05

Now I know it can be jailbroken, I was looking at the iPhone 4, but I really don't think it's worth the cost of upgrading. I know the hardware is better, but it's the same software as I have now, so it wouldn't be worth much in novelty value.

Gary · Nov 08, 2010, 23:19:47

Quote from: Simon on Nov 08, 2010, 23:05:14
One thing I thought wrongly about the N8, is that there's no QWERTY keyboard. Well, apparently, there is, but only in landscape mode.

Its still not very well implemented, I think Nokia's new OS may offer some help because they are slipping far behind in the smartphone stakes

Simon · Nov 08, 2010, 23:24:06

They need to pull something back. The N8 is disappointing, after high expectations.

Gary · Nov 08, 2010, 23:30:48

Quote from: Simon on Nov 08, 2010, 23:08:05
Now I know it can be jailbroken, I was looking at the iPhone 4, but I really don't think it's worth the cost of upgrading. I know the hardware is better, but it's the same software as I have now, so it wouldn't be worth much in novelty value.

I must admit I like the HTC Android phones but I like the iPhone, it does what I want so until something sweeps me up I'll stay with it, the iPhone 4 has much better battery life, better camera, faster cpu more memory and one hell of an amazing screen, the definition is outstanding.

As far as software being the same, some features don't run on iPhone 3GS and I think that will change again with the 4.2 update. I love I can facetime vid call my friends in the states over wifi without incurring o2 network costs and also other users on Macs and people with with new iPod touches..

I guess I have reached a point where I have what I need in a handset nailed down for the time being, new phones come and go, but I won't change unless my needs dictate I have to. Some Android would do for me fine I think, but I'm all set up to run with itunes quite happily on the Mac so I see no point in changing handset, although looking is allowed

Gary · Nov 08, 2010, 23:31:21

Quote from: Simon on Nov 08, 2010, 23:24:06
They need to pull something back. The N8 is disappointing, after high expectations.

Its a shame, Nokia were my all time favourite handset maker for so many years

Simon · Nov 08, 2010, 23:50:00

Likewise, Sony Ericsson.

Now I've jailbroken and tweaked it to how I like it, I would find it hard to go back to a 'jailed' iPhone, so I'll have to wait for 4.2 to be JB'd before I upgrade. It's nice not to be stuck with that horrid green text bubble in the SMS app, and to have my own tones throughout the phone.

Gary · Nov 09, 2010, 01:13:00

Quote from: Simon on Nov 08, 2010, 23:50:00
Likewise, Sony Ericsson.

Now I've jailbroken and tweaked it to how I like it, I would find it hard to go back to a 'jailed' iPhone, so I'll have to wait for 4.2 to be JB'd before I upgrade. It's nice not to be stuck with that horrid green text bubble in the SMS app, and to have my own tones throughout the phone.

I like the breaking up of text so you can see who says what in a conversation with that green bubble it means I know who is saying what, I think it links well, and I am no keen on ringtones, I like a phone to just sound one, but thats just me

. Did you changed the root password?

Simon · Nov 09, 2010, 07:28:29

Yes, I did change the root password. I haven't got rid of the text bubbles, just changed the colour.