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Nokia N78 vs Nokia N79

Every spec side by side, from each maker's published figures.

Better figure, where one is clearly better

NokiaN78NokiaN79
Overview
Released20082008
Display
Screen size2.4″2.4″
Resolution320 × 240320 × 240
Sharpness167 pixels per inch167 pixels per inch
PanelLCDLCD
Display type2.4-inch QVGA display with up to 16 million colours. GSMArena’s exact-model specifications classify it as TFT LCD; no maker refresh-rate figure published.2.4-inch QVGA 240 × 320 LCD with up to 16 million colours; TFT type confirmed by GSMArena. Native refresh and brightness in nits not published.
Display features–Orientation sensor supports automatic portrait/landscape interface rotation.
Performance
Storage70 MB50 MB
MemoryMaker launch sheet publishes up to 70 MB internal storage, not installed physical RAM. GSMArena reports 76 MB internal storage and 96 MB RAM on its tested unit; structured storage retains the maker figure and RAM is omitted pending maker evidence.S60 3rd Edition Feature Pack 2. GSMArena reports Symbian OS 9.3 and a single 369 MHz ARM11 CPU without a dedicated graphics accelerator. Physical RAM capacity is not inferred from the 72 MB free-RAM figure in All About Symbian's test.
Storage typeHot-swappable microSD slot. Launch sheet includes a 2 GB card; launch release mentions cards available up to 8 GB. Card capacity is separate from internal storage.Maker launch datasheet states up to 50 MB internal user memory and a bundled 4 GB microSD card. Contemporary tests differ, with All About Symbian finding 76 MB free internal storage and GSMArena just under 83 MB user-available memory. Keep differing firmware/test figures qualified, rather than adding them to nominal capacity.
Cameras
Main camera3.2 MP5 MP
Ultra wide cameraNoneNone
Telephoto cameraNoneNone
Optical zoomNoneNone
Main camera3.2 MP CMOS autofocus camera with Carl Zeiss Tessar optics, 2048 × 1536 images, single LED flash, 4.6 mm focal length and 10 cm to infinity focus range. No protective lens cover.Autofocus 5 MP Carl Zeiss Tessar, F2.8 aperture and physical focal length 5.2 mm; dual LED flash and physical sliding lens cover. Launch datasheet gives 2584 × 1938 pixels, while the exact guide and GSMArena give 2592 × 1944. Retain this source discrepancy.
Front cameraSecondary CIF camera for two-way WCDMA video calling; no megapixel figure inferred from the format name.Lower-resolution secondary camera supports photographs, video recording and video calls; exact guide does not give megapixels.
Video recordingVGA at up to 15 fps; VGA playback up to 30 fps is separate from capture.MPEG-4 VGA 640 × 480 at up to 30 fps. Guide distinguishes MP4 TV-quality modes from 3GP sharing mode. Dual LED can serve as a video light; review focus findings vary and are not changed into specification claims.
Camera featuresGPS location tagging, scene modes, white balance, exposure compensation, self-timer, sequence shooting and composition grid. Later software and network-service availability vary.Geotagging, scene modes, white balance, exposure compensation, self-timer, burst sequence and composition grid; configurable camera toolbar. Physical cover starts and closes the camera application.
Battery and charging
Battery1,200 mAh1,200 mAh
Video playback (maker's claim)–Up to 5 hours
Wireless chargingNoneNone
Battery life detailRemovable BL-6F, 1200 mAh. Launch claims up to 190 minutes WCDMA or 260 minutes GSM talk, 320 hours standby for either network, and 24 hours music playback. Actual endurance depends on network, settings and battery condition.Removable BL-6F, 1200 mAh. Launch datasheet claims up to 210 minutes 3G or 330 minutes GSM talk, 400 hours 3G or 370 hours GSM standby, 5 hours offline video playback and 24 hours offline music. Actual use depends on network, features and battery condition.
Wired chargingDedicated Nokia charging connector; supplied mains charger is separate from the micro-USB data cable.Dedicated 2 mm Nokia charging connector. Micro-USB does not charge the handset, confirmed in both full reviews.
Design
TypeStandardStandard
Weight101.8 g97 g
Thickness15.1 mm15 mm
