Nokia N78 vs Nokia N96

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

Better figure, where one is clearly better

N78 compared with N96
NokiaN78NokiaN96
Overview
Released2008September 2008
Display
Screen size2.4″2.8″
Resolution320 × 240320 × 240
Sharpness167 pixels per inch (better)143 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.2.8-inch QVGA screen; GSMArena identifies TFT LCD with 16 million colours. No maker refresh-rate figure established.
Performance
Chip–Dual ARM9 264 MHz (GSMArena)
Memory–128 MB
Storage70 MB16 GB (better)
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.16 GB mass storage is separate from phone/system memory. GSMArena publishes 128 MB RAM, used in configs; All About Symbian reports about 46 MB free after boot, not installed capacity. Its tested phone/system C drive has 85 MB free; neither free-space figure replaces advertised mass storage.
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.Built-in mass storage and microSD slot. Maker launch describes an optional 8 GB microSDHC MU-43 card giving 24 GB total; no hypothetical card maximum treated as a maker specification.
Cameras
Main camera3.2 MP5 MP (better)
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.5 MP autofocus camera with Carl Zeiss optics and dual LED flash/video light. GSMArena reports 2592 × 1944 stills and 5.2 mm marked focal length. No physical lens cover.
Front cameraSecondary CIF camera for two-way WCDMA video calling; no megapixel figure inferred from the format name.Secondary front camera for video calls; GSMArena identifies VGA, without an inferred megapixel figure.
Video recordingVGA at up to 15 fps; VGA playback up to 30 fps is separate from capture.VGA video at up to 30 fps in GSMArena’s production review; maker announcement confirms 30 fps without treating “DVD-like” marketing as a resolution.
Camera featuresGPS location tagging, scene modes, white balance, exposure compensation, self-timer, sequence shooting and composition grid. Later software and network-service availability vary.Location tagging, scene modes, white balance, exposure compensation, ISO selection, sharpness, contrast and colour effects; exact guide distinguishes temporary setup from persistent main settings.
Battery and charging
Battery1,200 mAh (better)950 mAh
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-5F confirmed by RM-247 guide; 950 mAh is reported independently by GSMArena and All About Symbian. No unpublished launch talk/standby figures copied from N95. Contemporary test endurance remains attributed in reviews.
Wired chargingDedicated Nokia charging connector; supplied mains charger is separate from the micro-USB data cable.Separate charger connector and micro-USB data socket. GSMArena confirms no USB charging; RM-247 guide specifies compatible AC-5 mains charger.
Design
TypeStandardStandard
Weight101.8 g (better)125 g
Thickness15.1 mm (better)18 mm
Height × width113 × 49 mm103 × 55 mm
Weight detail–GSMArena quotes 125 g and 103 × 55 × 18 mm; those structured required figures use its exact-model production review because original maker datasheet mirror is blocked. All About Symbian describes 17 mm thickness; source difference retained.
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.–
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.Dual slider reveals numeric keypad or media/game controls. Front media keys, scroll control, menu/multimedia shortcuts, camera/volume controls and top keylock switch. All About Symbian confirms prototype Navi wheel was disabled in production; generic FP2 review paragraphs suggesting it remains active are excluded.
SpeakersIntegrated stereo loudspeakers; Bluetooth stereo and standard wired headphones are separate listening options.Built-in stereo loudspeakers and rear folding stand for hands-free video viewing. DVB-H receiver requires compatible local services; original guide specifies SIM and subscription/coverage conditions.
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.S60 3rd Edition Feature Pack 2 on Symbian OS 9.3, as identified in full reviews. Original music/video/Photos software, FM radio with RDS, Internet Radio, N-Gage, document viewers and web browser. Historical regional BBC iPlayer widget and online-service support are described as launch-era features.
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.Original maker announcement dated 11 February 2008 planned Q3 shipping. Issuer’s 3 September notice announces availability and says first shipments have started; September retained without treating notice date as exact worldwide first retail. Regional retail timing differs. Maker says N96 builds on N95’s success, without an explicit 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.GSMArena exact model table lists GSM 850/900/1800/1900 and WCDMA 900/2100 with HSDPA. Separate N96-3 regional 850/1900 WCDMA bands are not combined into the European record.
Wi-FiIEEE 802.11b/g with UPnP home-network sharing and synchronisation.IEEE 802.11b/g with UPnP home-network sharing; exact RM-247 guide documents infrastructure/ad hoc modes and media sharing.
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; exact RM-247 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.
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.Hi-Speed USB 2.0 data via micro-USB. Nokia AV 3.5 mm connector serves compatible wired headphones and CA-75U TV-out cable; separate mains charging connector.
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 with historical Nokia Maps navigation. Launch navigation subscriptions and retired online services are not promised as current services.

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