Height × width113 × 49 mm110 × 49 mm
ColoursAll About Symbian lists Pearl White, Cocoa Brown (spelt “coca brown” in the article) and Lagoon Blue rear variants. Black front face; recovered maker photos show different side/rear finishes.Maker launch lists Light Sea Blue, Espresso Brown, Olive Green, White and Coral Red Xpress-on smart rear covers; three covers included in each package, with market-dependent selection. Covers automatically change matching screen themes unless that option is disabled.
ButtonsPhysical numeric keypad and five-way scroll control with touch-sensitive Navi wheel; multimedia, power, camera and volume controls. Navi wheel can be disabled; breathing light indicates standby or missed events.Navi wheel around the scroll control, dedicated keylock slider, volume rocker, multimedia/menu controls and two-stage camera capture key.
SpeakersIntegrated stereo loudspeakers; Bluetooth stereo and standard wired headphones are separate listening options.Built-in stereo loudspeakers; headset listening and speakerphone/ringtone measurements are distinct.
Software
Operating systemSymbianSymbian
Software featuresS60 3rd Edition Feature Pack 2, based on Symbian OS 9.3 as identified by the full reviews. Music player, FM receiver/transmitter, Internet Radio, media sharing, web browser and document viewers. Launch sheet lists N-Gage as a later download; initial-firmware reviews found it unavailable. FM transmitter varies by country; RM-235 guide gives 88.1–107.9 MHz and up to 3 m operating distance.Integrated FM receiver and FM transmitter; original music, gallery, web, messaging, document viewing and N-Gage software. Firmware, region and operator affect applications; retired connected services are not advertised as current.
Release detailMaker launch sheet and reproduced release plan Q2 2008 shipping, not confirmed first retail. All About Symbian reports Finnish retailer shipping by 24 May 2008 and tests a production handset in June. Year precision retained pending exact maker first-sale evidence. Maker says it continues a range such as N73, without explicit direct replacement wording.Maker announcement on 26 August 2008 plans October shipping, while the datasheet plans Q4. Neither proves the first retail day or month, so release retains 2008 precision, supported by contemporary production reviews. Maker calls it a step forward from N72/N73; review comparisons with N78/N82 do not establish a direct replacement link.
Connectivity
Mobile networkLaunch sheet covers WCDMA 900/2100 and GSM/GPRS/EGPRS 850/900/1800/1900 with HSDPA. All About Symbian distinguishes N78-1 European/Asian bands from N78-3 850/1900 WCDMA; regional bands are not combined.N79-1/RM-348 supports WCDMA 900/2100 with HSDPA and GSM 850/900/1800/1900 with EGPRS. Other regional RM models have different bands; none borrowed into this record.
Wi-FiIEEE 802.11b/g with UPnP home-network sharing and synchronisation.IEEE 802.11b/g with UPnP home-network support.
BluetoothBluetooth 2.0 with enhanced data rates. RM-235 guide lists A2DP, AVRCP, imaging, printing, dial-up networking, file transfer, hands-free, headset, HID, object push, SIM access, synchronisation, serial-port and phonebook-access profiles.Bluetooth 2.0 with enhanced data rates; exact guide lists stereo A2DP and AVRCP, imaging, printing, dial-up networking, file transfer, hands-free, headset, HID, object push, SIM access, synchronisation, serial-port and phonebook-access profiles.
USBHi-Speed USB 2.0 through micro-USB for data; standard 3.5 mm audio connector. No TV output, distinguished in All About Symbian’s exact-model review.Micro-USB Hi-Speed USB 2.0 data socket and separate charging connector. Standard 3.5 mm stereo headset connector also supports PAL/NTSC TV output.
PositioningIntegrated GPS and assisted GPS with original Nokia Maps. Historical navigation subscriptions and retired online services are not promised as current features.Integrated GPS and assisted GPS. Original Nokia Maps and bundled navigation trial are historical software features; retired service availability is not promised.

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